HK Today - August 2024
Hoover ? Krepelka, LLP
Family Law Attorneys and Certified Family Law Specialists - Since 1960. Let our experience be your advantage.
Welcome to the August edition of HK Today. This month, we are excited to announce the launch of our mediation services. Additionally, we celebrated well-deserved recognitions within our ranks. We are also proud to support empowering initiatives within our community. We look forward to the continued growth and success of our firm. We hope you enjoy this edition of HK Today and stay tuned for more updates and stories throughout the month.
Christine Pham, Certified Family Law Specialist
We are delighted to announce that Christine Pham , Senior Counsel at Hoover Krepelka, LLP, has earned the prestigious Certified Family Law Specialist designation from the California State Bar Board of Legal Specialization. This certification distinguishes Christine as one of the top family law practitioners in California, with only about 10% of attorneys in the state achieving this designation. It underscores her exceptional expertise and unwavering dedication to her clients and the legal profession.
Chris's journey to this esteemed designation is a reflection of her deep commitment to family law. A Bay Area native with over 15 years of litigation experience, Chris specializes in a wide range of family law matters, including child custody and support, spousal support, dissolution of marriage, legal separation, property division, and domestic violence. She is known for her deep understanding of California family law, combined with creative legal strategies and sincere compassion for her clients, making her a formidable advocate in the courtroom and a trusted advisor outside of it.
Her diverse background with high-stakes bankruptcy litigation and fraud investigation equips her with a unique perspective and skill set that she now leverages to protect the interests of families and individuals navigating the often-challenging landscape of family law.
At Hoover Krepelka, LLP, we are incredibly proud of Chris's accomplishments and her dedication to the field of family law. Her Certified Family Law Specialist designation is not only a personal achievement but also a significant milestone for our firm. It reinforces our commitment to providing our clients with the highest level of legal expertise and compassionate representation.
Please join us in congratulating Chris on this outstanding achievement. We look forward to her continued success and contributions to the legal community.
Best Lawyers 2025 Edition
Hoover Krepelka, LLP is pleased to share that three of our attorneys have been recognized by Best Lawyers in America in?the?Family Law (2025 Edition).
Please join us in congratulating the esteemed 93-year-old U.S. Air Force veteran and Family Law Pioneer, Robert ("Bob") L. Hoover, Travis I. Krepelka and Julia McDowell .
Introducing Mediation Services
Hoover Krepelka, LLP is pleased to announce the expansion of our mediation services.?We now offer neutral mediation with both parties in divorce, allowing clients to resolve their disputes collaboratively, without the need for court appearances.
In addition to assistance with divorce mediation, our mediation services also extend to specific key areas, such as child custody and visitation, complex property division and child and spousal support mediation and child visitation and holiday schedules.?We also offer Attorney-Accompanied Mediation, a process where parties involved in a legal dispute engage in mediation with the assistance of their respective attorneys.
James Hoover, Partner and CFLS
Monica Nemec, Senior Associate Attorney
LEGAL RESOURCES
Click to see our latest articles, including the topics of "When Co-Parents Disagree with a Child's Social Media Usage | Getting a Court Order," and "What About the Seed Funding? | Startup Asset Division in Divorce."
Social media use by children is a challenging issue for many parents, especially when co-parenting after a divorce. Disagreements can arise over when children should be allowed to use social media, how much time they should spend on it, and which platforms are appropriate. With increasing concerns about the negative impact of social media on children's mental health, as highlighted by the U.S. Office of the Surgeon General, these disagreements can become more pronounced. When co-parents cannot reach a consensus, it may become necessary to involve the court to set guidelines. Find out more in our article: https://hooverkrepelka.com/co-parent-disagree-child-social-media/
Dividing assets in a divorce becomes especially complex when an early-stage startup is involved, particularly when dealing with seed funding. This funding, raised in a startup’s earliest stages, can range from $500,000 to $5 million and is often provided by private investors. The intricacies of whether seed funding is considered a marital asset depend on various factors, including the timing of the funding and the structure of the investment, which can either be priced rounds or convertible rounds. Courts generally consider funding received before marriage as separate property, while funding obtained during marriage is typically viewed as marital property. Due to the complexities in valuing startup equity and characterizing assets, legal and financial expertise is crucial to ensure a fair division. Find out more in our article: https://hooverkrepelka.com/seed-funding-asset-division-divorce/
San Jose Jazz Festival
The San Jose Jazz Festival lit up the beautiful Plaza De Cesar Chavez in downtown San Jose from August 9-11. Proudly sponsored by our firm, the festival brought together music lovers and community members for an unforgettable celebration of jazz, food, and fun. The event was a resounding success, creating a vibrant atmosphere filled with incredible performances and joyful interactions.
The three-day event featured a lineup of talented musicians who delivered captivating performances that resonated with the audience. Attendees enjoyed a diverse array of food vendors offering delectable dishes, making the festival not just a feast for the ears but also for the taste buds. The positive vibes were palpable as friends and families gathered to soak up the sun, dance to the rhythms, and create lasting summer memories.
We extend our heartfelt thanks to Brendan Rawson and the entire San Jose Jazz team for their exceptional efforts in making this event a triumph. Their dedication to bringing live music into Silicon Valley and fostering community engagement was evident throughout the festival. We are proud to have been a part of such a fantastic celebration of the rich musical heritage that continues to thrive in our community. Kristi Freas , Nicole Ruiz , and their guests had a fantastic time representing our firm at the San Jose Jazz Festival!
San Francisco 49ers vs. New Orleans Saints
A huge thank you to Alexey Bulankov, CFP?, ChFC?, CLU?, CAIA, SE- AWMA?, CDFA for the incredible opportunity to have our Community Outreach Specialist, Vivian Tran , attend the thrilling San Francisco 49ers vs. New Orleans Saints game Sunday, August 18th!?
Vivian shared the energy at Levi's Stadium was electric, especially with the 49ers pulling off a 16-10 victory! She had an unforgettable experience, cheering alongside the 49ers Faithful and witnessing such an great matchup. Moments like these not only boost team spirit but also reinforce the importance of community connections.
We deeply appreciate your kindness, Alexey, and your ongoing support for our outreach efforts. Go Niners! ??
Martha's Kitchen + Plate It Forward
We are happy to support and partner with Martha’s Kitchen Plate It Forward initiative, aimed at combating food insecurity through monthly support. For over four decades, Martha's Kitchen has been a beacon of hope and food security in County of Santa Clara , providing almost 2.5 million meals in the past year alone. They deliver nearly 230,000 meals each month to families, seniors, veterans, and others facing food insecurity, while also rescuing 60,000 pounds of food monthly to reduce waste.
How You Can Help:
Provide 1 meal for $3, 10 meals for $30, or 100 meals for $300 each month. Challenge friends, colleagues, or your community to match your commitment. Here is the link to donate: https://form-renderer-app.donorperfect.io/give/hk
Impact and Recognition:?Each month, Martha's Kitchen will share updates on our collective impact, featuring sponsor logos and highlighting the total meals provided. Additionally, a year-end impact report will showcase the profound difference we've made together.
Join us in supporting Martha's Kitchen and their Plate It Forward initiative. Together, we can create a wave of generosity that can truly transform lives.
Thank you, Ryan Van Den Heuvel , for helping us with this partnership.