Gretchen B. Rubel
Hersh FamilyLaw Practice, P.C.
456 Montgomery Street, Seventeenth Floor
San Francisco, CA 94104
(415) 788-2200
grubel@hflp.com
www.hflp.com

Managing Principal at HFLP – child custody, parentage, and domestic violence, 2007 – present
Fellow of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers:

• Northern California Chapter, Member, 2019
• Northern California Chapter Mentor-Mentee Committee Co-Chair, 2020 – present
• Northern California Chapter Trial Practicum Team Co-Leader, 2021
• National Domestic Violence Committee, Member, 2019 – present
  
  

Certified Family Law Specialist – State Bar of California Board of Legal Specialization, 2012
California Lawyers Association (CLA) (formerly California State Bar Association) – 1998
Bar Association of San Francisco, Member, Family Law Section
Marin County Bar Association, Member, Family Law Section
Queen’s Bench Bar Association, Member
Center for Domestic Peace, Marin County, Volunteer and Trainer

Areas of Practice:
Ms. Rubel’s practice for the last 24 years has been dedicated to Family Law. Her practice includes but is not limited to dissolutions, legal separations, annulments, actions under the Uniform Parentage Act (UPA) and Domestic Violence Prevention Act (DVPA), international family law under The Convention of 25 October 1980 on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction (HCCH 1980 Child Abduction Convention) (“Hague Convention”) matters, and all issues related to child custody, child support, spousal support, and property division.

Ms. Rubel has particular expertise and knowledge in the area of complex child custody and visitation and domestic abuse issues, including but not limited to child custody evaluations, domestic and international parental relocation (“move-away”) litigation, disputes involving the Uniform Child Custody and Jurisdiction Act (UCCJEA) and the Hague Convention, DVPA restraining orders and ancillary orders, substance abuse monitoring, parental mental health monitoring, and other parenting and co-parenting issues.

Educational Background

• International Academy of Family Lawyers (IAFL)
  European Chapter Meeting, Athens, Greece, Attendee, 2022
  
  

• International Academy of Family Lawyers (IAFL)
  Introduction to International Family Law, San Francisco, California, Attendee, 2019
  
  

• World Congress on Family Law and Children’s Rights
  Seventh World Congress on Family Law and Children’s Rights, Dublin, Ireland, Attendee, 2017
  
  

• International Academy of Family Lawyers (IAFL)
  International Child Custody Conference, New York, New York, Attendee, 2017
  
  

• Golden Gate University School of Law, San Francisco, California
  Juris Doctorate Degree, 1998
  Public Interest Law Specialization Certificate, 1998
  Chair, Public Interest Law Foundation, 1996 – 1997
  
  

• University Of California, San Diego, San Diego, California
  Bachelor of Arts, Political Science, 1991
  
  
  

Current Pro Bono and Volunteer Services

• Family Law Settlement Officer for the San Francisco County Superior Court,
  
  
• Family Law Bench/Bar Settlement Officer for the Marin County Superior Court,
  
  
• Inter-Disciplinary (Family Law Attorney / Mental Health Professional / Judicial Officer) Settlement Officer for the Marin County Superior Court,
  
  
• Extensive litigation as co-counsel with Ms. Hersh as Minors’ Counsel,
  
  
• Volunteer Legal Services, Law & Motion Calendar for the Family Law Department of the San Francisco Superior Court,
  
  
• Representation of Minor through appeal in guardianship proceeding impacting domestic and international custody and Hague abduction issues,
  
  
• Instructor, Restraining Order Representation in coordination with Center for Domestic Peace and Jones Day, and
  
  
• Volunteer Attorney, Mentor and Trainer, for Center for Domestic Peace.
  
  
  

Professional Background

• 2007 – Present: Hersh FamilyLaw Practice, P.C., San Francisco, California
  Principal and Managing Principal of Child Custody, Parentage, and Domestic Violence
  
  

• 2001 – 2007: Family and Children’s Law Center , San Rafael, California
  Staff Attorney
  
  

• 2000 – 2001: Support Network for Battered Women , Mountain View, California
  Staff Attorney
  
  

• 1998 – 2000: Family and Children’s Law Center, San Rafael, California
  Volunteer Attorney
  Law Clerk (1998)
  
  

• 1998: Admitted, State Bar of California
  
  
• 1990 – 1997: San Francisco County District Attorney’s Office, San Francisco, California
  Law Clerk, Domestic Violence Unit (1997)
  Victim Advocate Intern, Family Violence Project (1994)
  Legal Research Assistant, Family Violence Project (1990)
  
  

• 1996: STAND! For Families Free of Violence , (formerly known as
  Battered Women’s Alternatives Legal Advocacy Program), Contra Costa County, California
  Law Clerk
  
  
  

Awards

• Wiley W. Manuel Award for Pro Bono Legal Services
  Recognition for volunteer legal services, 1998 and 1999
• Marin County Board of Supervisors Resolution
  Recognition for volunteer legal services, 1998 and 1999