Alan R. Silverman holds a Ph.D. in counselling psychology and has practiced as a clinical psychologist and family therapist. He is certified as a Family Law Specialist by the Board of Legal Specialization of the State Bar of California.
In 1994, Alan R. Silverman and Claudia Bravo Silverman started the firm Silverman Family Law, APC. The goal of the firm is to provide skilled legal assistance in family law matters: dissolution, child custody, support, visitation, property division. Alan R Silverman started Silverman Family Law in 2021 to focus on mediation services. An objective of the firm is to provide specialized representation for clients involved in cases with complex mental health issues.
When a marriage ends, it is often one of the most stressful times in a person's life. The parties are often hurt and angry, anxious and fearful of the future, wondering how to maintain a the parent-child relationship if frequency of contact is reduced, feeling overwhelmed, powerless. The parties begin wondering how to support two households instead of one, how much support to pay, will my spouse turn the children against me, will I have enough money to live on? Historically, divorce and family law proceedings have been adversarial in nature.
Today, the Family Law courts emphasize settlement and efficient dispute resolution. At Silverman Family Law, APC, we agree that a fair and efficient settlement will reduce the tension and the stress of family law litigation. If a settlement is not possible, we are prepared to vigorously litigate your case through trial.
At Silverman Family Law, APC, we provide the stability, experience and guidance to help you through these difficult times. We understand that when the unreasonable emotional desires of an individual take priority over the best interests of the family the only winners are the lawyers. Our first objective is to help our client accurately assess his or her case in a calm and objective manner and look toward settlement before resorting to litigation. We provide our client with the personal attention and support to help reduce their stress and anxiety. We are accessible. We answer our own phones. We return your calls and emails usually within 24 hours.
When necessary, we provide efficient and assertive litigation. We explain the advantages, costs and risks of litigation to you in a way that you can understand. We work closely with a variety of therapists, child development consultants, appraisers, custody evaluators, forensic accountants, forensic psychologists, vocational evaluators and attorneys practicing in other areas of law to provide you with the resources to present your case in the best possible manner. Throughout the litigation, we always keep an eye on the settlement.
Alan R. Silverman worked in the mental-health field from 1972 to 1989 as a clinical psychologist, child and family therapist, researcher and teacher. He received a Ph.D. in counseling psychology in 1976. He assesses the interpersonal dynamics and motivation of the parties and use this information to assist you in obtaining the best possible outcome for your case. He strongly believes, if children are involved, that the best interests of the children come first. He will help to reduce your stress, to keep you focused on the real issues in the case, and to get you through these difficult times.
Mr. Silverman is a skilled and experienced litigator. Since 1993, he has tried well over 150 cases. His primary strength is working with high-conflict cases, many of which involve parties with significant psychological disorders, including long-standing personality disorders. He is often able to diffuse problems between the parties and settle cases where other attorneys have been unsuccessful.
Mr. Silverman serves as a Judge Pro Tem with the San Francisco Unified Family Court where he hears family law motions, domestic violence and juvenile dependency cases. He is an experienced mediator and serves as a Settlement Master with the San Francisco Unified Family Court.
Mr. Silverman is an Adjunct Faculty in Family Law in the San Francisco State University paralegal program which is approved by the American Bar Association.
In a case published in July 2012, a client represented at the trial level by Silverman Family Law, APC prevailed on a complaint to the Board of Psychology for unethical conduct and coercive practices a psychologist acting as a special master in a high conflict custody case.
Mr. Silverman is experienced in the financial and real estate components of a family law case having been of counsel to the law firm Bravo & Margulies of San Francisco from 1994 to 2000, a civil and real estate litigation firm. Cases involving drug abuse, alcohol abuse or domestic violence by one or both of the parties are of particular interest to Mr. Silverman.
