Practice areas: Family Law; view more
Licensed in California since: 1996
Education: Whittier Law School
Selected to Super Lawyers: 2027 Call today:
213-302-4288
Rombro & Manley LLP
3405 North Sepulveda BoulevardSuite 200
Manhattan Beach, CA 90266 Visit website
Melinda Manley is a founding attorney of Rombro & Manley LLP, located in Manhattan Beach, California, where she focuses her practice exclusively on family law. A board-certified family law specialist through The State Bar of California Board of Legal Specialization, she represents individuals in a wide range of domestic relations matters, including divorce, alimony, child custody, child support, visitation, paternity, property division and community property disputes.
Ms. Manley’s practice also encompasses alternative dispute resolution, prenuptial agreements, business asset division, child support and custody modifications, enforcement proceedings, domestic violence matters and cases involving false allegations of abuse. She is dedicated to helping clients protect their financial interests, parental rights and future through strategic, results-driven representation. Whether negotiating favorable settlements or advocating in court, she provides compassionate guidance and effective legal counsel tailored to each client's unique circumstances.
Ms. Manley is committed to guiding clients through the legal and personal challenges that often accompany family law disputes. She develops practical strategies tailored to each client's circumstances, combining careful legal analysis with skilled advocacy to help protect their rights and pursue favorable outcomes. Whether resolving matters through negotiation, mediation or litigation, she works to achieve solutions that support her clients' long-term interests while addressing the complexities of California family law.
An academic scholar, Ms. Manley earned her Bachelor of Arts degree from Marymount Manhattan College in 1985 before obtaining her Juris Doctor from Whittier College of Law in 1995. Her education provided the foundation for a career dedicated to helping individuals and families face difficult legal issues.
Admitted to practice in California since 1996, Ms. Manley is also admitted before the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit. She remains active in the legal community as a member of the Los Angeles County Bar Association and The State Bar of California.
Practice areas
Family LawFocus areas
Alimony & Spousal Support, Child Support, Custody & Visitation, Dissolution, Divorce, Domestic Violence, Father's Rights, Marital Property, Mediation & Collaborative Law, Paternity, Same Sex Family Law
- 100% Family Law
First Admitted: 1996, California
Professional Webpage: https://www.rombrolaw.com/attorney/melinda-a-manley/
Bar / Professional Activity
- Los Angeles County Bar Association, 1997
- California State Bar (1996)
- Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals (1997)
- U.S. District Court for the Central District of California (1997)
- Association of Certified Family Law Specialists (ACFLS), 2014
- South Bay Bar Association, 2023
Representative Clients
- In this post-judgment paternity action, I filed a Request for Order that my client have sole decision-making authority over where the minor child with special needs would attend school. The other party wanted the minor child to continue to attend a school close to where the other party lived. My client wanted the child to attend the school recommended by the neurocognitive evaluator based on the minor child's learning style and academic achievement. After 2 1/2 days of trial, the court found that it was in the best interest of the minor child to award my client sole legal custody over educational decisions. The minor child is now thriving at his new school., 2024
- My client came to me after being violently attacked by his spouse. I immediately filed for divorce for my client and sought a domestic violence restraining order to protect my client. After a year of continuances by the violent spouse because criminal charges were pending, I was able to obtain a domestic violence restraining order, which resulted in my client having sole legal and physical custody of the children. The violent spouse was limited to monitored visitation with the children pending completion of the diversion program in criminal court for the violent spouse's drug use, 2024
- My client was criminally charged with domestic violence when the other party made false allegations. The other party then sought a domestic violence restraining order in family court. I referred my client to a criminal defense attorney, with whom I worked closely. Our strategy was to defend the false family law domestic violence claims, which standard of proof is lower. If we succeeded, the criminal charges would be dropped, and my client cleared of any misconduct. After I was successful following 2 days of trial and the other party lost her request for a domestic violence restraining order, the district attorney dismissed the pending criminal charges. I was able to obtain tie-breaking decision authority over the minor children's mental health counseling. Eventually, I was able to resolve the entire case in mediation with my client keeping all of his business interests, 2023
- In this California dissolution of a domestic partnership, the other party filed for bankruptcy in Arizona, where all of the many properties and financial issues of the parties were divided. The other party refused to accept the property division in the dissolution of the domestic partnership. I prepared a motion for entry of judgment in the rare form of a motion for summary judgment, which included the declaration of my client, the declaration my client's bankruptcy court attorney and an extensive request for judicial notice. The court granted my motion for entry of judgment., 2023
- My client's father was accused of sexually abusing a 4 year-old child by the other party's mother. Since my client resided with her children at her parents' home, my client was initially allowed only monitored time with the minor children. After Children & Family Services found the claim unfounded, the other party's mother accused my client's father of additional abuse. And, my client's time was again restricted. After I was able to get a child custody evaluator appointed to testify along with the police who investigated these false allegations, I was able to establish that the sexual abuse never occurred. My client's custody was fully restored and the other party was ordered not to allow his mother to be alone with the minor children because of her coaching of the 4-year old. The 4-year old was ecstatic to see his grandpa again., 2022
- My client came to me in is post judgment matter after he had become disabled, unable to work, and unable to pay court-ordered child support. His ex-spouse had placed a lien on his only asset, his home, which had considerable equity, preventing my client from selling this asset. My client wanted his home sold. I was able to set up a Irrevocable Support Trust with a third-party lawyer acting as Trustee to ensure future child support would be paid so to allow my client to sell his home. This process involved my working with a probate attorney and locating another attorney to agree to act as Trustee., 2021
Special Licenses / Certifications
- Certified Family Law Specialist, 2013
Pro bono / Community Service
- Ms. Manley serves as a Daily Settlement Officer for family law matters in the Central District and Torrance.
- Pro Bono Attorney Domestic Violence Project Stanley Mosk
Educational Background
- Marymount Manhattan, New York, Bachelor of Arts (B.A.), Major: Psychology
Other Outstanding Achievements
- I participate in Eagle Scout advancement, 2025
- I was acknowledged by Los Angeles Court for my dedication to the daily settlement program, 2023 - 2026
Office location for Melinda Manley
3405 North Sepulveda Boulevard
Suite 200
Manhattan Beach, CA 90266
Phone: 213-302-4288
Selections
- Super Lawyers: 2027
