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Accomplishments

Honey Kessler Amado is an accomplished and respected appellate practitioner in Southern California. Practicing appellate law since 1984, Ms. Amado is certified by the California State Bar Board of Legal Specialization as an appellate law specialist. Ms. Amado is also certified by the State Bar to provide an MCLE-credit lecture on civil appellate procedures, which she presents as a courtesy to local law firms.

She has lectured on numerous panels and seminars, including â??Statements of Decision in Family Law and Other Civil Matters,â?? California State Bar, State Bar Convention, September 2009; â??Fiduciary Duties and Mediation Privilege in Family Law,â?? Los Angeles County Bar Association, 41st Annual Family Law Symposium, May 2009; "Representing Celebrity Clients" for the American Bar Association Annual Meeting (Atlanta, GA - August 2004); "Custody and Burgess Solutions, Focus on Litigating Complex Family Law Issues," for the Institute of Trial Advocacy, American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, Southern California Chapter (January 2004). Ms. Amado has also been a guest lecturer at California State University, Northridge on issues related to family law.

In 2002, Ms. Amado traveled to Germany as part of a small delegation from the American Jewish Committee, hosted by the Konrad Adenauer Foundation, the think-tank associated with the German Christian Democrat party, to participate in discussions regarding post-Holocaust relations between Germans and Jews and Germany and Israel. In 2005, Ms. Amado returned to Germany, again with the Konrad Adenauer Foundation and as a representative of the American Jewish Committee, to observe several days of the chancellorship election campaign, meeting with several candidates for direct election to the German Bundestag. Then, in 2009, Ms. Amado was again invited by the Konrad Adenauer Foundation, again as a representative of the American Jewish Committee, to participate in a delegation meeting with members of the German government to learn how Chancellor Angela Merkalâ??s administration is addressing such issues as foreign relations, immigration, banking policies, and economics. In addition to her work with the American Jewish Committee, Ms. Amado has worked nationally and locally with the Jewish National Fund and other community organizations.

Ms. Amado sat on the Editorial Board of Los Angeles Lawyer magazine from 1996 to 2008 and served as its chair for the 2000-2001 term. In 2008, Ms. Amado was appointed to the Los Angeles County Child Support Advisory Board by Los Angeles County Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky for a two year term. (The Advisory Board was disbanded, effective December 1, 2009, by the Board of Supervisors.)

Ms. Amado has authored several articles on the role of appellate counsel in litigation, on appellate procedures, and on various family law issues. To read these articles, please visit the Articles page of this website, or see the Cutting Edge Issues page for her articles written on professional goodwill and on timely notices of appeal. Ms. Amado was on the cover of Los Angeles Lawyer magazine (March 2010 issue); her cover article, â??Beat the Clock,â?? addresses the time-frames within which to file a notice of appeal.

Ms. Amado has represented clients on appeal in several significant cases in California, including:

  • Kristine H. v. Superior Court (Lisa R.) .) 37 Cal.4th 156, 33 Cal.Rptr.3d 81 (Cal. Supreme Court, 2005). (Argument found at Archived Audios on Supreme Court's website: http://www.courtinfo.ca.gov/courts/supreme/) Kristine H. involved the creation of parental rights between lesbian mothers. Ms. Amado represented Kristine H., the birth mother.

  • S.M. v. E.P., 184 Cal.App.4th 1249, 109 Cal.Rptr.3d 792 (4th Dist. 2010). S.M. v. E.P. addressed the minimal requirements for imposition of a domestic violence restraining order.

  • In re Marriage of Feldman, 153 Cal.App.4th 1470, 64 Cal.Rptr.3d 29 (4th Dist. 2007). Feldman addressed compliance with disclosure statutes and imposition of sanctions.

  • In re Marriage of Abargil 106 Cal.App.4th 1294, 131 Cal.Rptr.2d 429 (2d Dist. 2003). Abargil held that Israel is not a war zone and, by implication, that Israel is trustworthy partner in enforcing foreign orders.

  • In re Marriage of Reynolds 63 Cal.App.4th 1373, 74 Cal.Rptr.2d 636 (4th Dist. 1998). Reynolds held that 65 years old is the retirement age in California, at which time support can be calculated on one's actual earnings rather than one's earning capacity.

  • In re Marriage of Gavron 203 Cal.App.3d 705, 250 Cal.Rptr. 148 (2d Dist. 1988). Gavron held that a supported spouse must be given notice that he or she is expected to become self supporting or to contribute to his or her own support.

To speak with Ms. Amado or to make an appointment to see her regarding your client's matter and possible appellate representation or assistance, please contact her at (310) 550 8214.