Summerville-law

Ms. Summerville graduated from the University of Southern California (B.A., Journalism) and from the University of California, Los Angeles (J.D., Law). She was admitted to the California State Bar in 1991. In 1999 Ms. Summerville relocated from Los Angeles to Orange County where she has devoted her efforts to the practice of family law for over 15... years. Ms. Summerville is a Certified Specialist in Family Law. To qualify as a specialist, Ms. Summerville was required to meet the strict standards of the state bar by proving her proficiency in the subject matter and practice of family law through successful examination, demonstration of her practical experience and accumulation of specialized continuing education legal credits in addition to the standard educational requirements required of all practicing attorneys. Ms. Summerville is also certified as a mediator under the California Dispute Resolution Programs Act (DRPA), having completed more than eighty hours of basic and advanced training in mediation. Ms. Summerville has participated in numerous programs regarding mediation and dispute resolution, including the prestigious and nationally recognized Straus Institute for Dispute Resolution at Pepperdine University. Ms. Summerville has served as a volunteer for the Orange County Human Relations Alternative Dispute Resolution Program. Ms. Summerville is a member of the California State Bar, the Association of Certified Family Law Specialists and the Orange County Bar Association. Prior to founding her firm, Ms. Summerville practiced as an associate attorney in several preeminent Orange County family law firms. "As an attorney in litigation firms, I repeatedly saw how parties would become exhausted, frustrated and disenchanted with the adversarial process. Many cases ultimately settled 'on the courthouse steps' the day of trial, but not before both parties had spent significant funds and suffered anxiety and anger battling each other. Litigation may be necessary in those cases where parties are absolutely ...Read More