Los Angeles Attorney Debra S. Frank, Certified Family Law Specialist Representing Clients in Family Law Matters Including Divorce, Breach of Fiduciary and California Community Property Issues

Debra S. Frank
Los Angeles, California


phone	310-874-1220
Contact us today

Debra S. Frank
Los Angeles Attorney, Certified Family Law Specialist, Debra S. Frank provides comprehensive family law and divorce counsel, including advice and representation in matters involving Divorce / Dissolution, Separation, Division of Property, Division of Debt, Spousal Support / Alimony, Child Support, Child Custody and Visitation, International Custody and Interstate Custody, Modifications of Custody and Support Agreements, Prenuptial Agreements and Post-Nuptial Agreements, Domestic Relationships, Paternity, Domestic Violence and more.

Debra S. Frank utilizes traditional litigation, mediation, and collaborative family law to help clients successfully resolve family law problems.

Debra S. Frank is passionate about her clients and the practice of family law. She is a speaker and author on family law topics, and is a resource to whom other attorneys turn for a better understanding of some of family law's most complex issues. She has been an effective litigator and negotiator for a wide range of clients, including business and entertainment professionals and executives.

Contact Los Angeles lawyer Debra S. Frank today to schedule an appointment to discuss your situation with an experienced family law specialist.

Debra S. Frank is actively involved with a wide variety of organizations in the California legal community, including:

Association of Certified Family Law Specialists (ACFLS)
- Journal Editor, December 2000-December 2001, December 2009-December 2010, December 2014-December 2016, December 2022-present
- Associate Journal Editor, December 2010-December 2011, June-December 2013, December 2016-December 2018
- Secretary, 2011-2012
- Board Member, 2000-2002, 2007-2012, June 2013-present

Beverly Hills Bar Association
- Board of Governors, 2009-2013
- Family Law Section, Executive Committee Chair, 2011-2012
- Family Law Section, Executive Committee Member, 2008-present

Century City Bar Association
- Board of Governors, 1998-2004, 2007-2012
- President, 2003
- Family Law Section, Chair, 1997-2012

Los Angeles County Bar Association (LACBA)
- Family Law Section Executive Committee:
  - Chair 2010-2011
  - Member, 1998-2004, 2005-2011
  - Past Chair Participating on the Executive Committee, 2011-present
- Family Law Reference Book Editor, 1998-2000, 2002, 2004-2020
- Family Law Alternate Dispute Resolution (ADR) Settlement Officer, 1986-2009
- Family Law Daily Settlement Officer, 2010-2020

Southern California Business Litigation Inn of Court
- Member, 2007-2012

Southern California Family Law American Inn of Court
- President, 2012-2013, 2017-2018
- Founding Member, 2007-present

State Bar of California
- Family Law Advisory Commission, Board of Legal Specialization
  - Commissioner, 2005-2008
- Family Law Executive Committee, 1995-1999
- State Bar Family Law News Contributing Editor, 2008

Debra S. Frank is also a respected author and speaker:

Author of chapter "Stock Options and Benefits Under Executive Business Plans" for CEB (Continuing Education of the Bar-California) book Dividing Pensions and Other Employee Benefits in California Divorces updated September 2022
Author of chapter "Marital Agreements" for CEB (Continuing Education of the Bar-California) book California Marital Settlement & Other Family Law Agreements, Third Edition, updated January 2023
Panelist, Beverly Hills Bar Association, Hot Tips Program, June 17, 2009
Author, "Are Mandatory Fee Arbitration Clauses Enforceable?", ACFLS Family Law Blog, May 28, 2009
Moderator, Beverly Hills Bar Association, “Navigating in the Twilight Zone of Estate Planning and Probate: Elusive Concepts in the Family Law Arena,” March 18, 2009
Author, “What are my options if my fiance refuses to sign a prenuptial agreement?” Super Lawyers Supplement to Los Angeles Magazine, February 2009, page S-34
Author, "When Markets Collapse, So Do Families," Los Angeles Daily Journal, Thursday, October 9, 2008, page 6
Author, "Media and the Law," The Century City Lawyer 15:11, Winter 2008-2009
Author, “Preparing for a Media Onslaught, Los Angeles Lawyer,” Vol. 31, No. 5 July-August 2008
Moderator, Los Angeles County Bar Association Family Law Section Program, “Hot Topics Every Family Law Attorney Should Know about Retirement Benefits,” March 2008
Moderator & Panelist, Los Angeles County Bar Association Family Law Symposium: Recent Developments Panel, 2007-2009
Moderator, Los Angeles County Bar Association Family Law Section Program Family, Law Trial Institute 101, “Exhibits and Use of Discovery at Trial,” February 2007
Speaker and Moderator for Los Angeles County Bar, State Bar and other local and statewide Family Law and Continuing Education Programs

Debra S. Frank has established an impressive reputation in the California legal community. She is knowledgeable of changes and potential changes in the law through thorough research and involvement on committees that analyze proposed changes to California family and divorce law. For a more detailed examination of Debra S. Frank's experience and accomplishments, please review her attorney profile. Debra S. Frank takes the time needed to fully assess the details of the case and consults experts when necessary, including financial forensic specialists capable of discovering hidden assets, social therapists to evaluate children's wishes and best interests, and financial experts for valuation of assets and liabilities. She is a compassionate family law and divorce attorney and is committed to understanding her clients' needs and goals. Debra S. Frank's highly personalized services are tailored to the unique needs of each client.

Debra S. Frank also brings to her family law practice extensive criminal and juvenile law experience, including trials in defense of felony and misdemeanor offenses, and adjudications of juvenile offenses as well as numerous plea negotiations. She also handled dependency court proceedings. She utilizes this vast experience in the handling of family law proceedings.

Contact Certified Family Law Specialist Debra S. Frank today to discuss your situation with an attorney with years of experience and extensive knowledge of California divorce and family law.

Areas of Practice:: Divorce & Dissolution of Marriage; California Community Property; Spousal Support; Child Support; Child Custody & Visitation; Breach of Fiduciary Duty; Domestic Partnerships; Prenuptial & Postnuptial Agreements; Litigation; Modification of Custody & Support; Domestic Violence; Paternity

Certification/Specialties:: Family Law, The State Bar of California Board of Legal Specialization, 1993

Bar Admissions:: California, 1977

Education:: Southwestern University School of Law, Los Angeles, California,
May, 1977
Juris Doctor; Carnegie-Mellon University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania,
May, 1972
M.A.; Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts,
May, 1970
B.A.
Honors: With Honors

Published Works:: Stock Options and Benefits Under Executive Business Plans, CEB book Dividing Pensions and Other Employee Benefits in California Divorces, updated September 2022; Marital Agreements, CEB book California Marital Settlement & Other Family Law Agreements, Third Edition, updated January 2023; "What are my options if my fiance refuses to sign a prenuptial agreement?", Super Lawyers Supplement to Los Angeles Magazine, February, Page S-34, 2009; When Markets Collapse, So Do Families, Los Angeles Daily Journal, Page 6, October 9, 2008; Preparing for a Media Onslaught, Los Angeles Lawyer, Vol. 31, No. 5, July-August, 2008; How the Private Attorney Handles District Attorney Cases (Co-Author with Arnold Freedland, Esq.), 31st Annual 1999 and 35th Annual 2003 Family Law Reference Book, Los Angeles County Bar Association; How the Private Attorney Handles District Attorney Cases (Co-Author with Wayne Doss, Esq. and Arnold Freedland, Esq.), 32nd Annual 2000 Family Law Reference Book, Los Angeles County Bar Association; A Better Way to Pass Family Law Legislation (Co-Author), Family Law News and Review, Vol. XV, No. 2, Spring, 1994

Classes/Seminars Taught:: Speaker and Moderator, Los Angeles County Bar & other local bar associations, the State Bar of California, & other State Family Law & Continuing Education Programs

Honors and Awards:: Spirit of CEB Award 2012 for her service and contribution presented October 11, 2012 at the State Bar Convention; Named by California Super Lawyers Magazine as one of the Top Attorneys in Southern California, 2009 through 2024; Rated AV® Preeminent^TM by Martindale-Hubbell, 2011-present; Commissioner and Vice-Chairperson of the California Law Revision (Appointed by Governor Jerry Brown), 1982-1983

Professional Associations and Memberships:: Association of Certified Family Law Specialists,; 2000-2002, 2007-Present; Board Member; Association of Certified Family Law Specialists,; 2010-2011, June-December 2013, 2016-2018; Associate Editor, Family Law Specialist, The Journal of the California Association of Certified Family Law Specialists; 2000-2001, 2009-2010, 2014-2016, 2022-2023; Editor, Family Law Specialist, The Journal of the California Association of Certified Family Law Specialists; Association of Certified Family Law Specialists,; 2011-2012; Secretary; Beverly Hills Bar Association, Family Law Section,; 2008-present; Executive Committee; Beverly Hills Bar Association; 2009-2013; Board of Governors; Beverly Hills Bar Association, Family Law Section,; 2011-2012; Chair; Century City Bar Association,; 1998-2004, 2007-2012; Board of Governors; Century City Bar Association, Family Law Section,; 1997-2012; Chair; Century City Bar Association,; 2003; President; Los Angeles County Bar Association, Family Law Section,; 2011-Present; Past Chair Participating on the Executive Committee; Los Angeles County Bar Association, Family Law Section,; 1998-2004, 2005-2011; Member, Executive Committee; Los Angeles County Bar Association, Family Law Section,; 2010-2011; Chair, Executive Committee; Los Angeles County Bar Association, Family Law Section,; Family Law Reference Book,; 1998-2000, 2002, 2004-2020; Editor; Family Law Alternate Dispute Resolution (ADR),; 1986-2020; Settlement Officer; ProVisors,; 2006-Present; Member; Southern California Business Litigation Inn of Court,; 2007-2012; Member; Southern California Family Law American Inn of Court,; 2012-2013, 2017-2018; President; Southern California Family Law American Inn of Court,; 2007-Present; Founding Member; State Bar Family Law Advisory Commission,; Board of Legal Specialization,; 2005-2008; Commissioner; State Bar Family Law Executive Committee,; 1995-1999; Member; State Bar Family Law Executive Committee, Family Law News,; 2008-Present; Contributing Editor