Practice areas: Family Law, Civil Litigation; view more
Licensed in California since: 2017
Education: Loyola Law School Los Angeles
Selected to Rising Stars: 2021 - 2027 Call today:
310-853-1676
Virtual Appointments FMBK
225 S. Lake AvenueSuite 1050
Pasadena, CA 91101 Visit website
Anthony Lai is Senior Counsel at Zhou Law Group, APC and a Certified Family Law Specialist certified by the State Bar of California Board of Legal Specialization. He represents clients in complex and high-conflict family law matters with practical, empathetic, and client-centered advocacy.
Anthony represents individuals in all areas of California family law, including dissolution of marriage, paternity, child custody and visitation, property division, spousal and child support, premarital and postmarital agreements, and domestic violence restraining orders. He regularly serves as lead counsel in long-cause hearings and trials, particularly those involving contested domestic violence allegations, move-away requests, fiduciary-duty claims, and ultra-high net worth asset division and support issues.
Before focusing his practice on family law, Anthony worked in civil litigation firms. This background informs his work in family law matters involving related civil claims, including Marvin claims, fiduciary disputes, third-party joinder, and claims for breach of partnership or fiduciary duties.
Anthony spent time in chambers of the Honorable Stephen G. Larson (Ret.), then a United States District Judge for the Central District of California, Eastern Division where he assisted with motion practice, jurisdictional disputes, and trials. His experience in federal criminal, immigration and civil matters provided valuable insight into judicial decision-making and effective trial advocacy.
Anthony is an active leader in California’s legal community. He co-chairs the Los Angeles County Bar Association Family Law Section’s annual Sorrell Trope Trial Institute, an advanced trial-skills program for family law practitioners seeking to strengthen their courtroom preparation, presentation, and advocacy. He also serves on the Executive Committee of the LACBA Family Law Section and has held leadership positions with the California Lawyers Association, the Asian Pacific American Bar Association of Los Angeles, the LACBA Barristers Section, and the Loyola Law School Alumni Association’s Asian Pacific American Chapter.
A longtime advocate for newer members of the profession, Anthony previously served as Chair of the California Lawyers Association’s New Lawyers Section. He later served as Secretary of the CLA Board of Representatives. His commitment to professional leadership, public service, and expanding access to the legal profession earned him the California Lawyers Association’s 2025 Best in California Community Service Award.
Anthony has been selected to the Super Lawyers Rising Stars list each year from 2021 through 2027, a distinction awarded to no more than 2.5 percent of eligible attorneys in California. Pasadena Magazine also recognized him as one of Pasadena’s Top Attorneys from 2022 through 2026, and Doyle’s Guide named him a Southern California Family Law Rising Star in 2024 and 2025.
Based in The Zhou Law Group’s Pasadena office, Anthony is proud to serve the greater San Gabriel Valley legal community and while representing clients throughout California. He has limited working Mandarin and elementary Taiwanese proficiency.
Practice areas
Family Law, Civil Litigation: Defense, Civil Litigation: PlaintiffFocus areas
Alimony & Spousal Support, Child Support, Custody & Visitation, Dissolution, Divorce, Domestic Violence, Marital Property, Name Change, Paternity, Prenuptial Agreements, Same Sex Family Law
- 80% Family Law
- 10% Civil Litigation: Defense
- 10% Civil Litigation: Plaintiff
First Admitted: 2017, California
Professional Webpage: https://sanjoseattorneys.com/attorneys/
Bar / Professional Activity
- Board member of the Asian Pacific American Lawyers Association, Los Angeles Chapter (APABA-LA)
- Board Member of the Los Angeles County Bar Association (LACBA) Family Law Section, 2021
- Chair of New Lawyers Section of the California Lawyers Association, 2021
Videos
- Don and Anthony Lai discuss the way Hollywood portrays the law and how it compares to real life., Reality vs. Hollywood - Exhibit A - Season 2 Ep. 3, Family Law, Custody, Court, 2019
Special Licenses / Certifications
- Certified Family Law Specialist State Bar of California, Board of Legal Specialization, 2022
Pro bono / Community Service
- Co-Chair of the 2025 Sorrell Trope Trial Institute, hosted by the Los Angeles County Bar Association (LACBA)., 2025
Educational Background
- Bachelor of Arts, Political Science: Law and Society UC Riverside, 2007
- Juris Doctor Loyola Law School, 2012
Scholarly Lectures / Writings
- Organized and spoke on a panel with Shannon Bailey, Tatyana Skevin, Lynne Tracy, Judge Jessica Kronstadt, and Judge Sonia Dujon, addressing strategies for introducing expert evidence without the benefit of an expert., Panelist, Sorrell Trope Trial Institute, LACBA Family Law Section, Family Law, 2025
Honors
- Anthony Lai, CFLS, Honored With the Best in California, Community Service Award by the California Lawyers Association Anthony Lai, CFLS was honored with the Best in California, Community Service Award by the California Lawyers Association (CLA), in recognition of his outstanding contributions to the legal community. The award was presented at the 2025 CLA Annual Meeting on Sept. 13.The CLA, founded in 2018, is a nonprofit, member-driven bar association representing thousands of attorneys across California. Through advocacy, education and innovative programs, the CLA fosters professional growth and connections while serving as the premier statewide voice of the legal community., 2025 Best in California Community Service Award, California Lawyers Association, 2025
These comments were made by fellow attorneys during the annual nomination process.
“Anthony is a reliable and knowledgeable attorney who passionately works for his clients.”
“I work with Anthony on the committee of a professional organization. He always shows up, has great ideas, and contributes more than his fair share.”
“Antony is on the LACBA Family Law Executive Committee with me. He is a smart lawyers, involved member of the county bar promoting the interests of Barrister members of the bar. He is always willing to lend a helping hand and available to help with different committees. I nominate him as a Super Lawyer.”
“Very professional.”
“Having worked with Anthony for the past few years, I can say that he is hard working, extremely competent, and goes above and beyond for all his clients. Anthony is a zealous advocate and I would recommend him to anyone in need of family law representation.”
“Anthony Lai, Esq. has extensive experience in divorce, paternity, child custody and visitation, spousal and child support matters, prenuptial and postnuptial agreements, and domestic violence restraining orders. Anthony has worked exclusively in the area of family law for over five years, with significant courtroom exposure and has gained tools for efficient and amicable resolution of contentious family law proceedings."”
“Anthony has extensive experience in matters relating to family law. He is a very dedicated and diligent attorney and always tries to achieve the best results for his clients efficiently and expeditiously.”
Selections
- Rising Stars: 2021 - 2027
