Attorney Spotlight: Bret Hunter—Los Angeles

Stacy D. Phillips ●

In this edition of Attorney Spotlight, I am pleased to feature one of our esteemed Los Angeles colleagues in Blank Rome’s Matrimonial & Family Law group—Bret Hunter.

With over two decades of legal experience, Bret is a trusted and integral member of our Matrimonial & Family Law team. A graduate of the University of Michigan and the Dedman School of Law at Southern Methodist University, Bret has successfully represented clients in numerous high-stakes cases involving substantial marital assets. His expertise, commitment, and in-depth knowledge of family law make him exceptionally qualified to navigate even the most challenging legal matters.

Prior to practicing law, Bret was active in the Washington, D.C., political arena. He caught the political bug early, working at a young age in various internships on Capitol Hill. After attending law school, Bret continued to work in the D.C. area in politics before deciding to begin a full-time career as a lawyer. Family law offered him the opportunity to work closely with people, much like he did during his time on the Hill. Bret eventually moved to California, where he continues to practice law to this day.

Read more on our website.

Attorney Spotlight: Jacqueline Combs—Los Angeles

Stacy D. Phillips ●

For this edition of Attorney Spotlight, I am proud to feature one of my esteemed Los Angeles colleagues in Blank Rome’s Matrimonial & Family Law group: Jacqueline Combs.

Jacqueline Combs
Partner

A graduate of the University of California, Los Angeles, and the Chapman University School of Law, Jackie has proven to be an indispensable member of our firm’s Matrimonial & Family Law practice group. Formerly an associate at the firm, Jackie was recently elevated to partner at Blank Rome. I am thrilled that she has achieved this very distinctive honor. 

Having been practicing law for more than 12 years, Jackie began her legal career as a corporate counsel for private and publicly traded companies and worked with clients on high-stakes business and legal issues. Over time, she found she wanted more direct ways to help people through her practice, which led Jackie to pursue family law. Jackie has integrated her experience as corporate counsel into her family law practice. A successful lawyer must excel in negotiation, especially in family law cases. Jackie exemplifies this by consistently bringing her exceptional negotiation skills to every client and case she handles.

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Attorney Spotlight: Pauline M. Martin—Los Angeles

Stacy D. Phillips ●

For this edition of Attorney Spotlight, I am proud to highlight one of my esteemed Los Angeles colleagues in Blank Rome’s Matrimonial & Family Law group: Pauline M. Martin.

Pauline M. Martin
Of Counsel

A graduate of the University of California, Irvine, and the UCLA School of Law, Pauline has been practicing law for more than 20 years. She is an indispensable member of our firm’s Matrimonial & Family Law practice group. 

Pauline’s journey as a lawyer is remarkable in many ways, and it is notable that she did not begin her career working in family law. Initially, out of law school, Pauline began her practice in a large civil litigation firm. Within 10 years of working in this field, Pauline recognized that she wanted to get more of a “hands-on” legal experience that she felt she had not experienced quite yet as a lawyer. In 2008, Pauline became a mother and realized a new focus in life: family. Pauline spent a few years caring for her son and helping her husband with entrepreneurial ventures. She decided that in becoming a parent, she understood what was important in life and thus began her career path in family law.

Read more on our website.

Attorney Spotlight: Los Angeles

Stacy D. Phillips ●

This edition of Attorney Spotlight highlights one of my Los Angeles colleagues—Pauline Martin. Pauline has more than two decades of litigation experience, handling all areas of family law, as well as a range of clients’ other legal needs. Her commercial litigation experience, especially in partnership dissolution and employment-related matters, adds a unique perspective to her family law practice. Please enjoy learning more about her.

Pauline M. Martin
Of Counsel

Pauline M. Martin is a relentless litigator who focuses on passionate advocacy for the families she represents so they can move their lives forward with dignity, security, and grace. Pauline took a circuitous route to the practice of family law, beginning her legal career as a commercial litigator with time at national law firms as well as aggressive boutique litigation firms before taking some time away from law firm life as a new mom. She also helped develop a groundbreaking insurance program, which covers the risk of paying an adversary’s attorneys’ fees in a contract dispute. The product was hailed by the legal community as a “game changer” in contract litigation and was eventually sold to a publicly traded insurance carrier.

After her then-three-year-old son suggested she go back to work so he could stay for afternoon pre-school with his friends, Pauline found a new professional home practicing family law with Stacy Phillips. Pauline has developed a passion for resolving the intimate issues of custody cases, where her background as a general litigator has been an asset as she crafts specialized and sophisticated solutions to each client’s unique issues and family needs. Pauline acts practically to find common ground with the opposing party without resorting to the kind of knee-jerk scorched earth litigation tactics that she believes many times do more harm than good. She also uses her skill and tenacity to fight in court when necessary to advance the goals of her clients when it is clear amicable resolution is no longer an option.