OUR TEAM
Martin A. Kahan
Martin A. Kahan has been practicing law for over 39 years. His area of practice is Juvenile Dependency Law. Mr. Kahan represents parents, legal guardians, as well as others who qualify for representation in the Juvenile Dependency Court. Mr. Kahan has been attorney of record in 1,000s of cases before the Courts in Los Angeles County, including the Antelope Valley, Ventura County, as well as other venues in Southern California. Mr. Kahan was a 23 year member of the Juvenile Dependency Court Panel of select attorneys who are appointed by the Courts to represent individuals whose children are in the court system due to allegations of parental neglect, abandonment, or abuse. He has handled a multitude of such cases from the first contact with the governmental agency through the extensive process of litigating the issues before the Court. Mr. Kahan’s entire legal career has been devoted to assisting parents and other qualified individuals who are entangled in the web of deception and government intrusions in the attempt to separate children from their families. Mr. Kahan was an Associate Professor of Law teaching “Juvenile Dependency Law” to law school students and subsequently became a mentor to many who are involved in the legal process which seeks to remove children from their families.
NICOLE WILLIAMS
Attorney at Law
Nicole is a private practitioner specializing in dependency work. Nicole is a solo practitioner and most of her practice is devoted to appellate and writ work. However, Nicole also represents individuals (primarily parents) at the trial court level. Nicole began doing dependency work for the Orange County Public Defender’s Office in 1997 as a law clerk, and this is where she developed a passion for dependency law. In 1999, after graduating from Whittier Law School, Nicole was hired as a deputy public defender in Orange County, here she went on to represent both juveniles and adults accused of crimes. In 2004, Nicole left the office in order to pursue a career in doing something she missed and felt most passionately about: parental rights. After Nicole left the Public Defender’s office, she immediately became a panel attorney for both Appellate Defenders, Inc. (“ADI”) and California Appellate Project (“CAP”). In 2005, ADI awarded Nicole the Paul Bell Memorial Fellowship for her dedication to representing indigent individuals on appeal as well as her skills as an appellate advocate. Nicole subsequently became a panel member of the First District Appellate Project and continued working for ADI and CAP. Since 2004, Nicole has filed over 700 appeals, with 27 of her cases resulting in published opinions that either clarified the law, or considered novel issues of first impression. In 2015 and 2016, Nicole taught Juvenile Dependency Appellate Practice and Procedure at Whittier Law School - a class she was asked to create for the law school. While Nicole primarily does court-appointed cases, she also does private appellate and trial level work, and prides herself on doing pro bono work on a regular basis.
Rachel R. Raymond
Ms. Raymond started her legal career employed by the public defender’s office primarily focused on Juvenile Delinquency and adult criminal matters. For the past seven years Ms. Raymond’s law practice consists of representation of parents, as well as other adults in juvenile dependency matters in various Southern California counties. Ms. Raymond has handled the highest stakes and most complex child abuse allegations. Her experience in criminal defense is exceptionally beneficial for clients accused of child abuse or neglect in this arena in that she can protect and defend her clients’ constitutional rights and advise and protect her clients if there is a contemporaneous criminal investigation, or threat of one.
Ms. Raymond’s clients can fully expect and receive excellent communication, education, strategy, advocacy and outcome. Additionally, her clients know to expect candor and fairness regarding their case as well as the fees and costs for the representation. Ms. Raymond has successfully defended mothers and father’s accused of physical abuse, emotional abuse, sexual abuse, “non-accidental trauma,” and negligence, to list a few, based solely on suspicions. By the time, a parent is aware of the allegation, the decision to take their child has already been made and police are called.
Ms Raymond’s background in drug and alcohol abuse and addiction provides another layer of experience for advancing her client’s interest. Ms. Raymond has gained a strong appreciation and understanding of the role drugs and alcohol play in accused person’s life. Her broad knowledge of the treatment options available have made the difference in the outcome for many of her clients.
While Ms. Raymond attended law school full time she also taught law-related critical life skills to youth caught up in the dependency and delinquency systems. She also worked to make sure her students received the appropriate assistance from the school district and special education systems. She prepared individual programs that provide resources specific to each student in various areas, including housing, education, and employment, assisting them in a successful transition to adulthood. Ms. Raymond was Vice-president of Native American Law Students Association and research assistant to supreme court justice for the Potawatomi nation.
Ms. Raymond received her Juris Doctor from Southwestern Law School, and received two Bachelor of Arts degrees from UCLA in Philosophy and Women’s Studies where she graduated with honors. She is a member in good standing of the State Bar of California and is admitted to practice in all District Courts of the State of California.
Ms. Raymond’s clients can fully expect and receive excellent communication, education, strategy, advocacy and outcome. Additionally, her clients know to expect candor and fairness regarding their case as well as the fees and costs for the representation. Ms. Raymond has successfully defended mothers and father’s accused of physical abuse, emotional abuse, sexual abuse, “non-accidental trauma,” and negligence, to list a few, based solely on suspicions. By the time, a parent is aware of the allegation, the decision to take their child has already been made and police are called.
Ms Raymond’s background in drug and alcohol abuse and addiction provides another layer of experience for advancing her client’s interest. Ms. Raymond has gained a strong appreciation and understanding of the role drugs and alcohol play in accused person’s life. Her broad knowledge of the treatment options available have made the difference in the outcome for many of her clients.
While Ms. Raymond attended law school full time she also taught law-related critical life skills to youth caught up in the dependency and delinquency systems. She also worked to make sure her students received the appropriate assistance from the school district and special education systems. She prepared individual programs that provide resources specific to each student in various areas, including housing, education, and employment, assisting them in a successful transition to adulthood. Ms. Raymond was Vice-president of Native American Law Students Association and research assistant to supreme court justice for the Potawatomi nation.
Ms. Raymond received her Juris Doctor from Southwestern Law School, and received two Bachelor of Arts degrees from UCLA in Philosophy and Women’s Studies where she graduated with honors. She is a member in good standing of the State Bar of California and is admitted to practice in all District Courts of the State of California.