Law Offices of Cathleen Norton

In the "Lawyers Near Me" category, the Law Offices of Cathleen Norton, located at 20301 Ventura Blvd, Woodland Hills, CA 91364, USA, stands as a practice primarily dedicated to the intricate and often emotionally charged field of family law. This firm aims to provide legal services that guide clients through some of the most significant life transitions, including divorce, child custody, and support issues. With a strong emphasis on strategic representation, the firm seeks to achieve favorable outcomes for individuals and families in the San Fernando Valley and surrounding areas.

The Law Offices of Cathleen Norton offers a comprehensive range of family law services, addressing the various complexities that arise during divorce and separation. Their primary areas of focus include:

• Divorce and Dissolution of Marriage: The firm assists clients through all phases of divorce, whether contested or uncontested. This includes pre-divorce planning and navigating the legal requirements for dissolving a marriage in California.

• Child Custody and Visitation: A critical service, the firm helps establish and modify child custody and visitation orders, focusing on the best interests of the children while advocating for parental rights. This includes complex issues like child abduction cases and developing parenting plans.

• Child Support: They provide guidance on calculating and enforcing child support orders, considering factors such as parental income and time-sharing arrangements. The firm also assists with modifications to existing support orders when circumstances change.

• Spousal Support (Alimony): The firm handles matters related to spousal support, working to establish fair and equitable arrangements for temporary or permanent alimony, considering factors like income, earning capacity, and standard of living during the marriage.

• Property Division: During a divorce, the division of community assets and debts can be complex. The firm assists in identifying, valuing, and equitably dividing marital property, including real estate, investments, businesses, and retirement accounts.

• Domestic Violence Restraining Orders: The Law Offices of Cathleen Norton provides legal representation for individuals seeking or responding to domestic violence restraining orders, offering protection and guidance through these sensitive legal proceedings.

• Paternity Actions: They handle cases to legally establish paternity, which is essential for determining child custody, visitation, and support rights and obligations.

• Post-Judgment Modifications: The firm assists clients in modifying existing court orders for child custody, visitation, and support when there are significant changes in circumstances.

While specific details about the physical environment of the Law Offices of Cathleen Norton are not extensively provided in the public information, the firm's location on Ventura Blvd in Woodland Hills suggests a professional setting common to legal practices in the area. The emphasis on offering virtual appointments and consultations, similar to other modern law firms, indicates an adaptation to client convenience and accessibility, allowing them to serve clients not only in Woodland Hills but also across Los Angeles County and beyond, including those residing out-of-state or out-of-country. This flexibility highlights a client-focused approach to engagement, aiming to make legal assistance available regardless of geographical constraints.

A key feature of the Law Offices of Cathleen Norton is the professional background and qualifications of its lead attorney, Cathleen E. Norton. She is a graduate of UCLA Law School and holds bachelor's degrees in Philosophy and Women's Studies from UCLA. Notably, Ms. Norton is recognized as a Certified Family Law Specialist by the California State Bar Board of Legal Specialization. This certification signifies a high level of expertise and experience in family law, as it requires rigorous examination, peer review, and demonstrated proficiency in the field. Ms. Norton has also been recognized as a "Super Lawyer" (2016-2023, 2025) and a "Rising Star" (2013-2015), a distinction awarded to only 2.5% of California lawyers. Her Avvo rating of "10.0 Superb" and "Top Contributor" award further underscore her reputation within the legal community for knowledge and client satisfaction. She is also involved in giving back to the community, volunteering her services at the Los Angeles County Domestic Violence Clinic and lecturing at UCLA Law School.

The firm emphasizes a strategic and pragmatic approach to litigation, aiming to provide clients with a clear understanding of their legal rights and options. They prioritize empowering clients with knowledge to make informed decisions about their lives, children, and finances. While the firm is prepared to litigate fiercely when necessary, they also explore settlement possibilities outside of court, recognizing that this can often be a more cost-effective and less emotionally draining path for clients. They offer various representation options, including full-service representation and limited-scope consulting, to accommodate different client needs and budgets, encouraging clients to do "homework" and gather information to keep legal fees at a minimum when appropriate.

However, it is important for prospective clients to consider the entirety of available feedback. While some clients have expressed high satisfaction, describing Ms. Norton as "just wonderful," "very unique," and having "amazing" knowledge, with "great" results, another review highlights significant concerns regarding communication and client management. This particular review details an experience marked by "unprofessionalism and poor taste," citing multiple cancelled appointments, lack of communication, and a dismissive response from the office after months of client effort and a paid consultation fee. This indicates that while the firm possesses substantial legal expertise and a commitment to positive outcomes, potential clients should consider these varied experiences regarding administrative efficiency and communication responsiveness.

For those seeking representation in family law matters, the Law Offices of Cathleen Norton positions itself as a knowledgeable and experienced option in Woodland Hills, CA. Given the dual nature of the reviews, prospective clients are encouraged to carefully assess their needs and engage in direct communication with the firm to ensure alignment with their expectations for service and communication. They can be contacted at (310) 492-6039 or +1 310-492-6039 to discuss their specific family law needs.