 Renee M. Marcelle
Email: renee@marinlaw.biz
Renee M. Marcelle has practiced law since 1983 and has specialized in family law since 1992. Prior to starting her practice in family law and dissolution, Renee was a seasoned corporate lawyer and real‑estate professional. Her experience in corporate law and real estate enable her to synthesize a knowledge of mortgage banking, general finance (including experience in the valuation of business models) and real‑estate development, into various aspects of family law and dissolution. Additionally, the strong negotiating skills and financial acumen Renee has developed give Renee a particular advantage in her family law practice, particularly when dealing with high income individuals whom often have special challenges during marital dissolution.
Renee was admitted to practice law in Virginia in 1983 and California in 1988. She graduated cum laude from the University of Washington in 1979 and received her Juris Doctor (JD) from the University of Puget Sound in 1983. Renee has been an active licensed real estate broker since 1990. She also serves as a judge pro tem for the County of Marin.
Renee's education and work experience reflect her comprehensive knowledge and expertise, while her numerous trial successes highlight an ability and desire to stand up for her clients' rights in a court of law. Although settlement is generally the preferred choice in family law matters, clients can rest assure that should litigation become necessary, Renee is an experienced attorney who has the requisite ability to expertly evaluate trial strategy and bring the matter to effective conclusion.
Renee's belief is that "A person is unique, every case is different, and therefore it is necessary to give each client individualized personal attention. It is the attorney's obligation to provide quality representation. A seasoned attorney knows that a person’s foundation often lies in their familial roots; thus dissolution can be a particularly emotional time."
Renee is able to be aggressive and stern, as well as compassionate and kind, depending on the client's needs. She understands the importance of being an excellent listener and giving each client the undivided patience and support they deserve during their journey to another chapter in their life.
Jane Morrissey
Senior Associate Attorney
Jane Morrissey joined the Family Law Offices of Renee M. Marcelle in June 2009. Prior to joining our law offices, she worked as an associate attorney with family law firms, Winter & Ross in San Francisco, and Colyer & Camera in Marin County. Jane graduated from Western New England College School of Law in 1979 after attaining her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Drew University in 1976. She was admitted to the California State Bar on June 10, 1982 and since then her legal career has been focused entirely on divorce and custody.
Manpreet Bains
Attorney
Manpreet Bains joined the Family Law Offices of Renee M. Marcelle in May 2009. He graduated from the University of California, Berkeley with a B.A. in Political Science in 2005. He subsequently attended the University of California, Hastings College of the Law, where he was a member of the Hastings Communications and Entertainment Law Journal, and graduated in 2008. During his time at Hastings he worked as a law clerk for the Law Offices of William E. Weiss. He was admitted to the California State Bar on December 1, 2008.
Dawn Miller
Paralegal/Office Manager
Dawn has been a Family Law Paralegal since 1993 and has worked as the Senior Paralegal and Office Manager for the Law Offices of Renee M. Marcelle since July of 2004. Dawn maintains a high level of client contact and assists in all aspects of any given family law matter, beginning with the initial filing of documents and continuing until trial (when a trial is needed). Dawn’s responsibilities include preparation of motions, declarations, making and responding to discovery requests, reviewing and analyzing received discovery responses, and general case-fact investigation. Dawn’s nearly two decades of family law experience benefits clients by both ensuring that cases are expertly handled and by saving clients money, as she performs work at rates which are significantly less expensive than would be otherwise charged were it sourced out.
Dawn is a 1993 graduate from the Legal Secretary Program at Empire College of Law, is a Notary Public, and is currently studying for her Real Estate Salesperson's License. She is also a volunteer at Marin Services for Women. Dawn grew up in Sebastopol, California, with her parents and brother. She and her family now reside in Cotati.
Dawn is a fan-favorite, and has elicited countless compliments over the years. Here are just a few examples of what others have said about her:
"Dawn is the best paralegal I had in my twelve years of practice in family law. She is bright, compassionate, and is a hard‑worker. Our client's had nothing but positive things to say about Dawn." - Jennifer Hainstock, Attorney at Law
"Dawn is courteous, helpful and extremely professional. She is the BEST!" - Godfrey J. Tencer, Attorney at Law.
"She is one of the easiest people to work with. She is very competent. She knows everything about every fact, in every case and is super, super helpful. Even when we disagree she is still very good at maintaining a professional detachment and has the ability to "agree to disagree”, while others when negotiating can become mean or nasty." - Alexandria Quam, Attorney at Law
"Dawn is friendly, efficient and helpful." - Robert Cleek, Attorney at Law
Jessica M. Miller
Legal Secretary
Jessica has been a legal secretary since 2002 and has worked at the Family Law offices of Renee M. Marcelle since September 2007. In addition to family law, Jessica has experience in probate, worker's compensation and civil law. Jessica is currently in her first year of law school at University of the Pacific’s McGeorge School of Law after graduating from Dominican University of California with a degree in Psychology in May 2009. Jessica grew up in Nevada City, California with her parents, two sisters and brother. Jessica so enjoys her work at the Law Offices of Renee M. Marcelle that she plans to eventually become a family law attorney.
Kahlin Wolf
Legal Assistant
Kahlin has been a legal assistant with the Family Law Offices of Renee M. Marcelle since September 2008. Prior to her experience here, she worked with the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services under their Refugee and Asylum division in San Francisco. Kahlin graduated from San Francisco State University in January 2008 with a degree in Communication Studies.
Liz Houston
Legal Assistant
Elizabeth has been a legal assistant at the Family Law Offices of Renee M. Marcelle since March of 2009. Prior to her experience here, Liz worked as a tutor, for both her peers, teenagers and children. Liz is finishing her last semester at Sonoma State University, earning a degree in Political Science. After garduating from Sonoma State, she hopes to continue her education by going to Law school
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