Men's Legal Center
Comment: I didn't see any lasting and specific coverage about the law firm. ✠ SunDawn ✠ Contact me! 12:18, 12 November 2026 (UTC)
| Headquarters | San Diego, California, United States |
|---|---|
| Major practice areas | Family law |
| Key people | Craig A. Candelore (founder and managing attorney) |
| Founder | Craig A. Candelore |
| Website | www |
Men's Legal Center is a family law firm based in San Diego, California, United States. Founded by attorney Craig A. Candelore, the firm handles divorce, child custody, child support and related matters. The practice focuses on representing husbands, fathers and noncustodial parents, although it also represents women.[1][2]
History
According to the firm, Men's Legal Center has operated in San Diego since 1986.[1] In a 2010 interview with KPBS, Candelore said that he had previously worked at a Women's Legal Center. He explained that he established Men's Legal Center because he believed fathers needed better representation in disputes over contact with their children. In the same interview, he said the practice also represented women.[2]
In 2008, a Daily Journal article about attorneys and activists associated with the fathers' rights movement described Candelore as the founding attorney of Men's Legal Center in San Diego.[3]
Candelore ran for a seat on the Superior Court of California, County of San Diego in 2010, challenging incumbent judge Lantz Lewis. His campaign was among several challenges to sitting judges associated with Better Courts Now. KPBS reporting and interviews about the election discussed his role at Men's Legal Center and questions about his advocacy on fathers' rights and judicial impartiality.[4][2]
Practice areas
The firm's practice includes divorce, legal separation, paternity, child custody, visitation, child support, spousal support and the division of marital property. It also handles family-law matters involving domestic violence, military divorce and business valuations, according to its website.[5] The firm says it serves San Diego County and nearby areas.[1]
Founder and attorneys
Craig A. Candelore
Craig A. Candelore is the founder and managing attorney of Men's Legal Center. According to his biography, he received a Bachelor of Science degree from the United States Military Academy, a master's degree in systems management from the University of Southern California and a Juris Doctor from the University of San Diego School of Law. His biography also reports that he served in the United States Army and Army Reserve and attained the rank of colonel.[6]
The State Bar of California records Candelore's admission to practice on January 11, 1985. The firm describes him as a certified specialist in family law.[7][6]
Other attorneys
As of November 2026, the firm's website listed Gerald W. Hokstad as senior attorney and Francisco Batara, Kristen Singh and Jonathan Rico Aviles as attorneys.[8] The State Bar of California records Hokstad's admission to practice on August 19, 1986.[9]
Public activities
In 2008, the National Coalition for Men gave Candelore its Award for Excellence in the Advancement of Men's Issues, citing his support for men's rights organizations and his establishment of Men's Legal Center.[10]
In 2018, the organization publicized Untying the Knot, a series of educational videos created by Candelore about family-law topics including child support, property division and court proceedings.[11]
Great Dad Award
Men's Legal Center runs the Great Dad Award, a recognition program for fathers who are involved in their children's lives and contribute as mentors or role models. The firm invites the public to nominate fathers by submitting their names and a brief explanation of the nomination. Its website publishes profiles of selected recipients.[12]
Recipients have included Jason Kreidman, who received the award in 2017 and ran a local fathers' support group called Dad University, and Oscar Avila, who was presented with the award in 2021. The firm's profiles describe Kreidman's parenting-support activities and Avila's involvement in mentoring young adults through his church.[13][14]
Selected litigation
Men's Legal Center and Candelore appeared among counsel for the appellant in In re Marriage of Freitas (2012), a decision of the California Court of Appeal concerning temporary spousal and child support orders in a divorce proceeding.[15]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 "Mission Statement". Men's Legal Center. Retrieved 2026-11-11.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 "Conservatives Move To Unseat SD Superior Court Judges". KPBS. 2010-05-19. Retrieved 2026-11-11.
- ↑ Blum, Bill (2008-03-02). "The Dad-Vocates". Daily Journal. Retrieved 2026-11-11.
- ↑ Sharma, Amita (2010-04-30). "Christian Right Targets San Diego Judges". KPBS. Retrieved 2026-11-11.
- ↑ "Practice Areas". Men's Legal Center. Retrieved 2026-11-11.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 "Craig A. Candelore, CLS-F". Men's Legal Center. Retrieved 2026-11-11.
- ↑ "Craig Alan Candelore, Attorney Profile No. 117251". State Bar of California. Retrieved 2026-11-11.
- ↑ "Attorney Bios". Men's Legal Center. Retrieved 2026-11-11.
- ↑ "Gerald William Hokstad, Attorney Profile No. 123955". State Bar of California. Retrieved 2026-11-11.
- ↑ "Awards". National Coalition for Men. Retrieved 2026-11-11.
- ↑ "NCFM and NCFM Award winner Craig Candelore, Esq., proudly introduce the free Untying the Knot family law video series". National Coalition for Men. 2018-08-29. Retrieved 2026-11-11.
- ↑ "Great Dads". Men's Legal Center. Retrieved 2026-11-11.
- ↑ "Jason Kreidman". Men's Legal Center. Retrieved 2026-11-11.
- ↑ "Oscar Avila MLC Great Dads". Men's Legal Center. Retrieved 2026-11-11.
- ↑ "In re Marriage of Freitas, 209 Cal. App. 4th 1059 (2012)". Leagle. 2012-10-03. Retrieved 2026-11-11.
External links
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