Paul A. Roberts has been in practice in Santa Barbara since 1977. He has tried cases in Ventura, Santa Barbara, Santa Maria and San Luis Obispo and represented litigants in mediation and arbitration in that time. He has established a practice in Santa Barbara County that includes handling complex marital dissolution proceedings which consist of litigating all issues including business valuations, support and custody. Mr. Roberts has been lead counsel in defending an international businessman against the allegation that he operated a multinational enterprise designed to avoid legal obligations regarding custody, support and property management. Mr. Roberts has been appointed by the Court to serve as a Judge Pro Tem and has been appointed by the Court to serve as a Special Master to manage and decide complex business and real property issues. He is also hired to serve as a private judge to resolve complex matters in dissolutions. Within his practice there is an emphasis to resolve contested cases by settlement or mediation wherever possible. Mr. Roberts has attended and completed the Family Law and Mediation programs at the Strauss Institute of Dispute Resolution at Pepperdine University and is regularly employed by local attorneys to serve as a private mediator to assist in bringing their cases to a mediated conclusion. Mr. Roberts has been certified to act as Minor’s Counsel pursuant to California Family Code.
Outside of the practice, Mr. Roberts has been involved in many community activities principally involving non-profit organizations. Those include the following:
- Founding member and Board President Santa Barbara Chamber Orchestra
- Board of Directors Santa Barbara Lawyer Referral Service
- Board President Santa Barbara Contemporary Arts Forum
- Board President La Mirada Homeowners Association
- Board Vice-President Center for Urban Agriculture at Fairview Gardens
- Board of Trustees Crane School
- Member Advisory Committee California Rural Legal Assistance
- Board Santa Barbara County Bar Association
Education:
- J.D. 1972, Hastings College of Law
- B.A., 1969, University of California, Santa Barbara
Memberships-Law:
- California Bar Association (Admitted 1972)
- Santa Barbara County Bar Association
Instructor/Lecturer:
- Santa Barbara College of Law, Instructor 1985-1986
Languages:
- French and Spanish
Practice Areas:
- Family Law
- Civil Litigation