Sahar’s practice is focused on Family Law, including:
- Divorce
- Child Custody
- Child Support
- Spousal Support
- Asset Protection
- Prenuptial & Postnuptial Agreements
- Family Law Mediation
- Trust and Estate Planning
Llame para programar una evaluación de caso: 951-339-3826
María Estela de Orduna
Senior Trial AttorneyMaria Estela de Orduna is a highly distinguished Family Law Attorney whose practice spans decades of complex, high-stakes litigation. Licensed to practice law in both California and Mexico, Maria brings a sophisticated and nuanced perspective to cross-border and domestic family law disputes. For individuals navigating the most challenging transitions of their lives, she is both a formidable advocate in the courtroom and a strategic counselor behind the scenes.
Navigating High-Stakes Family Disputes
As a premier San Diego Family Law Attorney, Maria has devoted nearly two decades to representing clients in intensely contested family matters. Her comprehensive practice encompasses high-conflict divorce proceedings, deeply sensitive child custody battles, domestic violence (DV) matters, and complex support disputes. Maria is particularly adept at managing the financial intricacies of marital dissolution, including the division of high-net-worth estates, multi-asset tracing, business evaluations, and enforcing stringent financial disclosure requirements. She provides meticulous, strategic divorce planning designed to protect her clients’ assets and their futures.
An Authority in Cross-Border & International Law
Born and raised in Mexico City, Maria was licensed to practice law in Mexico in 1997 before gaining admission to the California Bar in 2006. This rare dual-licensure provides her clients with a distinct and powerful advantage. Maria possesses authoritative knowledge in international family law, routinely handling complex jurisdictional litigation, service of summons in foreign territories, and the division of assets located outside of California and the United States.
She has extensive experience navigating international treaties, including Hague Convention petitions involving international child abduction, and the enforcement of foreign custody and support orders. Her dedication to this vital area of law includes volunteer work on critical cases with the U.S. Department of State’s International Parental Abduction Unit. Additionally, Maria seamlessly collaborates with immigration counsel to protect vulnerable clients in matters involving VAWA (Violence Against Women Act) and Juvenile Immigration Orders.
A Vocation Built on Integrity and Compassion
Beyond her rigorous litigation skills, Maria is driven by a profound vocation for the law and a genuine commitment to her clients’ well-being. She understands that amidst the complexities of property division and cross-border litigation, nothing is more important to her clients than the safety and custody of their children. Maria pairs her decades of courtroom experience with uncompromising integrity and a deep, personal investment in securing the best possible outcomes for the families she represents.
Honors and Awards
Maria’s reputation for excellence and community service is reflected in her extensive professional recognition:
- Super Lawyers – San Diego: 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025
- Super Lawyers Rising Star: 2016
- Martindale-Hubbell: Client Champion Award (2024)
- San Diego Business Journal: Top 100 (2022)
- San Diego Union-Tribune: Best Family Law Firm (2022)
- Judicial Mentorship Program: 2024
- California State Bar: Wiley W. Manuel Award for Outstanding Community Service (2018), Wiley W. Manuel Certificate (2019)
- San Diego Volunteer Lawyer Program (SDVLP): Community Service Award (2018, 2019)
Education
- California State University, Fullerton
- Bachelor of Arts (BA)
- California Western School of Law
- Juris Doctor (JD)
Bar Admissions
- State Bar of California State Bar
- Mexico
Languages
- English
- Spanish
