Gazzola & Warren, PC

I would not recommend Chip or this law office to a woman leaving an abusive marriage involving children, based on my personal experience. In my experience, the handling of my case raised serious concerns about whether the attorney and the Oregon family court system were adequately equipped to address the complexities and safety considerations involved in domestic violence cases. I believe that attorneys representing survivors of domestic violence should have a strong understanding of coercive control, the dynamics of abusive relationships, and the potential impact these issues can have on custody and parenting proceedings. It also made it difficult for this office to understand the implications of not looking into the financials of my abuser. This is an area of control that can have far reaching implications on a person’s life if not handled properly. Unfortunately, I did not feel that my case or the legal strategy outlined in my contract adequately protected me or my children. Insufficient understanding of domestic violence dynamics can have serious consequences in family court, including affecting how a survivor and their circumstances are perceived by the court. I cannot speak to how this attorney handles other types of divorce matters, and my concerns are based specifically on my experience with my case. However, given the circumstances I experienced, I would strongly encourage women with children leaving abusive marriages to carefully research an attorney’s experience with domestic violence and coercive control cases before retaining them. I hope Oregon’s family law system continues to evolve toward stronger protections and greater understanding of domestic violence, including consideration of legislative approaches such as Arizona’s Alec and Lydia Act (HB 2995). Survivors and their children deserve attorneys and legal systems that understand the unique risks involved in leaving an abusive relationship.

Nicole Warren was absolutely wonderful to work with. She helped me navigate a very difficult and complex divorce involving children with poise and adeptness. After going through two bad lawyers before being referred to Nicole by a friend, I was beyond relieved to be in such capable, professional and kind hands. Nicole was always available for me. She was quick, thorough, and thoughtful. She never nickel and dimed me. In fact she is just the opposite -- I think she's an absolute steal! Nicole was always generous with her time, compassion and knowledge. I would use her again in a heartbeat.