Overview

Eleanor Stegmeier and Saul Gelbart founded the firm in 1995, after they established their reputations in the Family Law community. Ms. Stegmeier started practicing in 1978 and Mr. Gelbart started in 1981. As our firm grew, long-time associates Jason Schwartz and Robert Benavente became partners, and they become known as SGSB. In 2021, Douglas Hatherley was elevated to the partnership level.

Our Orange County office is staffed with 10 lawyers and six Legal Assistants or Paralegals. We are prepared to handle all aspects of Family Law litigation, as we have for many years. We also offer “limited scope” representation, which allows a client to select the type of service that we provide and, if necessary, limit the retainer fees for that service.

Our firm is unique in Orange County as we have three lawyers who are Fellows in the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers. Six lawyers are Board Certified by the State of California as Family Law Specialists. Please feel free to visit our website at www.sgsblaw.com to learn more.

A few years ago we expanded our practice to San Diego County. Our business in San Diego is steadily growing and we opened a location in Coronado in 2022.

Founded:
1995
Size:
8
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Practice Areas:
2
Person outline with Best Lawyers logo
Best Lawyers Recognized:
4

Rankings

Regional

Orange County

Tier
1
Orange County
Family Law
Tier
1
Orange County
Family Law Mediation

About Our Clients

At Stegmeier, Gelbart, Schwartz and Benavente, we routinely represent business owners, CEOs, entertainers, and other high-profile individuals or their spouses. Our lawyers are committed to complete discretion and professionalism with all of our clients.Our attorneys are always respectful of clients' sensitive family issues, and we work with the utmost discretion on all of our cases.

Rankings

Regional

Orange County

Tier
1
Orange County
Family Law
Tier
1
Orange County
Family Law Mediation

Practice Areas

Stegmeier, Gelbart, Schwartz & Benavente LLP has been ranked by Best Law Firms for excellence in 2 specialties, reflecting the firm's commitment to delivering outstanding legal services.
Additionally, the firm provides services in these practice areas:
  • Family Law
  • Family Law Mediation

Individuals Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America®

Stegmeier, Gelbart, Schwartz & Benavente LLP proudly has 4 lawyers recognized for their outstanding professional performance in the 2025 edition of The Best Lawyers in America®. This peer-reviewed honor highlights individual excellence and directly qualifies the firm for consideration in the prestigious Best Law Firms rankings. For over four decades, Best Lawyers has been the gold standard for recognizing top legal talent, serving as the cornerstone for Best Law Firms awards. Learn more about our rigorous Best Lawyers research and selection process.
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Firm News

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November 1, 2019
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Awards

Stegmeier, Gelbart, Schwartz & Benavente LLP is honored to be recognized for excellence by Best Law Firms and other leading legal industry organizations. Our rankings and awards reflect the dedication, skill, and results our attorneys deliver across a wide range of practice areas. In addition to our Best Law Firms awards, Stegmeier, Gelbart, Schwartz & Benavente LLP has earned accolades from respected national and regional publications for outstanding legal service and professional achievement. Explore our awards below to learn more about how Stegmeier, Gelbart, Schwartz & Benavente LLP continues to set the standard for quality legal representation.
AV Preeminent rating by Martindale-Hubbell
Orange County Family Law Trial Lawyer of the Year
Charles Garrity Award by the Family Law Section of the Orange County Bar Association
Southern California Rising Stars
Southern California Rising Stars
Southern California Rising Stars
Southern California Rising Stars
Southern California Rising Stars
U.S. News Best Law Firms
Southern California Super Lawyers, 7 consecutive years
U.S. News Best Lawyers in America, 5 consecutive years
Top Attorneys In Southern California, by Los Angeles Magazine.
U.S. News Best Law Firms in America
U.S. News Best Lawyers in America, 6 consecutive years

Offices & Contacts

Irvine, CA
19762 MacArthur Boulevard, Suite 200
Irvine, CA 92612
United States
Divorce, Alimony, Custody, Child Support, Spousal Support, Divison of Estate
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