team-member

Kristine N Stewart

San Francisco, CA

Licensed for 11 years

Law Degree

Awards

Primary Practice Area

Divorce and Family

Language

English

About

Kristine is an experienced litigator with extensive training in mediation and alternative dispute resolution. Kristine returned to school in 2005 as a single parent following her own divorce, and her commitment to her clients is grounded in having personally experienced the stress and uncertainty that often goes hand in hand with even the most amicable of divorces.Kristine strongly believes in the importance of reducing the level of conflict whenever possible, regardless of which process option is utilized. This is particularly true when there are childrenKristine can assist with premarital agreements, parentage actions, post-marital agreements, dissolution and legal separation, and with post-judgment custody and support matters.

Practices Areas

Child custody

Child support

Divorce and separation

Family

Language

English

Contact

Lerner Poole & Stewart, LLP535 Pacific Ave., 2nd FloorSan Francisco, CA, 94133

Office: (415) 704-6182

Website: N/A

Reviews

Sanja
January 28, 2021

Kristine was the best lawyer I ever had. She is a wonderful person, and also very knowledgeable with divorce law. She tries to do things collaboratively, and that actually worked very well in my case, as my ex is not the easiest person to deal with, neither was his lawyer who is known to be very aggressive. In this case, trying to be collaborative and civil actually worked quite well , and I was very happy with the outcome. Kristine was also very responsive , and would always address my questions and concerns, and I felt very good through the entire process.

Elizabeth
August 20, 2020

I was referred to Kristine by a child custody superstar (20+ years experience) with whom I’d previously worked. My divorce was finalized, but I’d always managed to get the short end of the stick regarding custody matters, as my ex-spouse had over $20M to finance his high conflict litigation. He simply did not want to pay child support, so he and his lawyer were always filing flimsy ex-party’s based on a loose association with the truth. I’d been under his thumb for years and I felt helpless. Fast forward to fall 2019 and my ex wanted to move across the country with our two children. He, however, did not wish to follow the law and thought notifying me about the move, offering that I “follow” was sufficient. I knew this was my chance and proposed my case to Kristine. She understood the time crunch and filed a motion immediately. After years of disappointment, Kristine got me my first real win in a long time! My kids were not to leave CA and it was now my turn to set terms. My ex’s attorney began by offering abysmal terms and after weeks of expert negotiating, Kristine got my agreement to a place in which I got 99% of what I wanted! She worked diplomatically, understanding I was sometimes scared to sign( associated it with losing my leverage) and gently pressed on the most pertinent issues, while conceding others. Her system was fair and gave me the best result. Even after I moved, of course my ex would try to push (violate) the signed agreement and Kristine was ALWAYS THERE to troubleshoot ideas with me. She did me great favors such as ghost writing emails to my ex with the judge as audience. She went above and beyond! She had to deal with opposing counsel who is quite possibly the angriest male and absolutely believed I was horrible. My ex is a skilled liar. Kristine could have viewed me at times with a jaundiced eye, but she knew I made the commitment to always tell her the truth and never spare details. In six months’ time with Kristine, I had the greatest win in child custody, better than all my years combined. If I were again in her jurisdiction, I would not hesitate to work with her as my counsel again! She is set to be SF Family Law’s next rising star. She perseveres, is dedicated, and I could not imagine a better, more caring advocate. I highly recommend her.

Beth Harvey
June 24, 2020

Kristine was asked to join in my divorce mediation after I’d tried to reach a settlement for well over a year. Within a short amount of time, Kristine was able to break the stalemate and negotiate a solution. I cannot thank her enough for her kindness and expertise during the most difficult time in my life. I trust her completely. She is honest and hard-working, and I will rely on her in the future!

Matt
June 16, 2020

Kristine helped me to navigate an extremely hostile, complicated divorce, blighted by addiction and deception. She is always calm, succinct, empathetic, and above all realistic. She has a clear sight of what is fair and reasonable and is a trusted guide for what can be a traumatic journey. I highly recommend her services.

Jennifer
June 13, 2020

Kristine was there for me during the very challenging and unprecedented time of COVID-19. She supported me in navigating tough co-parenting issues, and was kind and available whenever I needed her. I knew I was in expert hands and that my needs would be more than met.

anonymous
July 7, 2017

Kristine has done an amazing job of cleaning up a rather complicated divorce for me. She was very compassionate, professional and successful in securing my assets and best interest. I recommed her to my friends & family.

Lindsey
July 3, 2015

My husband and I came to Kristine for a move away situation (ex-wife moving out of state). While we didn't have a big fight over the general custody arrangement, there were a lot of considerations to work out. Kristine came recommended to us by a local mediator and a colleague going through a divorce. She was knowledgeable, great at working out a strategy, and very reasonable.

Sanja
January 28, 2021

Kristine was the best lawyer I ever had. She is a wonderful person, and also very knowledgeable with divorce law. She tries to do things collaboratively, and that actually worked very well in my case, as my ex is not the easiest person to deal with, neither was his lawyer who is known to be very aggressive. In this case, trying to be collaborative and civil actually worked quite well , and I was very happy with the outcome. Kristine was also very responsive , and would always address my questions and concerns, and I felt very good through the entire process.

Elizabeth
August 20, 2020

I was referred to Kristine by a child custody superstar (20+ years experience) with whom I’d previously worked. My divorce was finalized, but I’d always managed to get the short end of the stick regarding custody matters, as my ex-spouse had over $20M to finance his high conflict litigation. He simply did not want to pay child support, so he and his lawyer were always filing flimsy ex-party’s based on a loose association with the truth. I’d been under his thumb for years and I felt helpless. Fast forward to fall 2019 and my ex wanted to move across the country with our two children. He, however, did not wish to follow the law and thought notifying me about the move, offering that I “follow” was sufficient. I knew this was my chance and proposed my case to Kristine. She understood the time crunch and filed a motion immediately. After years of disappointment, Kristine got me my first real win in a long time! My kids were not to leave CA and it was now my turn to set terms. My ex’s attorney began by offering abysmal terms and after weeks of expert negotiating, Kristine got my agreement to a place in which I got 99% of what I wanted! She worked diplomatically, understanding I was sometimes scared to sign( associated it with losing my leverage) and gently pressed on the most pertinent issues, while conceding others. Her system was fair and gave me the best result. Even after I moved, of course my ex would try to push (violate) the signed agreement and Kristine was ALWAYS THERE to troubleshoot ideas with me. She did me great favors such as ghost writing emails to my ex with the judge as audience. She went above and beyond! She had to deal with opposing counsel who is quite possibly the angriest male and absolutely believed I was horrible. My ex is a skilled liar. Kristine could have viewed me at times with a jaundiced eye, but she knew I made the commitment to always tell her the truth and never spare details. In six months’ time with Kristine, I had the greatest win in child custody, better than all my years combined. If I were again in her jurisdiction, I would not hesitate to work with her as my counsel again! She is set to be SF Family Law’s next rising star. She perseveres, is dedicated, and I could not imagine a better, more caring advocate. I highly recommend her.

Beth Harvey
June 24, 2020

Kristine was asked to join in my divorce mediation after I’d tried to reach a settlement for well over a year. Within a short amount of time, Kristine was able to break the stalemate and negotiate a solution. I cannot thank her enough for her kindness and expertise during the most difficult time in my life. I trust her completely. She is honest and hard-working, and I will rely on her in the future!

Matt
June 16, 2020

Kristine helped me to navigate an extremely hostile, complicated divorce, blighted by addiction and deception. She is always calm, succinct, empathetic, and above all realistic. She has a clear sight of what is fair and reasonable and is a trusted guide for what can be a traumatic journey. I highly recommend her services.

Jennifer
June 13, 2020

Kristine was there for me during the very challenging and unprecedented time of COVID-19. She supported me in navigating tough co-parenting issues, and was kind and available whenever I needed her. I knew I was in expert hands and that my needs would be more than met.

anonymous
July 7, 2017

Kristine has done an amazing job of cleaning up a rather complicated divorce for me. She was very compassionate, professional and successful in securing my assets and best interest. I recommed her to my friends & family.

Lindsey
July 3, 2015

My husband and I came to Kristine for a move away situation (ex-wife moving out of state). While we didn't have a big fight over the general custody arrangement, there were a lot of considerations to work out. Kristine came recommended to us by a local mediator and a colleague going through a divorce. She was knowledgeable, great at working out a strategy, and very reasonable.