Kathy Minella moved to San Diego from Chicago in 2007, to begin her career as an attorney at the California Western School of Law. While in law school Kathy volunteered at the Madge Bradley domestic violence clinic where she discovered her passion for helping people through the divorce process. She immediately knew that she wanted to practice family law and made that her goal.
Kathy has practiced family law exclusively since graduating law school in 2010, starting at the largest family law firm in Northern San Diego County. She then transitioned to a smaller boutiques law firm where she was brought in to run the family law department.
After two years of it became apparent there were more ways to help people, Kathy decided to open the doors of Minella Law Group established in January 2014. Minella Law Group, APC, is a woman run and worked law firm focusing exclusively on family law matters including family formation and adoption. With a focus on client centered representation, Minella Law Group specializes in bringing finality to families whether through negotiation or litigation.
Kathy then focused on excellency in practice and became a Board-Certified Family Law Specialist in 2016, passing the rigorous exam and application process due to her dedication to family law. Kathy is committed to bringing the most up to date information to her clients by taking hundreds of hours in courses including Minor’s Counsel, mediation, domestic violence, and other applicable topics. Kathy has handled hundreds if not thousands of contested and uncontested family law matters all over San Diego County.
Kathy also serves on the panel for minor’s counsel, she is often appointed by the court to serve as attorneys for children going through divorce or conflict in custody battles. In her service she provides the court with information to prevent danger of irreparable harm to children.
In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her two boys and husband. She can often be found out in her garden teaching the boys to grow fruit and vegetables.
Kathy is also very passionate about rescuing dogs and had been the proud mom to several rescue dogs over the years.
• Certified Family Law Specialist, State Bar of California Board of Legal Specialization, 2017
• Selected to Super Lawyer: 2023
• Selected to Super Lawyer Rising Star: 2019-2020
• Selected as the Attorney of the Month for August 2021 in the Attorney Journal, 2021
• Member of the San Diego Family Law Bar Association
• Member of the San Diego County Bar Association
• Member of the Minors Counsel Panel
Understanding California Guardianships and the Role of Grandparents
California Military Divorce and the Importance of Estate Planning
Understanding Informal Written Agreements in California Divorce Proceedings
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