About Debra R. Schoenberg

More than thirty years ago, she established her own firm, which has vast experience and expertise in the highly sensitive and complex practice of family law, and Ms. Schoenberg has established a professional reputation for thoroughness, strategic thinking, keen attention to detail, loyalty, and dedication to client service.

Today Ms. Schoenberg handles cases that range from complex financial issues and extensive marital estates, to high-conflict custody matters. Adept at negotiating resolutions as well as aggressively pursuing litigated outcomes, she also handles straightforward family law cases, pre- and post-marital agreements, and marital settlements. Ms. Schoenberg has demonstrated a lifetime commitment to fairness and equity, and because of her vast experience she is able to capture the perfect balance of compassionate sensitivity, and the aggressive assertion of a client’s rights.

Long recognized as a leading family law attorney, Debra Schoenberg is a frequent lecturer in family law. In recognition of her work she was named a Fellow of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers and a Board Certified Family Law Trial Specialist by the National Board of Trial Advocacy. She is also a Certified Family Law Specialist by the State of California Board of Legal Specialization. As the result of an extensive and confidential review by members of the Bar, she has been repeatedly listed in the Directory of Super Lawyers.

The San Francisco Business Times repeatedly names Debra Schoenberg to their 100 Top Women Owned Businesses, their 100 Fastest-Growing Private Companies in the Bay Area, and list of the Top 25 LGBT-Owned Businesses in the Bay Area.

Additionally, Ms. Schoenberg was selected by peer recognition and professional achievement as one of the Top Women Attorneys in Northern California and was named one of the Ten Best Family Law Attorneys in California by the American Institute of Family Law Attorneys. The firm has also been repeatedly selected as one of the top three family law firms in the Bay Area. Parent’s Press East Bay has also voted Schoenberg Family Law Group Best of Bay 2017. Most recently, Ms. Schoenberg was named to American Institute of Legal Counsel Top 10 California Attorneys for her dedication to families and working out the best situation for each of her clients. Ms. Schoenberg is a member of the California, New York, and Vermont Bar Associations. She is the author of a book entitled “Divorce in California.”

HONORS AND AWARDS

Fellow of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers

Listed in the Directory of Super Lawyers 2007, 2008, 2011, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018

The San Francisco Business Times’ 100 Top Women Owned Businesses, 2013 – 2018

The San Francisco Business Times’ list of the 100 Fastest-Growing Private Companies in the Bay Area, 2014 – 2018

The San Francisco Business Times’ list of the Top 25 LGBT-Owned Business in the Bay Area, 2015 – 2018

Top Women Attorneys in Northern California

American Institute of Family Law Attorneys ‘ Ten Best Family Law Attorneys in California, 2015 – 2017

American Jurist Institute – Top Ten Family Law Attorneys, 2017

CLASSES/SEMINARS

Navigating Life’s Transitions: A Financial and Legal Survival Guide, 2015

Tax Consequences of Divorce, State Assistant Judges, 2008

An Income Tax Primer for Family Law Practitioners, State Bar Association, 2008

What Family Court Judges Want You to Know, National Business Institute, 2007

Family Law: Year in Review, State Bar Association, 2007

Preventing Financial Mistakes during Divorce, National Business Institute, 2007

Child Custody and Shared Parenting, National Business Institute, 2007

Successful Financial Settlements for your Divorce Client, National Business Institute, 2007

Family Law: Helping Your Clients through Difficult Times, National Business Institute, 2007

A Road Map through Divorce Proceedings, National Business Institute, 2006

Family Law: Year in Review, State Bar Association, 2006

Advertising Ethically and Effectively, State Bar Association, 2006

Equitable Divorce Settlements, National Business Institute, 2006

What Family Court Judges Want You to Know, National Business Institute, 2006

Complex Matrimonial Law Issues, National Business Institute, 2005

Domestic Law in Vermont, National Business Institute, 2005

Tax Consequences of Divorce, State Assistant Judges, 2005

Business Valuations for the Matrimonial Practitioner, State Chapter of National Association of Certified Valuation Accountants, 2004

Keeping it Civil: The Same Sex Couples’ Journey, New York State Bar Association, 2004

Successfully Dealing with Life Transitions, Key Bank Financial Forum for Women, 2004

Dealing with the Pro Se Litigant, State Bar Association, 2004

Complex Issues in Divorce, National Business Institute, 2004

Divorce Cases from Start to Finish, National Business Institute, 2003

Women in Transition: Dealing with Issues Surrounding Divorce, Salomon Smith Barney, 2000 – 2003

Complex Divorce for the Vermont Practitioner, National Business Institute, 2003

Pro Se Litigation Education, State Family Court, 2000 – 2001

Business Valuation: Presentation of Exhibits, Admissibility, Persuasiveness, State Bar Association, 2001

Family Law and Relief from Abuse, Vermont Volunteers Lawyers Project, 2000

Trusts, Estate Planning and Divorce, National Business Institute, 2000

Child Custody and Time Sharing, National Business Institute, 1999 – 2000

How to Utilize the Magistrate, State Bar Association, 2000

 

Awards

Reviews for Debra R.

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Overall Rating
Showing 1-10 of 163 client reviews from Lawyers.com
Lawyers.com Rating Snapshot
5 stars
74%
4 stars
1%
3 stars
0%
2 stars
0%
1 star
25%
What do people say on Lawyers.com?
Communication
4.0
Quality of Service
4.0
Responsiveness
4.0
Value for Money
4.0
Divorce
Posted by anonymous
August 05, 2024
Hired Attorney

Working with Schoenberg Family Law was a huge mistake. I was continuously harassed about payments, and their disrespectful treatment made everything worse. Despite providing all required documentation, including asset division and custody details, I was billed $85,000. Their aggressive tactics and lack of respect were unacceptable.

Gay and Lesbian Family Law
Posted by anonymous
August 05, 2024
Hired Attorney

I regret choosing Schoenberg Family Law for my LGBTQ+ divorce. Their harassment over billing was relentless, and their disrespectful attitude towards me was shocking. I gave them detailed financial and custody information but received a $84,000 bill. Their poor communication made me feel completely undervalued.

Divorce
Posted by anonymous
August 05, 2024
Hired Attorney

My experience with Schoenberg Family Law was awful. I faced continuous harassment for payments, and their disrespectful treatment was beyond frustrating. Despite giving them all required documents for my LGBTQ+ divorce, I was billed $95,000. Their poor handling of the case and aggressive billing practices were unacceptable.

Divorce
Posted by anonymous
August 05, 2024
Hired Attorney

I regret choosing Schoenberg Family Law. Their harassment over fees was relentless, and their disrespectful behavior was shocking. Even though I gave them all the necessary documents for my LGBTQ+ custody case, I was charged $93,000. Their poor communication and aggressive tactics made the entire process stressful.

Divorce
Posted by anonymous
August 05, 2024
Hired Attorney

Working with Schoenberg Family Law was a nightmare. They harassed me constantly about payments, and their disrespectful attitude was unbearable. I provided detailed records for my same-sex divorce but was still billed $94,000. Their lack of transparency and poor handling of the case made me feel completely taken advantage of.

Gay and Lesbian Family Law
Posted by anonymous
August 05, 2024
Hired Attorney

Schoenberg Family Law was a terrible choice. Their harassment over billing was incessant, and their disrespectful behavior was unacceptable. I gave them all necessary documents for my LGBTQ+ family case but was charged $96,000. Their aggressive billing practices and lack of effective communication left me feeling completely exploited.

Divorce
Posted by Michael
July 22, 2024
Hired Attorney

Hiring Debra was the biggest mistake of my divorce. Not only did she fail to prioritize my needs and concerns, but her lack of communication and disinterest in my case made me feel like just another billable hour. I constantly had to chase her for updates and felt like I was never a priority. If you're looking for a lawyer who genuinely cares about their clients and their well-being, Debra is not the one.

 
Divorce
Posted by hannah
July 22, 2024
Hired Attorney

Debra's incompetence and lack of knowledge in family law were truly shocking. She made several critical errors throughout my case, costing me both financially and emotionally. Her advice was often misguided and outdated, and I felt like she wasn't truly invested in achieving the best outcome for me. I deeply regret hiring Debra and would caution anyone considering her services to think twice.

 
Child Custody
Posted by andrew
July 22, 2024
Hired Attorney

My experience with Debra was nothing short of a nightmare. She was rude, unprofessional, and constantly belittled my concerns. Her communication skills were abysmal, and I often felt like I was in the dark about the progress of my case. The stress and anxiety caused by Debra's negligence far outweighed any potential benefit of her services.

 
Child Support
Posted by evelyn
July 22, 2024
Hired Attorney

Debra's billing practices were predatory and unethical. She nickel-and-dimed me for every little thing, including phone calls and emails that lasted mere minutes. I felt like I was being taken advantage of during an already vulnerable time in my life. The final bill was exorbitant and far exceeded the initial estimate she provided.

Services

Areas of Law

  • Family Law 8
    • Divorce
    • Military Divorce
    • Paternity
    • Premarital Agreements
    • Spousal Support
    • Child Custody
    • Visitation Rights
    • Child Support
  • Annulment
  • Domestic Partnerships
  • Domestic Violence
  • Gay and Lesbian Family Law
  • Restraining Orders
  • Property Law
  • Appellate Practice
  • Other 22
    • Alimony
    • Cohabitation Agreements
    • Community Property Law
    • Domestic Relations
    • Domestic Torts
    • International Family Law
    • Interstate Support
    • Marital Agreements
    • Marital Property Distribution
    • Marital Property Law
    • Marital Property Settlements
    • Matrimonial Law
    • Non-Traditional Family Law
    • Palimony
    • Post Divorce Modification
    • Postnuptial Agreements
    • Qualified Domestic Relations Orders (QDROs)
    • Separation Agreements
    • Uncontested Divorce
    • Domestic Partnership Dissolution
    • Pension Distribution
    • Modification of Orders

Practice Details

  • Payment Information
    Payment & Cost Features
    Fixed hourly rates
    Accepted Credit Cards
    American Express
    Discover
    MasterCard
    Visa
  • Firm Information
    Position
    Principal
    Firm Name
    Schoenberg Family Law Group, P.C.
  • Additional Links

Experience

  • Bar Admission & Memberships
    Admissions
    1987, U.S. District Court Northern District of New York
    2012, U.S. District Court Northern District of California
    1990, U.S. Supreme Court
    1986, New York
    1994, Vermont
    2008, California
    Memberships

    California Bar Association, Member – Family Law Section

    New York Bar Association, Member – Family Law Section

    Vermont Bar Association, Member – Family Law Section (Former Chair)

    American Bar Association, Member – Family Law Section

    American Academy of Matrimonial Attorneys, Fellow

    National Board of Trial Advocacy, Board Certified Family Law Trial Specialist

    Directory of Super Lawyers, Family Law Profile 2007, 2008, 2011, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018
    Bar Fellowship
    American Academy of Matrimonial Attorneys.
  • Education & Certifications
    Law School
    Franklin Pierce Law Center
    Class of 1985
    J.D.
    Other Education
    Western College
    Class of 1980
    B.Phil.
    Legal Certifications
    Board Certified Family Law Trial Specialist; National Board of Trial Advocacy; Certified Family Law Specialist; State of California Board of Legal Specialization
  • Personal Details & History
    Age
    Born in 1958
    1958
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Attorneys FAQs

  • Is this attorney Martindale-Hubbell Peer Review rated?
    Yes, Debra R. Schoenberg has a 4.3 Peer Rating from Martindale-Hubbell.
  • Does this attorney accept major credit cards?
    Yes, Debra R. Schoenberg will accept Discover, Visa, MasterCard and American Express.
  • How many attorneys are in this law firm?
    Schoenberg Family Law Group, P.C. has 12 attorneys at this location.
  • What law school did this attorney attend?
    Debra R. Schoenberg attended Franklin Pierce Law Center.
  • What year was this attorney's law firm established?
    Schoenberg Family Law Group, P.C. was established in 1990.