2479 E. Bayshore Road, Suite 170
Palo Alto, CA 94303
(650) 328-7000
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Rita A. Patterson


Traditional Representation or Litigation

Consulting Attorney to Mediation

Second Opinions

Child Custody

Premarital Agreements

LGBTQ Domestic Partnership and Divorce


Rita A. Patterson is a partner in the Family Law Group and is a Certified Family Law Specialist, certified by the State Bar of California Board of Legal Specialization. Her practice is devoted to handling complex financial and custody issues including spousal and child support, property division, business valuation, allocation of equity interests, premarital agreements and parenting plans.

Rita moved to the Bay Area in 1999 and was admitted to the California State Bar in 2000. She became a Family Law Specialist in 2005, and practiced with the law firm of Hammer & Jacobs, LLP from 2000-2007, where she was made a partner in 2005. Rita joined Lakin Spears, LLP as a partner in 2008.

Rita is a fellow of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers (AAML) and is currently an at-large board member of the Northern California Chapter.  Rita has been named a Northern California Super Lawyer every year since 2010.  She is also an active member of the Santa Clara County Bar Association and the San Mateo County Bar Association. She has been a presenter at family law continuing education seminars and serves as a Pro Tem Settlement Officer for the Family Law Division of the Santa Clara County Superior Court.


• B.A., University of Notre Dame, 1991
• J.D., Indiana University School of Law, 1994


• Named as one of the top attorneys in the 2024 and 2025 Lawdragon 500 Leading Family Lawyers, as surveyed by Lawdragon, Inc. and published in The Family 500.


• American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers
• Association of Certified Family Law Specialists
• Santa Clara County Bar Association
• San Mateo County Bar Association
• State of California Bar Association

Rita A. Patterson
Rita A. Patterson
Rated by Super Lawyers


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