David A. Patton

Background

Mr. Patton was born in Oakland, California in 1960. He is a fifth-generation resident of the State of California. Mr. Patton attended Skyline High School, where he was captain of the Skyline ski racing team.

After graduating from high school, Mr. Patton attended the University of California at Berkeley. While at Berkeley, he spent a year in France where he attended the Political Science Institute branch of the Sorbonne in Paris. He was also president of the Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity. Mr. Patton graduated from Berkeley with two Bachelor of Arts degrees in 1983 and then attended Santa Clara University School of Law. While at Santa Clara University, he served as an editor of the Santa Clara Law Review. He also spent a summer working for a law firm in Singapore and attending the University of Singapore Law School. Mr. Patton graduated from Santa Clara University School of Law in 1987.

Mr. Patton started his legal career in 1988 as a civil trial lawyer specializing in insurance defense and plaintiff’s personal injury cases. In 1994, he and Michael Lonich founded the law firm of Lonich and Patton. Soon thereafter, Mr. Patton established the firm’s family law practice. Since that time, he became one of Silicon Valley’s top family law attorneys, and built one of the largest, preeminent family law firms in Northern California: Lonich, Patton, Ehrlich and Policastri (LPEP).

In December of 2025, Mr. Patton retired from litigation and withdrew as an owner of LPEP. He remains Of Counsel to LPEP and offers services as a Family Law Mediator and Private Settlement Judge. (See mediation section of this website for more information).

Family Law Certified Specialist and Commissioner

David Patton became a Certified Specialist in Family Law in 2008. Only a small percentage of California family law attorneys achieve this certification.

To be certified by the Board of Legal Specialization of the State Bar of California, an attorney must:

• Be an active member in good standing of the State Bar of California
• Pass a comprehensive written examination covering California Family Law
• Have substantial experience in the field of Family Law
• Complete specified and State Bar approved legal education requirements applicable to the family law field
• Be favorably evaluated by judges and other attorneys concerning his or her knowledge, ability, and experience in the practice of Family Law

David Patton was later appointed by the California State Bar to act as a Commissioner/Vice Chair of the Family Law Advisory Committee (FLAC). This is the committee responsible for writing and grading the certification examination and the certification of specialists.

Interests/Activities

When not at work, Mr. Patton enjoys participating in sporting activities, including surfing, ski racing, scuba diving, golf and volleyball. He also enjoys travel and has traveled extensively throughout the United States and abroad.