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What Makes a Good Divorce Lawyer?

by | Mar 9, 2022 | Divorce

what makes a good divorce lawyer

If you are about to file for a divorce, you need a good lawyer who will represent your interests appropriately throughout this process. We understand how difficult it can be to find a lawyer that will fight for your rights and help you navigate this process successfully. But what makes a good divorce lawyer? Check out our list of good qualities in this article.

What Makes a Good Divorce Lawyer?

Empathy

Empathy is being able to understand someone else’s feelings and emotions. A good divorce lawyer will be able to put themselves in your shoes and understand what you are going through. They should listen to your needs, wants, and concerns with respect, patience, and dignity.

Empathy also means being interested in other people, their expectations or problems – not just about your own interests or desires. That means that during this process the divorce lawyer should care about what you want and need and fight for those things as well!

Knowledge of the Law

One of the most important qualities of a great divorce lawyer is knowledge of the law. Knowledge of the law helps lawyers better represent their clients’ interests in court and ensure that their client’s needs are met throughout this process.

Understanding Client Needs

In addition to being a great listener, a good divorce lawyer will also be able to understand your needs. They should be capable of understanding the emotional turmoil you are going through and be sensitive to how you feel about this major life event. A lawyer that believes in your case and is looking out for your best interests will understand any concerns or worries that come up during the process.

Attention to Detail

When you’re looking for a great divorce lawyer, one of the most important qualities you should look for is attention to detail. A great divorce lawyer will take the time to listen to what you have to say and then carefully consider all of your options. They will take into account how your financial situation may change depending on the decisions you make and ask questions in order to get a full understanding of your situation. Divorce can be an emotional and difficult process. A good divorce lawyer will help by taking the time to see all possible outcomes and weigh out the different effects they might have on you.

High Moral Standards

Great divorce lawyers have high moral standards. This is not an easy process for anyone, and you want to be confident that your lawyer will act with integrity at all times. You don’t want to worry about the possibility of the lawyer taking advantage of you.

The Best Divorce Lawyer Near Me

Divorces can get messy, but they don’t have to be. Whipple Mercado Law is here to mediate on your and your partner’s behalf and help you both reach an amicable conclusion. You can talk to a San Ramon mediator right now by calling (925) 344-5050. You can also book a no-cost consultation with Whipple, Mercado & Associates.

Divorce

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Tammy J. Mercado

Tammy J. Mercado has a passion for helping her clients achieve their desired results. She listens and she personally and promptly responds to your texts, emails and phone calls. She offers real solutions to your legal matters. Tammy will carefully evaluate the legal issues in your case, provide you with sound advice and offer you the pros and cons of each possible scenario so you can meet your legal objectives. She encourages clients to participate in their own matters. Tammy believes that client participation is key to a positive result and to keeping attorney fees as low as possible. You can be sure that she will offer you straightforward, sound and honest advice in a professional manner, with integrity and excellence.

Before opening her own law practice, Tammy worked for many high-volume law firms. This gave her extensive, diversified experience in hundreds of complex family law cases as well as civil matters. She is admitted to practice law before all courts in California and the United States District Court for the Northern District of California. She is also a member of the American Bar Association, the Contra Costa Bar Association, the Alameda County Bar Association and the Bar Association of San Francisco. Tammy is also a member of the Rotary Club of Danville.

Tammy is a graduate of John F. Kennedy School of Law and holds a Bachelor of Science in business management from the University of Phoenix. Tammy is also a licensed real estate broker, which comes in handy for valuing property in family law cases as well as real estate matters in the civil arena.

During her off time, Tammy is an avid sailor who crews and races on various boats in the San Francisco Bay. Tammy approaches each case as she would any yacht race: by assessing the other’s strengths, weaknesses, experience, equipment, history and reputation. She is a member of the American Sailing Association, and she is a certified Coast Guard Auxiliary member.

HONORS AND AWARDS
Tammy was selected to receive the prestigious “Business Person of the Year” Award in 2017 for the San Ramon Chamber of Commerce.

Tammy is currently serving as Danville Rotary President for 2017 through 2019.

Mary C. Whipple, CFLS

Mary C. Whipple opened her first law practice in the summer of 2008. She previously was an associate attorney at the Law Office of Cummins & Holmes, a full-service civil litigation law firm in San Ramon. The majority of her experience is in family law, which includes divorce, custody, support, prenuptial agreements and domestic-violence restraining orders. Certified by the California State Bar’s Board of Legal Specialization, she is a specialist in the area of family law. Mary has also represented clients in a variety of non-family-law cases, including juvenile dependency, probate, breach of contract and employment disputes, to name a few.

Mary also previously worked as a contract attorney for O’Melveny & Meyers in San Francisco while simultaneously volunteering at the Bar Association of San Francisco’s Volunteer Legal Services Program, representing defendants in unlawful detainer actions. The program acknowledged Mary with an Outstanding Volunteer in Public Service Award in 2006 for her efforts in providing access to justice.

A seventh-generation Californian, Mary is a graduate of Loyola University Chicago School of Law. She earned her Bachelor of Science in criminology at Southern Oregon University in Ashland, Oregon. She is a member of the State Bar of California, the Alameda County Bar Association, and the Contra Costa County Bar Association.

In addition, Mary is active in her community as a member of the Ambassador’s Committee for the San Ramon Chamber of Commerce; a volunteer at the Contra Costa County and Alameda County Superior Courts, where she assists self-represented litigants in completing their divorces; and a member of Divorce Angel, where she provides information regarding family law matters to members of the community. Since 2007 she has been a volunteer judge for Alameda and Contra Costa County’s Annual High School Moot Court Competition. She is also a member of the Danville/Sycamore Valley Rotary Club. She was awarded the San Ramon Chamber of Commerce 2012 Business Person of the Year; and a graduate of the 2012 class of Leadership San Ramon Valley.

CERTIFIED LEGAL SPECIALTIES
Certified Specialist in Family Law by the State Bar of California Board of Legal Specialization