About Liz Mulford

 

Liz Mulford

  

The break up of any family creates much pain, anxiety and confusion.  At varying times, each person feels powerless, hurt, and afraid.   My role is to help you to get through the process of going from one household into two with the least difficulty and most cost-effectiveness possible.  This involves creating a solution that reflects your and your spouse’s highest goals, is most beneficial to your children, and is mutually acceptable.

 

 My responsibility is to listen carefully to you to ensure that I understand your goals, to honor your values, to educate  you about all of  your options under the law, and to help you craft a resolution carefully fashioned to meet your and your spouse/family’s unique needs–then send the appropriate paperwork to the Court.   You and your spouse maintain your dignity,  privacy, and  the power to make the decisions affecting your family.  The Judge merely ‘blesses’ your decisions; the judge does not create and impose them!
My master’s degree in social work, and work in mental health, my years as a court-appointed attorney for children of all ages and abilities, and experiences living in other countries have provided me with the empathy and creativity to assist people from various traditions in their family transitions.

Education:

  • Bachelor of Arts  Political Science, Stanford University

  • Master’s degree of Social Work, University of Chicago, School of Social Service

  • Administration

  • Juris Doctorate, Northwestern University Law School

Professional:

  • Admitted to practice in the State and Federal Courts of  California and Illinois, 1972

  • Admitted to practice in the United States Supreme Court, 1982

  • Certified Family Law Specialist, State Board of Specialization, 1980

Collaborative Law and Mediation:

  • Family Law Mediator for 24 years

  • Collaborative Practitioner for 9 years

  • Founding member of Collaborative Practice Silicon Valley

  • Immediate past president Collaborative Practice Silicon Valley

  •  Member of International Academy of Collaborative Practitioners

Service to the Superior Court and Legal Community:

  • Court appointed counsel for children (some with special educational needs)–ages 10 days to 17 years

  • Since the program’s inception over 20 years ago, assisting the Santa Clara County Superior Court in settling litigated family law matters

  • Since it’s inception to present, member of the Santa Clara County Family Law Executive

  • Committee

    • Former President, Sunnyvale-Cupertino Bar Association

    • Former Chair, Santa Clara County Child Representation Committee

    • Former Member, Santa Clara County Bar Association, Board of Trustees

Organizations and Community Service:

  • Winner of City of Cupertino Civic Service Award

  • Former President, Santa Clara County Information and Referral Services Board

  • Former President, Cupertino Community Services

  • Founder/President, Friends of the Four Homes of Mercy, a home and rehabilitation center for the disabled of all ages in Palestine