Estela De Orduña

Estela De Orduña is a bilingual family law attorney licensed to practice in both California and Mexico, bringing a cross-border perspective to domestic matters that involve international elements. At Holstrom, Block & Parke, APLC, in San Diego, California, her practice encompasses custody and visitation disputes, division of assets across jurisdictions, enforcement of foreign custody and support orders, and complex jurisdictional questions that arise when family law matters cross national lines. Recognition for her work includes the San Diego Union-Tribune’s "Best Family Law in San Diego" award and other professional honors.

Drawing on nearly two decades focused on international family law, Ms. De Orduña navigates cases that require coordination with foreign courts and agencies. She has provided pro bono assistance to the U.S. Department of State’s International Parental Abduction Unit and regularly builds strategies for clients facing cross-border enforcement challenges. Her ability to communicate fluently in Spanish allows her to represent a broader client base and to manage sensitive negotiations with cultural and linguistic awareness.

Ms. De Orduña’s academic credentials include an LL.M. from the University of San Diego (2002) and a Juris Doctor from Iberoamericana University (1990). She often works alongside immigration counsel where family law intersects with immigration relief, including VAWA and U Visa matters, and she has substantial experience handling domestic violence claims and guardianship proceedings that demand careful, trauma-informed advocacy.

Awards and peer recognition have followed a sustained record of client service: Ms. De Orduña received The State Bar of California’s Wiley W. Manuel Certificate for Pro Bono Legal Services, earned the Martindale-Hubbell Platinum Client Champion Award, and was listed among the Top 10 Best California Family Law Attorneys by the American Institute of Family Law Attorneys. The San Diego Business Journal also included her among the Top 100 Leaders in the Law in 2022.

Committed to clear communication and strategic planning, Ms. De Orduña is an active member of the San Diego County Bar Association, and approaches each matter with a balance of careful legal analysis and practical solutions tailored to her clients’ goals. Outside the practice, she continues to build cross-border networks that enhance her ability to secure timely, enforceable outcomes for families facing complex legal transitions.