Belinda Hanson

Partner | Certified Family Law Specialist

Skilled in Silicon Valley’s unique economic ecosystem, Belinda protects her clients in high-asset dissolutions during divorce and separations so they can move forward positively with their lives.

Belinda has resolved some of the most complex and financially sophisticated matters during more than 30 years of family law practice. She works discreetly and assertively on divorce and marital issues for clients who are leaders and innovators in technology, venture capital, hedge funds, private equity, privately held companies and real estate. Intellectual property rights, including music royalties, are significant assets for many of her clients across California.

As a Certified Family Law Specialist, Belinda is among an elite group of recognized experts in California. She is a trained and proven advocate in all divorce forums, including in negotiated settlements, before private judges and when pursuing litigation in court. Belinda customizes clients’ legal strategies to their goals, priorities and individual values—because divorce is more than legal, it is highly personal.

Expert Counsel in High-Stakes Divorces

High-stakes divorces require a nuanced, focused and integrated approach. Belinda strengthens clients’ positions by collaborating with experts and subject matter specialists in business, tax, estate planning, corporate and intellectual property.
She supports clients with a network of resources that include forensic accountants, investment advisors, corporate counsel, and equity compensation experts who specialize in the financial foundations and practices fueling Silicon Valley.

Top Negotiator and Family Lawyer of the Year

Belinda honed her negotiating skills at Harvard Law School’s Program on Negotiation. She is a Fellow and past president of the Northern California Chapter of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers. Belinda was recognized twice by U.S. News Best Lawyers as “San Francisco Area Family Lawyer of the Year” and has been named among Northern California’s “Super Lawyers” since 2004.

Recognition

“Top High Net Worth Lawyer Award” in Family & Matrimonial Law for the past 8 years (2017 – present) by Chambers and Partners International

“San Francisco Lawyer of the Year Award” in Family Law & Mediation 2023, 2018, 2010 by Best Lawyers

“Top Family Lawyer for 2023” by The Daily Journal

“Super Lawyers” Top 5 Percentile Annual Award for the past 20 years (2004 – present)

“Super Lawyers” Top 50 Women Northern California Lawyers

“U.S. News & World Report” Best Law Firm Award for the past 15 years (2010 – present)

Education

JD, Santa Clara University School of Law (1990)

BA, Wesleyan University (with Honors, 1986)

Harvard University (Visiting Scholar, 1984-1985)

Professional Associations

Fellow of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers (President of the Nor Cal chapter in 2007)

Certified Family Law Specialist and active member of the Association of Certified Family Law Specialists

San Mateo County Bar Association (Family Law Section Chair, 1995-1996)

Boards

Caminar for Mental Health (2016-2024)

Four Winds Westward Ho (2022-present)

Peninsula Family Service (2009-2012)

Speaking Engagements

Association of California Family Law Specialists (ACFLS) 2021: Rounding Out the Team: When and How to Engage a Financial Planner to Apply State of the Art Financial Tools & Techniques in Complex Divorces

Association of Family and Conciliation Courts (AFCC) 2019: Beyond the Guidelines: The Use of Mental Health Experts In Determining Appropriate Levels of Child Support for Affluent Families

American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, Northern California Chapter Symposium (AAML) 2018: Rescission and Set Aside of Family Law Settlements and Judgments: When You Can (And Can’t) Get Out of a Deal

CalCPA 2014: Characterization Issues Arising in Business Transactions Beyond the Sales Price

American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, Northern California Chapter Symposium (AAML) 2011: Whose Side Are You On? A Road Map for Litigating Business Issues in a DivorceCase

Publications

Making it Stick: How to Create and Enforce a Written or Oral Settlement Agreement Under Code of Civil Procedure Section 664.6, Association of California Family Law Specialists 2023, Winter 2023

“Rounding Out the Team: When and How to Engage a Financial Planner to Apply State of the Art Financial Tools & Techniques in Complex Divorces”, Association of California Family Law Specialists 2020, Fall 2020 No. 4

“Beyond the Guidelines: The Use of Mental Health Experts In Determining Appropriate Levels of Child Support for Affluent Families”, American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, Northern California Chapter Symposium 2019, Vol. 32

“Rescission and Set Aside of Family Law Settlements and Judgments: When You Can (And Can’t) Get Out of a Deal”, Association of California Family Law Specialists 2018, Summer/Fall 2018, No. 3/4