Atty. Sarah T. Schaffer
Sarah T. Schaffer, CFLS is a family law attorney and mediator, holding the prestigious Certified Family Law Specialist designation from the State Bar of California.
Profile Summary
About Sarah T. Schaffer at a glance
Sarah T. Schaffer is a family law and adr attorney based in San Diego, California, practicing at Schaffer Family Law Group APC. Educated at University of San Diego (JD, 2002) and Stanford University (—, 1994). Recognitions include Best Lawyers in America — Collaborative Law: Family Law (2026), Best Lawyers in America — Family Law (2026), and Best Lawyers in America — Family Law Mediation (2026). Serands clients in San Diego, CA and the surrounding metropolitan area.
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About
- Sarah T. Schaffer, CFLS is a family law attorney and mediator, holding the prestigious Certified Family Law Specialist designation from the State Bar of California
- Schaffer Family Law Group, APC is a full-service Mediation, Divorce, and Family Law firm dedicated to delivering practical & effective results to high net-worth clients
- Ms. Schaffer builds her practice on a thorough knowledge of the law, excellent research skills, superior presentation to the court, and most of all calm, compassionate relations with her clients in times of trouble or crisis
- She possesses a wealth of experience in family law including representing clients with challenging child custody issues as well as high asset clients in complex division of community property matters
- Upon University graduation, Ms. Schaffer was commissioned in as a Second Lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps and spent five years on active duty serving as a logistics officer in Okinawa, Japan, and Quantico, Virginia
- In addition to her San Diego divorce and family law practice, Ms. Schaffer currently serves as Deputy Director, Reserve Legal Support, Headquarters Marine Corps, Judge Advocate Division, Washington, D.C
- She also serves as Judge Pro Tem, Superior Court of California
- In 2001, Ms. Schaffer received her law degree from the University of San Diego School of Law
- After passing the California Bar Exam, Ms. Schaffer joined Ernst & Young in San Francisco where she worked as a tax consultant
- In December 2011, Ms. Schaffer received her LL.M. in taxation at the University of San Diego School of Law
- Also, in 2011, Ms. Schaffer earned the coveted title of Certified Family Law Specialist by the State Bar of California Board of Legal Specialization
- California attorneys who are certified as Certified Specialists have taken and passed a written examination in their specialty field, demonstrated a high level of experience in the specialty field, fulfilled ongoing education requirements and been favorably evaluated by other attorneys and judges familiar with their work
- Only these attorneys can identify themselves as “certified” specialists in California because they are the only attorneys who are certified either by The State Bar of California Board of Legal Specialization or an organization whose certification program has been accredited by the State Bar
- Raised in the Boston area, Ms. Schaffer graduated from Stanford University with Departmental honors and a dual major in Spanish and International Relations
- During this time, she spent a year studying at the University of Salamanca in Spain
- She is fluent in Spanish
- Schaffer Family Law Group, APC provides experienced, personalized representation and quality advice
- Family law areas of expertise include: Divorce Divorce Mediation Collaborative Divorce Military Divorce and Support Child Support Property Division Child Custody Child Visitation High Net Worth Divorce Professionals and Business Owners Spousal Support (Alimony) Child/Spousal Modifications Father's Rights (Paternity Testing) Taking Child Out of State Domestic Violence Ms. Schaffer is active in Kids' Turn San Diego and Casa Cornelia Law Center
- Kids' Turn is a caring non-profit organization for children and parents experiencing family separations or military transitions
- They help children discover their voice to communicate their thoughts and feelings about their family situation and give parents the daily tools they need to be able to communicate and understand HOW to put their child first in their relationship, without conflict
- Casa Cornelia Law Center is a public interest law firm providing quality pro bono legal services to victims of human and civil rights violations
Practice Areas Explained
Sarah T. Schaffer's Areas of Practice
Each practice area below reflects the types of cases Sarah T. Schaffer handles, with a brief overview of what that area of law covers.
Family law attorneys handle divorce, child custody, child support, adoption, prenups, and protective orders. Find verified family lawyers near you.
Sarah T. Schaffer is one of 187,066 family law attorneys indexed nationally. Browse family law attorneys in California →
Mediators and arbitrators for civil, commercial, family, and employment dispute resolution.
Sarah T. Schaffer is one of 73,906 adr attorneys indexed nationally. Browse adr attorneys in California →
Jurisdictional Context
Why local counsel matters in California
Practicing law in California. Legal matters in California are governed by state-specific rules of civil and criminal procedure, statutes of limitations, and substantive law. Cases originating in San Diego are typically filed in the local municipal court or the appropriate California state district court, depending on subject matter and amount in controversy. An attorney licensed in California brings working knowledge of local procedural deadlines, judicial practices in this andnue, and the substantive law that applies to cases brought here. Out-of-state attorneys generally cannot represent clients in California courts without local counsel or pro hac vice admission.
Looking for additional California attorneys? Browse all attorneys in San Diego or all attorneys in California.
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