Mitchell Ehrlich joined Lonich Patton Ehrlich Policastri as a Partner in 2007, specializing exclusively in Family Law. With expertise in various family law matters, including dissolution, legal separation, property division, custody and support disputes, parentage claims, post-judgment matters, and pre and post-nuptial agreements, he has established himself as a prominent attorney in the field. Recognized for his exceptional skills, he became a California Certified Family Law Specialist certified by The State Bar of California Board of Legal Specialization in 2009. Since then, he has co-led the Family Law Practice alongside co-founder David Patton.
Born in Schenectady, NY in 1971 and raised in San Jose, Mr. Ehrlich obtained an Economics Degree from the University of California at Santa Barbara in 1993. After gaining experience in real estate finance, he pursued his legal education at Pepperdine University School of Law. During his time at law school, he consistently earned a place on the Deans Honors List, received multiple scholarships, and completed temporary assignments with prestigious institutions such as the Washington D.C. Public Defender's Office, the U.S.D.A., and the U.S. District Bankruptcy Court. Graduating Cum Laude from Pepperdine in 1998, Mr. Ehrlich returned to San Jose to embark on an active legal career.
Initially, Mr. Ehrlich focused on criminal law, employment litigation, and products liability. In 1999, he joined Lonich and Patton, where he gained extensive litigation experience handling cases related to insurance law, business law, products liability, and employment law. Notably, he has also overseen all of the firm's appellate work.
As a Certified Family Law Specialist and a member of the State Bar of California and the Santa Clara County Bar Association, Mr. Ehrlich is deeply involved in professional activities. He generously donates his time as a Temporary Judge for the Santa Clara County Superior Court Family Court and Traffic Court and as an Arbitrator for the Santa Clara County Bar Association's Attorney Client Fee Disputes Division. Previously, he served as a volunteer Temporary Judge with the Santa Clara County Superior Court Civil Division and chaired the City of San Jose Traffic Appeals Commission from 1999 to 2004. Additionally, Mr. Ehrlich volunteers with the Pro Bono Association's Lawyers in the Library Program and handles Pro Bono cases when his schedule permits. Admitted to practice before all California courts, including the North Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals and the Federal District Court for the Northern, Central, and Southern Districts of California, he is well-versed in the legal landscape.
Mr. Ehrlich has also contributed to legal publications, notably publishing "Backdraft: A Treatise on the Fireman's Rule in California" in the San Francisco Daily Journal in June 2000.
Fraternities:
• Sigma Alpha Epsilon
Professional Associations & Memberships:
• State Bar of California, Member
• Association of Certified Family Law Specialists, Member
• Santa Clara County Bar Association, Arbitrator, Executive Committee Member: Attorney Client Fee Arbitration Section
• Family Law Section
• Conference of Delegates
