Education and Training
Unmani graduated High Honors from the University of California, Berkeley in 1996. In 2004, she graduated from the Honors Lawyering Program at Golden Gate University School of Law, where she specialized in Family Law studies.
During law school, she worked for Commissioner Josanna Berkow of the Superior Court of Contra Costa Country, Family Law Division. Later, she worked for family-law attorney Esther Lerner in San Francisco.
She received her mediation training from Gary Friedman of the Center for Mediation in Law, and her Collaborative Practice training from the CP team of Nancy J. Cameron, JD; Susan Gamache, PhD; and financial specialist Doreen Gardner Brown.
Professional Associations and Memberships
- International Academy of Collaborative Professionals
- Member, Professional Development Committee
- Collaborative Practice East Bay
- Member, Social Committee
- Alameda County Bar Association, Family Law Section
- Member
- Contra Costa Bar Association, Family Law Section
- Member
Academic Employment
Adjunct Professor, Golden Gate University, School of Law, 2008-current
Course: "Interdisciplinary Mediation and Collaborative Practice"
Inspiration For Developing a Non-Adversarial Law Firm
Unmani went through her own divorce in 2002. She and her ex-husband engaged traditional litigating attorneys. In addition to charging exorbitant fees, Unmani's attorney ignored her often-voiced highest priority of maintaining a relationship with her two beloved step-daughters. The experience made her realize that the traditional adversarial approach fails to address the multifaceted needs of many family-law clients.