Stephen B. Ruben

Managing Director

Attorney

Stephen B. Ruben is the managing director of Ruben Family Law Resolution Services, P.C., nestled in the bustling heart of San Francisco, California. He focuses his practice on family law matters, offering a fresh approach through mediation, alternative dispute resolution, and private judging. His services extend across various counties, including San Francisco, San Mateo, Marin, and Los Angeles.

What truly distinguishes Mr. Ruben in the Bay Area is his mastery of Early Neutral Evaluation (ENE). He is the only attorney in the region to provide this innovative service, making him the go-to guide for clients seeking an early, unbiased assessment of their intricate family law dilemmas. This approach frequently aids in sidestepping protracted and expensive court battles by offering a clear-eyed view of the case at the outset.

With legal wisdom woven over more than 40 years, Mr. Ruben has dedicated his career to navigating the complexities of family law. He adeptly manages intricate cases involving high-net-worth divorces, financial issues, and the often turbulent waters of spousal and child support and custody disputes. Known for his proficiency in mediating highly contentious cases, he consistently secures favorable resolutions with a steadfast focus on his clients’ best interests.

Mr. Ruben’s qualifications are impressive. He is a Certified Family Law Specialist, recognized by The State Bar of California’s Board of Legal Specialization. He is an esteemed member of the Association of Certified Family Law Specialists. Beyond the walls of his practice, he actively engages with community and professional panels, serving with distinction as for more than 20 years Senior Settlement Master and Judge Pro Tem in the Unified Family Courts In San Francisco and Marin County and his pivotal role in serving for more than five years with the Judicial Council, the Administrative Arm of the California Court in leading legislative reform in our California Courts. His extensive training experience and commitment to amicable and efficient dispute resolution solidify his remarkable stature in the legal arena.

Education

Stephen has a distinguished education, attending distinguished colleges and universities, including his Bachelor of Art with honors at Bethany College, Bethany, West Virginia, earning his Law Degree at Illinois Tech—Chicago Kent College of Law, a top-tier law school, and getting his LLM at Pepperdine School of Alternative Dispute Resolution, Which Is Ranked Worldwide as Number one.

Honors

Stephen was honored by his alma mater, Bethany College, in 2021 with the Distinguished Alumni Award for his achievements in the practice of law.

Stephen was also honored by Illinois Tech- Chicago of Law in 2011 for his professional achievements in law.

Stephen has been a member of an elite group of superlawyers since 2007 when only the top 5% of attorneys in Northern California cut. Stephen has also been recognized as receiving the Top Family Law Attorney in California in 2019- 2022 and Top Ten Family Law Attorneys in San Francisco since 2017.

Professional Background

Stephen has had a distinguished career serving in government as a prosecutor in Chicago, Special Assistant Illinois attorney general, and Special Administrator for the Probate Court in Cook County, and then going to private practice specializing in family law, probate, and estate matters.

He is a member of the Illinois Bar, California, the Federal Bar, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, and the Supreme Court Bar of the United States.

Stephen is a published author addressing challenging issues in family law and has been a legal editor for LEXIS and a legal commentator for over eight years. He has been a distinguished presenter at Family Law Conferences with the State Bar of California and the Association of Family Law Conciliation Courts.

Stephen is proud to be one of the co-founders of the Rally Project at the Saint Francis Hospital, providing access to parents to visit their children in a controlled environment when there is a domestic violence order in place.

Community service

Since entering the legal profession in 1973, Stephen has been committed to giving back to the community. In Chicago,  he served on the Board of Directors and President of Hinsdale Community Service, a non-profit organization, for over 10 years. Hinsdale Community Service operates a food pantry and a home shelter for women who are victims of domestic violence.

Stephen also served on the Board of Directors of the DuPage County Bar Association and local municipal agencies that worked with the City of Chicago on environmental and planning issues for Cook County.

Stephen came to San Francisco in 1990 as it was always his dream to live in San Francisco. A native of Pittsburgh, PA, his father, Gershon Ruben, served with distinction with the Army Air Corp, and his final training session was at the Alameda Air Station. The lovely town of Alameda was his parents’ first home since they married in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, and Stephen and his two brothers visited several times. At 18, he knew the City would be his place, and it was the best decision he had ever made.

Since living and thriving in San Francisco, Stephen has served with distinction as a Board member of   San Francisco Neighborhood Legal Assistance, Bay Area Legal Assistance, Music in Schools Today, Stern Grove Festival- development and production for  14 years, Temple-Emanuel Leadership, California Conference of Lawyer Bar Association, Board member and President of the Lawyers Club of  San Francisco,  Board member and President of the Lawyers Club Inn of Court, the Pop Family Society  of the Family Club, Huckleberry Youth Organization – finance committee

Creative  Pursuits

• Accomplished Pianist, composer, singer, and director performer in musicals, comedies, and classical music.
• Accomplished actor- both in drama and comedy in professional, college  and community productions
• Writer of dramatic works and comedies for professional and community productions.
• Member of the Family
• Member of the Kol–Emanuel Choir-Temple Emanu-el San Francisco
• Member of the Pennsylvania High School Chorus
• Member of the Bethany College Choir and Glee Club
• Member of the Chicago Symphony Chorale.
• Golf at the Presidio Golf Club
• Fishing, Hiking and Canoeing
• Swimming