Catherine Bechtel
Partner

cbechtel@mcmanisfaulkner.com

Catherine Bechtel practices primarily family law, 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, and testing the validity of pre-nuptial agreements. Bechtel’s family law practice emphasizes custody and visitation matters. In addition, she represents clients in custody and property disputes related to the dissolution of domestic partnerships. 

Bechtel’s legal experience includes representing clients in business litigation, criminal defense, and general civil litigation matters. She has represented clients in complex situations that involve a family law case in tandem with criminal and civil litigation. Bechtel has also represented minors in criminal matters and related school board discipline hearings.

EDUCATION
• University of California, Irvine, B.A. English and French Literature, Cum Laude,

  1993
• Santa Clara University, School of Law, J.D., 1999

ADMITTED TO PRACTICE
• State Bar of California, 1999
• U.S. District Court, Northern District of California

OTHER EXPERIENCE
• East San Jose Community Law Center – volunteer student advocate in the areas

  of employment, workers’ compensation and immigration.

PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITIES
• Member, State Bar of California
• Member, Santa Clara Bar Association

LANGUAGE

• French