About Law Office of Catherine Schwartz

Riverside Family Law And Criminal Defense Law Firm

At our law office, San Bernardino family law attorney and criminal defense lawyer Catherine A. Schwartz brings over 30 years of experience as a family law and criminal defense attorney, including time as a public defender. That initial experience gave her insight into the court systems and evidence code and familiarity with judges, attorneys and courthouse staff.

While Catherine strives to settle family law matters in the best interests of children and negotiate plea bargains in criminal defense cases, she does not shy away from the courtroom. She is aggressive and possesses a dogged determination in getting what she wants on behalf of her clients going through difficult personal times.

A Riverside Law Firm

The founder of the Law Offices of Catherine A. Schwartz is a lifelong Riverside resident. She is committed to the community and maintains a high profile with involvement in various community service activities. That commitment carries over to her practice of family law and criminal defense, providing individualized legal services and pursuing the best outcome for her clients.

Catherine A. Schwartz, Attorney

Catherine A. Schwartz is the founding member of the Law Offices of Catherine A. Schwartz and brings over 30 years of experience to the firm. Prior to founding this law firm, she was an associate attorney at Blumenthal Law Offices, an elite criminal defense law firm in Riverside. Before joining Ms. Blumenthal’s office, Ms. Schwartz was a Supervising Deputy Public Defender for fifteen years, where she handled all aspects of criminal and juvenile matters. Catherine Schwartz is a strong litigator who has represented hundreds of individuals in the criminal justice arena. She is aggressive in her pursuit to protect the rights of her clients. Ms. Schwartz has been successful in jury trials throughout her career.

Ms. Schwartz’s family law experience began in 1991 when she was employed as an associate attorney at the Paul Gavin Law Offices in Oceanside, California. Ms. Schwartz is a comprehensive and thorough attorney. Her personal experience of raising two small children as a single mother gives her insight needed to fight for the rights of parents in child custody cases. Additionally, she is highly skilled with divorces involving closely held businesses, complex issues and high net worth individuals. Catherine is also a minor’s counsel attorney whom the Court specially appoints on high conflict custody cases.

Catherine became involved with the juvenile justice system prior to law school when she volunteered for “Voices for Children” at the juvenile court in San Diego. Once in law school, she clerked for Kandy Kolliwer, a prominent juvenile dependency attorney. Ms. Schwartz has worked on the Juvenile Defense Panel in Riverside, was a supervisor in the juvenile court as a public defender and continues to represent clients in juvenile dependency matters in Riverside and San Bernardino Counties. Catherine will fight for you and your children.

Catherine Schwartz lives in Riverside with her dog Roscoe and cat Rachel. She has two grown children and two grandchildren. Ms. Schwartz is highly involved in her community. To name a few organizations, she currently is the staff attorney for the Riverside County Human Trafficking Task Force, member of the Board of Directors for Operation Safehouse, member of the Board of Directors for Queen of Hearts Therapeutic Riding and enjoys “Smile Seekers,” where she and Roscoe visit nursing homes and sing to the elderly. Catherine is also a distinguished graduate of City of Riverside’s Leadership Riverside Class of 2010, which provided her with the opportunity to learn the skills necessary to be an effective business leader in the community.

Catherine Schwartz received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Social Sciences from Philadelphia College of Bible. In 1991, she graduated with a Juris Doctorate Degree from Western State University, College of Law, San Diego. She is a member of the California State Bar, the Riverside County Bar Association and the San Bernardino County Bar Association.

Contact Info

Services Offered

Divorce/Legal Separation

Post-Divorce Disputes

Bankruptcy & Divorce

Divorce and Business Ownership

Property Division

High Asset Divorce

Military Divorce

Same-sex Divorce

Ex Parte Emergency Hearings

Move Away

Grandparents’ Rights

Guardianships/Adoptions

Child Support

Spousal Support/Alimony

Domestic Violence

Restraining Orders

Protective Orders

Modifications

Parental Relocations

Child Custody/Visitation

Drug Sales and Possession

Drug Trafficking

Sex Crimes Defense

DUI

Three Strikes/Violent Crimes

Expungements

Theft/White Collar Crimes

Violent Crimes

Gang Related Crimes

Homicide/Murder

Weapons Violations

Internet Crimes/Identity Theft

Assault and Battery Defense