Area of Practice: State and Local Government

Debra Vaniman Crawford is a Certified Family Law Specialist (certified by the Board of Legal Specialization, State Bar of California). Debra is also a trained and experienced family law mediator. Debra’s practice consists primarily of family law matters. She also practices in the areas of estate planning and probate. Debra has been practicing law for 35 years. Debra attended Southwestern University School of Law in Los Angeles where she graduated cum laude. Debra’s family law experience has been enriched by her service to the Women's Legal Clinic where she served as a volunteer attorney and as the President of the Board of Directors. Debra received an Outstanding Achievement Award from Mayor Bradley for her valuable service to the community with the Women's Legal Clinic. Debra has lectured on the subject of 'move away' custody cases and independent adoptions. Debra has received the Super Lawyer's Award. She has been rated as a Top Contributor by Avvo for 2014, 2015, and 2016 for her on-line contributions and is rated 10 out 10 by Avvo. Debra is a family law mediator. She has been on the mediator panel of the innovative Mosten Mediation Centers. Debra enjoys mediation and helping families structure their new lives apart instead of tearing each other apart in litigation and protracted court battles. Debra is also a tough and seasoned litigator if that is the avenue you choose. Debra has also handled appellate cases. Debra has been a columnist in the Carmel Valley Newletter and is the author of the newly revised Cal Divorce 123, Your Guide to California Divorce. Cal Divorce 123 is a guide for people who want to understand the California divorce process and actively participate in their cases -- whether as their own legal representative or an active partner with their attorney. The Guide is now available in separate modules or as a complete kit. Visit the Cal Divorce 123 website. Debra is devoted to the concept that people can help themselves and make informed decisions in their legal matters. She strives to provide education to people so that they can achieve this objective. Debra analyzes your options with you. She also helps you decide the tone of your case. Debra also practices with William Arthur Crawford, Jr. They have worked together since they were both in law school and formed a firm in 1991 when they were married. Even though they have dissolved their marriage, their legal partnership remains as strong as ever. In fact, their ability to work together speaks volumes about their character and their ability to look at solutions to problems in a productive manner. Their skills in mediation and problem solving add to their legal abilities. Visit Crawford & Crawford. Having experienced a divorce, Debra understands the challenges faced by a person undergoing a divorce. This has helped her gain a deeper understanding of what you are going through. Debra is also very experienced in dealing with difficult people. She can help you create good boundaries to make dealing with a difficult person easier. Debra is facing the extreme challenge of a difficult person. Debra has had to obtain a 3-year Civil Harassment Restraining Order against this woman. This Civil Harassment Restraining order was renewed for Five Additional Years. Debra filed an Order To Show Cause Re Contempt against this person for this person's repeated violation of the restraining order and this person was found in Contempt of Court. Debra knows first hand what it is like to have your life exposed to the public in a case and with this understanding she can help you through your case. Debra can help you establish healthy boundaries and assist you in improving communication with a difficult person. If those efforts are unsuccessful, Debra has a great deal of experience in obtaining and renewing restraining orders. Debra is well versed in the different types of Restraining Orders and which is best for you. Debra has been named a Super Lawyer and has received numerous awards including Avvo's Top Contributor Award, Avvo's Superb rating of 10 out of 10, Avvo's Client's Choice Award. Debra has an AV Rating with Martindale-Hubbell.

Personal injury litigation, including automobile accidents, big rig accidents, offshore and brown water accidents, social security disability claims, and wrongful death cases. Christian Creed has been representing clients in these areas for more than 25 years. Christian earned his bachelor’s degree from Louisiana State University in 1992, and then went on to graduate with honors from Loyola University New Orleans School of Law in 1995. After receiving his Louisiana Bar Admission later that year, he began practicing law in northeast and central Louisiana and has continued to represent clients throughout the state ever since.

Attorney Donald J. Cretella, Jr. is one of the most effective and experienced criminal defense lawyers in Connecticut. For the better part of two decades, he has been recognized as a Connecticut Super Lawyer and a New England Super Lawyer in Connecticut Magazine. Don was born in New Haven and raised in West Haven, where he attended Notre Dame High School. He graduated Fairfield University and then Quinnipiac University School of Law. Upon passing the bar exam, Don immediately began practicing law in New Haven and specifically criminal defense. In 2001 Don joined forces with fellow Fairfield University classmate, Gene Zingaro, and together, they founded Zingaro & Cretella, Attorneys at Law. Throughout the years, Don has handled criminal defense cases, personal injury cases and family law litigation. Over the past two decades Attorney Cretella has handled violent and non-violent criminal cases in both Connecticut State and Federal Courts. He has also represented clients in Federal Court in New York, Virginia and Texas. These cases include white collar crimes, mortgage fraud, drug cases, assaults, sexual offenses, and murders. Don has earned not guilty verdicts in murder cases, federal drug cases, robberies, and sexual assaults. Don has also handled automobile accidents, slips and falls, pedestrian accidents and workers compensation cases with serious injuries and has fought and received millions of dollars in settlements and verdicts for his clients. While Don has developed highly regarded courtroom ability, he takes pride in his negotiation skills and has gained the trust of prosecutors, judges and other attorneys throughout the state. Attorney Cretella was born in New Haven and is a lifelong resident of the New Haven Area.