The responsibility for the condition of the courts goes to those controlling them.
The media owes an equal duty to readers and viewers, for reporting conditions, trends, inequities and outcomes in family, juvenile and probate courts, as it does in civil courts; and therefore, is included as a participant.

Attorneys Marin:

The recommendation page of Deborah Winner's study of Marin County's system stated All evaluations performed by Ed Oklan and Margaret Levy be reopened. A little background on ole Ed can be found

From one who got away

We agree, but the report was only a beginning. To the limited individuals named, we add the following:

Sami Mason:

Folks were leery of Ms. Mason as far back as before she passed the Bar, when she was worked for the county in the mental health field. And they had a right to be. Their worries were realized.

Sandra Acevedo:

When any court suggests appointing Acevedo as Guardian Ad Litem, (as the court routinely does), we recommend an immediate objection. Although documents of Acevedo repeatedly perjuring herself are plentiful, this woman has driven some over the edge. We have an envelope demonstrating the complete ire of one former client, so upset by Acevedo's representation, that the individual went the post office and submitted a change of office address for Acevedo. . . to Puerto Rico.

But a more unsettling feeling about her exists within a group of her peers. It is felt that anyone weighing close to three hundred pounds, who tells her young charges her father was an alcoholic and she never saw much of him, is probably better suited addressing her own issues, rather than weighing in on the "Best" interests of children.

We seldom blame the parent for an initial lack of awareness. However, Acevedo's bizarre behavior has been so well documented, we feel any parent doing even the most cursory investigation will learn Acevedo's reputation precedes her, and therefore conclude any parent Not objecting to Acevedo's representation, is a parent guilty of child endangerment.

Mauna Berkov:

Only one word comes to mind. Sinister. We don't believe therapy could help this creature.

John McCall:

Represented Terry Colyer. Enough said.

Chuck Tunnell:

Appears reasonable and forthcoming. Key word: 'appears'. Prepared custody order exactly opposite of court order, had it executed by another judge and without the knowledge of opposing counsel. Goes to great lengths to protect child abusers.

Clay Greene:

High fees, short attention span...and pioneered the "bundling" services now touted by the State Bar, by agreeing to appear at hearings as long as the client signed a Substitution ahead of time. Some attorneys have a problem with that, but Clay's not one of them.
In the interest of full disclosure, we recently offered to hire Clay for one appearance. While claiming not to be bothered by this site; he immediately made reference to it. Turned us down claiming he was on the opposite side of many issues and thus it would be hypocritical of him to work for us.
We've received many emails stressing Clay is an excellent negotiator, just not a fighter for women. Personal experience bears this out in not one, but two court cases.

Therapists causing us to run in the opposite direction:

Margaret Levy:

After refusing to return calls for two years to the parent of one child, (while on the local ethics board), Ms. Levy, finally called after a formal complaint was lodged against her.

Opposite the tenants of her profession, Ms. Levy has offered to treat child therapeutically, then don an evaluator's hat for a subsequent evaluation. Not only could she collect an evaluator's fee, she'd have an opportunity to grade her own work.

Locally known as a stage mother for her own child, her divorce file is curiously absent major information.

Frederica Conrad:

We chose just one word to define this woman, and that would be Hideous

Psychiatrist, Edward Oklan:

A little extra about Oklan. We believe is the only reason this man has not been sued for malpractice is prior to beginning his evaluation, he intimidates and requires individuals sign a waiver not to sue him. For good reason. Either don't sign, or if he threatens, add, "signed under duress." No matter what any paper states; one cannot waive the right to be compensated for a Future injury. Refusing to sign Will stall your case, however we feel any delay is better than this guy being anywhere near an innocent child.

Joan Driscol:

Once described as "Nightmare material" she is a very cunning individual.

Chris Hodson:

Hodson, an Alameda therapist, is occasionally appointed by Marin County judges. Deposition records indicate her neutrality exists only on paper, and in fact during one custody evaluation, refused to read Twin Cities police reports requesting a San Francisco attorney, be prosecuted for child abuse. Instead, Hodson colluded with the attorney, keeping secret his plans to move with the child, at the request of his San Francisco based law firm, Laughlin, Falbo, Levy and Moresi, eight hundred miles away, to open a branch office. In deposition, Hodson indicated she did not consider the child's preferance to remain in Marin, because, "the child's preferance should never be considered." Those offering information contrary to the attorney's purpose, were simply not contacted by Hodson.

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