Vanessa Soto Nellis

Vanessa Soto Nellis is a Certified Specialist in Family Law as designated by the State Bar of California Board of Legal Specialization, the Chair of our Family Law Practice Group, and a Shareholder at our firm.

She prides herself on bringing “calm to crisis” in family law matters, by focusing clients on the big picture, even in high conflict divorce and child custody situations.

Representing individuals in all aspects of family law in Southern California, Ms. Nellis counsels and litigates for Firm clients in dissolution (or divorce) matters, spousal support, child support, visitation rights, cohabitation, prenuptial and postnuptial agreements, and other family law matters.

Ms. Nellis represents:

• Business Owners in a variety of industries
• Corporate Executives earning complex benefits or compensation packages
• Doctors and other Health Care Professionals
• Entertainment Industry Artists and Executives
• Financial Planners & Accountants
• Professional Athletes
• Real Estate Professionals

As a divorce and family law attorney, Ms. Nellis’ experience encompasses all aspects of marriage dissolutions, including: division of assets, complex tax situations, modifications to child custody and visitation agreements, and mediated divorces.

Ms. Nellis educates clients as to the various aspects of family law that affect their cases, whether those aspects involve negotiating prenuptial or postnuptial agreements, the ramifications of a spouse’s refusal to cooperate, or the potential for financial and emotional well-being when engaging in family law mediation.

She believes it is important to educate professionals from different industries on family law matters since there are so many misconceptions. For this reason, Ms. Nellis and a colleague formed a networking group aimed at bringing professionals from different industries together to educate one another.

Ms. Nellis was designated one of the Best Lawyers in America in Family Law in 2024 by Best Lawyers Magazine, and a Southern California Super Lawyer (2018-present) and Rising Star (2007-12 and 2015-17) by Super Lawyers Magazine. The publication also named her one of Southern California’s Up-and-Coming 50 Women Attorneys, as well as one of the Up-and-Coming 100.

Before practicing family law in California, Ms. Nellis received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from the University of California, Los Angeles in 2000, graduating Cum Laude. She earned her law degree in 2003 at the University of Southern California Law School.

Ms. Nellis is a member of the State Bar of California, San Fernando Valley Bar Association (SFVBA), SFVBA Family Law Executive Committee, Los Angeles County Bar Association, and the Ventura County Bar Association. She co-founded Women To Women, a professional network here in Los Angeles.