Daily Journal Names Fenchel Family Law to Top Boutiques 2026

The Daily Journal has named Fenchel Family Law PC to its annual list of California’s Top Boutique Law Firms for 2026.

Valerie Fenchel founded Fenchel Family Law PC in 2017 while handling custody and divorce trials at another firm, inspired after spending much of a trip to Australia working because no one was in a position to take over her cases. Returning with a mission to build a firm with the systems, support, and talent needed to create an elevated attorney and client experience, she has grown the practice from a solo practice to nine attorneys. Over three years, firm revenue grew 73%, earning inclusion on the 2026 Inc. 5000 and recognition from the San Francisco Business Times and Law Firm 500.

The firm represents executives, founders, and individuals with significant wealth, as well as their spouses, across the San Francisco Bay Area and Silicon Valley. On the financial side, the firm characterizes, values, and divides:

The firm regularly partners with forensic accountants and valuation experts on asset tracing and support determinations. In one recent matter, the firm drafted a prenuptial agreement for a founder whose premarital interest in his company was valued between $30 million and $100 million. As Valerie Fenchel noted:

“With that level of wealth at stake, the agreement needed to address not only the founder shares themselves, but also the company’s corporate governance structure and any appreciation in the value of the business during the marriage.”

When clients prioritize speed and confidentiality, the firm retains private judges and mediators, while also serving as consulting counsel to clients in mediation by reviewing financial disclosures and proposed settlement agreements before signature.

The firm’s practice also encompasses child custody, interstate relocations, marital agreement challenges, and domestic violence restraining orders, including matters involving mental health crises, substance abuse, and coercive control.

Highlighting the firm’s litigation philosophy, Of Counsel Robert Travis handled the dissolution of a marriage that involved the breakup of a family empire, a case that spun off disputes across multiple jurisdictions between spouses and third parties. Discussing the matter, Travis explained:

“The marriage dissolution matter was eventually settled, which was probably for the best, but the only reason it settled is because both sides prepared so thoroughly.”

Travis added that the firm approaches every case with the same diligence:

“Family law issues are some of the biggest issues individuals face, so the working assumption is that every one is high stakes until the client tells us otherwise.”

Fenchel Family Law has expanded its bench through a partner-track model, with Managing Attorney Laura Chickering, Senior Attorney Evelyn Rodriguez, and Senior Attorney Elisabeth Wolter broadening the firm’s capacity to handle complex financial and custody trials. Fenchel plans to elevate attorneys to partner as they advance, focusing her role on recruiting, systems, and technology:

“My purpose now is less about directing people and more about giving my team the space, mentorship and resources to use their talents to their fullest potential.”

While investing in internal automations for its staff, the firm remains committed to its core market. Fenchel noted that the firm has no plans to open offices outside the Bay Area, where its attorneys maintain established relationships with local judges, experts, and psychologists:

“I don’t believe in opening an office in another market unless we can provide clients there with the same level of service and knowledge… Ultimately, I want Fenchel Family Law to be known not only for the caliber of our work, but as one of the best places to work and build a career.”