Robert A. Roth is widely regarded as one of the leading family law appellate specialists in California.
He has over 30 years’ experience as an appellate practitioner and more than 25 published (and scores of unpublished) appellate opinions to his name. Robert has won twice in the California Supreme Court, and notably represented the successful respondent in In re Marriage of Ostler and Smith (1990) 223 Cal.App.3d 33, a seminal case that established the method California courts use every day to calculate division of bonus income.
He was one of the first attorneys in California certified as an appellate specialist by the State Bar.
Robert has remained a certified appellate specialist for more than two decades. In addition to family law appeals, he has substantial experience handling probate, real property, business transaction, tort insurance, admiralty, and State Bar appeals.
Robert frequently gives CLE presentations on appellate issues and writes articles on matters related to appellate practice and family law.
He also has extensive experience as an appellate mediator.
He has received a number of honors.
Robert is a Martindale Hubbell AV rated attorney, is listed in U.S News & World Report’s Best Lawyers in America, and has been repeatedly selected as a SuperLawyer in Northern California.
Robert graduated from DePaul University, College of the Law, in Chicago.
He served on the Law Review.
Law School
DePaul University, College of the Law
Awards
Super Lawyer Super Lawyers Magazine
Best Lawyer Best Lawyers Magazine
AV Rated Martindale Hubbell
Bar Admissions
California
U.S. Court of Appeals Ninth Circuit
U.S. Supreme Court
Certifications
Appellate Law
Some of Rob's cases
California Court of Appeal
In re Marriage of Ciprari
Spousal support reversed as not comporting with marital standard of living. Child support reversed. Denial of attorney fees reversed because financial disparity between parties made fee award mandatory. New standard created for tracing commingled property.
California Supreme Court
In re Marriage of Green
Reversing Court of Appeal determination of marital community interest in CalPERS military service retirement credits.
California Supreme Court
In re Marriage of Sonne
Reversing trial court and Court of Appeal apportionment of community property interest in spouse’s CalPERS retirement accounts.
California Court of Appeal
In re Marriage of Ostler & Smith
Won landmark case authorizing child and spousal support based on a percentage of supporting spouse bonus income.
Guidance on Navigating the Statement of Decision Process
This article originally appeared in the January 2020 issue of Los Angeles Lawyer. …
What Family Lawyers Need To Know About Stays Pending Appeal
This article originally appeared in the Summer/Fall 2018 issue of ACFLS Family Law …
Spousal Support And ‘Changed Circumstances’
This article originally appeared in the Daily Journal on August 21, 2017. Change …