CHRISTOPHER J. SUNNEN, ESQ., CFLS
San Diego Divorce & Family Law Litigation Attorney
Mr. Sunnen has been practicing law since 2007 and is a Certified Family Law Specialist who also serves as Minor's Counsel for children involved in high conflict custody cases. As a member of the State Bar of California, the San Diego County Bar Association, Christopher J. Sunnen is highly regarded as top of his field. From 2021 - 2023, he was selected as the Face of Divorce Law by San Diego Magazine and voted San Diego's Best by the San Diego Union Tribune Readers. Mr. Sunnen has made appearances on both KUSI News and The Pulse Network where he has shared his expertise with the viewers on various topics and has provided lectures to his peers through ProLawCLE. Mr. Sunnen has extensive experience in the litigation of domestic violence restraining orders, complex, substantial wealth and income cases, including cases involving property characterization and apportionment, premarital, and marital agreements, and cases involving high earner and high standard of living child and spousal support.
Mr. Sunnen knows that his clients need a trusted and zealous advocate to help them navigate the complex and emotional process of the issues they are facing. With over sixteen years of experience as a trial litigator he has worked to protect his client's rights both in and out of the courtroom and provides solutions to many challenging cases at a high level of professionalism. He handles all facets of family law issues through mediation and trial including, child custody and support, spousal support, prenuptial and postnuptial agreements, dissolution of marriage, domestic violence restraining orders, property valuation and division of property, and post-divorce issues. Mr. Sunnen has been in private practice for over sixteen years, focusing on litigation in family court, federal court, tax court, bankruptcy court, and before various administrative agencies. Prior to his time in private practice, Mr. Sunnen was a clerk for Federal Magistrate David Noce in the Eighth Circuit. Mr. Sunnen graduated from law school at Washington University in St. Louis, where he was awarded "Best Brief" in Moot Court and was a three-year member of the Dean's List, recognizing academic excellence. Prior to his career as an attorney, Mr. Sunnen was a former Park Ranger, Mr. Sunnen has been, and is active in both the private and public sectors of the outdoor industry and has worked with many Fortune 500 companies to promote sustainable public lands appreciation, education and protection. Mr. Sunnen is also the former head of a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization that he founded and operated for a three-year period; and currently serves on the board of directors of another 501(c)(3) organization.
Areas of Practice
- Divorce/Legal Separation/Military Divorce/Collaborative Divorce
- Annulment
- Child Custody/Child Support/Relocation - Move Away Orders
- Spousal Support
- Mediation
- Paternity
- Property Division/Business Valuation
- Prenuptial/Postnuptial Agreements
- Restraining Orders (Civil/Domestic)
- Contempt Proceedings
- Post Decree Modifications
Bar Admissions
- California, 2007
- U.S. District Court Southern District of California, 2007
- U.S. District Court Central District of California, 2018
- U.S. Tax Court
Education
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Washington University School of Law, St. Louis, Missouri
- Juris Doctorate
- Honors: “Best Brief” in Moot Court
- Honors: Dean's List
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Washington University, St. Louis, Washington
- Bachelor of Arts
- Major: Political Science
- Major: History
Current Employment Position(s)
- Principal/Attorney
Professional Associations and Memberships
- San Diego Family Law Bar Association
- State Bar of California
- San Diego County Bar Association
- San Diego Chamber of Commerce
- Elite Lawyer
- Lawyers of Distinction
- Association of Certified Family Law Specialists
Past Positions
- Honorable David D. Noce, a federal magistrate in the Eighth Circuit, Clerk
Languages
- English
- Spanish
Recent Blog Posts
Recommendations
- Amazing Attorney with quick results and reasonable fees. I appreciate how he took his time and was very patient in explaining all details of the case and where things were going. Thank you for all your help!
- Highly recommend them. They are professional and know exactly what they are doing. Highly recommend them if your in need of a family law lawyer. (:
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Quilnault Baker Recommends Christopher J. Sunnen, Esq., CFLS
Thank you for being such a wonderful lawyer, support system, advisor and friend throughout this entire ordeal. You are gifted at what you do and I appreciate all you've done to bring this situation to closure. I can't imagine working with …More - SUNNEN LAW ROCKS! Look no further for an absolutely and amazing team to represent your case. Chris and his team are outstanding, professional, compassionate, and very responsive. He helped me navigate through one of the most trying times in my life and at the end, I came out with a positive outlo...
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Stephanie Herrera Recommends Christopher J. Sunnen, Esq., CFLS
I'm not one to write a review but I would highly recommend Sunnen Law and would like to Thank Mr. Sunnen and his amazing team who not only helped me get my restraining order but also provided genuine care and support throughout the process. Thank you so much. - Big thank you to attorney Hannosh and the entire firm for your expertise, knowledge, guidance, patience, efficiency, availability and honesty. I couldn't have asked for a better team to help me get through this process.
- Every was very nice and supportive. My attorney explained everything to me and the office took care of everything. I tried on my own for years with no progress. After a couple of months my attorney got real progress in my case.
- My name is Velia Perez, I just wanted to say thank you to Christopher J. Sunnen and all his staff for the hard work and dedication they showed in my case in such a quick manner. They're a very outstanding Law Firm and truly care about their clients. I had a child modification case with my Ex-husb...
- I have known Chris Sunnen for several years. He is an extremely knowledgeable family law attorney who takes great care of his clients. As a Certified Divorce Real Estate Expert, I work with a lot of attorneys in this space. Chris has a …More
- Rosemarie and Chris really understand what it's like to go through a divorce. They are very professional and great listeners. Highly recommend their firm!
- I phoned Chris's office with questions about custody and how to proceed with me being in the Military. Chris and his team answered all of my questions over the phone and gave me really sound legal advice. Never did he try to reel me in as a client. He was very straightforward and honest wirh my c...
- Thank you so much for all that you've done! I couldn't have gotten through this divorce without your words of wisdom, advocacy skills, professional legal advice, expertise about family law, relentless confidence, and sincere understanding. You didn't treat me like I was just another “court case”....
- Mr. Sunnen is a Lawyer with a Heart. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND. he answer's all your questions and is very professional and knows his work Also his Office staff is stellar and kind.there should be more Lawyers like Chris. he is Awesome!!!
- I have had nothing but a great experience with Sunnon Law Firm. I spent an entire day calling law offices, Sunnon Law was quick to return my call and set up a over the phone consult. Rose Marie has been amazing throughout my entire process with them. Always returning my calls, and very professio...
- Knowledge is power and that is exactly what you have on your side with Sunnen Law. Chris Sunnen helped me navigate through a few delicate situations. He put my mind at ease and was well prepared for all court hearings. His staff is professional, returns all correspondence and calls timely. I ...
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Roxanna Milligan Recommends Christopher J. Sunnen, Esq., CFLS
I cannot speak highly enough of Christopher Sunnen. He is one of the most professional, detailed, and knowledgeable lawyers I have retained and dealt with. Mr. Sunnen gave excellent and professional advice on how best to represent and protect my asset value. He was always honest and direct and p... - I was highly skeptical about hiring a lawyer for my what I thought a simple divorce matter that turned out to be highly complex. Mr. Sunnen was worth everything. His prices are fair, he took on my case with less than 24 hours notice and his response time was amazing. I'd say I was a pretty needy ...
- After I had a really nasty experience with a local attorney and tried to self represent (a very rapidly moving custody case) I found Chris. I wish I could disclose the details of my case and how far we've come.Rosemary is absolutely amazing. She is on top of her work and has been someone who's li...
- Without a doubt the most courteous, respectful, and knowledgeable firm and group of people assist me during tough times. Christopher not only provided a free consultation which is always great he was very honest and direct throughout the experience answering every single child custody and legal ...
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Cheyanne Mendoza Recommends Christopher J. Sunnen, Esq., CFLS
I was referred to Sunnen Law by my parents who helped me. Chris and his team are absolutely amazing! I was almost certain my case would end up going to court due to the contentious nature. Chris is a miracle who was able to settle through mediation. Chris is very responsive and thorough. Everyone... - Everyone at the firm was friendly and helpful. Attorney William and his paralegal listened to all my questions and concerns and responded back to me promptly. I would definitely recommend them.
- Mr. Sunnen and all staff helped my family in ways I could not have imagined. I recommend Sunnen Law Firm to anyone that is a good person facing very hard odds. Thank you again for all that you do. Best experience.
