A BOUTIQUE LAW FIRM
Focused on retirement benefits and equity-based compensation legal services
Photography credit to AaronChang.com
PRACTICE
AREAS
QDROs
Preparation of Qualified Domestic Relations Orders ("QDROs") to divide the community interest in retirement benefits.
DROs
Preparation of Domestic Relations Orders ("DROS") to divide the community interest in government benefits.
EQUITY COMPENSATION
Determination of the community interest and valuation of equity based compensation (stock options, restricted stock units, and other stock plans).
EXPERT WITNESS
Expert consultation or expert witness testimony when retirement benefits issues are contested.
MSA LANGUAGE
Review and drafting Marital Settlement Agreement ("MSA") language to divide retirement benefits.
MEDIATION SUPPORT
Neutral representation of both parties to calculate and determine an equal division of the community interest in retirement benefits.
OUR VISION
APPROACH
We use a logical and fair approach to the division of retirement benefits and equity-based compensation in divorce or legal separation proceedings. Our team is focused on providing excellent customer service to our clients and the family law community so that we are an asset and an ally in facilitating the resolution of cases when retirement benefits are at issue.
EXPERIENCE
We have extensive experience with all types of qualified retirement benefit plans including defined contribution and defined benefit plans, as well as government plans such as the City of San Diego Retirement System (“SDCERS”), San Diego County Employees Retirement Association (“SDCERA”), California Public Employees Retirement System (“CalPERS”), Federal Employees Retirement System (“FERS”), and military retirement benefits.
Our experience with equity-based compensation includes stock option plans, restricted stock units, incentive units, deferred compensation plans, and partner non-qualified plans.
SERVICES
We perform calculations of the community interest, including valuations of retirement benefits, as well as preparing or reviewing the necessary court documents (QDROs, DROs, MSA language, or Division Agreement language).
We accept direct representation of divorcing spouses or representation through the attorney of record. Our services provide an attorney-client relationship or an expert-witness relationship. We are solution oriented, and our goal as a neutral or an expert witness is to effectuate the accurate division of the community interest in retirement benefits.
Please contact us for hourly rates or a flat fee quote for the scope of work needed.
OUR ATTORNEYS
ELIZABETH VAN CLIEF
ELIZABETH VAN CLIEF is a founder and partner of the firm. Elizabeth holds a Bachelor of Arts in Mathematics and a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from UCSD, a law degree from the University of San Diego School of Law, and a Masters of Laws in Taxation from the University of San Diego School of Law. Elizabeth’s technical background allows her to bring a mathematical approach to her practice.
Elizabeth is dedicated to providing the highest level of expert services to divorcing spouses and family law attorneys in the areas of retirement benefits and equity-based compensation. Elizabeth is a frequent lecturer to family law attorneys and retirement benefits plan administrators in California on the topics of QDROs, division of community property, drafting marital settlement agreement language, subpoenaing retirement benefits information, effective use of an expert, and advanced stock options calculations. Elizabeth is also the past president of the Western Pension & Benefits Council, San Diego, and the past Co-Chair of the Taxation Section of the San Diego County Bar Association.
Elizabeth is proud to offer her clients an efficient, cost-effective, and ethical approach to accurately valuing and dividing the community interest in retirement benefits.
DAVID VAN CLIEF
DAVID VAN CLIEF is a founder and partner of the firm. David holds a Bachelor of Science in Finance from the A.B. Freeman School of Business at Tulane University, a law degree from the University of San Diego School of Law, and a Masters of Business Administration from the University of San Diego.
David is licensed to practice in California, Texas, and Florida.
David’s legal experience includes business law, securities litigation, HIPAA compliance, and transactional health law. David currently serves as corporate counsel for several medical corporations located in Texas including SafeWork LLC and Sinai Urgent Care.
Please contact us for a copy of David's current CV.
RECENT NEWS
CONTACT VAN CLIEF & VAN CLIEF
Silver Supporter of the San Diego Family Law Bar Association
OUR ADDRESS
2283 Bahia Drive
La Jolla, CA 92037
E-mail: elizabeth@vanclieflaw.com
Telephone: 858-333-5560
Facsimile: 858-333-5120
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*We are not currently accepting office visits at this time.*