SUSAN J. ELSTON, ESQ.

Susan Elston's practice focuses on family law, encompassing issues such as divorce, paternity, child custody, visitation, move away, child and spousal support, and domestic violence restraining orders; post-judgment enforcement; mediation; and personal bankruptcy.

As a single mom, Ms. Elston began her legal career in 1993 when she earned three paralegal degrees from the University of West Los Angeles, and subsequently completed her Bachelor of Science Degree in Paralegal Studies.  She went on to earn her Juris Doctorate from Ventura College of Law in 2012 with a focus on Family Law and Criminal Law.

Ms. Elston gained valuable training in mediation while providing services as an intern with the Ventura Center for Dispute Settlement and Ventura County Superior Court Small Claims.  She also trained with the Ventura County Public Defender's Office from 2011 through 2013 as chief assistant in Veteran's Court, Mental Health Court, and Misdemeanor Court.

Ms. Elston completed additional legal training with the National Family Law Trial Institute, Houston, TX, and Pepperdine University Straus Institute for Dispute Resolution - Family Law Mediation.

Ms. Elston is licensed to practice throughout the State of California, and the U.S. District Court of the Central District of California.  She is a member of the U.S. Supreme Court.  She volunteers as a settlement officer for the Ventura County Superior Court.

Before entering the legal field, Ms. Elston worked in finance security as a credit card investigator of stolen and counterfeit credit cards, working with police departments nationwide and U.S. Secret Service.  She was an active member of the International Association of Credit Card Investigators.  

As recognition of her dedication to public service and the advancement of women in the legal profession, Ms. Elston was awarded the 2012 Mary Sullivan Scholarship Award from Women Lawyers of Ventura County.  Continuing her commitment to community, Susan volunteered as an attorney coach for the Channel Islands High School Mock Trial Team from 2013 through 2019, and a volunteer attorney with the Free Clinic of Simi Valley.

Ms. Elston is a member of the Ventura County Bar Association,  Past President (2019) and current board member of the Ventura County Family Law Bar Association, Women Lawyers of Ventura County, and Jerome H. Berenson Chapter of the American Inns of Court.