NLD Member Spotlight: Jocelyn Russo

For Jocelyn Russo, being a family law attorney is more than practicing law: “It’s being there for your clients during their most difficult times in their lives.” Russo is an associate attorney at Antonyan Miranda, a prestigious San Diego family law firm specializing in family law.

Prior to becoming an attorney, Russo obtained her bachelor’s degree in psychology from Endicott University with a minor in criminal justice. Wanting to combine her undergraduate psychology training with the study of law, Russo decided to focus on family law. She earned her law degree from Quinnipiac School of Law and graduated cum laude with a concentration in family law. During law school, Russo was on the mock trial team and law review and served as president of the family and juvenile law society. During her 2L summer, Russo clerked for a firm in San Diego and, as a result, was offered a position to come back after graduation.  Russo, a Connecticut native, accepted and moved to San Diego permanently. Now a San Diegan, the locals and legal community are lucky to have her as one of their own.

Immediately following law school, Russo began her practice as a family law attorney; her compassion and fierce advocacy make her the perfect fit for this role.

When asked, “why family law?” Russo recalled: “I always knew I wanted to practice law, but I wanted to utilize my psychology degree as well. Family law allows me to do both, in a way, because I have to guide my clients through the legal process during, most often, very emotionally charged times and ensure their peace of mind as much as possible. It’s rewarding because I get to work with everyday people and I’m able to serve a wider array of clients.”

Now in her fifth year of practice, Russo has experience in all facets of family law litigation, including contested child custody, spousal support, child support, property division and post-judgment matters. Working for Antonyan Miranda has helped Russo gain invaluable experience in the San Diego community, as family law is a highly localized practice with rules specific to the county.

Russo’s client list is focused on San Diego, which enables her to foster working relationships with local judges and become a specialist in her field.  Russo also lauds her firm’s resources and staff for providing excellent support, allowing her to focus on the day-to-day needs of her clients.

For other new lawyers, Russo advises that strong mentorship from an experienced knowledgeable attorney for the first few years is critically important, and to not be afraid to ask questions.

As an established fifth-year associate, Russo is grateful to find herself being a resource for younger associates. Looking back at all of her hard work, she notes, “I thought this day would never come.”

Russo is currently working toward elevating her practice by obtaining a Family Law Specialist Certificate and anticipates taking the examination next year. Her long-term goal is to become a pillar in the San Diego family law community by continuing her impassioned client-focused advocacy.