Lawyer Overview

Debra S. Frank
Los Angeles Attorney, Certified Family Law Specialist, Debra S. Frank provides comprehensive family law and divorce counsel, including advice and representation in matters involving Divorce / Dissolution, Separation, Division of Property, Division of Debt, Spousal Support / Alimony, Child Support, Child Custody and Visitation, International Custody and Interstate Custody, Modifications of Custody and Support Agreements, Prenuptial Agreements and Post-Nuptial Agreements, Domestic Relationships, Paternity, Domestic Violence and more.

Debra S. Frank utilizes traditional litigation, mediation, and collaborative family law to help clients successfully resolve family law problems.

Attorney Debra S. Frank is passionate about her clients and the practice of family law. She is a speaker and author on the topic, and is a resource to whom other attorneys turn for a better understanding of some of family law's most complex issues. She has been an effective litigator and negotiator for a wide range of professional clients, and has handled cases for business executives and entertainment professionals.

Contact Los Angeles lawyer Debra S. Frank today to schedule an appointment to discuss your situation with an experienced family law specialist.

Debra S. Frank is actively involved with a wide variety of organizations in the California legal community, including:

• Association of Certified Family Law Specialists (ACFLS)
  • Newsletter Editor, 2000-2001, 2008-2009
  • Board Member, 2000-2002, 2007-present
• Beverly Hills Bar Association
  • Board of Governors, 2009-2011
  • Family Law Section, Executive Committee member, 2008-present
  • Family Law Section, Liaison to Board of Governors, 2009-present
• Century City Bar Association
  • Board of Governors, 1998-2004, 2007-present
  • President, 2003
  • Family Law Section, Chair, 1997-present
• Los Angeles County Bar Association (LACBA)
  • Family Law Section Executive Committee:
    • Chair-Elect, 2009-present
    • Member, 1998-2004, 2005-present
    • Family Law Reference Book Editor, 1998-2000, 2002, 2004-present
  • Los Angeles Superior Court, Central District
    • Family Law Alternate Dispute Resolution (ADR) Settlement Conference Officer, 1986-present
  • Board of Trustees, Member, 2003-2004
• Southern California Business Litigation Inn of Court
  • Member, 2007-present
• Southern California Family Law American Inn of Court
  • Vice Chair/Vice President, 2007-present
  • Founding Member, 2007-present
• State Bar of California
  • Family Law Advisory Commission, Board of Legal Specialization
    • Commissioner, 2005-2008
  • Family Law Executive Committee
    • Member, 1995-1999
    • Secretary-Treasurer, 1996-1997
    • Newsletter Editor 1997-1998
    • Assistant Newsletter Editor 1996-1997
    • Support Committee South (Financial Issues South, now known as Financial Issues - L.A. Standing Committee) reporting to the Family Law Executive Committee
      • Chair, 1999-2008
      • Vice Chair, 2008-present

Attorney Debra S. Frank is also a respected author and speaker:

• Author of chapter "Stock Options and Benefits Under Executive Business Plans" for CEB (Continuing Education of the Bar-California) book Dividing Pensions and Other Employee Benefits in California Divorces updated June 2009.
• Panelist, Beverly Hills Bar Association, Hot Tips Program, June 17, 2009
• Author, "Are Mandatory Fee Arbitration Clauses Enforceable?", ACFLS Family Law Blog, May 28, 2009
• Author of chapter "Marital Agreements" for CEB (Continuing Education of the Bar-California) book California Marital Settlement & Other Family Law Agreements, Third Edition, updated April 2009
• Moderator, Beverly Hills Bar Association, “Navigating in the Twilight Zone of Estate Planning and Probate: Elusive Concepts in the Family Law Arena,” March 18, 2009
• Author, “What are my options if my fiance refuses to sign a prenuptial agreement?” Super Lawyers Supplement to Los Angeles Magazine, February 2009, page S-34
• Author, "When Markets Collapse, So Do Families," Los Angeles Daily Journal, Thursday, October 9, 2008, page 6
• Author, "Media and the Law," The Century City Lawyer 15:11, Winter 2008-2009
• Author, “Preparing for a Media Onslaught, Los Angeles Lawyer,” Vol. 31, No. 5 July-August 2008
• Moderator, Los Angeles County Bar Association Family Law Section Program, “Hot Topics Every Family Law Attorney Should Know about Retirement Benefits,” March 2008
• Moderator & Panelist, Los Angeles County Bar Association Family Law Symposium: Recent Developments Panel, 2007-2009
• Moderator, Los Angeles County Bar Association Family Law Section Program Family, Law Trial Institute 101, “Exhibits and Use of Discovery at Trial,” February 2007
• Speaker and Moderator for Los Angeles County Bar, State Bar and other local and statewide Family Law and Continuing Education Programs

Debra S. Frank has established an impressive reputation in the California legal community. She is knowledgeable of changes and potential changes in the law through thorough research and involvement on committees that analyze proposed changes to California family and divorce law. For a more detailed examination of Debra S. Frank's experience and accomplishments, please review her attorney profile. Debra S. Frank takes the time needed to fully assess the details of the case and consults experts when necessary, including financial forensic specialists capable of discovering hidden assets, social therapists to evaluate children's wishes and best interests, and financial experts for valuation of assets and liabilities. She is a compassionate family law and divorce attorney and is committed to understanding her clients' needs and goals. Debra S. Frank's highly personalized services are tailored to the unique needs of each client.

Debra S. Frank also brings to her family law practice extensive criminal and juvenile law experience, including trials in defense of felony and misdemeanor offenses, and adjudications of juvenile offenses as well as numerous plea negotiations. She also handled dependency court proceedings. She utilizes this vast experience in the handling of family law proceedings.

Contact Certified Family Law Specialist Debra S. Frank today to discuss your situation with an attorney with over 25 years of experience and extensive knowledge of California divorce and family law.

Areas of Practice

• Divorce & Dissolution of Marriage
• California Community Property
• Spousal Support
• Child Support
• Child Custody & Visitation
• Breach of Fiduciary Duty
• Domestic Partnerships
• Prenuptial & Postnuptial Agreements
• Litigation
• Modification of Custody & Support
• Domestic Violence
• Paternity

West Practice Categories

Family Law, Alimony & Spousal Support, Child Support, Custody & Visitation, Divorce, Domestic Violence & Neglect, Paternity, Prenuptial Agreements

Bar Admissions

• California, 1977
• District of Columbia, 1980

Certification/Specialties

• Family Law, The State Bar of California Board of Legal Specialization, 1993

Professional Associations and Memberships

• Association of Certified Family Law Specialists, 2000 - 2002, 2007 - Present (Board Member)
• Association of Certified Family Law Specialists, 2000 - 2001, 2008 - 2009 (Editor, Newsletter)
• Beverly Hills Bar Association, Family Law Section, 2009 - 2011 (Board of Governors)
• Beverly Hills Bar Association, Family Law Section, 2008 - Present (Executive Committee)
• Beverly Hills Bar Association, Family Law Section, 2008 - Present (Liaison to the, Executive Committee)
• Century City Bar Association, 1998 - 2004, 2007 - Present (Board of Governors)
• Century City Bar Association, Family Law Section, 1997 - Present (Chair)
• Century City Bar Association, 2003 (President)
• Century City Bar Association, 2002 (President Elect)
• Century City Bar Association, 2001 (Vice President)
• Century City Bar Association, 2000 (Secretary)
• Century City Bar Association, 1999 (Treasurer)
• Los Angeles County Bar Association, Family Law Section, 2009 - Present (Chair-Elect, Executive Committee)
• Los Angeles County Bar Association, Family Law Section, 2009 (Vice Chair, Executive Committee)
• Los Angeles County Bar Association, Family Law Section, 2008 - 2009 (Secretary, Executive Committee)
• Los Angeles County Bar Association, Family Law Section, 2007 - 2008 (Treasurer, Executive Committee)
• Los Angeles County Bar Association, Family Law Section, 1998 - 2004, 2005 - Present (Member, Executive Committee)
• Los Angeles County Bar Association, Family Law Section, Family Law Reference Book, 1998-2000, 2002, 2004 - Present (Editor)
• Los Angeles County Bar Association, 2003 - 2004 (Member, Bench and Bar Committee)
• Los Angeles County Bar Association, 2003 - 2004 (Member, Board of Trustees)
• Los Angeles County Bar Association, Los Angeles Superior Court, Central District, 1986 - Present (Family Law Alternate Dispute Resolution Settlement Conference Officer)
• ProVisors, 2006 - Present (Member)
• Southern California Business Litigation Inn of Court, 2007 - Present (Member)
• Southern California Family Law American Inn of Court, 2007 - Present (Vice Chair/Vice President)
• Southern California Family Law American Inn of Court, 2007 - Present (Founding Member)
• State Bar Family Law Advisory Commission, Board of Legal Specialization, 2005 - 2008 (Commissioner)
• State Bar Family Law Executive Committee, 1995 - 1999 (Member)
• State Bar Family Law Executive Committee, 1984 - Present (Member-Financial Issues–LA Standing Committee (formerly Support South))
• State Bar Family Law Executive Committee, 1999-2008 Chair, Financial Issues-Support South (name changed to Financial Issues - L.A. Standing Committee)
• State Bar Family Law Executive Committee, 2008 - Present (Vice Chair, L.A. Standing Committee)
• State Bar Family Law Executive Committee, 1996 - 1998 (Co-Liaison, Alternative Dispute Resolutions Committee South)
• State Bar Family Law Executive Committee, 1995 - 1999 (Liaison, Financial Issues South Subcommittee)
• State Bar Family Law Executive Committee, 1996 - 1997 (Secretary-Treasurer)
• State Bar Family Law Executive Committee, Family Law News, 2008 - 2009 (Contributing Editor)
• State Bar Family Law Executive Committee, Family Law News, 1998 - 1999 (Advisor, Editorial Board)
• State Bar Family Law Executive Committee, Family Law News, 1997 - 1998 (Editor)
• State Bar Family Law Executive Committee, Family Law News, 1996 - 1997 (Assistant Editor)

Honors and Awards

• Named by California Super Lawyers Magazine as one of the Top Attorneys in Southern California, 2009 and 2010
• Judge Pro Tempore, 1984 - Present
• Commissioner and Vice-Chairperson of the California Law Revision (Appointed by Governor Jerry Brown), 1982 - 1983
• Public Member of the Department of Consumer Affairs, Bureau of Home Furnishings (Appointed by Governor Jerry Brown), 1980 - 1981

Classes and Seminars

• Speaker and Moderator, Los Angeles County Bar & other local bar associations, the State Bar of California, & other State Family Law & Continuing Education Programs

Pro Bono Activities

• Rotary Club of Century City, 1997 - Present

Education

• Southwestern University School of Law, Los Angeles, California, May, 1977
  Juris Doctor
• Carnegie-Mellon University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, May, 1972
  M.A.
  Honors: With Honors
• Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts, May, 1970
  B.A.
  Honors: With Honors

Published Works

• Marital Agreements, CEB book California Marital Settlement & Other Family Law Agreements, Third Edition, 2009
• Stock Options and Benefits Under Executive Business Plans, CEB book Dividing Pensions and Other Employee Benefits in California Divorces, 2009
• "What are my options if my fiance refuses to sign a prenuptial agreement?", Super Lawyers Supplement to Los Angeles Magazine, February, Page S-34, 2009
• When Markets Collapse, So Do Families, Los Angeles Daily Journal, Page 6, October 9, 2008
• Preparing for a Media Onslaught, Los Angeles Lawyer, Vol. 31, No. 5, July-August, 2008
• How the Private Attorney Handles District Attorney Cases, (Co-Author with Arnold Freedland, Esq.), 31st Annual 1999 and 35th Annual 2003 Family Law Reference Book, Los Angeles County Bar Association
• How the Private Attorney Handles District Attorney Cases, (Co-Author with Wayne Doss, Esq. and Arnold Freedland, Esq.), 32nd Annual 2000 Family Law Reference Book, Los Angeles County Bar Association
• A Better Way to Pass Family Law Legislation (Co-Author), Family Law News and Review, Vol. XV, No. 2, Spring, 1994

Address

One Century Plaza
2029 Century Park East
Suite 1400
Los Angeles, CA 90067-2915

Phones

310-277-5121

Faxes

310-277-5932

Emails

Contact Us

Websites

http://www.dsfranklawoffice.com