About Samantha Klein

Samantha Klein is a partner and head of the California family law practice, with offices serving clients in Los Angeles, San Diego, and San Francisco. With more than 20 years of litigation experience, Samantha represents high-net-worth and high-profile clients across industries including entertainment, sports, medicine, law, and business. She is trusted by executives, entrepreneurs, doctors, attorneys, and their spouses to handle their most complex family law matters with discretion, clarity, and determination.

Her practice focuses on high-stakes divorce, child custody and parenting disputes, complex financial issues, domestic violence matters, and high-profile cases involving privacy concerns. Samantha also regularly advises on cohabitation agreements, as well as prenuptial and postnuptial agreements tailored to protect family wealth and future security. In addition, she provides mediation services, helping clients resolve disputes privately and amicably whenever possible.

Why Samantha is Different

Clients and peers alike recognize Samantha for her pragmatic, solutions-driven approach. Rather than drowning clients in legal jargon, she communicates clearly and strategically, ensuring her clients understand both the law and the options available to them. She is equally skilled at negotiating quiet settlements that protect privacy and litigating fiercely when a client’s future depends on it. Her ability to build constructive relationships with opposing counsel and allied professionals ensures a comprehensive approach to each case, always with the client and children’s best interests at heart.

Recognition & Trust Markers

• Hollywood Reporter Power Lawyers: Recognized for Divorce Law (2018, 2022)
• Chambers and Partners: Leading Family Lawyer (2023, 2024, 2025)
• Super Lawyers: Family Law (2021–2025)
• Best Lawyers in America: Family Law (2025, 2026)
• Rising Star in Family Law: Early career achievement

Samantha also serves on the Executive Committee of the Beverly Hills Bar Association Family Law Section, sits on the Board of Directors of the C5 Youth Foundation of Southern California, and volunteers as a mediator for the Los Angeles Superior Court. She is a frequent lecturer, moderator, and panelist at leading family law and wealth planning events worldwide, including Singapore, Hong Kong, and across the U.S.

Selected Experience

• Protecting children: Advocated for safeguards allowing a parent with mental health challenges to safely maintain a relationship with her children.
• Privacy in high-profile cases: Settled a sensitive divorce matter for a high-profile client before filing to protect their privacy.
• Prenuptial agreements: Drafted and negotiated agreements designed to protect family wealth from future claims.
• Domestic violence defense: Successfully defended clients against unfounded allegations.
• Collaborative professional network: Works closely with mental health and financial experts to serve clients comprehensively.

Talks & Publications

Samantha is widely sought after as a speaker and educator. She has presented at:

• Art Law Day, Appraisers Association of America, 2024
• Withers Modern Families, 2024 – on trusts, wealth, and family breakdowns
• Surgent Webinar, 2024 – on planning ahead with prenups and cohabitation agreements
• Withersworldwide Family Office Conferences – Hong Kong and Singapore, 2023
• Beverly Hills Bar Association – Direct Examination Family Law series moderator and speaker
• Withers Podcast: Family Matters, 2022

Credentials

• Admissions: California, 2002
• Education: Tulane University, J.D.; University of California, Berkeley, B.A.
• Languages: English
• Memberships:
  • Executive Committee, Beverly Hills Bar Association Family Law Section
  • Volunteer Mediator, Los Angeles Superior Court ADR Panel
  • Board Member, C5 Youth Foundation of Southern California
  • Board Member, Los Angeles County Bar Association Family Law Section

Fantastic Lawyers Editorial

“Samantha Klein is a trusted advocate for California’s most high-profile and high-net-worth clients. Known for her clarity, discretion, and ability to resolve even the most complex financial and custody disputes, she blends fierce advocacy with pragmatic solutions. Samantha is not just a lawyer – she is a steady guide through life’s most challenging transitions.”