Julia Cortell

Attorney

Julia Cortell is a family law attorney and mediator with an M.A. in Counseling Psychology and a background in real estate law. Experienced in counseling clients through all phases of marital dissolution, Julia is uniquely positioned to assist clients in sorting though the emotional, legal and financial issues arising from divorce and custody/parenting matters.

Julia focuses her family law practice on complex marital dissolutions involving property division/characterization, reimbursement claims, breach of fiduciary duty issues, spousal and child support and custody disputes working closely with her clients throughout the litigation process both before private judges and in public court. In addition to litigation, Julia mediates, consults with clients in mediation, and negotiates and drafts premarital and post-marital agreements. She specializes in helping clients to envision, communicate and implement options whether in the litigation or alternative dispute resolution arena.

In the custody arena, Julia’s expertise lies in working toward solutions for restructuring relationships and responsibilities. Her practice, enhanced by graduate studies in counseling psychology, integrates knowledge of family systems, relationships, communication styles and child development into the family law arena. She believes that when true needs and interests are determined and can be communicated, litigated cases can be handled in the best interest of family under the circumstances, and that in the alternative dispute resolution arena, when agreements are made on a basis of mutual understanding and are consensual the process itself sets the tone for a new “working relationship” and a peaceful future becomes attainable.

Julia received her J.D. from University of California, Berkeley School of Law in 1999 and began her law career with Thelen, Reid and Priest in San Francisco as a real estate attorney handling complex leasing, purchase and sale and financial transactions. She is co-author of the California Continuing Education of the Bar (CEB) Retail Leasing Guide.)Julia practiced at two (2) other real estate focused firms until 2007 when she transitioned to the field of family law at Bley & Bley. After obtaining her Masters in Counseling Psychology at The Wright Institute, Berkeley CA, as well as training in mediation, collaborative practice and parenting coordination, Julia formed her own solo practice, eventually returning to complex marital dissolution and custody matters with DeLacey, Riebel & Shindell in 2020.

Prior to entering law school Julia worked as a public affairs/political consultant with one of San Francisco’s premier consulting firms, Solem and Associates, where she managed statewide public relations campaigns, lobbying efforts and media relations on various political campaigns.

In her spare time, Julia can be found supporting the Bay Area’s burgeoning public art movement, spending time with her adult sons, her dogs, traveling, at a concert and taking advantage of all the Bay Area has to offer.