As a certified family law specialist, and a Fellow of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, my first choice for a vocational expert is Marlis. Marlis has a well-deserved reputation for excellence in the legal community. Her reports are comprehensive, thorough, and thoughtful. Her honesty, creativity and problem-solving skills often lead to settlements; however, if you are going to trial, she is impressive when delivering testimony. I recommend Marlis without reservation.
Alameda County Family Law Attorney
Ms. Bruns is by far the single most proficient vocational expert with whom I have had the pleasure of working in my legal career. I have been repeatedly impressed with Ms. Bruns’ thoughtful assessment and preparation of each case, careful analysis of each subjects’ strengths and weaknesses, and remarkable ability to clearly present her findings and opinions in her written reports, as well as in her testimony in court. It is a testament to Ms. Bruns’ professionalism that she has a reputation in my community of being equally fair to both spouses—not only to the subject of the vocational assessment, but also to the spouse requesting the assessment.”
Family Law Attorney, Contra Costa County
“Ms. Bruns’ vocational evaluations have been consistently useful to me in crafting vocational plans and in determining the optimal earning capacity of parties who appear before me. Ms. Bruns is very proficient at conducting market research to provide detailed and pragmatic suggestions for job search activities, including specific contacts, employers and agencies. Her reports are thorough, current, informative, impartial and consistently helpful. I find them very enlightening and I believe that an expert in vocational evaluations would also find them quite valuable. Ms. Bruns has testified as an expert in my courtroom and in other Departments of our County’s Superior Court. She is an excellent witness with tremendous poise and professionalism.”
Superior Court Judge, Contra Costa County
“I can’t thank you enough for all the encouragement and support. Being assigned to see you was yet another blessing in disguise. You gave me just what I needed, when I needed it most and that gave me the confidence to keep pushing through until I had landed the perfect job. That was such a difficult time in my life and I began to lose hope and faith that I would ever get a job, much less my dream job. You assured me that one day I would find a job that was just right for me. I believed you and it happened. Thank you!!”
Former Client
“I have known and worked with Marlis for many years now. I have employed her as my own expert but more frequently she has been appointed by the Court to act as its expert pursuant to California Evidence Code 730. Regardless of whether she acts on behalf of a client or the Court, her reports are balanced, thoughtful, well researched, fully documented, and easy to read and understand. Her reputation in Contra Costa County is impeccable.”
Family Law Attorney, Contra Costa County
“Re-entering the job market is not an easy thing. However, with great motivation and inspiration coming from your office, I feel like I can do great things.”
Former Client
“Ms. Bruns has been particularly helpful in explaining to both attorneys and the litigants the realities of the job market, the efforts necessary to find employment and maintaining proper perspective in evaluating the potential for success in any given vocation/profession.
I have watched Ms. Bruns discuss/explain the benefits of the supported spouse obtaining a successful re-entry in such a way that (a) the supporting spouse sees/understands the benefits of assisting with the pursuit of a graduate/vocational degree and (b) the supported spouse has made concessions in long-term support based upon receipt of immediate financial assistance so the that supported spouse can become self-supporting. In summary, Ms. Bruns was helpful in changing the perspectives of both litigants from the acrimonious past to a cooperative future.”
Family Law Attorney, Contra Costa County