I’m Jennifer Applegate and I’ve been practicing family law in Santa Rosa and Sonoma County since 2008. After spending several years as a partner in a small firm, I now run a solo practice out using the most up to date technoloogy. I have a reputation as being a lawyer who’s good at settling cases, and someone you don’t want to go up against in court. I’m committed to reaching a fair and equable settlement with a minimum of litigation, but when it’s required, I go to the mat for my clients! I understand the most effective way to present facts and arguments in court, and I have a good reputation with the local judicial officers, mental health professionals and my colleagues. Most of all, I speak frankly with my clients. I’ll tell you what to expect and which issues aren’t worth fighting over — so you get good value for money, and you don’t make litigation even more contentious.
After earning a Bachelor’s degree in English at the University of Pennsylvania, I worked in corporate communications for several international companies. I attended the University of San Francisco School of Law, where I received multiple scholarships and prizes, was a contributor and Senior Editor on the school’s law journal, and taught a Street Law class at a San Francisco high school. Throughout law school, I worked as a clerk in the Sonoma County District Attorney’s Office, where I made multiple court appearances as well as writing and successfully arguing a motion before the Sonoma County Appellate Court.
Following my graduation and admission to the California Bar in 2008, I did extensive pro bono work at Legal Aid of Sonoma County. Some of the topics that I litigated included domestic violence, schoolyard bullying, workplace attacks, civil harassment, elder abuse, and dependent adult abuse. These clients’ cases often included support, custody and visitation, attorney’s fees, and protective orders. My Legal Aid clients told me they valued my strength, compassion, and approachability, as well as the results I achieved for them.
Practicing almost exclusively family law matters, I have handled literally hundreds of cases involving child custody and visitation, move-away orders, support, grandparents’ rights, domestic violence, division of marital assets and debts, legal separation and divorce, prenuptial agreements, reunification between parents and children, communication difficulties between parents, same-sex marriage and dissolution, imputed income, disabled adult children, and more.
I was born in New York, went to college in Philadelphia, spent a year in London, lived in Boston, moved to the Bay Area in 1996, and am thrilled to call Sonoma County my home. I am proficient in French and some Spanish; I enjoy hobbies such as cooking, baking, gardening, watching movies, and DIY; and I have the best dog ever.
Areas of Practice
I practice solely family law. This does not encompass some topics that might seem related but which are separate practice areas such as wills and trusts, guardianships, adoptions, and probate.
Bar Admissions
California, 2008
Education
University of San Francisco School of Law, San Francisco, California: J.D., 2008
University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania: B.A., cum laude, with honors in English
CFLR Advanced Family Law Course 2013
Awards and Honors
Legal Aid of Sonoma County 2010 Golf Classic: “Best Volunteer”
Legal Aid of Sonoma County: Volunteer of the Year, 2009
USF School of Law Advocate of the Year Competition: Semifinalist
John R. Brown National Moot Court Competition: Semifinalist; Best Brief, runner-up
