100 Smith Ranch Road, Ste. 116
San Rafael, CA 94903
Tel: (415) 785-7881
Fax: (415) 785-7891
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EMILY VANCE, ESQ.
Education
J.D.: Washington University in St. Louis
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M.S.W.:Washington University in St. Louis
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B.A. Washington University in St. Louis
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Bar Admissions
California, 2009
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New York, 2015
Certifications
Certified Specialist, Family Law, State Bar of
California, Board of Legal Specialization
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Legal Community Activities
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Lawyers in the Library Program, Marin County Law Library, Attorney Coordinator
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Marin County Law Library, Board Member
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Bench Bar Settlement Conference Panelist, Marin County Superior Court
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Marin County Women Lawyers
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Association of Certified Family Law Specialists
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Emily Vance, a Certified Family Law Specialist in California, has exclusively practiced family law in California since her admission to the California bar in 2009. Ms. Vance specializes in complex family law matters including property division, financial issues, domestic violence, child and spousal support, and child custody, both in dissolution and post-judgment matters. Ms. Vance also prepares and negotiates premarital, postmarital, and separation agreements. Ms. Vance is seasoned in all phases of litigation and mediation.
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A New York native and also licensed to practice law in New York, Ms. Vance received her B.A., Juris Doctorate and Masters Degree in Social Work from Washington University in St. Louis.
Prior to establishing Vance Family Law, Ms. Vance practiced family law in Marin, Sonoma, Alameda, Contra Costa, and San Francisco Counties, at the preeminent law firms of Blevans & McCall LLP in San Rafael, CA and Fox & Bank LLP in Walnut Creek, CA.
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In 2017, 2018, and 2019, Ms. Vance was designated as a Northern California Super Lawyers® Rising Star.
Ms. Vance understands that each client, each relationship, and each family is unique. In addition to providing steadfast advocacy for each client, Ms. Vance takes a strategic and efficient approach to get results.
Ms. Vance’s professional and educational background, training and experience, as well as her keen understanding of the emotional, financial, and social impacts of divorce on families, make her an effective, efficient and compassionate family law attorney.
CHELSEA E. HEANEY, ESQ.
cheaney@vancefamilylaw.com
Education
J.D.: University of California, Hastings
B.A. University of California, Los Angeles
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Bar Admissions
California, 2016
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Chelsea E. Heaney was born and raised in Marin County. Prior to law school, Ms. Heaney worked at Schneider Law Firm in San Francisco, where she was first introduced to, and developed an interest in, family law.
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During Ms. Heaney's first summer at UC Hastings College of the Law, she volunteered at the Family and Children’s Law Center in San Rafael, CA, where she interviewed victims of domestic violence and drafted declarations in support of their restraining order requests. She also worked on various family law matters including child support, custody and visitation, property division and financial matters.
During the next two years, Ms. Heaney volunteered with the Cooperative Restraining Order Clinic in San Francisco, helping victims of domestic violence obtain restraining orders.
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While at UC Hastings, Ms. Heaney joined Hastings Association of Youth Advocates, serving as an Educational Surrogate. She attended Individualized Educational Plan meetings to ensure academic and behavioral needs were being met. Ms. Heaney was a member of the UC Hastings Trial Team, where she was a part of the first team to ever win a national trial competition.
Ms. Heaney is a skillful and compassionate attorney who cares very deeply about obtaining the best possible results for her clients. Ms. Heaney is thorough and detailed-oriented, and, above all, a good listener. These skills allow her to identify and understand her clients' objectives so that she can be an effective, and efficient, attorney and advocate for her clients.
Tetra M. Mitchell, a Certified Notary Public, joined Vance Family Law in 2017. Prior to working at Vance Family Law, Ms. Mitchell worked exclusively in the family law field for 12 years in Marin County for William Johnson and Ingrid Carbone.
Throughout her career as a Legal Assistant and Paralegal, Ms. Mitchell’s experience in the family law field, and the skills she has developed, have equipped her for almost any situation that arises, no matter how difficult.
Ms. Mitchell relates well to people, always has a smile, and believes kindness and friendliness can make a big difference during difficult situations. She has the ability to calmly and effectively communicate sensitive information and assist with managing stressful situations.
Ms. Mitchell is a strong team player. She has excellent rapport with court personnel and has an extensive understanding of court procedures, both critical assets in providing support in all aspects of the family law arena.
In her free time, Ms. Mitchell enjoys hiking, traveling, and spending time with her teenage son, Kobe.
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