Debra R. Schoenberg, Esq., has a long and distinguished career.
More than thirty years ago, she established her own firm, which has vast experience and expertise in family law’s highly sensitive and complex practice. Ms. Schoenberg has established a professional reputation for thoroughness, strategic thinking, keen attention to detail, loyalty, and dedication to client service.
Ms. Schoenberg handles cases that range from complex financial issues and extensive marital estates to high-conflict custody matters. Adept at negotiating resolutions and 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 justice, and because of her vast experience she can 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. She has been named a Super Lawyer for more than a decade following rigorous vetting by fellow Bar members.
Debra has consecutively been named to the Daily Journal’s list of Top Family Law Lawyers in California since its inaugural, recognized for her 30+ years of experience as a leading divorce attorney. Her expertise and compassionate advocacy in the practice of family law has earned her a spot in the Hall of Fame of The Recorder’s Best of Awards for Family Law Firms after being named to the list for the last three consecutive years (2021-2023).
Most recently, Debra was honored as one of the 10 Influential Leaders in the World by Insights Success for redefining family law with compassion and expertise. The San Francisco Business Times has named Debra Schoenberg to their Top 100 Women-Owned Businesses for the eleventh year, their 100 Fastest-Growing Private Companies in the Bay Area, and one of the Top 25 LGBT-Owned Businesses in the Bay Area. Due to her commitment to supporting and serving her community, the San Francisco Business Times has also named Debra a top Corporate Philanthropist in the Bay Area for the sixth year.
Debra made the 2022 National Law Journal’s Family/Elder Law Trailblazers list, recognizing attorneys who have made significant marks on their sector’s practice, policy, and technological advancements. The San Francisco Business Times repeatedly names Debra Schoenberg to their Top 100 Women-Owned Businesses, their 100 Fastest-Growing Private Companies in the Bay Area, the Top 25 LGBT-Owned Businesses in the Bay Area, and a Leading Corporate Philanthropist. US News and World Report has recognized Ms. Schoenberg as one of the nation’s Best Lawyers.
Additionally, Ms. Schoenberg was selected by peer recognition and professional achievement as one of the Top Women Attorneys in Northern California. She 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. Parents Press East Bay has also voted Schoenberg Family Law Group Best of Bay. Most recently, Ms. Schoenberg was named to the American Institute of Legal Counsel Top 10 California Attorneys for her dedication to families and working out the best solution for each of her clients. She is the author of a book entitled “Divorce in California.”
Schoenberg Family Law Group, P.C., recognizes that family law matters involve complex, sensitive issues that can have a lasting impact on you, your family, your finances and your future.
Certified Legal Specialists
- Fellow in the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers
- Certified Family Law Specialist, State of California Board of Legal Specialization
- Board Certified Family Law Trial Specialist, National Board of Trial Advocacy
Education
- University of New Hampshire School of Law, Concord, New Hampshire
- Western College of Miami University, Oxford, Ohio
Bar Admissions
- New York, 1987
- Vermont, 1994
- California, 2008
- U.S. District Court Northern District of New York, 1987
- U.S. District Court Northern District of California, 2012
- U.S. Supreme Court, 1990
Honors and Awards
- American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, Fellow
- Certified Family Law Specialist, State of California Board of Legal Specialization
- Board Certified Family Law Trial Specialist, National Board of Trial Advocacy
- Top Family Law Lawyers in California, The Daily Journal
- Family/Elder Law Trailblazer, The National Law Journal
- Super Lawyers
- US News and World Report, Best Lawyers
- 10 Best Female Attorneys, American Institute of Family Law Attorneys
- 10 Best Client Satisfaction, American Institute of Family Law Attorneys
- Expertise, Best Divorce Lawyers in San Francisco
- Top 100 Woman-Owned Businesses, San Francisco Business Times
- Top 100 Fastest Growing Private Companies, San Francisco Business Times
- Top 25 LGBT-Owned Businesses in the Bay Area, San Francisco Business Times
- Corporate Philanthropy Awards, San Francisco Business Times
- AVVO 10 Rating
- AVVO Client Choice Awards
- Recorder: “The Best” Hall of Fame
- Parents’ Press: BEST of the Bay
Professional Associations and 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
Presentations
- Navigating Life’s Transitions: A Financial and Legal Survival Guide
- Tax Consequences of Divorce
- An Income Tax Primer for Family Law Practitioners, State Bar Association
- What Family Court Judges Want You to Know, National Business Institute
- Family Law: Year in Review, State Bar Association
- Preventing Financial Mistakes during Divorce, National Business Institute
- Child Custody and Shared Parenting, National Business Institute
- Successful Financial Settlements for your Divorce Client, National Business Institute
- Family Law: Helping Your Clients through Difficult Times, National Business Institute
- A Road Map through Divorce Proceedings, National Business Institute
- Advertising Ethically and Effectively, State Bar Association
- Equitable Divorce Settlements, National Business Institute
- Complex Matrimonial Law Issues, National Business Institute
- Domestic Law in Vermont, National Business Institute
- Business Valuations for the Matrimonial Practitioner, State Chapter of National Association of Certified Valuation Accountants
- Keeping it Civil: The Same Sex Couples’ Journey, New York State Bar Association
- Successfully Dealing with Life Transitions, Key Bank Financial Forum for Women
- Dealing with the Pro Se Litigant, State Bar Association
- Complex Issues in Divorce, National Business Institute
- Divorce Cases from Start to Finish, National Business Institute
- Women in Transition: Dealing with Issues Surrounding Divorce, Salomon Smith Barney
- Complex Divorce for the Vermont Practitioner, National Business Institute
- Pro Se Litigation Education, State Family Court
- Business Valuation: Presentation of Exhibits, Admissibility, Persuasiveness, State Bar Association
- Family Law and Relief from Abuse, Vermont Volunteers Lawyers Project
- Trusts, Estate Planning and Divorce, National Business Institute
- Child Custody and Time Sharing, National Business Institute
Community Involvement
- Board of Trustees: Temple Sinai, Oakland CA
- Board of Directors: Lava Mae, San Francisco, CA
- Board of Directors: Camp Newman, SF Bay Area CA
- Program and Planning Committee: Jewish Children’s and Family Services, SF Bay Area
- International Council, New Israel Fund
- Corporate Council, Berkeley Rep
