The partners of SGSB are well known throughout Orange County

and the State of California as highly knowledgeable, skilled, credible, and experienced family law practitioners. SGSB’s clientele includes entrepreneurs, business owners, corporate executives, celebrities, professional athletes and their spouses.

In addition to our exceptional credentials and accolades, SGSB attorneys are as diverse as our clientele. Our partners and associates possess many unique characteristics that enable our firm to provide the best representation for our clients.

Learn more about our attorneys and their credentials by visiting the individual biography pages of each attorney.

Eleanor A. Stegmeier

Partner/Mediator

• Founding partner of Stegmeier, Gelbart, Schwartz, & Benavente
• Certified in mediation by the Pepperdine University School of Law, Strauss Institute
• Past President of the AAML Southern California Chapter

Saul M. Gelbart

Partner

• Founding partner of Stegmeier, Gelbart, Schwartz, & Benavente
• Named “Orange County Family Law Attorney of the Year” by Best Lawyers in 2017 & 2024.
• Fellow, American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers
• Diplomate, The American College of Family Trial Lawyers

Jason M. Schwartz

Partner

• Certified Family Law Specialist since 2007
• Past Executive Board Member of the Association of Certified Family Law Specialists (Orange County section) since 2012
• Past Membership and Benefits Director of the ACFLS State Board

Robert A. Benavente

Partner

• Fellow in the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers
• Certified Family Law Specialist since 2007
• Named a Super Lawyer by Super Lawyers Magazine, Los Angeles magazine, and Orange Coast magazine since 2014

Douglas A. Hatherley

Partner

• Certified Family Law Specialist
• Rated AV Preeminent® by Martindale-Hubbell
• Super Lawyers Southern California Honoree
• Named to The Best Lawyers in America list
• Houston Family Law Trial Institute graduate

Eric J. Sather

Associate Attorney

• Super Lawyers Southern California Rising Stars Honoree
• Selected to Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in America
• Practice focused on family law litigation
• Member of the Family Law Section of the Orange County Bar Association

George H. Peniche

Associate Attorney

• Selected to Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in America
• Practice is devoted exclusively to Family Law
• Houston Family Law Trial Institute graduate

Brandon P. Kelsey

Associate Attorney

• Selected to Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in America
• Houston Family Law Trial Institute graduate
• Practice is devoted exclusively to Family Law

Samantha L. Weissman

Associate Attorney

• Super Lawyers Southern California Rising Stars Honoree
• Selected to Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in America
• Houston Family Law Trial Institute graduate

Shelley Rich Manning

Of Counsel

• Family law practitioner since 2005
• Served as a Court Appointed Special Advocate for Voices for Children
• Volunteered for Make-A-Wish Foundation

Michael A. Fisher

Mediator

• Best Lawyers® 2023 Orange County “Lawyer of the Year” for Family Law Mediation
• Certified Family Law Specialist since 1994