Tessitore, Michael A.

Carla's Background:

Carla Boyd Terre is a 2003 graduate of the University of San Francisco School of Law, graduating in the top 25% of her class. She received her Bachelor of Arts degree in English, with honors, from Mills College in Oakland, California. During her third year in law school, Carla served as an Extern for Justice Maria Rivera of the California Court of Appeal and then as a Law Clerk for the Sonoma County Department of Child Support Services. She is currently on the Board of Directors of the Sonoma County Bar Association and is a member of Association of Family and Conciliation Courts, Collaborative Council of the Redwood Empire, International Association of Collaborative Professionals, and Sonoma County Women in Law. In 2009, she was the President of the Family Law Section of the Sonoma County Bar Association. Carla recently received Super Lawyers' Northern California Rising Star award for 2010.

Carla's Approach to Family Law Practice:

Carla Boyd Terre's practice is dedicated strictly to family law matters. She handles all aspects of family law proceedings, including custody and visitation, property division, registered domestic partnerships, same sex and LGBT family law matters, adoption, domestic violence, child support, spousal support, appeals, pre-nuptial / pre-marital and post-marital agreements, collaborative law and mediation.

Carla has appeared at numerous contested family law proceedings including appearances before the California Court of Appeal in San Francisco. She is experienced in mediation and negotiation, and has helped many clients reach settlements or limit the issues which proceed to litigation. When settlement is not an option, Carla is ready to handle court proceedings and vigorously represent clients in contested matters.

Carla believes that an effective family law attorney stays in close communication with her client, working together to reach appropriate resolutions to the unique situations in each case. Carla is compassionate and understands that clients are often going through one of the most difficult times in their lives.

Carla also believes it is important to stay informed about developments in family law and attends regular trainings and seminars in addition to receiving weekly publications which provide important updates on recent family law cases and legislative changes.