Riena Yu, Esq.

I am dedicated to fostering respectful, solution-oriented approaches to family law, while always keeping the goals and needs of my clients at the forefront of my work. Understanding how difficult and sometimes traumatic the transitions can be for individuals going through divorce or custody matters, I strive to empower my clients through education, understanding, and compassionate representation.

My passion for supporting clients in transition stems from my early experiences as an undergraduate at University of Chicago and law school student at UCLA School of Law. During this time, I represented parents in the child welfare system, where I provided parents with support and resources needed to reunite them with their children. In law school, I also represented detained clients with mental illnesses in asylum proceedings, which strengthened my advocacy skills and commitment to supporting vulnerable populations. After graduating from law school, I continued to engage in family advocacy through my policy work at Planned Parenthood.

I have training in domestic violence counseling, which guides the way I support clients who have experienced domestic violence. I also have training in mediation and collaborative divorce as I resolutely believe in the power of conflict resolution through a more peaceful, amicable process when possible. I currently serve on the board of the Collaborative Practice Group, Golden Gate, and am an active member of the Divorce Options Committee, dedicated to developing trainings that educate the community about how to navigate the divorce process. I am also a member of the Collaborative Practice Group of San Mateo County. 

Recognitions

  • 2024 Northern California Rising Star Recipient

  • 2019-2020 Planned Parenthood Affiliates of California Legal Fellow

  • 2017 Hoffenberg Research Fellow

Certifications:

  • Domestic Violence Counseling

  • Mediation

Memberships:

  • Collaborative Practice Group, Golden Gate

  • Collaborative Practice Group, San Mateo County

  • Women Lawyers of San Mateo County Bar Association

  • Alameda County Bar Association

  • San Francisco Bar Association

Volunteer Work

  • Community Legal Assistance Saturday Program (CLASP)

  • Justice and Diversity Center, Pro Bono Legal Services

  • Project Sentinel (Mediation)