RACHEL A. SAUNDERS
Partner
RACHEL A. SAUNDERS has an active litigation and advisory practice which is dedicated to addressing the legal needs of working families in the Bay Area. The appeal of a family-focused practice for Rachel is the opportunity to have an immediate impact on the lives of real people. One of the most rewarding aspects about being an Attorney is the appreciation of a satisfied client. The goal of Rachel's practice is to provide a diverse set of legal services that can help a family as it grows and their needs change.
Getting help with legal problems is important and therefore Rachel also believes that it should be affordable for the typical working family. A recent statistic showed that over 60% of families were choosing to represent themselves in court because of the cost of Attorneys in California. In order to make legal solutions accessible to Bay Area families, Rachel has opted out of the overpriced office real estate of the larger firms by operating a modest office, that way she can pass on to the savings to her clientele. Since 2010, Rachel has co-counseled with Robert J. Rathmell on a number of complex family law matters. Rachel and Robert formed Rathmell Saunders, LLP to better serve Bay Area working families in family law matters as a team. Rachel received her Juris Doctor degree from the University of California, Hastings, finishing magna cum laude. Prior to that, she obtained both her Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts from Stanford University in International Relations with a focus on Economics. During law school, Rachel was eager to make a difference in the lives of working families. Consequently, she volunteered to work in the Family Law Facilitator's Office of the Superior Court helping individuals who were self-represented to navigate the legal system. In her free time, Rachel continues to provide free legal services to low income individuals through the Justice and Diversity Center of the Bar Association of San Francisco. Direct Line: (415) 742-8040 Ext.3 |
Education
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ROBERT J. RATHMELL
Partner
ROBERT J. RATHMELL is Managing Partner of Rathmell Saunders, LLP. He holds a Juris Doctor degree from the University of California, Hastings College of the Law in San Francisco. Robert has practiced family law since 2009 representing diverse Bay Area clients in family law litigation and trials, domestic violence prevention, dissolution of marriage and domestic partnership, child custody and visitation, domestic and international child relocation cases, parentage, spousal support and child support, and property-related matters. Rachel and Robert formed Rathmell Saunders, LLP in 2013 to serve working families in a full range of family law matters with affordable, effective legal representation.
Robert gives back to the community through pro bono representations with the Justice and Diversity Center of the Bar Association of San Francisco and the Sargent Shriver Child Custody Project. Robert and Rachel have been named Outstanding Volunteers for 2015, 2016 and 2017. Robert also serves the courts as a settlement attorney in family law matters in San Francisco and San Mateo Counties. Robert has researched wide-ranging issues in state and local government, an interest fostered by his work with David Jung and the Center for State and Local Government Law at UC Hastings. In December 2009 he and co-author Stephanie Bornstein completed a nation-wide survey of local government laws prohibiting workplace discrimination on the basis of familial responsibilities. The report, published by the Center for WorkLife Law, is frequently cited by labor unions, legislators, and law firms. Before his career as an attorney, Robert worked as a music educator in community music school, college and university positions. His composition, Poem and Reflections for guitar solo, won first prize in the 1994 Guitar Foundation of America International Set Piece Composition Competition and is published by Mel Bay Editiones Classicae. He and his wife, Susan, are members of St. Mark's Lutheran Church, an open and affirming congregation in San Francisco. Robert has served the St. Mark's community as a member of Church Council and a member of the St. Mark's Endowment Fund Committee. For everyday enjoyment, Robert and Susan find time for a good walk with their Norwegian Elkhound Freya in their favorite city. Direct Line: (415) 742-8040 ext. 2 |
Education
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PAIGE M. GARCIA
Associate Attorney
PAIGE MARIKO GARCIA, a Bay Area native and Associate Attorney at Rathmell Saunders, LLP, is passionate about helping families resolve their family law issues. She has a talent for connecting with her clients on a personal level and putting them at ease in what can be a complex and difficult process. Paige received her Juris Doctor degree in 2015 from the University of California, Hastings College of the Law, where she served on the executive board for the Business Law Journal. She received her Bachelor of Arts from the University of Colorado at Boulder, graduating summa cum laude with a major in political science and minor in philosophy.
As a child of divorced parents, Paige has a natural empathy for her clients and is inspired by her experiences to work more closely with them in resolving their family law issues. Paige regularly represents clients in child custody and visitation disputes, child support, dissolution of marriage and domestic partnership, and domestic violence prevention. Paige serves the broader community as a volunteer for the Queen's Bench Juvenile Hall Project in San Francisco and in assisting partners with pro bono representations. Direct Line: (415) 964-7543 |
Education
summa cum laude, 2012 Experience
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PETER C. PHWAN
Paralegal
PETER C. PHWAN joined Rathmell Saunders, LLP, as a paralegal in 2014. Peter has been a legal assistant/litigation paralegal for over nine years and has extensive family law experience with complex cases in the San Francisco Bay Area. He has assisted attorneys covering all aspects of family law and civil litigation with handling cases involving dissolution of marriage, child custody, child support, spousal support, prenuptial agreements, property division, and domestic violence. Peter brings compassion and patience to the chaotic process of divorce. Peter got his paralegal education at California State University, East Bay.
Before joining our team, Peter gained valuable experience in family and immigration law practice at other law firms in San Francisco. His work has included dealing with subpoenas, family law discoveries, and handling the high-asset and complex cases of Silicon Valley families. Peter received his bachelor's degree in international relations in Indonesia. There, he worked as manager at the Jakarta Hilton Convention Center, directing many successful events. He handled wedding banquets of over a thousand guests, American pop concerts, international exhibitions and meetings, including a meeting between the U.S. President and the Chinese head of state. Peter volunteers to help immigrant families at numerous U.S. citizenship workshops and serves as a poll inspector for general elections in the City and County of San Francisco. In his free time, Peter enjoys traveling, camping, and trying new foods with his family. Direct Line: (415) 217-3000 |
Education
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