Ann Wise

Ann Wise is an experienced trial and divorce attorney who has been practicing law in Santa Clara County for more than 20 years. She is a California State Bar Board of Legal Specialization Certified Family Law Specialist and has been recognized as a Super Lawyer for 2019, 2020, and 2021. Ann provides representation and consultation in contested divorces in addition to serving as a mediator for clients who wish to jointly negotiate settlement. She specializes in resolving complex property division issues, including valuation and characterization of closely held companies and professional practices, and in resolving issues related to custody and child and spousal support. Regardless of the size of the community estate, Ann works with her clients to evaluate the cost-benefit of available courses of action. She has handled cases involving community estates of all sizes. She practices only in Santa Clara County, where she is familiar with the attorneys and judges. Ann also serves as Judge Pro Tem in Superior Court at settlement conferences.

Ann provides both representation in contested cases and divorce mediation services. As a mediator, she works with both parties to resolve the case without court. Mediation is a more private and generally less expensive approach to divorce. It allows parties to resolve the divorce, or certain issues, in a non-adversarial setting. The parties meet in the firm's Campbell office or by zoom/MS Teams, rather than appearing in court. When hired as a mediator, Ann educates both parties about the law and explains the legal procedures which must be followed for a divorce to occur in California. She also assist the clients with preparing forms and other required documents throughout their cases. When hired to fully represent a client, she works to resolve matters without court intervention. However, if a dispute cannot be resolved, Ann provides strong and effective representation in court.

Ann has served on the Family Law Executive Committee, was co-chair for the Education Committee, and served for two years on the Santa Clara County Bar Association Judiciary Committee, which evaluates judicial candidates at the request of the California governor.

Before making the transition to family law in 2005, Ann practiced in a variety of areas of law, including two years at Hopkins & Carley in corporate/mergers and acquisitions, and several years working her way up to general counsel for a medical products company. She is a graduate of UC San Diego and Santa Clara University School of Law.