When choosing a law firm to handle your divorce in L.A., you should find one that's prepared and qualified to deal with any legal curveball your case might throw you. They should also be working to make the process as easy and efficient as possible, so that you can move on with the least damage to your wallet and your emotions. With these traits in mind, you need look no further than Feinberg, Mindel, Brandt & Klein, LLP, based in West Los Angeles.

"A family lawyer must have the ability to listen patiently, to understand the problems thoroughly, and to resolve those problems as quickly and efficiently as possible,"says Robert Brandt, the head of the Family Law Department at FMBK. According to Managing Partner Steven Mindel, who heads the Business Transactions Department at FMBK, a top family law attorney must also be knowledgeable about all areas of law. "To use a baseball analogy, you have to be a utility player. Divorce law combines so many different legal areas, including business, child custody, finance, and property. There's always some collateral issue involved. You also have to respond to the clients' needs: returning phone calls, listening to what they're saying, changing gears from toughness to compassion whenever necessary."

FMBK's staff has extremely high standards for their own work. They're versatile in their legal abilities, and they expect only the best of themselves. Seven of the lawyers are Certified Specialists in Family Law*, Howard S. Klein is a Certified Specialist in Estate Planning, Trust and Probate Law**, and the team has the knowledge and experience to handle all types of cases -- from prenups to paternity to palimony to divorce to post-divorce matters. "We're also able to serve a broad spectrum of the community -- from higher-asset to lower-asset cases,"adds Brandt.

Aware that divorce is very expensive, they also do what they can to make it less so. "We're very conscious of cost control and we work closely with the client to reduce fees if necessary. We aim to minimize the expense and maximize the return." says Mindel.

One of the best ways to minimize the cost of divorce is to concentrate on completing the process as quickly as possible -- and not to fixate on trivial issues, says Brandt. "Don't fight for principle or for your own ego; carefully choose what the important issues are -- such as your children's best interests," he advises. "The more you battle, the more expensive your divorce becomes."

FMBK will explore a realm of solutions to divorce cases before even considering the adversarial court system. "It is always preferable to work out a settlement rather than to have one dictated to you by a court," says Brandt. "So be reasonable and realize that a truly just settlement is one that no one is 100% happy with." Mindel adds that they "try to reduce the animosity between parties to help them build trust and move on." In addition to setting up realistic goals and showing clients where to get the tools to deal with their anxiety and grief, FMBK offers a broad spectrum of legal services. The firm can assist you with wills, trusts and estate planning issues, complex civil litigation matters, real property law, and commercial litigation, in addition to dealing with your divorce; many of these additional fields become involved in divorce cases.

The highest quality service at the most efficient price: this is what FMBK has to offer.

The highly credited and  versatile team at Feinberg, Mindel, Brandt & Klein in LA can provide you with top notch family law services.  Here are brief biographies of FMBK's attorneys or visit our website:

Irwin B. Feinberg
Partner, Head of our Litigation Department
Litigation, Probate & Trust Department
ifeinberg@fmbklaw.com   Ext. 201

Irwin B. Feinberg is our firm's lead litigator and a partner. Mr. Feinberg completed his undergraduate work at UCLA in 1976 and earned his J.D. from the University of California at Davis in 1979. He clerked for the Honorable Bertram Janes, Justice of the California Court of Appeal. Before founding FMBK, he originally practiced at the law firm of Buchalter, Nemer, Fields, Chrystie & Younger. Mr. Feinberg has an AV rating with Martindale-Hubbell

He is the former Board Chair and currently serves on the Board and Executive Committee of Our House, and serves as Chair of the Board of Westview School. He is also a former Board Member of Kayne ERAS and Cure FD Foundation.  He was named as a Super Lawyer by Los Angeles Magazine, 2005 through 2011. Mr. Feinberg lives in Pacific Palisades with his wife, Deb, and has three sons.

Steven A. Mindel, CFLS*
Managing Partner, Head of our Business Transactions Department
Business Transactions & Family Law
smindel@fmbklaw.com  Ext. 220

Steven A. Mindel, a Certified Family Law Specialist* since 1998, is the Managing Partner of FMBK and heads our firm's Business Transactions Department. Mr. Mindel graduated Magna Cum Laude from UCLA in 1981 and from the USC Law Center in 1985.

Mr. Mindel currently serves as the Immediate Past President of the Board of Trustees of University Synagogue and previously served on the Governing Board of Directors of Los Angeles Free Clinic where he received two special recognition awards for his volunteerism. He was appointed and served a two year term on the California State Bar Family Law Section Executive Committee ("FLEXCOM"), where he currently serves as an Advisor. Mr. Mindel was named as a Super Lawyer by Los Angeles Magazine, 2004 through 2011, and was named one of Southern California's Top 100 lawyers, 2000 through 2011. In addition to being featured on the cover of the Super Lawyers insert in the 2009 issue of Los Angeles Magazine, he was featured in an article titled, "The Man Who Would De-Fang Divorce," in the 2009 Super Lawyers Magazine. Mr. Mindel was selected by his peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers® 2010 and 2011. He has an AV rating with Martindale Hubbell. Mr. Mindel routinely lectures at Loyola Law School in Family Law. In addition, he is on the Levitt & Quinn Family Law Center Advisory Council. He is a lifetime member of the UCLA Alumni Association. Mr. Mindel is the author of " Cooking For Our Friends," a cookbook that includes step-by-step instructions on cooking meals for parties of more than 40 people. He is on the board of Pacific Coast Soccer Club (PCSC). In addition, he is a black belt in Tae Kwon Do and an Eagle Boy Scout. Mr. Mindel resides in Pacific Palisades with his wife, Nancy and their children.

Robert C. Brandt, CFLS*
Partner, Head of our Family Law Department
Family Law
rbrandt@fmbklaw.com Ext. 227

Robert C. Brandt is a Certified Family Law Specialist* and heads our firm's Family Law Department. He is a Fellow of both the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, where he serves as Treasurer of the Southern California Chapter, and the International Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers. Mr. Brandt graduated from San Diego State University in 1971 with Distinction in Speech Arts. He earned a Masters degree in Speech from UCLA in 1972 and his JD from Southwestern University School of Law in 1976.

Mr. Brandt belongs to the Los Angeles County and Beverly Hills Bar Associations, the Association of Certified Family Law Specialists, and the United States District Courts. He is the current Chair Elect of the Los Angeles County Bar Association Family Law Section, former Section Vice Chair, Treasurer and Secretary, and has been a member of the Los Angeles County Bar Association Executive Committee Family Law Section for six years. In addition, Mr. Brandt is a member of the Beverly Hills Bar Association Family Law Section Executive Committee (2009-2010). He has previously served as the Chairperson of the Continuing Legal Education Subcommittee. Mr. Brandt participated in the forming of the Family Law Branch of the American Inns of Court in Los Angeles and has been on its Executive Committee since 2006. Among other achievements is his experience as a volunteer mediator for the Los Angeles Superior Court and as a grader for the Family Law section of the State Bar of California Board of Legal Specialization. Mr. Brandt frequently participates in Continuing Legal Education seminars as a lecturer, moderator and panel member. He was named as a Super Lawyer by Los Angeles Magazine, 2005 though 2011 and was named one of Southern California's Top 100 lawyers in 2000 and 2011. Mr. Brandt was selected by his peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers® 2010 and 2011. He has an AV rating with Martindale-Hubbell. Mr. Brandt co-authored Chapter 3A, entitled, "Family Law/Domestic Relations Issues Affecting a High Net Worth Athlete or Coach," in the Thompson West four-volume treatise, "Law of Professional Amateur Sports" (c) 2009. Mr. Brandt also co-authored the article, "Under Influence in Probate and Family Law Matters," with partner Howard Klein. The article was published in the September 2008 issue of Los Angeles Lawyer, and Brandt and Klein were featured on the cover of the magazine. Mr. Brandt resides in Calabasas, California with his wife Lynn, a school psychologist. They have three children and two grandsons.

Howard S. Klein, a Certified Specialist in Estate Planning, Trust and Probate Law** since 1993, heads our firm's Probate Department. Mr. Klein graduated Summa Cum Laude in 1958 from UCLA, where he was elected to Phi Beta Kappa in his junior year. He graduated from UCLA Law School in 1961, worked as a trust administrator, and has practiced law in Los Angeles County for over 40 years. Mr. Klein also holds an "AV" rating with Martindale-Hubbell.

Mr. Klein has practiced family law for over 35 years and has lectured, written and been a frequent panelist for Continuing Education of the Bar and most major local bar associations, primarily on probate/family law cross-over issues, on which he is an acknowledged authority. He is on the Los Angeles Superior Court Probate Mediation Panel and has mediated over 100 cases in the past decade.

Mr. Klein is the immediate past Chair of the State Bar Advisory Commission on Estate Planning, Trust and Probate Law. He has chaired the Probate Section of the Beverly Hills Bar Association and sat for six years on the Executive Committee of the Los Angeles County Bar Association Trust and Estate Section. He was named as a Super Lawyer by Los Angeles Magazine, 2005 through 2011 and was named one of Southern California's Top 100 lawyers in 2011. He was selected by his peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers® 2010 and 2011. Howard Klein authored the article "Tales of Two Courts - Legal Changes in marital status can have a dramatic impact on existing estate plans", which was published in Los Angeles Lawyer Magazine, April 2005. Mr. Klein also co-authored with Geoffrey M. Murry the article "Estate Planning for Non-traditional Couples", which was published in the California Board of Legal Specialization Digest, 2007. In addition, Mr. Klein authored the article "Transmutation and the Ascendance of Undue Influence", which was published in the California Trusts and Estates Quarterly, Fall 2008. Also, Mr. Klein co-authored the article, "Under the Influence in Probate and Family Law Matters," with partner Robert Brandt. The article was published in the September 2008 issue of Los Angeles Lawyer, and Klein and Brandt were featured on the cover of the magazine. Finally, Mr. Klein authored the article, "Parting of the Ways: Clients contemplating divorce need to consider revision of their estate plans," which was published in the June 2010 issue of Los Angeles Lawyer. A past member of B'nai B'rith International ("BBI") Board of Governors, Mr. Klein resides in Porter Ranch with his wife, Rosalind, who is a former Senior International Vice President of BBI.

Jeremy B. Kline, CFLS*
Partner
Litigation & Family Law
jkline@fmbklaw.com Ext. 219

Jeremy Kline, Certified Family Law Specialist, graduated Cum Laude from UCLA in 1982 and from the USC Law Center in 1985. Mr. Kline is a partner and practices in the areas of business, real-estate and commercial litigation, as well as family law. He has briefed several appeals during his practice, including City National Bank v. Adams, 96 Cal.App.4th 315 (2002). Mr. Kline has an AV rating with Martindale Hubbell. He is a member of the LA County, Beverly Hills, American Bar Association and the Century City I, Professional Network Group. He was named as a Super Lawyer by Los Angeles Magazine in 2009 and 2011. He is also a lifetime member of the UCLA Alumni Association. Jerry has a wife, Betsy, and two children.

Wallace S. Fingerett is a Certified Family Law Specialist. He has been an attorney for more than 30 years. He graduated from San Diego State University with a degree in business and the University of La Verne Law School. Mr. Fingerett practices Family Law exclusively. He was named as a Super Lawyer by Los Angeles Magazine in 2009 and 2011. Mr. Fingerett has an AV rating with Martindale-Hubbell.

His experience includes work as a solo practitioner for more than twenty years and a senior financial consultant for a major brokerage. Mr. Fingerett has lectured at adult continuing education courses; volunteer attorney at Senior Citizens Center in Van Nuys and Reseda; volunteer attorney at Haven Hills Women's Shelter in San Fernando Valley; volunteer attorney at Ventura County Family Services in Thousand Oaks; volunteer attorney on behalf of Asylum applicants in Texas. He resides in Woodland Hills with his wife, Rhonda, and two teenage boys.

Nancy L. Burt, CFLS*
Associate
Family Law
nburt@fmbklaw.com Ext. 204

Nancy Burt is a Certified Family Law Specialist.  She graduated Magna Cum Laude from UCLA in 1983 and received her law degree from the University of San Francisco in 1986. Her practice is devoted exclusively to the practice of family law. Prior to joining FMBK, Ms. Burt practiced with the law firm of Coleman-Schwimmer & Warren. She has published "Sex Discrimination: Isbister v. Boy's Club" in the University of San Francisco Law Review, 1985.

Ms. Burt serves on FMBK's Summer Law Clerk Program Committee along with Taylor Bouchard.

Alex Grager, CFLS*
Associate
Family Law
agrager@fmbklaw.com Ext.222

Alex Grager is a Certified Family Law Specialist.  He received a Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology from the University of Southern California in 2001 and a law degree from the University of Southern California Law Center in 2004. While in law school, Mr. Grager worked at Bet Tzedek Legal Service, a non-profit law group providing low cost/no cost legal counsel to the community. He is experienced in family law litigation representing clients in all aspect of family law including custody disputes and domestic violence.

Mr. Grager is a member of the Los Angeles County Bar Association and the Beverly Hills Bar Association, where he serves on the Board of Governors of the Barristers. He is a co-chair of the Roxbury Park Legal Clinic and of the Domestic Violence Project of the Beverly Hills Bar Association. Mr. Grager was recognized with the Beverly Hills Bar Association Barristers Lawrence J. Blake award for his community service. He has lectured to new family law attorneys at the annual Los Angeles County Family Court programs and has presented on cross-over domestic violence issues in family law and criminal law at continuing legal education programs. Mr. Grager was named a Rising Star by Los Angeles Magazine in 2009, 2010 and 2011. He is fluent in Russian.

Megan E. Green is a Certified Family Law Specialist. She graduated Cum Laude from Auburn University with a B.A. in Political Science and Spanish. At Auburn, Ms. Green served as the President of the College of Liberal Arts and interned for the Supreme Court of Alabama. She earned her J.D. from Southwestern University School of Law, where she was a member of the Trial Advocacy Honors Program, the symposium editor for the Journal of Law and Trade in the Americas, President of the Family Law Society, and Southwestern's liaison to the American Bar Association. During law school, Ms. Green externed for the Honorable Roy Paul, a family law judge. She was named a Rising Star by Los Angeles Magazine in 2010 and 2011.

Ms. Green is a member of the Beverly Hills Bar Association.   She was formerly a board member of the Beverly Hills Bar Association and Barristers board. In particular, she served as the Homeless Project Chairperson and Treasurer for the Beverly Hills Bar Association Barristers. Ms. Green is a founding friend of the Los Angeles Trial Lawyers Charities ("LATLC"), an organization dedicated to community service. She is a member of Consumer Attorneys Association of Los Angeles ("CAALA"). Ms. Green has volunteered for the Harriet Buhai Center for Family Law and served as a lecturer for a Continuing Legal Education seminar on the subject of spouses' fiduciary duties as interpreted in the case Marriage of Feldman.

John Adam Lazor is a Certified Family Law Specialist. He graduated Phi Beta Kappa with Departmental Honors and Distinction in psychology from Stanford University in 1987 and received his law degree from the University of Michigan in 1992.

Mr. Lazor has practiced family law for over 17 years. He was appointed and will serve on the California State Bar Family Law Section Executive Committee ("FLEXCOM") for 2010-2013; he is the Chair of both the FLEXCOM Membership Committee and Vice-Chair of the FLEXCOM Affirmative Legislation Committee. Mr. Lazor is a member of Inns of Court, where he was appointed and will serve as Chair of the Membership committee. He is a member of the Los Angeles County Bar Association and Beverly Hills Bar Association. Mr. Lazor has been a member of the Family Law Indigent Paternity Panel since 1993, has worked with the Levitt & Quinn Family Law Center, and has volunteered for the Harriett Buhai Center for Family Law and Aids Project Los Angeles. Mr. Lazor has been the featured guest on two one-hour television shows designed to educate parents regarding their legal rights and responsibilities. He has been a guest lecturer speaking with high school students about the realities of teenage parenthood as well as being a contributing author to Los Angeles Lawyer magazine. Mr. Lazor is currently a member of the California Bar's Family Law Committee on Financial Affairs. He is a lifetime member of the University of Michigan Alumni Association and the Stanford University Alumni Association. Mr. Lazor is a member of Broadcast Music, Incorporated. Mr. Lazor was named as a Super Lawyer by Los Angeles Magazine in 2011. He resides in Culver City with his wife, Pam, and their two daughters.

Donna L. Shapiro graduated with Honors and Distinction from Stanford University in 1986, attended Harvard Law School and completed her J.D. at Stanford University in 1989. Her practice is devoted to the area of estate planning. Prior to joining FMBK, Ms. Shapiro practiced with the law firm of Rosenfeld, Meyer & Susman in Beverly Hills. She currently serves on the Executive Committee of the Board of Trustees of University Synagogue. She is also a lifetime member of the Stanford Alumni Association. Ms. Shapiro resides in Pacific Palisades with her two sons.

Gregory A. Girvan holds a B.A. in Political Science from the University of California at Davis and a law degree from Loyola Law School, Los Angeles. While attending Loyola Law School, he served as a judicial extern for the Los Angeles Superior Court and participated in the FMBK Summer Associate Program. He graduated law school in the top quarter of his class.

Mr. Girvan formerly served as a legislative deputy for the California State Assembly. While working for the Legislature, he drafted legislation to prepare California’s communications infrastructure for natural disasters and to curb harassment in the workplace. He remains active in local politics in the San Fernando Valley.

For more information or to arrange a consultation, please contact:

12424 Wilshire Blvd., Ninth Floor
Los Angeles, California 90025-1060
Phone: (310) 447-8675
Fax: (310) 447-8678
Website: www.fmbklaw.com
e-mail:rbrandt@fmbklaw.com or smindel@fmbklaw.com

NEWS STORIES and PRESS RELEASES:

• Howard S. Klein & Geoffrey Murry Publish Estate Planning for Non-Traditional Couples
• FMBK Partner Robert C. Brandt Moderates the Family Law Trial Institute Panel
• Two Palisadians Named "Super Lawyers"
• FMBK Attorneys Named Top 100 Attorneys and Super Lawyers in Los Angeles Magazine
• Click here for more PR releases

Robert Brandt, Steve Mindel, and Howard Klein have written several articles including:

FAQs:

• "My husband will not see a marriage counselor, and he’s verbally abusive toward the children and me. I want to make sure we’re safe, financially and emotionally, should divorce become our only option. What steps should I be taking now?"
• "What if my spouse doesn’t pay child support he or she has been ordered to pay?"
• "My registered domestic partner and I are experiencing irreconcilable differences. We need to go through something like divorce. How would that work?"
• "How do I prepare for the possibility of divorce?"
• "Is there anything I can do to legally force my husband back to work?"
• "My husband may leave me if we let our daughter have custody of our grandchildren."
• "If your ex fails to pay debts, can creditors come after you?"
• "Can a paternal father take his child away from the present father?"
• "How can I get out from under child support for an adult?"
• "Do I need to set goals for my divorce, or will my lawyer do that for me?"
• "Every month my ex is late with his child support payment. Should I withhold visitation from him until he smartens up?"
• "What if My Spouse Doesn't Pay Child Support He or She Has Been Ordered to Pay?"
• "To my ex-husband's credit, he has been regularly making his court-ordered spousal support and child support payments to me for the benefit of our two minor children and myself. Recently, he was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, and his prospects are poor. In the event of his death, is his estate obligated to maintain those support payments? Is there anything I would need to do in order to ensure that our children and I continue to receive support?"

Professional Forum:

• Robert Brandt co-authored with partner Howard Klein the article "Undue Influence in Probate and Family Law Matters", for the September 2008 issue of Los Angeles Lawyerr

John A. Lazor has written the following article:

FAQs:

• "I'm in the middle of a divorce but have already fallen in love with somebody else. Is it legal to get engaged before the divorce is final? If so, will it affect the divorce outcome?"
• "Can I still collect child support even if my former spouse lives in a different state?"

David P. Shebby has written the following article:

FAQs:

• "I supported my wife through medical school, and now she is a successful plastic surgeon. Am I entitled to a share of her practice?"

Donna L. Shapiro has written the following article:

FAQs:

• "Now that I'm divorced, should I rethink my estate planning?"

Jeremy B. Kline has written the following article:

FAQs:

• "What are the Most Common Misconceptions About Property and Divorce?"

Wallace S. Fingerett has written the following article:

FAQs:

• CAN I COLLECT HALF OF MY EX’S SOCIAL SECURITY AFTER WE DIVORCE?
• "What can I do to enforce payment of child support?"

Megan E. Green has written the following article:

FAQs:

• "Do I have to share my pension?"

Nancy L. Burt has written the following article:

FAQs:

• "I have been married for 40 years; my career was raising the kids and taking care of my husband. My attorney mentioned that I would be entitled to Social Security benefits via my ex-husband's record. How does this work?"

Alex Grager has written the following article:

FAQs:

• “I don’t get to see my children as often as I’d like. Is there anything I can do about that?”
• "I am worried that my spouse will try to hide assets from me. How can I be sure I get a fair share of the business and other assets?"

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