Our Team
Attorney Patricia C. Van Haren
Family Law Attorney
Attorney Van Haren has been a practicing attorney since May of 2011. Prior to attending law school, Patricia was a family law paralegal for approximately 20 years. In that time she acted as a Paralegal for several attorneys. For several years before becoming an attorney, she assisted couples through uncontested divorces as a paralegal and document preparation assistance. After establishing her own practice, she used all of her skills and knowledge to develop her family law practice.
Ms. Van Haren raised her three children as a single mother while working and attending law school at nights and on weekends. As a single parent and a person who has gone through a Divorce in her past, Ms. Van Haren understands how the divorce process can impact the future of the family. Ms. Van Haren believes that where possible issues can be settled outside of the Courtroom even in the most contentious cases. She works with her clients to advocate for them and to be able to strategize and choose which issues are appropriate for litigation and which issues are appropriate for settlement.
After graduating law school, Ms. Van Haren established her first office and opened her doors as a sole practitioner. The focus of her practice is to assist families in their life transitions and growth. Our office prides itself on being able to establish personal connections with our clients. When working at law firms, Ms. Van Haren realized that very often the attorney knew little about the client or the family that they were working with. Ms. Van Haren wanted to practice differently. She understands that the key to being a trusted counselor and advisor and the key to achieving the clients objectives is to know the client on a personal level.
Ms. Van Haren focuses solely on family law ranging from prenuptial agreements, paternity actions, divorces, child custody & visitation, child and spousal support and property division. She also focuses on guardianships, conservatorship and adoptions. Ms. Van Haren is also a member of various bar associations throughout Southern California and has been nominated as a SuperLawyer.
Ms. Van Haren believes in educating the public and providing her clients and the public the ability to be informed in the Divorce Process. She regularly publishes blog articles, creates educational videos, hosts workshops and has written a book intended to educate people who have questions about Family Law.
Our office handles contested and uncontested divorces, paternity and custody matters through Collaborative Family Law and Mediation. We have offices in Torrance and Irvine and handle cases throughout the State of California.