Attorney Profile

Joel Rubin is an experienced litigator and effective advocate on behalf of his clients. He is the attorney to whom other experienced family law attorneys refer complex and often hotly contested litigation cases. He brings a strong and confident presence to his cases born of a determined personality, a thorough knowledge of family law and of years of litigating difficult cases. However, Joel Rubin's philosophy of practice is that while strong advocacy is necessary and appropriate in certain cases, many clients are best served by assisting them in resolving their family law cases peacefully, out of court, and by avoiding a legal contest. Joel Rubin is trained as a mediator and in collaborative practice. Because of Mr. Rubin's years of dealing with the most complex and difficult of issues he is qualified to assist his clients in resolving their cases out of court.

In addition to his law practice, Mr. Rubin's other current interests include Tai Chi, Qigong, Meditation, Rugby, Teaching Contemplative Practices to Law Students, Chess, Whitewater Rafting and Theatre.

Areas of Practice

• Alternative Dispute Resolution
• Family Law
• Child Support
• Custody & Visitation
• Divorce
• Collaborative Process

Certification/Specialties

• Family Law Specialist, State Bar of California Board of Legal Specialization

Bar Admissions

• California, 1976
• U.S. District Court Central District of California, 1976
• U.S. District Court Eastern District of California, 1976
• U.S. District Court Northern District of California, 1976
• U.S. District Court Southern District of California, 1976
• U.S. Court of Appeals 9th Circuit, 1976

Education

• University of California, Hastings College of the Law, San Francisco, California
  J.D.
  
  
• Golden Gate University, San Francisco, California
  M.S.
  Major: Taxation
  
  
• San Diego State University, San Diego, California, 1972
  B.A.
  
  

Professional Associations and Memberships

• Association of Certified Family Law Specialists
  Member
  
  
• Collaborative Council of the Redwood Empire
  Vice-President
  
  
• International Association of Collaborative Professionals
  Member
  
  
• Northern California Rugby Football Union Youth Committee
  Past Chair
  
  
• Redwood Empire Youth Rugby Conference
  Past Commissioner
  
  
• Congregation Beth Ami
  Past President
  
  
• Sonoma County Bar Association
  Director
  
  

Past Employment Positions

• U.S. Marine Corps, 1965 - 1969
• Sonoma County Public Defender, 1976 - 1979