Kelly Chang Rickert is a Certified Family Law Specialist, mediator, legal consultant, law professor, and author who has dedicated almost 30 years to the practice and teaching of family law.
In September 2026, Kelly joined Pepperdine University Caruso School of Law’s Straus Institute for Dispute Resolution as Assistant Director of Student Success, bringing her decades of experience as a practicing attorney, mediator, educator, and mentor to her work supporting the next generation of lawyers and dispute-resolution professionals.
A Career Built Around Family Law, Mediation, and Education
Kelly began practicing law in 2000. Over the course of her career, she has represented and advised clients in complex family law matters involving divorce, custody, support, and property division.
Kelly discourages “scorched‑earth” tactics, and has focused her practice on mediation, consultation, settlement strategy, collaborative approaches, and prenuptial agreements.
Her work has always extended beyond the courtroom. Kelly believes that excellent family lawyers must understand not only the law, but also the human consequences of the decisions they help their clients make.
That philosophy has led her naturally toward mediation and legal education.
Legal Education and Teaching
Kelly is an Adjunct Professor at Trinity Law School, where she has taught courses including Family Law, Professional Responsibility, Community Property, Adoption Law, Law Practice Management, and Legal Research and Writing.
She particularly enjoys teaching the connection between legal doctrine and the real world responsibilities of lawyers.
Media and Writing
Kelly has appeared extensively as a family law legal analyst in television, radio, and other media and has written widely about family law, divorce, custody, and relationships.
She is the author of several books, including Protecting Yourself From False Accusations, Two Adventures With Mom and Dad, and Hope’s Broken Snow Globe , all of which were Amazon #1 best‑sellers and #1 New Releases in the Children’s Marriage and Divorce Books category.
Through her writing and media work, Kelly seeks to make complicated legal and family law issues understandable and accessible to the public.
If you’re seeking divorce, please reconsider. Especially if you have children.
I have witnessed several reconciliations of divorcing couples. These are generational wins!
If divorce is unavoidable, do it amicably with mediation or collaborative law. All other paths lead to unnecessary pain and wastes money, or even worse, total destruction.
Areas of Practice:
Adult Adoptions; Stepparent Adoptions; Foster Adoptions; Prenuptial Agreements; Collaborative Divorce; Divorce Mediation; Family Law Consulting; Family Law Second Opinions; Child Custody and Visitation; Child Support; Spousal Support; Property Division
Admitted to Practice:
California and Texas Supreme Courts
U.S. District Courts (Northern, Southern, Central and Eastern Districts of California)
Ninth Circuit United States Court of Appeals.
Undergraduate:
UCLA, B.A. English, Honors, June 1997.
Law School:
University of San Diego Law School, J.D., Honors, December 1999.
Other Professional Designations:
Certified Family Law Specialist, California Board of Legal Specialization; California Real Estate Broker (01441274); California Notary (2466463)
Trademarks
Marriage is Grand. Divorce? A Hundred Grand. ®️
Beyond the Law
Kelly is a wife and mother who enjoys spending time with her family, serving her church and community, writing, playing piano, leading Bible study and prayer groups, and hiking.
She is fluent in Mandarin Chinese and Taiwanese and conversational in French.
Her professional journey – from family law practice to mediation, teaching, and student success – reflects a continuing desire to use her experience to serve others and help prepare the next generation of lawyers to practice with both excellence and integrity.
I am a Christian, wife, and mother. Born in Taiwan, my family immigrated here when I was 6. I am fluent in Mandarin Chinese and Taiwanese, conversant in French.
I enjoy sharing the love of Jesus. He is the light in this dark world.
God has blessed me with a law practice to share His truth and I don’t take that for granted.
Awards:
Amazon.com #1 Best-Selling Author, Law category: Protecting Yourself From False Accusations
Amazon.com #1 New Release Author, Children’s Marriage and Divorce Books category: Two Adventures with Mom and Dad
Amazon.com #1 New Release Author, Children’s Marriage and Divorce Books category: Hope’s Broken Snow Globe
SuperLawyers, Rising Stars 2007 – 2014, SuperLawyers 2015 – 2027.
SuperLawyers, Top 50 Women Lawyers in Southern California, 2021 – 2024.
SuperLawyers, Top 100 Lawyers in Southern California, 2022 – 2024
Featured in SuperLawyers stories: “The Robe” (2011) and “Even the Sky is Different” (2019)
Memberships:
Christian Legal Society, Christian Legal Aid of Los Angeles, Los Angeles County Bar Association; San Diego County Bar Association
Languages:
Mandarin, Taiwanese, French (conversational)
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