Professional Profile

FAITH JANSEN

Certified Family Law Specialist
540 Lennon Lane, Suite 290
Walnut Creek, CA 94598
Telephone: (925) 274-0900
Facsimile: (925) 274-0364

EDUCATION AND PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATION:

Sarah Lawrence College, New York: B.A., 1977.

University of California, Hastings College of the Law, San Francisco, CA: J.D., 1981.

California State Bar: License to practice law, 1981.

California State Bar Board of Legal Specialization: Certification as a Family Law Specialist, June 1991.

PROFESSIONAL HISTORY:

Private law practice (1981 to the present): Divorce and separation, family law, adoption, private guardianship of minors, juvenile dependency (foster care), and child advocacy.

Family Law Mediation Center (1991-present): Mediation of divorce and separation, family law, adoption, private guardianship of minors, and adoption of foster children; and educational programs training attorneys in mediation techniques.

Collaborative Divorce - “A Balanced Approach” (1995-present): Collaborative law approach to divorce, adoption, private guardianship of minors, etc.

LECTURES, WORKSHOPS, ARTICLES:

Your Day In Court! What Every Therapist Needs to Know About Subpoenas, Depositions, Court Appearances, Divorce and Child Custody Litigation, workshop (1989).

An Introduction to Family Law, lecture sponsored by Divorce and Separation Support Groups at The Discovery Center, Danville, CA (1989-1994).

Negotiation Theories and Mediation Conflict Resolution Techniques, lecture sponsored by Divorce and Separation Support Groups at Jewish Family and Children’s Services, Walnut Creek, CA (1992).

How to Avoid Costly Litigation for “Children Don’t Divorce” lecture, sponsored by Information Unlimited of San Ramon, CA (1993). Guest Lecturer - Civic Groups (eg., Rotary, Kiwanis, Lions, Soroptomists, lecture on topics including family law mediation, collaborative law, alternative dispute resolution, (1997-present).

“Mediation - A Better Way,” The San Francisco Daily Journal Vol. 104, No. 78, page 8, (April 23, 1998)

Law Office Management Systems for Building a Mediation Practice Within Your Private Law Practice, 1 hour program (1999).

Basic Mediation Skills for Civil and Family Law Lawyers, 44 hour course (2002).

Techniques for Domestic Violence Screening in Mediation and Related Issues, 3 hour program for family law attorney-mediators (2006).

Psychological Interventions in Family Law, 2 hour program for family law attorneys (2006).

“We've Come a Long Way - Contra Cost Family Law Alternative Dispute Resolution”; Article: The Contra Costa Lawyer (the official publication of the Contra Costa County Bar Association); Vol. 22, Number 11, November 2009. pages 6 to 8.

PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS AND COMMUNITY SERVICE:

Contra Costa County Bar Association Family Law and Juvenile Law Sections (1985-present).

State Bar of California, Family Law Section, Adoptions Subcommittee - Northern California (1989-1991).

Contra Costa Bar Association Family Law Section Mediation Committee (1993-1998).

Family Law Court Volunteer Mediator (1994-1998) Pro bono donation of services.

Mediation Committee; Contra Costa County Bar Association Family Law Section (1998-2009).

Pro Bono “How to Divorce” Workshops for Self-Represented Parties, sponsored by the Contra Costa Bar Association and Contra Costa Superior Court, located at the courthouse. (2000 - present).

East Bay Collaborative Practice Group (2005-present).

Concord Childcare Alliance (1984-1985).

Concord Chamber of Commerce (1982-1987).

OTHER CERTIFICATIONS, AWARDS, RECOGNITION:

Advanced Practitioner Mediator certification: Association for Conflict Resolution, Family Section, formerly the Academy of Family Mediators (1995-present).

Contra Costa County Bar Association Certificate of Appreciation for pro bono service, for redesign and promotion of the bar association’s Family Law Alternative Resolution (FLARe) attorney-mediator referral panel (2001).

Contra Costa Superior Court certificates of appreciation for volunteering to conduct the “How to Divorce” Pro Bono courthouse workshops (2000-present).