SAN JOSE, Calif.; June 10, 2008 – McManis Faulkner, a leading Northern California trial firm, bolsters its family law practice with the addition of Catherine Bechtel as a partner and the elevation of Michele Corvi to senior counsel. Bechtel, who most recently has been in a solo practice, started her career at McManis Faulkner and returns to team with Corvi in heading the family law practice.

     “Our firm has long had one of the South Bay’s preeminent family law practices,” said James McManis, head of the firm. “Our clients expect and get professional and experienced counsel. In addition, they deserve ready access to their lawyers, along with unwavering support in these sensitive cases. Cathy brings added strength to our group. Her caring nature and dedication to clients are qualities everyone immediately senses and appreciates. Similarly, Michele has been a major contributor to our family law practice, and we look forward to her continued service and leadership.”

     Bechtel focuses on assisting clients in all aspects of marital dissolutions, including valuation of professional practices and close corporations; assessment of support; tracing of separate property reimbursement claims; misappropriation of assets; prenuptial agreement validity; and custody and visitation matters. Her practice includes custody and property disputes related to the dissolution of domestic partnerships.

     Bechtel has also represented clients in business litigation, criminal defense and general civil matters. As a result, she has been able to handle complex situations that involve family law issues in tandem with criminal and civil litigation and has represented minors in criminal matters and related school board discipline hearings.

     A member of the Santa Clara County Bar Association, Bechtel has volunteered as a student advocate in the areas of employment, workers’ compensation and immigration at the East San Jose Community Law Center. She earned her B.A., cum laude, in English and French literature from the University of California, Irvine (1993) and her J.D. from Santa Clara University, School of Law (1999).

     Corvi has practiced family law at McManis Faulkner for seven years. She focuses on issues such as domestic violence, child custody and visitation, child support, spousal support, valuation of property and division of assets. In addition, Corvi has successfully handled paternity claims, date of separation disputes, breach of fiduciary duty claims, reimbursement claims, valuation of stock options, valuation of businesses, post nuptial agreements and marital settlement agreements. She also teams with forensic accountants on complicated financial claims and with mental health professionals in complex custody evaluations.

     Corvi is a member of the Santa Clara County Bar Association and the Executive Board of its Women Lawyer’s Committee, for which she served as secretary from 2002 to 2003. Corvi earned her B.S. in political science from the University of Santa Clara (1997) and her J.D. from the University of Santa Clara, School of Law (2000).

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