Born and raised in Southern California, William Ryden has been practicing in the area of family law for more than 30 years and has been a partner at Jaffe and Clemens since 1985. Bill has been a certified specialist in family law (Board of Legal Specialization of the State Bar of California) for more than 25 years. Outside of his practice, Bill is a current member of the Executive Committee for the Family Law Section of the Beverly Hills Bar Association (having served as chairperson for the 2004 -2005 year) and a former member of the Executive Committee for the Family Law Section of the State Bar of California. He also has served as a mediator/settlement officer for several years for family law in the Central District, Los Angeles County Superior Court and previously has participated in the Los Angeles County Superior Court Temporary Judge Program.

Bill has been recognized as a Southern California “Super Lawyer” by the Los Angeles Times Magazine since 2005, and has been included in “Best Lawyers in America” since 2006. Bill’s reputation within the Southern California family law legal community has earned him Martindale-Hubbell’s highest AV rating for legal ability and ethical standards.

Practice Areas:

  • Family law


University:

  • Claremont Men’s College, B.A., 1974 (double major: economics and history)

  • Southwestern University School of Law, J.D., 1980, cum laude (AmJur

  • Award recipient – Business Organizations)


Professional Activities:

  • Association of Certified Family Law Specialists (1985 – present)

  • American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers (2009 – present)

  • Family Law News, State Bar of California, Family Law Section (Sept. 2009 – Aug. 2010)

  • Executive Committee, Family Law Section, State Bar of California (2008 – 2010)

  • Executive Committee Family Law Section, Beverly Hills Bar

  • Association (2000 – present) (past chairperson for the Family Law Section in 2004 -2005)

  • Executive Committee, Family Law Section, Los Angeles County Bar Association (2001 – 2002)

  • Family Law Mediation/Settlement Officer, Panel for Family Law in the Central District, Los Angeles County Superior Court


Memberships:

  • Beverly Hills Bar Association, Family Law Section

  • Los Angeles County Bar Association, Family Law Section

  • State Bar of California, Family Law Section


Speaker:

  • Mr. Ryden has lectured in recent years on contemporary family law issues as follows:

  • Instructor in family law, Southern California Paralegal Institute, 1987-88

  • “E-Discovery Issues: Traditional Methods vs. Innovative Technologies,” Beverly Hills Bar Association Family Law Symposium, 2000

  • “Everything you Wanted to Know but Were Afraid to Ask,” Los Angeles

  • County Bar Association Family Law Section-Los Angeles Superior Court Family Law Symposium, May 2001

  • “Enhancing Your Trial Skills,” Beverly Hills Bar Association Family Law Symposium, December 2003

  • “Improving Your Expertise in Handling and Resolving Custody Issues Which

  • Include Alcohol and/or Drug Abuse Allegation,” Beverly Hills Family Law Symposium, December 2004

  • Panelist “The Support Trial,” Second Annual Family Law Trial Advocacy

  • Program; Los Angeles County Bar, Family Law Section, November 2008

  • “Understanding Reimbursements and Credits,” Beverly Hills Bar Association Family Law Section, April 2010

  • “Successfully Handling Reimbursements,” State Bar of California, September 2010


Publications and Articles:

  • Author: “A Look at Transmutation Today: A Critical Review,” Los Angeles

  • County Bar Family Law Section Symposium, May 2001