Law Offices of Eileen Avila

For local users seeking legal assistance through platforms like "Lawyers Near Me," understanding the full scope of a lawyer's practice, including their environment, services, features, and client feedback, is crucial. The Law Offices of Eileen Avila, located at 840 Hinckley Rd #151, Burlingame, CA 94010, USA, offers legal services primarily focused on family law. This introduction aims to provide an objective overview based on available public information, including direct client reviews.

The office of Eileen Avila is situated in Burlingame, California, a city in San Mateo County known for its proximity to Silicon Valley and San Francisco. The address, 840 Hinckley Road, Suite 151, suggests a professional office within a commercial building, typical for legal practices. While specific interior design details are not publicly available, the suite number indicates a dedicated office space that would likely provide a private and professional setting for client consultations. The location offers reasonable accessibility for residents of Burlingame and the surrounding San Mateo County, with ample free parking noted as a convenience for clients. This physical environment is designed to facilitate confidential discussions and professional interactions, which are paramount in family law matters.

Eileen Avila commenced her legal practice in 1982 and has exclusively devoted her practice to family law since 1993. This specialization is a key feature of her services. She was certified as a Family Law Specialist by the California Board of Legal Specialization in 2001 and has maintained this certification, signifying a recognized level of expertise in the field. Her professional qualifications include a J.D. from the University of San Francisco School of Law and a B.A. with Distinction from Pomona College, along with being a candidate for a Master of Liberal Arts at Stanford University. She is also a certified mediator through UC Berkeley Continuing Education and has specialized training in trial practice and collaborative law.

The services offered by the Law Offices of Eileen Avila are comprehensive within the realm of family law. For users searching "Lawyers Near Me" with family-related legal issues, her practice covers a broad spectrum:

• Divorce/Marriage Dissolution: Providing comprehensive representation through the process of ending a marriage.

• Child Custody and Visitation: Addressing legal and physical custody arrangements, parenting plans, and visitation schedules.

• Child and Spousal Support: Determining fair and appropriate financial support arrangements following separation or divorce.

• Complex Property Issues: Handling the division of marital assets, including complex financial portfolios, real estate, and business interests.

• Domestic Violence/Restraining Orders: Assisting clients in obtaining or defending against restraining orders in cases of domestic abuse.

• Domestic Partnership: Addressing legal matters related to the dissolution of domestic partnerships.

• Mediation/Collaborative Law: Offering alternative dispute resolution methods to facilitate amicable resolutions outside of traditional litigation.

• Paternity: Establishing legal parentage for purposes of custody, visitation, and support.

• Children's Special Needs: Addressing unique considerations for children with special needs within family law contexts.

• Domestic and International Child Abduction: Handling complex cases involving the unlawful removal or retention of a child.

• Complete Financial Settlements: Ensuring all financial aspects of a divorce or separation are thoroughly addressed and settled.

• Trial Practice: Prepared to actively litigate cases through trial if necessary.

A key feature of Eileen Avila's approach is her commitment to helping clients develop a preferred strategy at the outset of their case, whether that involves litigation, negotiation, or mediation. She emphasizes preparing for all eventualities and is prepared to work with experts such as accountants, appraisers, financial planners, private judges, and psychologists/psychotherapists as needed. Her ability to serve as a Judge Pro-Tem for the San Mateo County Superior Court further indicates her standing within the legal community.

Promotional information indicates that Eileen Avila offers a free half-hour consultation, which is a significant advantage for prospective clients using the "Lawyers Near Me" platform to evaluate their options without an initial financial commitment. Her contact details are readily available: phone (650) 692-1290 and mobile phone +1 650-692-1290, along with email eileenmavila@icloud.com. The office operates Monday to Friday from 9:30 AM to 5:00 PM, with weekend and major holiday appointments available by arrangement. She serves clients in San Mateo, Santa Clara, San Francisco, and Alameda Counties.

However, it is important to provide an objective introduction based on all available information, including client reviews. Several public reviews provide critical feedback regarding services received. One detailed account from a client who connected with her through the San Mateo County Bar Lawyer Referral Service described a "shockingly bad" experience, citing issues such as:

• Lack of documentation or memory of attorney-client calls, despite being charged for them.

• Unpreparedness for hearings, including calling the client during the hearing for basic clarifications and not reviewing key emails or preparing for meet-and-confer sessions.

• Failure to address one of the three major issues for which the client was retained, leading to significant financial loss for the client.

• Numerous corrections required for documents produced by her office, with attorney rates charged for these corrections, implying clients had to act as a "legal assistant."

• A warning for clients with abuse experience in their case to "avoid her like the plague," suggesting a lack of sensitivity or appropriate handling of such delicate situations.

Another review echoes concerns about strategy and financial implications, stating that her "strategy turned out to be completely off the mark and cost me hundreds of thousands in legal fees." This review also mentions that Eileen Avila announced midway through a case that she would no longer handle contested or conflict divorces and dropped the case at the last minute, forcing the client to hire another firm. This reviewer suggested her practice might be suitable only for "divorce paperwork" or "mail some letters" and advised against hiring her for cases where winning is the objective. Concerns about "price gouging" and recommending fee arbitration were also raised, with the implication that her focus was on a "retirement money grab."

These reviews, while representing individual experiences, highlight potential areas of concern regarding case management, client communication, preparation, and professional conduct. For local users on "Lawyers Near Me," it is essential to consider both the advertised specializations and the real-world feedback when making a decision about legal representation. The comprehensive nature of her family law services, certified specialization, and extensive experience are balanced by the strong negative feedback concerning the quality of service, particularly in complex or contested cases, and aspects of billing and client communication.

In conclusion, the Law Offices of Eileen Avila presents a certified family law specialist with a long history in the field and a wide array of services catering to family law needs in the Bay Area. She offers an initial free consultation and is accessible via phone and email. However, potential clients should be aware of the serious concerns raised in client reviews regarding case preparedness, communication, the handling of complex issues, and fee practices. These elements are crucial for local users to weigh when seeking legal counsel on the "Lawyers Near Me" platform to ensure their specific needs and expectations can be met.