Patrick O'Neil | San Jose Family Lawyer

Patrick D O'Neil

Patrick D O'Neil

Protecting Your Rights: A Strong Advocate In and Out of Court

Experience: 10 years
Language(s): English

Main Office


P.O. Box 18698
San Jose, CA 95158

Office Hours

Monday - Friday8:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Other Locations

The Law Office handles matters throughout Northern California, including Santa Cruz, Santa Clara, San Joaquin, Alameda, San Mateo and Contra Costa counties.

Top Local Lawyers

About Patrick

My life’s work led me to here – to act as an advocate in the fight for truth, equality and justice. I am a former newspaper reporter and photographer who moved into a life of service by working for a company that ran medical clinics in developing nations around the world. Eventually, I would satisfy a lifelong desire to be directly involved in the stories that shape all of our lives – I am here to be a participant and not an observer.

I have been working in family law for more than six years, having spent extensive time handling domestic violence cases while in law school. After graduating, I spent time working under three Certified Family Law Specialists as I managed my cases. I am fortunate to have worked with, and learned from, the best in this area of the law. My work at previous firms saw me lead or assist on numerous trials involving complex family law matters.

As an attorney, I recognize communication with, and access to, your retained counsel is vitally important – you have questions and your attorney has the answers. This is why I believe it is critically important to be available to my clients even during non-business hours. Does this mean you’ll get a returned call within an hour on a Saturday? Not necessarily, but I do believe you shouldn’t have to wait until Monday afternoon to get information. I pride myself on not just my work product but on my accessibility to my clients.

I look forward to fighting for you.

Call today to learn more about my fee structure.

Experience

Attorney

The Law Office of Patrick D. O'Neil, Esq. P.C.

Present

San Jose, CA

Admission

Verified California

2015

Education

California State University

Bachelor of Arts (Journalism)

2005

Recognitions & Achievements

Associations
  • California State Bar Association | Member

Questions & Answers

Please describe a case in the last year or two where you made a big difference.

I litigated a divorce case that involved breaches of fiduciary duties on the part of the opposing party as a result of years of infidelity. My client had breach claims of multiple hundreds of thousands of dollars as a result of community funds spent on affairs outside of the marriage. The case had elements of domestic violence, and I obtained a restraining order to protect my client. In this matter, both the judge and myself received veiled and not-so-veiled death threats from the opposing party before he ultimately fled the country. I was able to recover the assets still left in the United States and have them all awarded to my client as a result of the opposing party's breaches of fiduciary duties.

How did you build a successful practice?

Being responsive to my client's needs - both substantively and in terms of timeliness - is one of the most important aspects of legal representation. It is one thing that is entirely within my control as the attorney in the relationship.

What should clients look for in a lawyer?

Communication, realistic goals and a comprehensive understanding of the issues in the client's case. Often times a client will interview with a partner at a firm and have minimal contact with them after that as they are passed off to a junior associate. This is pretty standard practice at larger firms and sometimes it's a non-issue, however, it can feel like a bait-and-switch and the client and associate may not work well together. Additionally, an attorney that educates their client on the realistic expectations of their case and displays good knowledge in anticipating the counterarguments of the opposing side is what a client should look for.

How important is local knowledge to the success of your cases?

Local knowledge is important for any case. Different counties may have different filing deadlines or a judge may have specific courtroom procedures that need to be followed. While likely not dispositive of an overall outcome, an attorney never wants to show their client in a bad light before the court - an attorney unprepared because they lack knowledge of local rules and procedures is exactly how that might happen.

What information can you provide in a free phone consultation?

I can usually address all questions relating to any family law or estate planning question in a 60-minute consult. If there happens to be an issue of first impression for me I can always identify the issue and explain that I will follow-up with the client after I find the answer. Even if they choose not to retain my services, I pride myself on providing accurate information to all clients - potential and retained.

What information do you need in a free phone consultation?

For a standard divorce consultation, I need background information about the parties' employment, any children, the major assets and debts they have and general vital statistics for both parties. Similarly, for an estate planning consultation I will need to know what assets a party has and to whom they would like to give them to have a meaningful discussion.

What differentiates you from other lawyers in your community?

My attention to detail, legal analysis and empathy all combine to make me a unique attorney. I see many attorneys who are abrasive with their clients or generally put forth an attitude that tends to indicate they view their clients more as a dollar sign than as an individual in need of an advocate.

What is the most rewarding aspect of your job?

Fighting for equity. In the family law realm this is the pursuit of justice.

What are your other interests in addition to law?

I enjoy getting outdoors. I am rock climber, having spent time honing my skills in Yosemite Valley, Joshua Tree and other awe-inspiring locations around the world. I like backpacking, camping and climbing because it provides valuable life perspective. When I can't make a longer trip, I'll stay local and play golf or chess with friends.

Are you involved in your community?

I am member of the Santa Clara County Bar Association.

Founded 2018

Law Office of Patrick D. O'Neil, Esq. P.C. Highlights

Divorce & Family Law

Firm Size: 1
Firm Locations: 1