Attorney Christiana E. Samuels is a dedicated family law practitioner based in Belmont, California. She founded the Law Office of Christiana E. Samuels in 2012, focusing on a range of family law matters, including divorce, child custody, property division, adoption, and domestic violence cases.

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As a Certified Family Law Specialist, Ms. Samuels holds a distinction awarded by the California State Bar to attorneys who have demonstrated exceptional expertise and proficiency in their practice area. This certification is held by fewer than 5% of California attorneys, reflecting her dedication to achieving the highest standards of legal knowledge and client advocacy. Certification requires rigorous testing, extensive experience, and ongoing education, ensuring that clients receive representation from an attorney with advanced skills and expertise.

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In addition to her legal practice, Ms. Samuels is also a certificated mediator. She utilizes her extensive background as a litigator, combined with her advanced education in negotiation and conflict resolution, to guide clients toward amicable resolutions in her mediation practice. Her approach emphasizes clear communication, creative problem-solving, and minimizing conflict whenever possible. Ms. Samuels believes that mediation is an empowering process for clients, offering a more collaborative and cost-effective alternative to litigation while keeping control of the outcome in their hands.

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Ms. Samuels earned her Juris Doctorate from George Washington University Law School in 2009. She also holds a Master’s degree in Negotiation, Conflict Resolution, and Peacebuilding, further strengthening her ability to guide clients through complex and emotionally charged legal disputes with skill and compassion. She completed her undergraduate studies at George Washington University in 2005, graduating cum laude with a double major in Political Communication and History.

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Since her admission to the California State Bar in 2010, Ms. Samuels has been recognized for her professional excellence. She was selected to the Super Lawyers Rising Stars list from 2018 to 2024 and to the Super Lawyers list in 2025. Additionally, she was named among the Top 40 Under 40 by The National Advocates in 2017 and was acknowledged for exceptional client service by the American Institute of Family Law Attorneys in 2018.

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At her practice, Ms. Samuels is committed to providing individualized service, helping clients navigate challenging legal situations with professionalism and care.

Virgilio C. Solis III is an associate attorney at the Law Office of Christiana E. Samuels. He is a graduate of Thomas Jefferson School of Law and received his undergraduate degree from San Jose State University, majoring in Political Science.

 

 

Virgilio represents clients in a myriad of family law issues, including divorce, child support, spousal support, custody and visitation, as well as domestic violence. Client engagement is vital in every step of a family law case, and Virgilio is committed to maintaining a high level of communication with his clients grounded in a clear, concise, and non-legalese way.

 

 

Virgilio recognizes the importance of trying to resolve any family law issue as efficiently and with as little stress as possible, which is why he puts an emphasis on a collaborative approach to address any issues. This approach results in less reliance on the court, typically leading to a reduction in legal fees for clients. Parties collaboratively working together outside of the court allows for creative solutions to be found.

 

 

Prior to joining the Law Office of Christiana E. Samuels, Virgilio served as a family law attorney with a Santa Clara firm. He also has a background in handling complex mass litigation cases, as well as high-conflict foreclosure litigation actions.

 

 

Virgilio was born and raised in the Philippines. He speaks various Filipino languages, including Tagalog, Ilocano, and Bolinao. Virgilio’s varied background has trained him to be well-equipped in handling complex family law matters. His upbringing and previous legal and personal experiences provide him with a unique and rich background that helps clients find creative solutions.

Chrissie Glidden is our Firm’s paralegal and has been with our Firm for 6 years. Chrissie is a highly skilled and dedicated paralegal professional with over 15 years of experience in the legal field. Chrissie assists both attorneys with all phases of litigation, drafts pleadings and disclosures, handles all new client onboarding process, as well as oversees our firm operations.

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Chrissie is a master at drafting legal documents, managing case files, attention to detail and organizing complex legal information. Chrissie is also well-versed in the latest legal software and technology, making her an invaluable asset to any legal team.

 

But Chrissie is not just a legal whiz, she treats every client/person with compassion and empathy. She is always ready to lend a listening ear to clients and colleagues and is known for her ability to bring a sense of calm and order to even the most chaotic situations. Chrissie fosters a collaborative and supportive team environment, empowering her team members to excel and deliver high-quality legal work.

 

Chrissie is a Notary Public and a Member of the San Mateo County Legal Professionals

Association. In her spare time, Chrissie enjoys hiking any, traveling and spending time with her niece/arts and crafts.

Winchester “Chester” is the Law Office of Christiana E. Samuels’ beloved office dog and unofficial morale booster. A 9-year-old pug-Boston terrier mix and proud rescue pup, Chester’s journey from shelter to cherished team member is a testament to resilience and second chances—values we hold dear in our office.

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Chester’s unique personality makes him a standout member of the team. While he’s deeply loyal to everyone who walks through our doors, he does have one small fear—paper. (We suspect it’s because the legal world has a bit too much of it!) Despite his apprehension toward documents, Chester is quick to warm up to anyone who offers him treats.

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When he’s not napping in the sun or “helping” clients by providing emotional support and protecting them from mail, Chester loves making rounds in the office, looking for belly rubs and sneaking extra snacks. He reminds us daily that even in the most stressful legal situations, a little love and kindness can make all the difference.