Someone here has already
argued your case and won.
Four attorneys. Four areas of practice. Every scenario from voluntary acknowledgment to emergency interstate jurisdiction — covered, argued, and decided in our clients' favor.
Marcus T. Holloway
Senior Partner — Paternity & Voluntary Acknowledgment · 19 years
The Situation
Unmarried father, child born in 2021. Mother refused to add father to birth certificate. Father had no legal standing to attend school events, authorize medical treatment, or enforce any parenting time.
Result — Docket No. NY-FAM-2022-0847
Paternity established by court order within 63 days. Father entered on birth certificate. Parenting plan secured 40% residential time. Father now authorized for all medical and educational decisions.
- —J.D., Fordham University School of Law, 2005
- —Former Assistant District Attorney, Manhattan Family Court
- —380+ paternity petitions filed
- —Board Certified, Family Law Specialist
“In 2024, the firm secured paternity establishment for 94 unmarried fathers across seven states. Average time from filing to court order: 58 days.”
— Firm Performance — Paternity Division, FY 2024
Diane R. Castillo
Partner — Contested Paternity & DNA Proceedings · 14 years
The Situation
Client named as father on birth certificate without consent. No relationship with mother. Faced $1,400/month support obligation on a $52,000 annual income. DNA test not yet ordered.
Result — Docket No. TX-FAM-2023-1192
Court-ordered DNA test returned 0.00% probability of paternity. Birth certificate amended. Support obligation vacated in full. Client's prior payments — $8,400 — partially recovered as offset against arrears owed by biological father.
- —J.D., University of Texas School of Law, 2010
- —Certified Mediator, Texas Center for the Judiciary
- —210+ contested paternity proceedings
- —Published: "DNA Evidence Standards in Texas Family Courts," 2022
“Of 47 custody modification petitions filed by the firm in 2023, 41 resulted in increased parenting time for the father. None resulted in a reduction.”
— Firm Performance — Modification Division, FY 2023
Jonathan E. Pemberton
Partner — Interstate Jurisdiction & UCCJEA Disputes · 16 years
The Situation
Father held primary custody in California. Mother relocated to Washington with child without court approval. New Washington proceedings initiated. Father had 11 days before first Washington hearing.
Result — Docket No. CA-FAM-2024-3341
Emergency motion filed in California within 48 hours. California court asserted home-state jurisdiction. Washington proceedings stayed. Mother ordered to return child within 7 days. Father's custody arrangement reinstated with supervised parenting time for mother pending review.
- —J.D., UCLA School of Law, 2008
- —LL.M., Family Law & International Child Abduction, Georgetown, 2010
- —Hague Convention certified practitioner
- —95+ interstate and international custody proceedings
“Every grandparents' rights case the firm has accepted since 2019 has resulted in either standing established or court-ordered visitation. No exceptions.”
— Firm Performance — Third-Party Custody Division, 2019–2025
Sandra K. Whitmore
Associate Partner — Custody Modification & Grandparents' Rights · 11 years
The Situation
Paternal grandparents, ages 61 and 64. Both parents deceased in a car accident. Maternal relatives sought full guardianship. Grandparents told by a prior attorney they had no legal standing. Children had lived with grandparents for 14 months.
Result — Docket No. IL-FAM-2023-7729
Standing established under Illinois third-party custody statute. Guardianship awarded to paternal grandparents. Court found existing bond with grandparents served children's best interests. Maternal relatives granted quarterly visitation.
- —J.D., Northwestern Pritzker School of Law, 2013
- —Guardian ad Litem certified, Cook County
- —160+ modification and third-party custody proceedings
- —Illinois State Bar Association, Family Law Section Chair, 2024
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