Kristen L. Sellers
SENIOR ATTORNEY
New Mom, Wine Enthusiast, Country Music Enthusiast, Bravoholic, Movie Buff, #GoAgs
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KRISTEN ON “WHY FAMILY LAW”
Having spent my early career helping people work through stressful situations, I was drawn to family law as a practice focus during law school. A divorce or custody dispute can be one of the most emotionally charged and life-changing events in a person’s life. I find it rewarding to not only effectively advocate for my clients in a courtroom, but also to provide support and comfort throughout the process.
KRISTEN’S “CLIENT SERVICE APPROACH”
The court system can be confusing and intimidating; I want my clients to be informed and empowered. As your attorney, it’s my job to educate and guide you through the process and offer pragmatic advice so that you can make the best decisions for yourself and your family.
BIOGRAPHY
Kristen’s depth of experience with our legal systems and courts includes nearly a decade of service among the Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office, the Solano County District Attorney’s Office, the Alameda County Superior Court, and the Family Violence Law Center in Oakland. In 2016, she joined a Placer County-based family law firm and has become familiar with the regional family law court systems.
REPRESENTATIVE EXPERIENCE
- Represented married couple in civil harassment restraining order against their neighbor, resulting in a 3-year permanent CHRO and a $7,500 attorney fees award.
- Represented single mother in high-conflict custody dispute involving medical marijuana use, and successfully defended against husband’s motion for sole physical custody.
- Represented husband in dissolution proceedings and after trial successfully obtained an award for 100% sale proceeds of marital residence, termination of spousal support, and seek work order against wife.
- Represented engineer in a marital dissolution case involving property division, spousal support, and attorney fees.
- Represented nurse in a marital dissolution case involving contested child custody disputes and support issues, resulting in full settlement through negotiation.
- Represented father in high-conflict custody dispute successfully obtaining joint physical custody despite mother’s request for supervised visitation.
- Represented engineer in contempt action, resulting in settlement through negotiation.
- Represented wife in high-conflict marital dissolution case and successfully defended against husband’s motion to immediately sell the marital residence.
- Has successfully argued cases and motions before the Superior Courts of Sacramento, Placer, Contra Costa, El Dorado, Santa Clara, Alameda, and San Mateo Counties.
EDUCATION
Golden Gate University School of Law
- Juris Doctor, 2014
- Dean’s List (six semesters)
- CALI Award, Judicial Externship (Spring 2013); Family Law Externship (Spring 2014)
- Honorable Patricia Herron and Ellen James Scholarship
- Moot Court Board
- Honors Lawyering Program
University of California, Davis
- Bachelor of Arts, Sociology, emphasis in Law and Society, 2006
- Prytanean National Women’s Honor Society
INSIGHTS & ACTIVITIES
- Board of Directors, Placer County Bar Association, 2019
- Participant, 2018 Trial Practicum, American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, Northern California Chapter
- Coauthor, Chapter 11 – Interstate Support Enforcement and Modification, California Child and Spousal Support: Establishing, Modifying, and Enforcing, August 2018 Update
RECOGNITIONS
Selected for inclusion by rating from attorney peers and/or research team:
- Sacramento Business Journal “Best of the Bar” list, 2019
- Northern California Super Lawyers “Rising Stars” list, 2019 (eligible candidates are 40 years old or younger or in practice for 10 years or less)
AFFILIATIONS & ADMISSIONS
- State Bar of California – Family Law Section
- Placer County Bar Association
- Sacramento County Bar Association
- Admitted to the State Bar of California, 2014