is a law firm dedicated to families and
the ethical resolution of all family law disputes.

The psychological and emotional impact of divorce can be extremely difficult and it takes a special kind of lawyer to navigate his or her clients through such a turbulent time. Those at Phillips, Lerner & Lauzon, LLP, in Los Angeles, strive to achieve just resolutions for their clients, all the while offering them positive support through what is typically a life-altering and troublesome experience.

Phillips, Lerner & Lauzon, LLP, is one of the nation's pre-eminent family law firms. Its multifaceted team of highly trained professionals represents a broad range of clients, including executives, entrepreneurs, homemakers and high net worth individuals, as well as celebrities in music, film, and television, and noted personalities in sports and politics.

The attorney team at PLL recognizes that each case has its unique set of problems and issues. As such, they give careful attention to each case, knowing that every individual's family and marital problems require the utmost in consideration and that every case must be approached with the client's specific needs in mind. The firm has achieved impressive results for its clients including numerous landmark victories.

The firm handles complex marital disputes whether they involve dissolution proceedings, paternity actions, spousal and child support matters, or guardianships. The firm has a keen interest in finding equitable solutions where children are involved -- solutions that focus on what is best for them.

Though formidable litigators, the attorneys are also skilled negotiators with a proven track record of resolving matters through mediation and other alternative dispute resolution techniques. The attorneys at PLL often implement a dual strategy for its clients: one that focuses on trying to reach a reasonable settlement; the other, full preparation for a court trial. To that end, the attorney team assigned to any case strives for a peaceful resolution to all matters in question, however, should those efforts fail, the matter should be well poised for trial.

Always at the forefront of family law, the firm participates in Collaborative Law, a relatively new area of alternative dispute resolution. Collaborative Law offers the opportunity to resolve marital disputes in a less adversarial atmosphere typically inherent in litigation. This approach allows each party's needs and expectations to be better addressed than they might otherwise be in mediation or litigation proceedings. Collaborative Law is especially useful when it comes to maintaining bonds in a blended family which are so critical for the benefit of the children.

Phillips, Lerner & Lauzon's highly experienced partners, associates, paralegals and energetic team of experienced assistants bring a variety of skills and expertise to the table. As part of its service, the firm seeks to match each client to the most appropriate attorney. Each of the firm's attorneys goes to great lengths to choose the most practical and viable approach to handling every case.

Here are biographical sketches of the partners, associates and key support staff:

A frequent contributor to Divorce Magazine and a member of Divorce Magazine's Advisory Board, Ms. Phillips is a Certified Family Law Specialist and author of Divorce: It's All About Control--How to Win the Emotional, Psychological and Legal Wars, now in its sixth printing. With an "AV" rating in the Martindale Hubbell Registry, Ms. Phillips has been listed by Super Lawyers (A Thomson Reuters Business) since the list's inception and has been named as one of the “Top 10” Southern California Lawyers in 2010 and 2011, one of the “Top 100” Southern California Lawyers from 2006-2011, and as a "Top 50 Female” Southern California Lawyer from 2005-2011.   Designated as one of the "500 Leading Lawyers in America," by Lawdragon since 2006, she also was named by the Los Angeles Business Journal as one of its "Best of the Bar" and as one of the "50 Most Powerful Women in Los Angeles." In addition, Ms. Phillips has been listed among the "Top Women Litigators," by the Los Angeles Daily Journal every year since the list was first presented, Best Lawyers has named her among its elite group of "Southern California's Best Lawyers," and she was presented with the  "Family Law Attorney of the Year" award in 2009 by the Century City Bar Association.  Ms. Phillips handles all aspects of family law disputes. Her cases include complex dissolution matters, child custody, spousal and child support, paternity disputes, domestic partnerships, and domestic violence matters. Her clients include business executives, entrepreneurs, homemakers, high net worth individuals and celebrities in film, television, music, sports and politics. She co-authored Senate Bill 924 (a bill to allow victims of domestic violence to sue their abusers in civil court). She is a regular commentator on television programs including Entertainment Tonight, E! News Entertainment, "20/20," "The Sunday Show," Access Hollywood, and Good Morning America, to name a few. She has been quoted in a myriad of publications such as the Wall Street Journal, Business Week and the Los Angeles Times, and has been called upon for legal opinions by the ABC Television Network's Legal and Justice Unit. She sits on the boards of several philanthropic organizations and donates her time to many others.

An attorney for more than three decades, Mr. Lerner is known as a strong litigator and for his ability to prevail in court trials. He has received international attention for the much-publicized case he won involving a woman who won the lottery and kept the proceeds a secret from her husband. The judge ultimately awarded the husband (Lerner's client) the entire $1.6 million jackpot. Since its inception in 2004, Mr. Lerner has been designated as a Southern California "Super Lawyer," a distinction given jointly by Law & Politics and Los Angeles Magazine. Known as an outstanding mediator by peers and colleagues, Mr. Lerner uses his additional legal expertise in real estate, contract and transactional law to benefit his clients in complex family law cases.

Peter Lauzon has extensive expertise in family law litigation and international and interstate custody cases. Since its inception in 2004, he has been listed as one of Southern California's "Super Lawyers," a distinction given jointly by Law & Politics and Los Angeles Magazine. He has special expertise in international laws regarding child custody and child abduction, known as the Convention on Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction. He has successfully litigated court cases involving the countries of Canada, Finland, Norway, Sweden, Portugal, Holland, and France. Mr. Lauzon has an "AV" rating by the Martindale Hubbell Registry.

Ms. Avedissian has over a decade and a half of diverse experience in civil litigation, specializing in complex family law matters. Ms. Avedissian's international experience -- she completed studies in comparative and international family law through Dickinson School of Law at the University of Florence, Italy - and her ability to speak French, Farsi (Persian) and Armenian fluently enables Ms. Avedissian to offer advice and counseling to a variety of clients based on her understanding of their cultural backgrounds. Ms. Avedissian is a past board member of the Armenian National Committee of America and is actively involved in various cultural and charitable organizations within the community.

Mr. Cogan handles all aspects of family law matters, including the litigation of those disputes that escalate to trial. With extensive experience as a business litigator, Mr. Cogan (a former managing partner of a medium size litigation firm) integrates his broad knowledge of business law, trial strategies, and sophisticated law and motion practice into the often complex intricacies of the various issues that present themselves in the process of resolving family law disputes. He has worked in various areas of law including cases involving complex business disputes, professional liability, defamation, wrongful death, and product liability. Mr. Cogan writes for California Family Law Monthly. Mr. Cogan also sits on the Board of the Beverly Hills Basketball League and is both a founding member and an Executive Committee member of the organization.

2029 Century Park E., Suite 1200, Los Angeles, CA 90067
Tel.: (310) 277-7117
Fax: (310) 286-9182 or (310) 277-0971
www.plllaw.com

sdpdissoqueen@plllaw.com or plauzon@plllaw.com or mlerner@plllaw.com

Stacy D. Phillips has written the following articles:

FAQs:

• "My husband is unemployed and says he can't pay the child and/or spousal support he owes me. Is there anything I can do?"
• "I've been ordered to pay an amount of child and/or spousal support that I can't afford. What are my options?"
• "If I file for divorce, how can I protect certain assets (family heirlooms, etc.) from my ex?"
• "What are your tips for finding the best divorce lawyer?"
• "My divorce lawyer tells me I'm eligible for spousal support, but I feel so guilty about my affair that I'm not sure I want to take money from my husband. What should I do?"
• "My spouse left me more than ten years ago, and I have no idea where he is now. How can I get a divorce from him?"
• "We were only married for two years and don't have a lot of assets. Do we really have to go through the whole divorce process?"
• "My spouse has had several affairs; it's one of the reasons we split up. Can I use this against him in the divorce proceedings?"
• "What can I do if my divorce lawyer wants to quit my case? The court date is approaching, and I don't know where else to turn."
• "My divorce attorney keeps telling me to keep my emotions in check -- but how does one go about doing that during an emotionally charged event like divorce? Do you have any tips?"
• "Can I leave the marital home? Can I make my spouse leave the marital home?"
• "I have committed adultery. Will my spouse get the lion's share of everything, including property and higher-than-usual support?"
• "Can one divorce attorney represent both my spouse and me? I think it would save us time and money."
• "My new stepchildren treat me like a doormat. My own kids are starting to talk back to me, too. What can I do to improve the situation?"
• "What is Parental Alienation Syndrome?"

Articles:

• Part 2: Grown Men Advantages Go to Sons of 'Mama's Boys'
• Part 1: Mostly Fatherless, how has this impacted President Obama
• Myths about marriage: bliss is not always what you think it should be
• Finding love in all the wrong places: where you should not go to find your new m
• Best places to meet someone new
• What you should never say to your ex: Top ten things you say that you may regret
• Protecting your favorite ally: Top ten things you should never do
• Jeopardizing your divorce case: Ten things you should never do
• Hiding From the Realities of Your Divorce May Cause You to Face Harsher Truths Later
• Working Out with Reckless Abandon to Mitigate the Divorce Blues or Engaging in Extreme Sports Can Easily Cause Long Term Damage
• Looking Over the Shoulder Too Closely of Those Who Are Helping You To Shoulder Your Responsibilities Can Do You In
• If the Idle Mind is a Devil's Playground, a Mind Too Occupied Leaves No Room for Play
• Talking a Blue Streak Can Give You More Than the Blues When It Comes to Gabbing About Your Divorce
• The Yo-Yo Effect Won't Keep You Grounded
• How 'Makeover' Mania Can Work Against You
• Obsession with Sex Can Ruin More than Your Reputation
• Overworking Can Rob Your Life of Balance
• Overeating May Be Your Biggest Enemy
• Taking chances with your money
• Overspending may wind up costing you more than you think
• The divorce wars, internal wars and the enemies within
• Emotions Have No Place in Divorce Court
• An Inflexible Ex: You and the children
• Fighting Just to Win: Is it worth it?
• A Promise to Others
• Part 4: How to get, gain, assume and maintain control of your divorce
• Part 3: How to get, gain, assume and maintain control of your divorce
• Part 2: How to get, gain, assume and maintain control of your divorce
• Part 1: How to get, gain, assume and maintain control of your divorce
• Your Children: WHOS' IN CONTROL -- You or Them?
• Your Divorce Lawyer: Who's In Control -- You or Them?
• Your Family and Friends: Who's In Control -- You or Them?
• Your Ex: Who's In Control -- You or Them?
• Part 3: The Divorce Wars -- Emotional, Psychological and Legal
• Part 2: The Divorce Wars -- Emotional, Psychological, and Legal
• Part 1: The Divorce Wars -- Emotional, Psychological and Legal
• The Divorce Wars -- Emotional, Psychological and Legal
• Part 4: THREATS AND CONTROL: Real, Implied and Imagined
• Part 3: THREATS AND CONTROL: Real, Implied and Imagined
• Part 2: THREATS AND CONTROL: Real Implied and Imagined
• Part 1: THREATS AND CONTROL: Real, Implied, and Imagined
• THE INTERNAL WARS: The enemies within
• The Anatomy of Control: How it manifests itself in personal relationships
• Ten Tips to Make Your Valentine Last Forever

Professional Forum:

• Cover Your Liabilities (and Your Assets, Too)
• MEDIATION VS.TRIAL: What's More Productive and Why
• Spare Children the Grief
• Resolving to Keep Your Marriage Together
• The Child's Bill of Rights
• Visitation and the Inflexible Ex

Robyn C. Santucci has written the following article:

FAQs:

• "I've been ordered to pay an amount of child and/or spousal support that I can't afford. What are my options?"

Jeffrey P. Bollinger has written the following article:

FAQs:

• "My wife is very controlling. Will Collaborative Divorce work for us?"

Azita Avedissian has written the following articles:

FAQs:

• "Under what circumstances can I annul my marriage, rather than get a divorce?"
• "I am 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?"

Tuesday, May 15
at 8 pm to 8:30 EST
Out With the Tragedy: Turning Divorce into a meaningful experience
with Allison Pescosolido and Andra Brosh, founders of Divorce Detox
Learn More

Listen to podcasts of previous TeleSeminars.