Nat E. Hales, Jr. (Retired)

Nat E. (Ned) Hales, Jr. (Retired) is a family law attorney of extraordinary experience. For more than 40 years, he has been a leader and respected member of the Santa Clara Bar Family Law Division. Ned is a graduate of Occidental College and the University of California Berkeley Law School (Boalt Hall). Ned has worked diligently to improve family law litigation and practice in California. As a two term Family Law Chairman of the Santa Clara County Family Law Section, Ned initiated the Santa Clara County Family Law Judge Pro Tem Program, the use of form Family Court Orders, Santa Clara County Bar Association education programs for family law attorneys and paralegals, the formation of inter-disciplinary meetings and educational presentations, and the implementation of procedures involving custody issues. Ned has been recognized for his accomplishments by his peers and community throughout his career, and was honored as a Santa Clara County Family Law Pioneer.

Ned has received an “AV” rating from the Martindale-Hubbell Register of Preeminent Lawyers; the “AV” rating signifies that Ned has achieved the highest level of professional excellence.

Ned’s expertise in evaluation and settlement facilitation in a mediation setting has produced great benefit and closure to litigants in high-conflict family law cases.

Ned has enjoyed serving on various boards of directors for non-profit organizations; Ned especially loves to provide help to organizations benefiting children and student-athletes. He has also raised monies for various schools and for Pet Rescue non-profit organizations.

Ned is an avid sports enthusiast and an accomplished outdoorsman. Ned has traveled extensively throughout the years in search of the perfect fishing experience. Ned is well known for his enthusiastic retelling of light-hearted fish stories. Ned and his wife Cookie, have three children and six grandchildren; Ned and Cookie take an extremely active role in the lives of their grandchildren.