Attorney, therapist, and social worker providing trauma-informed, child-centered litigation services to individuals engaged in high-conflict divorce/child custody disputes.
Ms. Wienick served in the United States Army as a military intelligence linguist from 1989-1993. In 1997, she received her undergraduate degrees in political science and Korean studies, magna cum laude, from the University of Washington. She is also a 2000 graduate of the University of California College of the Law at San Francisco, cum laude, and has been a licensed attorney in the state of California since 2000. Ms. Wienick practiced law as a commercial and environmental litigation attorney in Los Angeles starting in 2000 until her daughter was born in 2009. In 2022, Ms. Wienick graduated with her Master of Social Work degree from the University of Southern California. She has been registered as an Associate Clinical Social Worker with the California Board of Behavioral Sciences since September 2022.
Ms. Wienick has extensive training in high-conflict dispute resolution in the areas of family law and child custody. Ms. Wienick also is a certified coach and co-parenting specialist. Ms. Wienick personally has experienced how traumatic high-conflict custody disputes can be, both for the parents and the children. Ms. Wienick is uniquely qualified as an experienced litigation attorney and mental health professional. She is passionate about advocating for the best interests of children, whether that be in court or in mediation. While mediation is almost always Ms. Wienick’s preferred course of action, Ms. Wienick stands ready to advocate for her clients in court, with the best interests of the children as her utmost priority.
Ms. Wienick also has extensive experience in commercial, environmental, and land use litigation gained while working as a Litigation Associate at Bingham McCutchen (2000-2006) and Alston & Bird (2007-2009).
- University of Southern California
- Master of Social Work (2022) | Adult Mental Health and Wellness
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- Honors: GPA: 4.0
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- University of California College of the Law, San Francisco
- J.D. | Law
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- Honors: Cum Laude
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- Univ of Washington
- B.A. (1997) | Political Science
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- Honors: Magna Cum Laude
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- University of Washington
- B.A. (1997) | International Studies: Korea
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- Honors: Magna Cum Laude
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- Attorney and Owner
- Law Office of Darshann M. Wienick
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- Represent clients involved in high-conflict divorce and child-custody matters. Represent families seeking limited conservatorships of disabled adult children in Probate Court. Draft SSI appeals filed with the Social Security Administration administrative appeals court. Represent families with special needs children in disputes with their school district. Represent community groups in land use litigation seeking to enforce the California Environmental Quality Act.
- Litigation Associate
- Alston & Bird LLP
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- Defended high-profile clients in products liability and consumer protection actions in state and federal court. Researched and prepared numerous successful motions, including demurrers, motions to dismiss, motions to strike, discovery motions, motions for judgment on the pleadings, and motions to compel the production of documents in compliance with the California Public Records Act. Collaborated with experts in preparing environmental impact reports pursuant to CEQA. Analyzed environmental impact reports for compliance with California and federal law. Negotiated with state and local agencies on behalf of clients. Coordinated directly with clients regarding case strategy and preparation of documents.
- Litigation Associate
- Bingham McCutchen
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- Supervised and managed junior attorneys and paralegals in federal litigation matters. Researched and drafted motions for summary judgment, motions to intervene, complaints in intervention, answers to complaints, cross-claims, counterclaims, motions to dismiss, and ex parte motions. Prepared witness for trial testimony. Negotiated with opposing counsel concerning discovery disputes. Deposed litigants and defended clients at deposition. Communicated directly with clients, co-counsel, and joint defense groups regarding case strategy. Recognized as Outstanding Mentor in 2005 for training and mentoring junior associates. Drafted briefs for Early Neutral Evaluation in which the Neutral ruled in favor of our client. Coordinated with defense experts in litigation matters involving the federal Clean Water Act. Managed all aspects of discovery, including supervising junior attorneys during large-scale document productions.
- Associate Clinical Social Worker
- California Board of Behavioral Sciences
- California State Bar # 209742
- Member
- - Current
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- California
- State Bar of California
- ID Number: 209742
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Free Consultation
I offer a free 60 minute consultation via phone or Zoom to discuss your case, potential strategies and sliding-scale fee arrangements. - Credit Cards Accepted
- Family Law
- Child Custody, Father's Rights, Guardianship & Conservatorship, Paternity, Same Sex Family Law
- Divorce
- Collaborative Law, Contested Divorce, Property Division, Same Sex Divorce, Spousal Support & Alimony, Uncontested Divorce
- Real Estate Law
- Land Use & Zoning
- Grandparent Visitation Litigation
- English: Spoken, Written