Michael Reedy

Michael Reedy has spent the last 30 years of his career trying and settling family law and appellate matters. He has handled cases in both state and federal courts, including appeals in the Ninth Circuit and the California Court of Appeal.

Speaking to what’s kept him in the field for so long, “the ability to help people solve problems under difficult conditions.”

In one recent case, he helped a client settle a difficult case involving significant emotional abuse, resulting in a domestic violence restraining order.

“We settled most of the issues without going to court, on favorable terms,” Reedy said. “My client now has the resources to start a new life and to be free from a controlling spouse.”

Reedy said the opposing party was represented by counsel, but he challenged much of the relief sought in the case, both in court proceedings and in settlement discussions.

“My strategy in this case was similar to the strategy I employ in most family law cases: don’t make it personal; make reasonable requests; be truthful and patient; and keep the client informed and involved at every step,” Reedy said.

He added that one of the key ingredients that helped settle the case was the involvement of a working family law judge in a Judicially Supervised Settlement Conference, a process that is available in the Santa Clara County family law courts.

“We worked with the Honorable Vanessa Zecher, who met with counsel and the clients at least 8 times in Zoom sessions to work through all the issues,” Reedy said. “Her patience, understanding and determination were critical to the final agreement. She even volunteered time in the late evenings and weekends so settlement progress would not stall”

Reedy continued: “My approach with judges or mediators is to respect their involvement and input, be direct and honest about my client’s positions, to settle issues on a piecemeal basis if possible, and to listen to opposing counsel and the judge.”

Reedy didn’t highlight any particular trends within family law, but instead shared an observation.

“Too many family lawyers exploit the emotions of divorce,” he said. “The best family lawyers focus on solving problems, not creating conflict.”