Legal Services & Lawyers

Since forming Wisner Dispute Resolution Services in 2003, Alec Wisner has been using his unique and diverse background to assist hundreds of clients successfully resolve their disputes. Thoroughly trained in all aspects of mediation, especially in the areas of divorce and family mediation as well as commercial mediation, Alec provides both an understanding of the underlying issues and an ability to facilitate positive communication.

Alec brings a rich and diverse background to his mediation practice. While attending U.C.L.A., he won numerous national debate awards, graduating in 1971. Alec matriculated at the University of Southern California Law Center, earning his J.D. in 1974.

From 1975 through 1978, Mr. Wisner developed his legal skills in the areas of family and commercial law. In 1978, seeking new challenges, he entered the world of corporate business. During the ensuing eighteen years, Alec served in top management in the printing/publishing industry. In this capacity, he managed the growth or several medium-size corporations and was personally responsible for the spinoff of several new, successful enterprises. Mr. Wisner is still actively involved as a director of such corporations as Golden Triangle Financial Services, located in Las Vegas, NV.

Returning to the full-time practice of law, Mr. Wisner became a principal in Stanbury Fishelman & Wisner, Inc., in Los Angeles, California. As an attorney, Mr. Wisner's practice encompassed complex civil litigation, class actions, as well as family law.

Lance Claery has been successfully practicing family law for more than seven years. He has worked with a diverse client base ranging from multi-millionaires to low income, modest means clients. He started his career as an attorney working with one of Southern California's most experienced family law attorneys. Thereafter, Mr. Claery began working for one of Southern California's busiest and most prestigious law firms. He was made a partner of that firm very quickly and has since worked on hundreds of divorces and other family law matters. Mr. Claery has handled trials, depositions, arbitrations, mediations, hearings and emergency hearings with success. During law school, he worked with a bright, fair and aggressive family law attorney; this is when he discovered that family law was his calling. Helping individuals and families has always been a passion for Mr. Claery. He participated in the University of Maryland's internship program with the well known Hope Housing project. Here, he was able to help families in the poorest sections of Washington, D.C. work together to develop enrichment programs for children in a cooperative setting.

Mr. Claery's commitment to an open line of communication with his firm's clients sets him apart from other attorneys. He is adamant that his clients are able to reach him and members of his firm when they are needed. Mr. Claery truly cares for each and every one of his firm's clients. Family law issues are oftentimes very stressful. He ensures that his firm's clients know they have a team at Claery and Green advocating for them and only them. At Claery and Green their clients come first.

In addition to family law, Mr. Claery has notable federal and administrative law experience. He is admitted to the United States District Court and has zealously handled and worked on security clearance matters across the country. Mr. Claery's other accomplishments include making the Dean's List at the University of Maryland, and acquiring both series seven and series sixty six licenses; this experience has helped him understand all types of assets and investments. He is a member of the California BAR Association and the Washington, D.C. BAR Association as well as the Los Angeles County and San Diego County BAR Associations.

Emahn Counts, Esq. is recognized for his practical approach to problem solving, client counseling, and improving the quality of life for his clients and attorneys alike.

He is a distinguished graduate of Loyola Marymount University, and he obtained his J.D. Degree from Loyola Law School in 2003. While at Loyola Law School, he was selected to the prestigious Law Review for outstanding legal writing and analysis.

Mr. Counts has been practicing law for over five (5) years in the California state and federal district courts.
His clients cases typically involve business, consumer, real estate, or other contractual disputes. He has personally handled over 1000 litigation matters throughout every major city in Southern California. He personally manages all aspects of each case including: consultation, settlement demand, pleadings, discovery, law & motion, negotiations, mediation, trial, and post-judgment collection.

Mr. Counts has offices in Pasadena, Beverly Hills, and Marina del Rey. Prior to opening Counts Law Firm, he was the managing attorney of the Pasadena office of a nationwide business and consumer litigation firm where he represented clients such as American Express, Sallie Mae, Porsche Financial, and Honda Finance. He continues to counsel and advise a variety of individual, small business, and corporate clients throughout Southern California.

We have offices in Los Angeles, Santa Clarita, Brentwood, Woodland Hills, and Glendale.

Please see more information about our company at http://www.vanrooylawoffices.com

I focus on the area of family law, including divorce and related matters such as child custody, child support, paternity, spousal support and property division. I also represent clients in matters involving guardianship and dissolution of domestic partnerships.

I will take time to learn about you, your family, and your goals. When taking your case, I want to learn what you hope to accomplish and what your family needs in order to get back on track. I will then develop a detailed case management plan designed to achieve realistic goals for you and your family.

Throughout the legal process, I will keep you informed and provide you with the information you need to make critical decisions about your case. Whether it involves a divorce, spousal support, a guardianship or other matter, I will work to achieve your goals as quickly and efficiently as possible.

Bio for Donna A. Laurent, Certified Family Law Specialist

Donna graduated from Southwestern University School of Law, Summa Cum Laude, in May 1994. While at Southwestern, she earned American Jurisprudence Awards in Legal Research & Writing, Constitutional Law and Torts. She also received Corpus Juris Secundum Awards in Civil Procedure and Torts and an Outstanding Achievement Award in the International Protection of Human Rights. She was invited to Law Review and Moot Court, but chose, instead, to devote her non-school hours to raising her young son, who started kindergarten when she started law school.

Prior to law school, Donna earned a B.A. in Drama from the University of Virginia and spent several years acting in various theater companies before eventually becoming the Director of Acquisitions for a private real estate owner/developer of multi-million dollar manufactured housing communities located throughout the United States. She held that position for several years and was responsible for acquiring properties valued at over $50,000,000. This background and experience provide Donna with unique skills which can be creatively utilized in both courtroom advocacy and in analyzing complex financial issues.

While still attending law school, Donna began volunteering in the Domestic Violence Clinic of the San Fernando Valley Neighborhood Legal Services. She has continued to advocate for domestic violence victims over the past 16 years and has a particular expertise in this area of family law.

In addition, Donna is highly experienced in the representation of parents of “special needs” children, including children with autism, bipolar disorder, learning disabilities, ADHD, etc. As the parent of a special needs child herself, she brings personalized knowledge, empathy and an ability to develop and implement individualized parenting plans that best suit the unique needs of these children and their families. She has lectured extensively, both for various bar associations and for the Association of Family and Conciliation Courts on issues related to special needs children involved in family law proceedings .

Donna is also extremely active in local bar association activities and does volunteer work for the Los Angeles Superior Court’s Family Law Departments in a number of capacities. She has sat as a “Judge Pro Tem” or temporary judge, in numerous family law courts throughout L.A. County since 2005. She is a volunteer family law mediator for the Van Nuys branch court. She and Cari M. Pines are currently Co-Chair Elects of the Executive Committee of the Family Law Section of the San Fernando Valley Bar Association (SFVBA) and Co-Chairs of the Family Law Section’s Programs. She is a former Trustee of the SFVBA, a Co-Chair of its Attorney Referral Service Committee, and a member of its Diversity Committee, which includes being an adult advisor/Committee Member of the Bar’s Law and Government Explorer Post #1926.

In her free time, Donna’s hobbies include flower gardening & practicing meditation.