Karen S. Fenchel (Attorney)

General Comments

Karen S. Fenchel is a sole practitioner in Walnut Creek, CA. She is a Certified Family Law Specialist, focusing on all areas of family law. Ms. Fenchel has a strong commitment to helping clients resolve issues without going to court. Her practice is settlement oriented and includes both family law mediation and collaborative practice. Ms. Fenchel was admitted to the bar in 1983 and has practiced exclusively in the area of family law. She received her bachelor’s degree from the University of California at Berkeley, master’s degree from San Francisco State University and JD from Hastings College of the Law. Her background includes teaching in the areas of elementary school and special education in addition to teacher training. As an attorney, she has spoken on family law issues to local legal secretaries and worked with a CPA to provide tax seminars to other attorneys. Ms. Fenchel is a member of the steering committee of Collaborative Practice East Bay and the chair of the sub-committee for programming. Additionally, she belongs to the Association of Family and Conciliation Courts and the International Academy of Collaborative Professionals. Ms. Fenchel is a member of the Contra Costa County Bar Association, including both the Family Law and Women’s Section. She served on the Family Law Board for six years and chaired the Custody Issues Committee for seven years. She volunteers in the Superior Court, assisting family law judges in settlement of cases where parties are self represented. She also serves on a standing committee of the State bar devoted to financial issues, Bay Area Regional.