By Vivian L. Holley, JD, MA, CFLS, MFT
“ACFLS annually selects a Certified Family Law Specialist whose contributions to the specialty have been significant and who exemplifies the highest ethical and legal standards of practice in family law.”
Vivian L. Holley has been a lawyer in San Francisco for a long time, also awarded the highly prestigious 2011 Hall of Fame Award by the Association of Family Law Specialists for her outstanding contributions to the field of Family Law in the State of California. The Association selects a Certified Family Law Specialist each year “whose contributions to the specialty have been significant and who exemplifies the highest ethical and legal standards of practice in family law.” Ms. Holley has been advocating and educating the legal community about the use and benefits of mediation and other alternatives to custody and divorce litigation since 1977, long before others in the United States realized there could be another better way than fighting and court to resolve the break-up of families.
Ms. Holley joins a group of 18 other highly distinguished judges and family law specialists and practitioners including Appellate Justice Donald B King, (Ret.), Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Robert A. Schnider,(Ret.) Stephen Adams, the “Father” of modern California Family Law, the late George H. Norton, creator of the state-wide uniform Guidelines for child support, and Garrett C. Dailey, educator and author of Attorney’s Briefcase. Ms. Holley was honored on December 3, 2011 at the ACFLS Annual Holiday Party at the Westin St. Francis.