' stroke-linecap='round' stroke-miterlimit='10' stroke-width='2' d='M4 7h22M4 15h22M4 23h22'/></svg>)
Fenchel Family Law, PC is committed to helping people across the San Francisco Bay Area resolve their family law matters. As a result, we have successfully helped many clients identify their goals, effectively taking back their lives. We can help you, too. To see what our past clients have to say about how our attorneys were able to assist them, read their testimonials here.
Dear Valerie and Team Fenchel,Yum!! Thank you so much for this charming idea and delicious cake! A Post Nuptial Cake! What a clever idea! First love, marriage and the wedding cake and then decades later, here comes the celebratory Post Nup cake. With style you all have! I am very grateful to all of you for being by my side these past two plus years and holding my hand as I struggled through the dark catastrophe that was my marriage. And now, with your help, I feel that I am entering into a new phase of my life with the kind of financial support and legal backup that I will need for a sense of stability in my crazy mess and in these challenging times.Thank you one and all for all you have done to care for me and to find a good legal way for me hold onto my home and my financial support. You are one terrific team!- Linda
I would highly recommend them.Had a great experience with Fenchel Family Law- They were so helpful with my legal issue, easy to set appointments and very communicative. I would highly recommend them and would definitely use them again in the future.- Alex K.
I cannot recommend Fenchel Family Law enough!I cannot recommend Fenchel Family Law enough! I was in a long, drawn-out dissolution and they helped immediately. The team was thorough, helpful in getting notarizations, and overall a pleasure to work with. It did cost more than the initial retainer provided, but worth every penny.- Brittany B.
I definitely recommend Fenchel Family Law.I definitely recommend Fenchel Family Law.
We needed legal help with a very complicated family issue. The entire team was very helpful, understanding and considerate of our situation. I primarily worked with Robert Travis -- a truly amazing lawyer. Robert has an amazing talent for reading the facts, listening to the client and extracting the true point of the argument to be able to eloquently and concisely write the information into a motion that goes before the courts. Going through the court system is never easy, particularly in the family courts -- It is incredibly important to have skilled and competent help in these matters. I definitely recommend Fenchel Family Law- Zack G
I highly recommend Ms. Ani if you are in need of a family law attorney.Let me begin with the fact I only take the time to write a personal review when I feel the business and/or person has gone the extra mile. That is exactly the case here. If you are searching for a family law attorney can stay with confidence and without hesitation , my sole recommendation is Ms. Jennifer Ani. Ms. Ani has represented me for the past year and a half in a child support/custody " battle" to say the least. Ms. Ani accomplished what most would deem impossible. I can finally say with an overwhelming amount of joy, my case is closed and the outcome was exactly what Ms Ani and I intended/ hoped for. She accomplished exactly what she said she would all while Insuring my daughter's well-being remain priority throughout the case. I speak from experience when saying it is easy to lose sight of what you are fighting for a midst all the accusations, allegations, and overwhelming emotions that are heard and said during such a trying time. Ms. Ani never once lost focus. She is honest, calm, aggressive when needed, organized and managed to keep me calm and composed throughout my case which in itself is a miracle. Her level of expertise coupled with her passion for family law is abundantly clear to anyone who has the pleasure of speaking with her. This was not a black and white case. On the contrary, it was an extremely complicated case that involved sexual assault allegations, child protective services, possible weapon charges, alleged drug use, kidnapping, money laundering and the llist is endless. Most attorneys would shy away from such a case, but not Ms Ani. She was not intimidated by the work ahead of her, rather she was confident in her ability to get justice and protect my daughter. I was kept up-to-date on every detail including, but not limited to email communication with opposing counsel. There were no surprises, and all of my questions were answered in a timely manner (anyone who has ever had an attorney knows that is not a common occurrence) Going to court can be overwhelming, intimidating and better yet distressing, especially when your child is involved. Ms. Ani made it a priority to ensure I was more than prepared for each hearing leaving no detail untouched. I felt confident having her by my side throughout this difficult time. I am not sure I would've been able to hold it together as I did without her support, knowledge, compassion, and of course, representation. I highly recommend Ms. Ani if you are in need of a family law attorney. I can assure you, she will take the time to listen to your case and be realistic in what you can expect and what you cannot. I appreciate honesty, especially in this sort of situation. I can promise you that is exactly what you will get having Ms. Ani in your corner.- Mia J.
Ms. Jennifer Ani is not only one of the best Attorneys when it comes to Dependency she's also one of the most responsive, respectful, and honest Attorneys I've ever met.Her presence in the courtroom is powerful and she fights for her clients and gets the utmost respect from everyone from opposing counsel to the judge. I would hire her 10/10 times to handle any of my cases involving dependency or family law! (Though I hope I never need her again.) if you're ever in a situation where you know you need someone to fight for your rights and your children's lives and preserving your family and keeping them together, I highly recommend Jennifer Ani!- Miles M.
Jennifer Ani she's going to listen to you.Not like former ones who just will take every dollar and not give a dime about your case . She actually cares , is on my side I recommend her if you want results- Valerie L.
Very dedicated!Very dedicated! Fenchel Family Law provided easy guidance through every step, making sure I understood every detail of what was going on. I could not thank them enough for their dedication, understanding, honesty, and especially the integrity in which they upheld.- Hailey
Valerie is your biggest advocate.Valerie is your biggest advocate and will have your best interest at heart. I would definitely recommend her and the team to anyone navigating issues within family law.- Kate
Ms. Ani is one of the most amazing attorneys.I had a very lengthy, complicated and extremely difficult case both in family as well as dependency court for over 8 years. I had 4 attorneys before I retained Ms. Ani. All of them unethical, corrupted and Liars. Once Ms. Ani took over my case, she was strategic, compassionate, a powerhouse and cleaned up my case and got me full custody of both of my children. I highly recommended her. Don't waist your families future and money on anyone else.- Natasha F.
Jennifer Ani is a lifesaver.I was representing myself over a two year period in a case that my son's mother abducted and absconded out of state. I knew I would need a good attorney when the mother was apprehended with my son and she was represented by an experienced and effective family law attorney. I had only two weeks before a hearing, so, Jennifer was recommended to me by a knowledgeable person acquainted with the local family court environment. Wow. She took my case with determination and understanding. She absorbed a huge amount of information very quickly and got us ready for the hearing. I believe she was extremely helpful in obtaining a five year DVRO against the mother,. It was a very complex case with voluminous medical records and she got on top of it and really wanted to take on the other attorney for the sake of my son. She truly is a lifesaver.- Philip D.
If you're looking for a good lawyer, she is the one!Met Jennifer Ani at the time when I felt like everything was lost. My son was barely 4 months old. His father wanted to take him away from me. I was staying in a shelter with no hope at all that someone could help me. Someone lead me to Jennifer and she was able to help me win full custody of my son. She was like an angel to me and I'm eternally grateful to her. If you're looking for a good lawyer, she is the one!- Luz V.
Guidance with solid rationale.Abby and her team helped me during an extremely difficult time. She provided expert advise catered to my needs - both professionally and personally. She was empathetic and always gave me guidance with solid rationale. She was there for me every step of the way and I am so appreciative of the support I received. I highly recommend Fenchel Family Law!- Jamie E.
Jennifer helped me with my child custody case when it became too much for me to do on my own.Jennifer met with me to go over my case and she set out a plan then and there. She was available via text and email at any time; I often sent emails thinking I would hear back within a few days and would get an almost instant response. My case was not a typical custody case, and Jennifer was very upfront and honest with me through the entire thing, which I appreciated. I wanted to know what was going on every step of the way and wanted her honest opinion about how things could go, which she very openly did. Jennifer fought for me and for my son, what she felt was right and just. I would recommend Jennifer to anyone who is looking for an honest attorney who will advocate for what is best for the child.- Ariana B.
If you are fortunate enough to have Jennifer Ani on your side, then you've already won.Jennifer is an extremely knowledgeable attorney who gives it her all... complete with heart and soul. Jennifer took on an extremely complicated case which involved two children who had been served atrocious injustices over many years. With her determination and get-it-done attitude, Jennifer quickly cut through all the legal shenanigans and fought for what was in the children's best interest. Thankfully the children now shine and thrive in our community! If Jennifer has the time for your case, hire her to represent you. She is a one-of-a kind lawyer with a heart. You just don't find lawyers like her in anymore. Hands down, five stars across, Jennifer is as good as it gets!- Trisch B.
I highly recommend Fenchel Family Law.I worked with Robert Travis who is incredible! He is a joy to work with, super knowledgeable, highly skilled, and efficient. Family law issues can be emotionally difficult, and he helped to make it as positive an experience as possible. Thank you Robert!- Julian C.
Thank you Fenchel Family Law!I was referred to Fenchel Family Law by my fiance's attorney as we were in the process of doing our prenup. It was a great experience from beginning to end. I worked with Abby primarily along with her team at Fenchel. Everyone was professional and responsive whenever I have any questions. Abby in particular did an amazing job as she always gave suggestions with my best interest in mind. Coming up with very helpful ideas that I otherwise wouldn't have even considered. They even followed up after my prenup was done with a little nice gift to celebrate my upcoming wedding. Thank you Fenchel Family Law!
- Yuki H.
Extremely supportive, informative, honest and helpful every step of the way.Fenchel Family Law helped me during a time of difficulty. I could not imagine navigating these foreign waters without their guidance. Extremely supportive, informative, honest and helpful every step of the way.- Judy H.
I will be forever grateful for the help they provided me and my children.Abby and the team at Fenchel Family Law PC were fantastic. They were able to handle a contentious divorce and allow me to move on with my life. I will be forever grateful for the help they provided me and my children.- P.P.
Do yourself a favor and contact them first.They were a beacon of light to me during a very anxious time in my life. I have dealt with a few law firms but I found that Valerie and Abby at Fenchel Law PC were a great fit for me. Their approach was calm and straightforward. They sensed my anxiety and strived to make me feel more comfortable about the process. They were both extremely knowledgeable, experienced, and compassionate. They proposed pragmatic and practical strategies that resonated with me and in the end brought about a successful resolution to my legal issue. Do yourself a favor and contact them first.
- Marty
This firm knows us and wants us to get the time with our kids we yearn for and deserve.As a single Dad, my first contact with Fenchel Family Law PC was warm, genial, understanding, yet confident and strong. I have a complex case with many Orders over the years, and a greatly difficult ex-spouse was keeping me from seeing my kids regularly. Valerie, Lucy, and the team kept me informed every step of the way as we walked from Motion to Quash (when my ex tried to have me served in front of our kids) to a Final Order where we got the help we needed to keep future litigation costs low and issue resolutions high. Have no fear, single Dads. This firm knows us and wants us to get the time with our kids we yearn for and deserve. Thank you, Valerie, Lucy, and the team. You'll be getting our (new, all-family) Xmas cards for years to come. It was a pleasure to get your help so that my kids and I can be together.
- Neil
Jennifer helped us with a CPS case involving two of our children who had engaged in some inappropriate behavior.The kids were very young when it first happened, and when it happened a second time the oldest child was 11 and the younger was 7. The younger child told another child at school, and a teacher called CPS. A subsequent investigation resulted in no prosecution by the DA, but CPS pushed for prosecution and Jennifer kept things from spiraling out of control. She wanted to go to trial to demonstrate the absurdity of the CPS attitude, but we decided to follow a safety plan that was worked out with CPS with the help of Jennifer. We are so thankful we found her because CPS was going to ruin our family and our reputation with the absurd accusations they had invented from their own twisted interpretation of their investigation. She is extremely knowledgeable about how CPS will twist the truth to make a case to remove children from their homes. Thank you Jennifer!
- Dave L.
She is an incredibly ethical lawyer.Jennifer Ani stepped into my incredibly complicated dependency case that had been mismanaged by two highly incompetent and half-hearted public defenders. From the beginning she treated me with dignity and respect during what we an incredibly painful time. She was forthright and honest with me about strategy, getting to know my family by taking the time to learn about us and our strengths and limitations. Her expertise in family law and her unwillingness to back down gives her an incredible edge in the courtroom and in dealing with others involved in a case. She is an incredibly ethical lawyer, incredibly fair and available to you when you have questions and concerns. I would not have had the incredible success in my case if not for her devotion and commitment to our family. She is an advocate for children and family's rights and I would recommend her to anyone who needs someone to fight for their rights, and for those who need someone who knows what it means to do the right thing!
- Neil
It's easy to get caught up in the stress of a legal battle, but the Fenchel group's guidance helped me to keep focused on the objective.I contacted Fenchel Family Law PC after my ex-wife, in an attempt to make her own life more convenient, suddenly served me with a TRO and move-away request to take our daughter out of state. Thankfully the case never proceeded to a lengthy and costly court trial because Valerie and her team were extremely thorough and worked hard to get ahead of the game, approaching my defense from all angles, until the other side essentially gave up. They were always cool and professional in their response to OC's at times backhanded incendiary communications. In particular, associate Lucy Taylor was very approachable and took the time to answer my many questions and explain their legal rationale. Overall I found the team very knowledgeable, with access to good resources. It's easy to get caught up in the stress of a legal battle, but the Fenchel group's guidance helped me to keep focused on the objective.- John
I can't recommend Morgan highly enough.When my original counsel was no longer able to assist, Morgan stepped in and immediately became a pillar of support and professionalism. She was incredibly reliable and responsive, getting back to me quickly and keeping me informed every step of the way. Morgan's understanding and kind approach made this difficult process much more manageable. She listened with empathy and made sure I felt heard, which I truly appreciated. Beyond her compassion, Morgan is also remarkably knowledgeable. Her expertise was evident in every conversation, and she provided clear, strategic guidance that gave me confidence. She handled my case with the seriousness and speed it required, while ensuring my best interests and financial constraints were always the top priority. If you need a lawyer who is not only skilled in divorce but also a genuinely good person, Morgan is the one to call.- Stephanie
She and her team displayed the utmost professionalism while supporting me and my emotional roller coaster with empathy and encouragement.Those who've experienced a contentious divorce are familiar with the range and intensity of emotions and the challenges of litigation. Repeatedly targeted by an angry ex whose legal bills are paid by her parents, what I sought most in an attorney was knowledge and experience and the confidence that he/she 1) understood my case, 2) cared about my case, 3) had the time to devote to my case, and 4) would always have my back. At the end of my first meeting with Valerie, I knew she and her experienced team would meet these criteria. Valerie would not allow herself to be baited by the unprofessional and antagonistic aggression of my ex's attorney and instead kept me and her team focused on my legal objective, helping me pursue a thoughtful strategy that succeeded in extracting my son from a damaging school environment. All the while, she and her team displayed the utmost professionalism while supporting me and my emotional roller coaster with empathy and encouragement. My advice to those unfortunate enough to require the services of a divorce attorney: Don't be swept up by lawyers offering the ego satisfaction (but financial depletion) of an ongoing battle in which, truly, everyone loses. Instead, hire Valerie and her team to dispassionately help you develop the right strategy and make the right decisions to achieve your goal.- Matan
Smart and passionate but not pushy.Valerie did all the right things during my divorce process. She understands all aspects of a divorce and treats them in a holistic fashion. Smart and passionate but not pushy.
- Paul
She was very informative throughout the entire case from beginning to end!This review is long over due but better late than never. During my consultation, I immediately knew that I wanted to hire Valerie Fenchel to handle my divorce case. Not only is she extremely professional but she also has a wonderful personality which is a rare combination of traits to have! She was very informative throughout the entire case from beginning to end! Highly recommended!- Liane
A dedicated and fierce advocate.A dedicated and fierce advocate. Highly recommend Val!- Nav
She was both professional and understanding guiding me through all of my options.Valerie offered fantastic advice and helped me fully understand the risks associated with my legal matters. She was both professional and understanding guiding me through all of my options. I hope I don’t have to go through any more legal issues, but if I do Valerie will be my first option.- David G.
She is patient, extremely responsive, attentive, and smart.Valerie Fenchel is an outstanding family law attorney. She is exactly the type of person to contact if you’re going through a separation or divorce, or need help with child custody. She is patient, extremely responsive, attentive, and smart. She cares about her clients and is willing to fight for them. I highly recommend her law firm.- Julia J.
Valerie quite literally saved my life.Valerie quite literally saved my life. She fought tirelessly to ensure that I had all of the protections that the law provided. She fought to ensure I could stay in my home as my ex fought to take it away from me. Valerie ensured I was protected from my ex and ensured I kept a bit of my sanity. I wouldn’t wish a contentious divorce on anyone. But, if you do have to face this, make sure you have Valerie in your corner!- David
The team at Fenchel Family Law PC has helped me to regain a peace of mind.If there is someone who is stalking you and/or trampling over healthy boundaries, I encourage you to lift your chin up and to build your support team. The team at Fenchel Family Law PC has helped me to regain a peace of mind, after walking me through a difficult process. They helped me to realize that this was a challenge to my personal safety. Though was grateful the judge could see my need and granted a TRO, was even more grateful to have Lisa and Sharon’s support to wade through “due-process” with delays in the months that followed.Lisa and Sharon (and even Valerie) remained professional even when the respondent was not, and advocated for me to effectively secure settlement for a RO (avoiding trial). Yes, I am on the Team FFL fan club!
- J.C.
Valerie is very professional and knowledgeable.Valerie is very professional and knowledgeable. She is also very personable and caring.- Anonymous
Valerie was there to help me!I had gone through a lot of painful emotions during our seperation. Valerie was there to help me! My Husband moved out without a word, abandoned me and our two children for 6 months without any visits or financial support. Valerie is very knowledgeable in family law. She filed a motion for me, she fought very hard for the child support and my kids’ sole custody. She is very good at following up. My native language is not english so my words are not enough to describe how helpful she was when i experienced the most difficult time of my life. All i can say is, she is worth my trust.- Anonymous
She was available throughout to answer questions and offer advice.Valerie is professional, responsive and above all personable and easy to get along with. She took the time to help me thoroughly understand some confusing legalese during my divorce and helped me navigate the whole ordeal to a fair and agreeable outcome. She was available throughout to answer questions and offer advice. I would recommend her in a heartbeat!- Lily B.
Her attention to detail is excellent and her view of the big picture is comprehensive.My experience collaborating on projects with Val predates her launch of her own firm. On the multiple occasions we worked together, Val did superb work — her attention to detail is excellent and her view of the big picture is comprehensive. Beyond her strong work, though, Val is an absolute pleasure to work with. There is nobody I’d recommend before her, and hope to send her referrals as soon as I get any!- Dean
She is assertive, honest, and kind.I have consulted with Valerie on issues our clients face and she is the type of lawyer I wish I would have if I were in this situation. She is assertive, honest, and kind. She leads a fabulous and experienced team and you can rest assured they will advocate for you.- Anonymous
