About Christopher Emley

Chris Emley is a Certified Family Law Specialist, and Fellow of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers (AAML). For 30 years, Chris has been listed in “Best Lawyers in America” for his work in family law. He’s been a panelist for CEB eight times on family law subjects, authored instructional material for CEB three times, and has lectured in family law for the State Bar Family Law Section, California Judicial Education and Research Institutes, The Rutter Group, the University of San Francisco, the University of California at Davis School of Law, Golden Gate University Law School, Hastings College of Advocacy, and many other institutions. Chris was a member for four years of the Judicial Council’s Family Law Advisory Committee, and is Past President of the California Chapter of the Association of Family Conciliation Courts, of Legal Assistance to the Elderly, Legal Services for Children, and was a member of the Boards of Directors of the Marin Family and Children’s Law Center and of The Bar Association of San Francisco. Chris served as a Judge Pro Tem on the San Francisco Superior Court Family Law Motion Calendar several times each year between 1990 and 2014, and still acts as Settlement Master in San Francisco and as Bench/Bar Panelist in Marin about eight times each year.

In 2022, Chris was honored by the San Francisco Superior Court with a lifetime achievement award for his dedication to volunteer legal services. In 2023, the Justice and Diversity Center of the San Francisco Bar Association recognized Chris’ contributions to the pro bono legal services community by honoring him with a lifetime achievement award, as well.