Our Legal Team
Noelle M. Halaby, CFLS*
Ms. Halaby established her law firm in January of 2003, which is limited to the practice of Family Law. Ms. Halaby’s practice of “Family Law” includes the resolution of issues arising out of divorce, legal separation, annulment, paternity matters, custody disputes, child and/or spousal support issues, post-judgment modification of child custody, child support and spousal support, restraining orders and domestic violence cases, prenuptial agreements and mediation. Ms. Halaby is a Certified Specialist in the field of Family Law, a distinction granted by the Board of Legal Specialization of the State Bar of California.
Prior to Ms. Halaby establishing her own law firm, Ms. Halaby was an associate with the distinguished firm of Lisa Helfend Meyer & Associates located in Century City, California. Ms. Halaby was part of a team of highly competent lawyers whose services were generally retained by business executives, celebrities and other individuals with high-asset matters or complex child custody issues. Ms. Halaby has been well trained in working with a number of experts in other professional disciplines such as forensic accountants, mental health professionals, appraisers, estate and financial planners, pension administrators and actuaries.
Ms. Halaby was also a principal partner in the firm Moore, Halaby & Associates located in Pasadena, California. As a partner in a small firm, Ms. Halaby learned the value of working efficiently and cost-effectively for a client. Ms. Halaby also had the opportunity to learn and practice her litigation and trial skills.
Ms. Halaby is a member of the State Bar of California, Los Angeles County Bar Association, Beverly Hills Bar Association, California Association of Family Law Specialists, Women Lawyers of Los Angeles, and the American Business Women Association. In the past, she has served as a Family Law Judge Pro Tem in the branch courts of Los Angeles Superior.
Ms. Halaby is licensed to practice before all the courts of the State of California, the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, and the United States District Court for the Central District of California.
For more information visit HalabyFamilyLawyers.com.
Maria D. Houser, Esq.
Ms. Houser was first admitted into the Bar in 2008, and has been practicing Family Law for over six (6) years and is involved in all aspects of family court litigation. During law school, she concentrated her studies in Family Law and obtained a Family Law Certificate. She also participated in the Family Law Clinic, receiving the Irvine E. Ungerman Award for Excellence in Clinical Practice in 2007. Ms. Houser also has extensive experience in Civil Litigation having worked as a Litigation Paralegal for many years in the Los Angeles and San Francisco areas. She enjoys the research and writing aspect of the practice and is dedicated to achieving the best results for our clients while assisting and guiding them through what can be a difficult process.
Amneh N. Ataya, Esq.
Ms. Ataya has attended the University of Southern California where she obtained a degree in Political Science with a minor in Law and Society and a minor in Business Law before graduating in 2008. She received her law degree from Southwestern University School of Law in 2012 and was a recipient of the Schumacher Scholarship. While at Southwestern, she received a CALI Excellence for the Future Award, and was a member of the Street Law Clinic and Latino Law Students Association. Ms. Ataya is a member of the State Bar of California and has been practicing law since 2014. She works tirelessly on behalf of our clients to further their interests. Ms. Ataya’s practice currently includes case management, litigation, and pre-trial preparation.
Mary Catherine Bohen, CFLS*
Mary Catherine Bohen is a Certified Family Law Specialist and has over 30 years of litigation experience. Mary Catherine prides herself on finding practical solutions to the difficult problems presented in dissolution and/or custody matters. Mary Catherine prides herself on her patient, yet sensitive and discrete, approach to handling contentious family law disputes. She firmly believes that most family law matters can and should be resolved informally – with both parties having complete access to financial information and effective counsel. However, given the dynamics often presented in family law matters – where issues of financial security and the best interests of the children are paramount – Mary Catherine is willing and able to effectively represent her clients at trial and contested hearings. Mary Catherine gives personal attention to each of the clients she represents and is very responsive and proactive.
Mary Catherine is a Phi Beta Kappa graduate of the University of California, Irvine. After graduating with honors from Hastings College of the Law where she served on the Editorial Board of the Hastings Law Journal, Mary Catherine clerked for the Honorable Rudi M. Brewster, United States District Judge for the Southern District of California. Ms. Bohen honed her litigation skills in the Litigation Department of Musick, Peeler & Garrett, LLP, where she was a Partner and served as the Professional Liability Practice Group Leader.
Mary Catherine has practiced Family Law exclusively since 2003. Mary Catherine is AV rated by Martindale Hubbell. She has been named a Southern California Super Lawyer from 2005 through 2020, was listed as one of the Top 50 Women Lawyers in Southern California in 2007, 2008, 2013, 2015, 2019 and 2020 and the Top 100 Lawyers in 2008 and 2019. Mary Catherine is a Fellow of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, is a Member of the California Association of Certified Family Law Specialists and the Los Angeles County Bar, Family Law Section.