Marshall S. Zolla

Marshall S. Zolla is a Certified Specialist in the field of Family Law, a distinction granted by the Board of Legal Specialization of the State Bar of California. With more than 40 years of experience, his expertise is vast and includes prenuptial agreements, retirement plan benefits, complex business valuations, issues concerning business, real estate and estate planning and religious differences in child custody matters.

Mr. Zolla majored in Economics at the University of California, Los Angeles, graduating cum laude in 1960. He received his Law Degree from Boalt Hall School of Law at the University of California, Berkeley in 1963 and was admitted to practice in California in 1964. Articles he has authored or co-authored include:

• Matthew Bender California Family Law Monthly, Editorial Consultant, Bi-Monthly Case Comment, 1988 - 2011
• Author: Publication of Chapter in Nationwide Book Published by Aspatore Books entitled, Inside the Minds: Strategies for Family Law in California, 2011 Edition, CHAPTER TITLE: Evolving Family Law Issues and Strategies
• Co-Author: Publication of updated 2009 Chapter in CEB entitled "Dividing Pensions and Other Employee Benefits in California Divorces, Chapter 2, Initial Procedures and Pre-Trial Orders", April 2009
• Co-Author: Publication of Chapter on Fiduciary Duty Between Spouses in the 2008 Family Law Symposium Reference Book, Los Angeles County Bar Association, May 2008
• Co-Author: Publication of Chapter in new CEB publication entitled Dividing Pensions and Other Employee Benefits in California Divorces. Chapter 2, Initial Procedures and Pretrial Orders, January 2007
• "Automatic Temporary Restraining Orders [ATROS]: Protector of the Status Quo or Impermissible Restraint on Alienation?" California Family Law Monthly, November 2005
• Co-Author: "Marital Duty: Fiduciary Duty Between Spouses," Cover Article, Los Angeles Lawyer, February 2004
• "Health Care and Family Law: An Unhealthy Alliance," California Family Law Monthly, June 2003 [updated and reprinted Los Angeles County Bar Association Family Law News & Review, September 2004]
• "Religious Divide: Time for Another Look at Religious Upbringing Provisions in Prenuptial Agreements," California Lawyer, June 2002
• "Lasting Wishes: California’s New Health Care Decisions Law," Los Angeles Lawyer, December 2000
• "An Interdisciplinary Approach to Modern Family Law Practice," Los Angeles Lawyer Magazine, July/August 2000
• Religious Differences in Child Custody and Visitation Disputes," Los Angeles Lawyer Magazine, November 1998
• "Guards of the House: As Agents of the Court, Guardians Ad Litem Face Substantive and Ethical Dilemmas in Family Law Proceedings," Los Angeles Lawyer Magazine, July/August 1997
• "Promises, Promises: Enforcement of a Prenuptial Agreement in California May Founder on Three Conflicting Standards of Law," Los Angeles Lawyer Magazine, December 1995
• "The Perpetuation of Shattered Hearts: The Disturbing Conflict Between Dependency Court and Family Law Jurisdiction," Los Angeles Lawyer Magazine, July/August 1993
• "Evaluation, Division and Proof of Retirement Plan Benefits Incident to a Marital Dissolution Proceeding"
• "Solving the Problems of Unmarried Couples: Close Encounters of the Uncertain Kind"
• "Prenuptial Agreements and Freedom of Contract in California"

Mr. Zolla is a member of the State Bar of California, Los Angeles County Bar Association, Beverly Hills Bar Association, and the California Association of Family Law Specialists. He has served for many years as a mediator for the Family Law Department of the Los Angeles Superior Court. Mr. Zolla frequently lectures before legal and professional associations on family law issues. In addition, he serves as an Editorial Consultant and Commentator for California Family Law Monthly and a Practice Consultant for the California Family Law Trial Guide, both published by Matthew Bender & Company.

Mr. Zolla is active in numerous community and charitable organizations. He served as an officer and a member of the Board of Trustees of Wilshire Boulevard Temple, as a member of the Board of Trustees of the Union for Reform Judaism and Vice-Chair of the Department of Jewish Family Concerns. He has also been a member of the Los Angeles Board of Overseers of Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion and a member of the Commission on Social Action of Reform Judaism. He also serves on the National and Los Angeles Boards of the American Jewish Committee, and is a current member of the Steering Committee of the Kalsman Institute on Judaism and Health at Hebrew Union College - Jewish Institute of Religion. Mr. Zolla is also active with and a member of the Board of Directors of the Shalom Hartman Institute in Jerusalem.

On April 1, 2009, Marshall Zolla and his wife, Barbie z”l, were honored by the American Jewish Committee ("AJC") with the prestigious 2009 Community Service Award, honoring their life-long commitment to community service.

Mr. Zolla is listed in the Martindale-Hubbell Bar Register of Preeminent Lawyers, 2005-2012, and is also listed as a Super Lawyer in the Southern California Super Lawyers, 2007 - 2012.