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Burgos Santoyo Smith, Inc. is here to help with all of your family law needs. We started this firm with a focus on our clients’ futures. At Burgos, Santoyo, Smith, we are divorce attorneys who are here to help our clients navigate the legal hurdles that they may face whether it be a divorce, custody dispute, child support, spousal support, or domestic violence restraining order with a forward-thinking approach. We have bilingual, Spanish speaking attorneys on staff to help. Our focus is on helping you reach the best life possible after your family law matter. Life is sweeter after divorce; let us help you get there!
Gretel is a passionate advocate for her clients and wants to ensure that each of her clients feels confident and comfortable with the representation they receive.
When Gretel is not in court or at the office, she can be found at a stable riding horses or at home with her son and husband.
Rosario Burgos Santoyo is a founding partner of Burgos Santoyo Smith. Rosario was born and raised in El Centro, California. She was inspired to become an attorney when she was in 5th grade and her father told her she should be a lawyer. She graduated from the University of San Diego School of Law with her Juris Doctorate and has been a family law litigator for 13 years. Prior to co-founding Burgos Santoyo Smith, Attorney Santoyo opened the San Diego branch and managed all California family law offices for the country’s largest domestic litigation firm. She is fluent in written and spoken Spanish.
Attorney Santoyo strives to provide representation that is tailored to the specific needs and goals of each client. She listens, plans, and adapts according to the needs and priorities of those she represents.
Attorney Santoyo enjoys spending time with her family, including her husband of 23 years, four children, and two maltipoos. She is also an avid bibliophile who loves historical fiction and travel. Attorney Santoyo loves spending time outside in sunny San Diego County.
Cassandra was born and raised in San Diego, CA, and from an early age, she wanted to be an attorney. It was not until she started working at an elementary school while in high school and college that she realized that she wanted to practice family law and help families like the ones she worked with every day.
Cassandra received her Bachelor’s Degree from California State University, San Marcos, and then her Juris Doctorate from Thomas Jefferson School of Law. Cassandra has been a family law litigator for 13 years. Prior to joining Burgos Santoyo Smith, Cassandra worked as a Lead Litigator for the country’s largest domestic litigation firm where she would conduct classes for new attorneys on litigation and trial skills.
Growing up in San Diego with such a large military presence, Cassandra developed a passion for helping our military members and first responders as she knows first-hand the struggles that both the military and first responders encounter in this process. Cassandra is well-versed in the needs and culture of these specific groups and how they differ from the needs of the civilian population.
Cassandra loves to travel. If she is not in court, she is probably on a flight with her family on her way to a new adventure.
Deana has been helping her clients navigate the family law process for over ten years. She has been licensed in Illinois since 2012 and in California since 2023. Deana obtained her Bachelor of Arts from Bellarmine University in Louisville, Kentucky, before attending law school at Southern Illinois University. Prior to moving to Burgos Santoyo, Smith, Deana worked as a Litigation Manager, helping other attorneys strategize their cases to get the best outcomes possible.
In addition to advocating for her clients in the courtroom, she also acts as a mediator and Guardian ad Litem in Illinois. She understands the importance of guiding her clients during one of the more difficult times in their lives with honest and upfront advice. Each case deserves empathy and respect, and Deana works hard to provide the level of service she would want for her loved ones.
When Deana is not at work, she is busy traveling, attending various book clubs, and cheering on the St. Louis Blues.
When Krista is not working, she enjoys spending time with family and friends, reading, traveling, and watching reality television. She is a board member of Kids Under Twenty-One (KUTO) in St. Louis, Missouri, and a member of the St. Clair County Bar Association and Illinois State Bar Association.
Elizabeth has worked in the legal sector in 3 different states since 2015 and has been a California licensed attorney since January 2021. Elizabeth obtained her Bachelor of Arts in History and Minor in Law and Society from the University of Maryland. She graduated from the University of Richmond School of Law with a certificate of concentration in family law.
Since passing the Bar Exam, the majority of Elizabeth’s practice has been in Family law. Prior to joining Burgos Santoyo Smith, Elizabeth worked as a Litigation Attorney for the country’s largest domestic litigation firm.
As a military spouse, Elizabeth is familiar with the complexity of military families and servicemembers’ cases. From PCSing to deployments, Elizabeth wants to ensure servicemembers, spouses, and their children’s needs are met. Elizabeth’s practice philosophy is assisting clients in getting to their new “normal.” Her passion for helping her clients fuels her vigorous representation and realistic approach.
When Elizabeth is not in the office, she enjoys spending time with her husband, their son, and their corgi.
Gerard has worked in the legal sector for over ten years and has been a California licensed attorney since 2017. He has practiced various areas of law including family law, immigration, estate planning, surrogacy, and security clearance defense. Gerard has experience litigating trials as well as handling transactional legal matters.
Gerard obtained his Bachelor of Arts degree in political science from the University of California, Riverside, and thereafter graduated from Thomas Jefferson School of Law. His decision to become an attorney stemmed from an early age, where he wanted to help family members from the Philippines who were overwhelmed by the court system in the United States.
As a San Diego native, Gerard enjoys serving the community that gave so much to him. In his free time, he enjoys spending time with his family, traveling to other countries, hiking, going to the gym, and rooting for his favorite football team, the Los Angeles Chargers.
Trent is a star rookie here at Burgos Santoyo Smith. He graduated from University of San Diego School of Law in 2022 and passed the bar on his first attempt. Trent is already a published legal writer and has years of Family Law experience through law clerking and associate work at the nation’s largest domestic relations firm. He also has a strong understanding of financials with an accounting background as he received a Business Administration Degree, concentrating in taxation, from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. Additionally, Trent worked at a tax firm preparing individual tax returns during his undergraduate studies, furthering his knowledge about how Family Law impacts and influences clients’ cases.
Attorney Scheurman prides himself on being understanding and empathizing with his clients while also advocating for each respective clients’ goals and objectives. “We know the law, you know your spouse” states Trent, “the best approach is a team approach and that mentality is what our firm excels at. View us as teammates you can count on.”
Trent’s hobbies include sports activities like basketball, tennis, and golf. He also enjoys catching up with his long time friends as he is a San Diego native. “Odds are, wherever I am, it’s at some type of court” jokes Trent.
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