This is my Reply to Lee Salisbury's Response to my first review. PLEASE read my prior review. Both reviews should be read together. Lee mentioned, several times, that he works as an arbitrator on a "voluntary basis." If he did not have adequate time to prepare for my proceeding, then he should NOT have agreed to take on the matter. It is not acceptable to waltz into an arbitration proceeding and wing it when one of the parties has a lot at stake. Whether or not he is getting paid, he has a fiduciary to duty to be prepared and to do a competent job. I do not believe that I got that from Lee. He work was shoddy and last minute. Similar to the work product explained in the Avvo review of his firm from an anonymous reviewer on January 15, 2013. Lee stated that my review "does not present a fair and accurate picture of the arbitration process that occurred." (His words). Not only is my prior post accurate, it is precisely what occurred. I gave a detailed and factual account of what happened. Something his response did not do. Instead, he defended himself by giving an explanation of the rules of arbitration proceedings per the Los Angeles County Bar Association (LACBA). That response was misleading. I believe that response was also meant to confuse the readers. I believe he responded as he did because he could not respond to the facts I presented. I explained in my prior review exactly how he violated the arbitration rules of the LACBA. One example is that he allowed the arbitration to move forward with only two of the three required arbitrators present. The other example I gave is that he did not give us the 3 free hours that he was supposed to give us per the rules of the LACBA arbitration proceedings. I relied on having those 3 hours when I prepared for the arbitration. He also tried to mislead by saying that arbitration is less formal than a court proceeding. That is only partially correct. While it may not be quite the same as a court proceeding, we are still supposed to be allowed to put on evidence. Also, the rules of evidence and due process still apply. I speak from experience. I have had prior experience representing a party in an arbitration proceeding. I also represented a party in a fee dispute that was mediated. Mediation is the less formal proceeding. Arbitration is more formal. He also stated that he could not get into particulars because the proceeding is confidential. It would not have been necessary for him to have made any reference to the facts or circumstances which were the subject of the arbitration proceeding. I was able to give a factual recount of the arbitration process without any reference to the underlying facts. The experience I had with Lee as lead arbitrator is similar to the experience described by Neda Y in the Yelp review posted on March 8, 2025. Neda shared that her (or his) Ex, who was self represented, crushed Lee in court proceedings because of Lee's lack of preparation. S/he shared that Lee's office was sanctioned for their lack of knowledge and preparation. And, that she was ruined after paying that firm thousands of dollars for representing her. As explained in my prior review, I lost income and work opportunities because of the time I spent preparing for that fee arbitration. Thereafter, I had to file a lawsuit and prepare for a trial de novo because of Lee's shoddy work. That loss of income almost ruined me. Of course, Lee's office defended Neda's review in the same manner as they defended mine. They stated that they could not get into particulars because of confidentiality issues. Then they gave a narrative of the general stressors involved in a standard family law dissolution matter. Then there is the Yelp review from Vat T that was posted on October 18, 2024. Vat actually filed a state bar complaint against this firm. In their Response, this firm denied that Vat was ever a client. Non clients cannot file state bar complaints. This firm spends more time defending itself than preparing for matters that they agree to take on. read more

I had great experience. My first meeting was with Lee W. Salisbury, Esq. His calm, knowledgeable and friendly manner placed me immediately at peace and cleared my anxiety. He referred me to Sam R. Shadrow, associate attorney, who helped me to complete my divorce. She was very caring, patient and professional. I felt well supported. If you want an attorney who is honest, thorough, and genuinely cares, I highly recommend her. read more

I highly recommend my divorce attorney Lee Salisbury for his professionalism, knowledge, and dedication throughout the process. Thank you for your guidance and hard work. I am very grateful for your support during one of the most difficult times in my life. read more

As someone who knew nothing about divorce proceedings and had no strong support system, I am quite thankful that I got the opportunity of being represented by Serine Tsuda and her Paralegal Sam Shadrow. They were both very supportive, compassionate, considerate and professional. If you're looking for a trusted and reliable attorney, Serine Tsuda is your answer. I am quite pleased with the outcome of my divorce. read more

I highly recommend Serine Tsuda and her team (specifically Karen). Going through a divorce is not easy, but having Serine by my side made all the difference. From the very beginning Serine was professional, compassionate, and incredibly knowledgeable. She took the time to understand my situation, explained every step of the process clearly, and always made sure I felt supported. What stood out most was her strategic thinking and attention to detail. Serine fought for my best interest while remaining fair and ethical. Whether it was handling negotiations, responding to my concerns promptly, or preparing for court, she always went above and beyond. Thanks to her expertise, I was able to reach a favorable resolution and move forward with confidence. If you're looking for a divorce attorney who is both skilled and compassionate, look no further than Salisbury, Shaw, Lee & Tsuda. I am beyond grateful for Serine's help and highly recommend her to anyone in need of a top-notch family lawyer. read more

Think twice before hiring this firm. Without going into much detail, they have no idea what they are doing. My ex who is not an attorney and was self represented, crushed them in court hearings, motions and everything else . We lost in both custody and marital property/support orders Basically did nothing but ran up a bill of hundreds of thousand of dollars. They forced me to sign deals that were not in my best interest and ultimately ruined my life just so that they could get paid quicker. Lee, Serine and I constantly got sanctioned due to their incompetence. I hope no parent ever has to endure the pain and hardship they put me through. Such a nightmare. read more

In my case I had very little time left before discovery was cut off. Time was ticking. So prior to hiring Lee Salisbury I have asked him if he will file an RFO to compel further responses, continue deposition, and ask for sanctions for failure to comply with the prior orders. Lee agreed. He said "yes, I will " . However, right after signing the retainer and paying he went into hiding. I Called and called with no response . I wrote and got no response . He was nowhere to be found. I had a very important RFO hearing. Time was running out and he was nowhere to be found . Then he reappeared a late afternoon prior to the bifurcation hearing. Next day he was totally unprepared and motion was lost. Moreover he spent more time defending the CPA who had failed to prepare Moore Marsden and on premarital property tracing. You may guess that The CPA is the one who has Recommended him , so his primary allegiance was to this non performing CPA v to his client . Lee, who was leading the local bar association, had the audacity to neglect my case to the extent of deceiving me with false promises. Yet he declared that retainer already was depleted and demanded replenishment . Lee billed me and received approximately $9000 for nothing. Talk about fiduciary duties owed to the client. By the way when the opposition filed a response he failed to file reply papers. This is the attorney who is leading a local bar. What do you expect from those attorneys who were led by him at local bar association ? According to recently published alarming corruption matters with the state bar, one can see how attorneys can conduct themselves in such manner . Total utter impunity. My complaint to state bar just picked up and I will get justice whether with state bar or with the court action. read more

I will forever be grateful to have been referred to Serine Tsuda and her firm for assistance through my divorce process. As soon as Serine had agreed to take on my case, she began working rapidly to file motions to move an otherwise stagnant process forward. I felt she was very knowledgeable about the process and shared great insight as to what she believed would yield the best results for me. Serine worked collaboratively with me to develop a strategy I felt comfortable with and I found her guidance to be spot on. She communicated with me often to discuss each step in the process, and she was very responsive to requests and questions I had. She was very empathetic toward my situation and showed understanding and compassion for the emotions involved. I felt she truly took the challenges I was faced with on as her very own and demonstrated that through passionate and professional advocacy. Words cannot express my deep appreciation for Serine and her work on my divorce. She brought a timely and favorable end to an otherwise awful situation I found myself in. I found Serine to be kind, fair, and honest. I would highly recommend her to anyone who finds themself in a similar situation. read more

Not until one goes through a divorce does one realize how stressful, traumatic and emotionally draining the process can be. I was referred to Mr. Lee Salisbury by a girlfriend who had gone through a divorce herself and Mr. Lee Salisbury represented her ex-husband. She was really impressed by them and advised me to contact them. I am so happy I did. After my initial consultation with Lee Salisbury, I knew they were the right team to represent me. He patiently explained to me the entire process of what to expect from beginning to end. Even though my case was handled by Attorney Serine Tsuda, Lee was also available to answer my questions and concerns. Serine is extremely professional, knowledgeable and very caring. She promptly responded to my emails, texts and phone calls. Never did I have to wonder when I was going to get a callback. If you are looking for an experienced, professional, knowledgeable and trustworthy divorce attorney, I highly recommend Lee and Serine. You will not be disappointed. If I could give them 10 stars, I would. Thank you! read more

Lee is the one of a kind lawyer that listens and hears everything. Through an emotional and difficult time, he was always ready. I thank you a lot Lee. You made the worst situation bearable and I thank you so much. read more

I used Ms. Serine Tsuda for my prenuptial agreement and she is professional, knowledgeable, and transparent on the topics discussed at hand. She was able to guide me in an efficient and timely manner which I cannot thank her enough. At the end of my process with Ms. Tsuda, I was pleasantly surprised that she did not use up the entire retainer and refunded the remaining balance. I have dealt with plenty of attorneys and once you pay that retainer most attorneys will say that there is nothing left over. I really appreciate the honesty and ethics with Ms. Tsuda. I highly recommend anyone in need of attorney services to use Ms. Serine Tsuda and her law firm. Thank you again and your hard work is greatly appreciated!!! read more

I used Serine Tsuda for a prenuptial agreement. This was a very foreign process to me, and she was so transparent and informative through the entire process. She was readily available to answer my questions and always had my best interest in mind. She truly knew all the ins and outs and I highly recommend her services. read more

I contacted this law office initially as I had just been served with divorce papers and a friend recommended Ms. Tsuda to me. After a long marriage and being unprepared for any legal obligations resulting from my marriage ending, Ms. Tsuda led me through the process with empathy, compassion, expertise, sound legal advise and when needed to, she championed for me like a prize fighter in court! We had just one court hearing and I was able to get a glimpse of Ms. Tsuda's proficiency in the courtroom as a litigator. She was professional, knew divorce law better than most in that courtroom and was a valued representative for me (and my assets). Her courtroom preparation was second to none and saved me a considerable amount of funds during this process. She communicated very well with me and always gave me options to pursue. I was very happy with the legal representation that Ms. Tsuda provided me. I highly recommend the Law Office of Lee W. Salisbury, and specifically Ms. Serine Tsuda, for her expertise in divorce law and the ability to help and protect you during the divorce process. read more

I had a case that required knowledge of out of state laws and jurisdiction. I found myself in need of an attorney because I had no idea what I was getting myself into. I reached out to Serine thru a family referral and that was the best decision I could have ever made. Serine and her team were on my side from day one. I was very intimidated, nervous, and extremely scared of the whole court process. Knowing I had Serine in my corner made an almost unbearable and stressful situation seem manageable. I never doubted Serine's ability to achieve the best possible outcome for me. Serine goes above and beyond expectations. I felt very comfortable sharing the most private details with her because she was easy to talk to and extremely comforting. Serine is professional, compassionate, and very knowledgeable. Serine and her staff were always available to answer any of my questions and concerns. Serine went out of her way to ensure I knew everything about my case and what I was getting myself into. I am very fortunate to have her on my side. If you need a family law attorney and you want the BEST, then call Serine A. Tsuda. Serine has completely exceeded my expectations and I will forever be grateful for what she has done for me. read more

I can't say enough about Lee Salisbury and his team. Excellence, integrity, honesty, kindness, compassion, professionalism are a few words that come to mind. I HIGHLY recommend this law firm, without reservation. They helped make possible what I thought would be impossible, and I am deeply grateful for their expertise, support and guidance. read more

I worked with Jason Lee at this law office. During a difficult time, Jason was very understanding and also honest. He gave me legal advice that was extremely helpful, and he always kept my best legal interests in mind when he counseled me. He comes from a strong team with a depth of knowledge, and I definitely highly recommend him. read more

Lee and his team at Salisbury Law were invaluable and they basically resolved a very difficult situation and created a great outcome for both my ex husband and I. In the beginning of my divorce, before I knew of Lee Salisbury, I hired a prominent Beverly Hills divorce attorney whom I've known for almost a decade through a church group. He turned out to be expensive, wasted bunch of my money and resources and was very combative, which completely ruined the goodwill was left between me and my ex. A close friend came to the rescue recommending Lee Salisbury. I immediately fired the combative attorney, hired Lee and I the situation turned positive, thanks to Lee's and his team's experience and brilliance. They worked hard and made all the difference in pacifying the situation, and getting to the outcome that was reasonable, compassionate and respectful to all parties involved. They made the whole process a human experience. I would especially like to thank Serine Tsuda for all her hard work, patience, talent and kindness. And Lee is just awesome - he knows what he is doing, he is reasonable and trustworthy, and that makes all the difference in the world in such delicate and difficult situations such as divorce. I could not recommend Lee Salisbury, Serine Tsuda and their team enough. Good people deserve good divorce lawyers. Thanks Lee and team! read more

From my first meeting with Lee Salisbury through at least three years of a divorce and custody process I would never have dreamed would become so contentious, this legal team provided stellar service and representation. With his many years of experience, professionalism, and good-natured approach, Mr. Salisbury clearly has set a high standard for the rest of his team. The majority of my case was handled by his associate Serine Tsuda, who is highly educated, extremely bright, and quick in addressing complex situations. I had utter confidence in every exchange that Ms. Tsuda was thoroughly familiar with the details of our family situation, my children's needs, and the financial issues calling for resolution. It was also very evident that she was communicating with Mr. Salisbury throughout my case, and each of them was equally prepared to speak on my behalf in front of the judge and with the other attorneys. Not only did I feel reassured by the team's knowledge and the clarity they provided, but I also ended up with very favorable outcomes for me and my children in every trip to court. I truly believe this firm's high quality and the individuals' good character and abilities helped my children experience a more peaceful transition and helped me regain my footing much more quickly than I otherwise would have after such a difficult change in our lives. read more

Lee was the my second divorce attny as I let go of my first one. He is savvy, to the point and experienced. He was easy to speak to and work with. Occaisonally I worked with his associate Jason because of Lee's schedule and that was extremely positive as well. I also appreciated all of the staff. They were efficient and effective. I am pleased with the timely outcome of my divorce. My highest recommendations go with Lee and his team. He does not waste your money whatsoever. He doesn't play "tit for tat" as he says. He aims to get it done and over. He is an outstanding negotiator. read more

I would like to share my experience with the law firm of Lee Salisbury in Pasadena CA. My nightmare started when I hired an attorney that I just randomly picked from the internet. Before I knew it I was out $25k and had horrible Custody/Child Support/Alimony orders and we were just starting. I was at my wits end until I was referred to Lee Salisbury and his team. I fired my CRAZY attorney and hired Lee Salisbury. Immediately Lee and his team went to work on my case and after only 2weeks they had turned my entire case around! Lee and his team are hardworking, honest and have the highest integrity I have ever seen from a law firm. Mine was a very intense and complicated divorce with many many working parts. When Lee took over my case from the NIGHTMARE ATTORNEY I had only 40% custody and paying $2700 per month in Alimony/CS. By the end of the case I had 100% custody paying zero CS in fact I was being paid CS from my son's mother and the offset in Alimony has me paying $17 per month total!!!! I must also give a huge thanks to one of Lee's associates Serine. Serine worked night and day on our case. She never gave up on us and always had an encouraging word to say. I can't begin to repay everything she has done for us. One of the last segments of the case was to sell our community property home. I ran into several legal issues with old court orders that no longer pertained to my case. These old CS support orders were keeping me from listing our house and halting the much needed sale. Serine went to work and in just a few hours she had all the necessary forms filed to the District attorney and we were able to sell the house, pay off all attorney fees, and pay the other parties all monies owed. I also paid off every single debt I owed and even had enough left over to replace the 16yr old vehicle with 200k miles on it with a practically new vehicle! Now that the case is over and the dust has settled we are doing great and my son is thriving! Lee and his team have literally changed our lives!!! My son and I are so grateful and have this law firm to thank. Believe it or not there is a happy ending to the story. After everything we have gone through for the last 4 years my son's mother and I are working on putting the past behind us and starting a new chapter in our lives. We no longer hate each other and we treat each other with respect. If you're looking for an attorney and team that works hard for YOU, operates with utmost integrity and will change your life, look no further. read more

Lee's office handled my divorce over a 1.5 year period. Throughout the entire process, Lee, Jason, Serine and their office support staff were professional, even-keeled, reasonable, and fair. I never felt like Lee was trying to drag on my case in order to increase his fees. Quite the opposite, Lee reassured me from the very beginning that my case was the kind of case that could be easily settled out of court. And that's exactly what happened, although that's not to say that Lee was a pushover. Lee and Serine represented me well and had my best interests in mind at all times. They were forceful when necessary, very knowledgeable about family law, hired a well-respected fraud specialist to help my case, dealt fairly with my ex-husband's attorneys, and closed my case as expeditiously as possible. Even after the divorce was finalized, there were some lingering issues with my ex but Lee and Serine wrapped them up in the fairest and quickest way possible. Lee and Serine were my voice of reason while I was consumed with agonizing emotions during the divorce. I wholeheartedly recommend Lee's office to anyone who wants fair and reasonable family law attorneys. read more

I worked specifically with Ms. Tsuda while preparing for marriage. We discussed all of my rights and she clearly explained the prenuptial process. She was empathetic, diligent, fair, and had an incredible commitment to detail. I could not recommend her higher! read more

I reached out to Serine 2 years back after having bad experiences with 2 different lawyers, one was even a referral. I was to the point where I was planning on representing myself, but there was too much riding on this for me to take that chance even though I had limited financial resources. My initial consultation was roughly 1 1/2 hours long, much longer than what was standard. Serine went above and beyond to explain everything I needed know and what I could expect. Serine even followed up with me a couple of days later and shared information on different agencies that would take my case for free. Even though I had the option to be represented by reputable agencies at minimal costs. I knew Serine had my best interest at heart and felt that she genuinely cared and was not just taking on another case. It also helps that she is extremely smart, thorough, and very good at what she does. I wish I had met Serine sooner. I would not have been in the mess I was in. My life is at ease knowing I have an attorney I trust and can reach out to anytime. As long as Serine is still actively practicing law. I feel like I have an attorney for life. I can't say that about too many professionals. read more