Riley V. Pennington

Riley V. Pennington is a Partner at Lonich Patton Ehrlich Policastri and a California Certified Family Law Specialist, as certified by The State Bar of California Board of Legal Specialization. Having practiced law for over a decade, and since being admitted to the California Bar in 2015, Riley has devoted her practice primarily to family law. She represents clients in a wide range of matters, including complex divorce, child custody, child and spousal support, and domestic violence cases. Riley also dedicates a portion of her practice to estate planning.Riley is known for combining strategic advocacy with practical, solution-oriented guidance. She is settlement-focused and works efficiently to resolve disputes through negotiation and mediation whenever possible, while remaining fully prepared to litigate when court intervention is necessary to protect a client’s interests. She approaches each case with the understanding that family law clients are often navigating emotionally difficult and financially impactful decisions, and she provides clear, thoughtful counsel to help clients move forward with confidence.Riley’s commitment to family law and client service was shaped early in her career through two years of volunteer work with a San Diego–based nonprofit law firm dedicated to providing legal services to indigent families involved in high-conflict custody cases. That experience strengthened her ability to manage challenging custody dynamics and to guide clients through highly stressful circumstances with compassion and attention to detail. Her pro bono service earned multiple honors, including the Wiley W. Manuel Award for Pro Bono Legal Services and the San Diego Volunteer Service Distinguished Service Award.In addition to her legal practice, Riley manages the firm’s mentorship program, where she helps recruit talented attorneys to join the firm and provides hands-on training to help them develop the skills and judgment necessary to build successful, sustainable practices. Her leadership in the office also extends to the community where she volunteers for Elevate Community Center’s Domestic Violence Clinic, speaks on Domestic Violence panels for the Family Law Society at Santa Clara University School of Law, and voluneers as a Settlement Attorney for the Santa Clara County Family Court.Before entering the legal profession, Riley worked in hotel branding and redevelopment, helping to turn around underperforming properties and prepare them for sale. This business and financial background gives her a valuable perspective in family law matters involving income analysis, asset division, and other complex financial issues.A Northern California native, Riley is proud to serve clients throughout the Bay Area. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her wife, exploring new restaurants and new cities, and getting involved in local organizations where she can use her legal expertise to help those in need.Riley is a member of the State Bar of California and the Santa Clara County Bar Association.