Annette Hall Neville - Cerified Family Law SpecialistFamily

Annette Hall Neville

Annette has been practicing exclusively in family law since she graduated from law school. She opened her own family law practice in 2005. Annette loves her work because she believes that assisting families in moving through the challenges of the divorce process is important work that is not meant for the faint-of-heart.

Education

After a career as a professional dancer, Annette attended the University of California at San Diego as a writing major with a minor in French Literature. She graduated Summa cum Laude. She was also inducted into UCSD’s chapter of the Phi Beta Kappa Honor Society. She then attended California Western School of Law on a full academic scholarship, graduating Cum Laude. She has practiced exclusively family law since becoming an attorney. She opened her own practice in Encinitas, California in 2005.

Certified Family Law Specialist

Annette is certified by the State Bar of California’s Board of Legal Specialization as a legal specialist in Family Law. In order to be a Certified Family Law Specialist, an attorney must have: 1) substantial experience in family law, including both litigation and negotiation experience; 2) pass a written test on complex family law issues, and 3) receive the recommendations of family law attorneys with whom they have worked and judges before whom they have appeared in court.  Certified specialists have rigorous continuing education requirements, which Annette far exceeds. She travels all over California for seminars and presentations on family law issues and trial advocacy.

Awards

  • 2024 San Diego Top 50, Rated by Super Lawyers
  • 2024 San Diego Top 25 Women, Rated by Super Lawyers
  • Super Lawyers, San Diego, 2019-2024
  • 2015 Family Law Attorney of the Year, North County Bar Association.

Boards of Directors and Leadership Positions

  • American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers (AAML), Southern California Chapter, Board of Directors, 2020-2024.
  • San Diego Family Law Bar Association (SDFLBA) Past-President of Board of Directors, 2019.
  • SDFLBA President of Board of Directors, 2018.
  • SDFLBA President-Elect of Board of Directors, 2017.
  • Board of Directors, SDFLBA, 2017 to 2019.
  • North County Bar Association (NCBA), Board of Directors, 2017 to 2018.

Judicially-Appointed Positions

  • San Diego Superior Court Family Law Pro Tem Judge:  2012 to present.
  • Guardian ad Litem:  2015 to present.
  • San Diego Superior Court Local Rules Committee: February 2018, SDFLBA representative.
  • San Diego Superior Court Local Rules Committee:  February 2015, North San Diego County Representative.

Committees

  • American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers (AAML), Southern California Chapter, Co-Dean of Trial Advocacy Institute, 2021.
  • SDFLBA Education Committee, 2017 to 2019.
  • SDFLBA New Member Recruitment Committee, 2017 to 2019.
  • Chairperson, SDFLBA’s 2016 Winter Continuing Education Seminar.
  • Co-chairperson, SDFLBA’s 2016 Summer Continuing Education Seminar.
  • NCBA Family Law Committee, 2017 to 2018.
  • NCBA Membership Development Committee, 2017 to 2018.
  • North County Family Law Specialists (NCFLS), Chairperson of Education Committee, 2013 to 2019.
  • NCFLS Website Development Committee, 2015 to 2019.

Community/Volunteer Positions

  • Magdalena Ecke Family YMCA, Poinsettia Ball, Past and Present Committee Member
  • Guide, San Diego Superior Court “Youth in Court Day,” 2014-2018.
  • Law Day for NCBA, 2018.
  • Family Law Attorney for Legal Clinic, Veterans Stand Down Event, January 2018.
  • Board of Directors, San Diego Playwrights Project, 2016 to 2018.
  • Legal Clinic, Drug Court of San Diego Superior Court, 2017.
  • College-Bound Mentor, Just in Time for Foster Youth, 2016.
  • Core 24 Professional Women’s Group, Founder and Mentor, 2014.
  • Board of Directors, Encinitas Chamber of Commerce, 2006-2008.
  • Pro Bono, Community Resource Center, 2005-2006.

Legal Education Presentations

  • Co-presenter with Andrew Botros, SDFLBA 2023 Winter Seminar: “Case Updates.”
  • Co-presenter with Avi Levy, AAML 2023 Institute for Family Law Associates: “Emerging Issues in Same-Gender Cases.”
  • Presenter, AAML 2023 Southern California Chapter Trial Advocacy Institute : Complex Privilege Issues in Family Law.”
  • Presenter, AAML 2021 and 2022 Southern California Chapter Trial Basics Seminar: “Refreshing Recollections & Judicial Notice” and “Other Nuggets from the Evidence Code.”
  • Co-Dean, AAML 2021 Southern California Chapter Trial Advocacy Institute
  • Presenter, AAML 2020 Southern California Chapter Trial Advocacy Institute: “Myths and Fairytales, Telling the Story of the Blended Family.”
  • Emcee, SDFLBA 2019 Fall Seminar.
  • Judges’ Panel Moderator, SDFLBA 2018 Fall Seminar: “Attorneys Fees and Sanctions.”
  • Presenter, San Diego Law Library Know the Law Series, February 2018: Family Law.
  • Chairperson and Moderator, NCBA Fall 2017 Seminar: “Domestic Violence Restraining Orders: Family and Criminal Law Cross-Over Issues.”
  • Co-presenter with Hon. Linda Quinn, SDFLBA 2017 Fall Seminar: “When can you retire?”
  • Co-presenter with Comm. Patti Ratekin, SDFLBA 2016 Winter Seminar: “Complex Application of the UCCJEA.”
  • Co-presenter with Hon. Linda Quinn, SDFLBA 2016 Fall Seminar: “Is a Spin-Off Business Separate or Community Property?”
  • Judges’ Panel Moderator, SDFLBA 2016 Summer Seminar: “Modification and Termination of Spousal Support After Long-Term Marriage.”
  • Chairperson/Moderator, North County Family Law Specialists “Third Thursday” continuing education seminars:  2013 to 2019.

Memberships and Associations

  • American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, Fellow, 2018 to present
  • International Academy of Family Lawyers, Fellow, 2020 to present
  • San Diego Family Law Bar Association, 2014 to present
  • Association of Certified Family Law Specialists, 2013 to present
  • North County Bar Association, 2012 to present
  • North County Family Law Specialists, 2013 to present
  • American Inns of Court, Honorable Fiorenzo V. Lopardo Chapter, 2013 and 2014

Personal

In her spare time, Annette enjoys cooking, yoga, travel, and attending as much theater and ballet as her schedule permits, but her children give her the greatest joy in her life.