McMurray & Samuels, P.C.
Our Services
The attorneys and staff at McMurray & Samuels, P.C. help hundreds of families with individualized service in the Bay Area. We are proud to extend our legal expertise to help serve clients of all types and needs.
Click through to see these services and more. Have an issue that needs consulting and is not addressed here? Call us to find out how we can help.
What Sets Us Apart
We know you have a lot of choices, so why us? By combining certified legal specialization, advanced education, comprehensive mediation services, a multilingual, client-focused team, and industry recognition from SFGate, McMurray & Samuels, P.C. provides a level of expertise and service that is truly unique in the Bay Area.
Certified Specialists with Decades of Experience
Both Christiana E. Samuels and Mirissa R. McMurray are Certified Family Law Specialists, a designation awarded by the California State Bar to fewer than 5% of attorneys. With more than 35 years of combined experience, our team brings advanced knowledge, steady judgment, and a clear focus on family law. We don’t just practice family
law, we have built our careers around it.
A Child-Centered Perspective on Custody
In addition to representing adults, Mirissa has proudly served as Minor’s Counsel, appointed by the court to represent children in the most highly contested custody cases. This unique role has given her invaluable insight into how legal conflict impacts children and how to structure parenting plans that support their needs. We bring that perspective into every custody case we handle.
Recognized by Super
Lawyers and the Bay Area
Community
Our attorneys have been consistently honored for their skill and leadership. Christiana and Mirissa have both repeatedly been recognized by Super Lawyers, and both were named Super Lawyers in 2025. Mirissa’s volunteer work was honored by the Barristers Award in 2016, Dorothy M. and Wolfe Award from the Legal Aid Society of San Mateo County in 2019.
Multilingual, Culturally-Aware Legal Support
We are proud to serve a diverse community with a team that reflects that diversity. Associate Attorney Virgilio Solis speaks several Filipino dialects, including Tagalog and Ilocano, which allows us to communicate more effectively and respectfully with clients in the Filipino community. We value cultural understanding and work to ensure every client feels heard and understood.
Resolution-Focused with Advanced Mediation Training
We believe that not every case needs to end in court. Mirissa, a certified mediator, serves as mediator both privately and on San Mateo County Court's ADR approved panel. Christiana’s Master’s degree in Negotiation, Conflict Resolution, and Peacemaking provides her with unique insight into emotionally charged legal matters. Whether mediating directly or advising clients in external mediation, we help people resolve conflict with a balance of confidence and empathy.
Client-Centered Values, Every Step of the Way
We believe that every client deserves honest
communication, ethical advocacy, and respect for their time and emotional well being. Our firm culture is collaborative and inclusive. Everyone on our team, including our trusted paralegals Erin, Chrissie, and Sawyer, plays a vital role in supporting our clients.
As one client put it: “She is the reason I have my daughter back.”
We do not take that trust lightly.
TESTIMONIALS
"I came to Ms. Samuels, through a reccomendation, distraught with a lack of understanding of how to even begin the divorce process. After a quick meeting, I knew that she's the lawyer for me. Knowledgeable, understanding and quick to pick up on what needed to be done. As for the paperwork, I was guided through it quickly, as Ms. Samuels had requested for me to bring various documents: tax records, shared property, etc. Paperwork was signed and filed rapidly. She was even readily available for the most mundane of questions- "do I need to list the Ikea dresser..." Often times, items I had overlooked, she brought to my attention and kept me on track with the process. Ultimately, divorce sucks and with Ms. Samuels calm representation, I'd do it all over again (ok, not really, but you get what I mean ;)"
"I highly recommend ms Mirissa . She is excellent divorce lawyer. Her personality is very soothing, she has that calming aura that u feel so relief . Her prices are very reasonable. I was going through divorce, and had a different lawyer, where i spend lots of money , even after spending it was nothing moving , i felt Like i am a paying them for nothing. Then my friend referred me to her . She made this happen less then 6 months . If u are looking for good , not good , excellent lawyer she is the one . Who has heart and conscious. I give her 5 star."
"I came to Miss Samuels when I had started my divorce on my own but had no idea what to do next. She met with me, helped me organize my papers, and explained the next steps. She was knowledgeable, professional, and understanding. She also gave me an honest evaluation of where my case was at and what needed to happen next. She helped me get everything back on track and took the uncertainty and stress out of the process. I would recommend her services to anyone in any stage of divorce. I would still be in limbo if I hadn't found her."
This is an unsolicited review. I have worked with Ms. McMurray for three-plus years. And if you are reading this, you are probably in a difficult phase in your life, and family law can be an emotional rollercoaster. I was referred to McMurray by multiple people and I am grateful to work with her. She has a composed demeanor, is always prepared for court, and prepares me for what to expect, knows the players well in San Mateo county, and is empathetic, thoughtful, professional, and gives practical guidance - always weighing the benefits vs costs. Lastly, she doesn't succumb to theatrics I have seen with other lawyers in family court over the years. She is respectful and a class act. Her Paralegal, Erin, is amazing with her organizational skills, anticipating needs, and fantastic with follow-ups and follow-through. They have been a dynamic duo.
Landmark Wins
Settled case for client whose previous 5 attorneys were not a good fit
Won finding of breach of fiduciary duty and attorney fees, costs and sanction in amount exceeding
$600,000
Won client's move away request in face of evaluator's recommendation against it by pointing put flaw in legal analysis applied
Won request for restraining order renewal, thus maintaining custody for client
Overcame request for renewal and equal time
share for restrained party
