The Men’s Legal Center
San Diego Family Law Attorneys
The Men’s Legal Center is a law firm comprised of San Diego family law attorneys who understand that the foundation of this type of legal practice is the people. This includes the people on our team and the people we serve. Therefore, we would like to take this opportunity to allow you to get to know the attorneys who have served countless clients in regards to their family law needs.
Craig A. Candelore
Gerald W. Hokstad
Steven Merker
Francisco Batara
Daniel Brooker
Melody Grover
Craig A. Candelore, CLS-F
Managing Attorney
Mr. Candelore is the founding attorney at the Men’s Legal Center, and he has been providing legal help to clients who have needed assistance in the area of family law for close to 30 years. Mr. Candelore earned his Bachelor’s of Science degree from West Point before earning a Master’s degree in System Management from the University of Southern California. Mr. Candelore earned his Juris Doctorate degree from the University of San Diego School of Law, where he graduated Cum Laude.
Mr. Candelore is a Certified Family Law Specialist and a professional mediator trained by National Conflict Resolution Center, San Diego.
Mr. Candelore served in the military, both active and reserves, ultimately earning the rank of Colonel from the United States Army. Mr. Candelore deployed on active duty overseas during Operation Desert Storm and Operation Iraqi Freedom. Some of his duty assignments included working as a Regional Senior Law Enforcement and Anti-Terrorist Officer, stateside during and after 9-11; and Iraqi Police Development Project Officer, in Iraq. Mr. Candelore also has served as a translator at the United Nations and enjoys writing books in his spare time.
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Gerald W. Hokstad, CLS-F
Senior Attorney
Mr. Hokstad has extensive family law and civil practice experience. He believes that his practice of law should be in pursuit of the truth for his clients in the California legal system. When possible Mr. Hokstad advocates mediation. People do have legitimate disagreements and both parties can have very valid reasons for their contentions and claims. The goal of mediation is to facilitate a meeting of the minds resulting in an agreement.
Mr. Hokstad has been married to his wife for 38 years and they have two adult sons. He likes to relax on the weekends by going fishing. He is an avid world-class fisherman. Mr. Hokstad attended Liberty University in Lynchburg, VA for his BS, Bethel Theological Seminary for his MA and he received his Juris Doctorate from Western State University.
Steven Merker
Attorney
Mr. Merker, who prefers to be called Steve, grew up in Chicago. He graduated from Southern Illinois University Law School in 1981. Steve has enjoyed the last 35 years practicing law in San Diego. Steve began his career as a solo practitioner with a general practice in civil, criminal, and family law. In 1993, he decided to limit his practice to Family Law and in 1996, he established Merker and McDonald. Before joining Men’s Legal Center in 2016, Mr. Merker also served as a Temporary Judge for the Superior Court, as a Settlement Judge since 2007. He is on the San Diego Family Law Bar Association Alternate Dispute Resolution list for Family Law mediation.
Mr. Merker has been married to his wife, a special education teacher, for almost 18 years. He has two adult children from his first marriage, 5 adult step-children, and 5 grandchildren. Steve spends his free time enjoying the sunny Southern California weather relaxing with family and friends, playing on the beach, and golfing.
Mr. Merker has personally been involved in child custody litigation. He believes in helping parties resolve their matter amicably, reminding the parties to focus on what is in the child’s best interest. If necessary, he can become an aggressive and fiery litigator. Mr. Merker also handles misdemeanor and felony criminal matters.
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Francisco Batara
Attorney
Mr. Batara is a native San Diegan. He was raised in Chula Vista and La Mesa and has a passion to help serve his local community. Mr. Batara graduated from San Diego State University with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science. He attended Thomas Jefferson School of Law, where he interned with the San Diego County Public Defender’s Office and volunteered with the Legal Aid of San Diego’s Unlawful Detainer clinic.
Mr. Batara believes that everyone should have access to the justice system and that all voices should be heard. Mr. Batara’s upbringing and background have given him the desire to help those in need of family law help. He understands firsthand the problems and the toll divorce and custody issues can have on children, for this reason, has dedicated his career to helping families find solutions.
Mr. Batara has a young daughter and is engaged to be married. He is fluent in Spanish, is an avid sports fan, loves the San Diego Padres and Chargers, and enjoys spending quality time with his family.
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Daniel Brooker
Attorney
Daniel Brooker grew up in Minnesota before attending the University of Wisconsin – Madison, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Science in both Biology and Political Science. He attended the University of San Diego School of Law, where he participated in USD’s Institute on International Law in London, England during the summer of 2006.
During his last two years at USD, Daniel volunteered in the Legal Guardianship Clinic, where he was able to help many troubled families by obtaining guardianship of children who had been abused, neglected, or abandoned.
Since graduating from law school, Mr. Brooker has worked in Family Law, Criminal Law, Civil Litigation and Patent Law. After working in such a variety of fields, Daniel has found that he really enjoys Family Law and Criminal Law – and cases involving the overlap of both – because he can make a significant difference for people who need help. Daniel has tried dozens of misdemeanor and felony criminal cases in both State and Federal Court.
At the Men’s Legal Center, beside family law, he focuses on cases that overlap between the family law domestic violence and the criminal law domestic violence. His expertise provides tremendous value.
When he’s not working, Daniel enjoys playing tennis, going on hikes with his wife and two dogs, and playing ice hockey. He also coaches a youth hockey team in La Jolla, with players ranging from 4 – 7 years old.
Daniel has been learning Spanish for the last two years, practicing online and with his wife, who is Mexican American. While he’s not yet fluent in Spanish, he practices every day and hopes to be soon.
Melody Grover
Attorney
Melody Grover grew up in the California Bay Area prior to attending California State University, Sacramento. She graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Criminal Justice. She obtained a Juris Doctorate from Lincoln Law School in Sacramento, California.
After graduation, Ms. Grover opened a law office in San Diego practicing criminal defense for close to 25 years. She joined Private Conflicts Counsel, and later the Office of Assigned Counsel. Ms. Grover tried many misdemeanor and felony cases, including three strikers and those facing life in prison without the possibility of parole. At the Men’s Legal Center, Ms. Grover’s focus is on representing clients in domestic violence and custody cases.
Domestic violence is often the dominant issue in dissolution and custody cases. Domestic violence claims occur simply to obtain an advantage in the custody of the children. Often these allegations have become a sword to use against another parent which affects their lives, employment, and the future of their children. If a domestic violence claim is true, Melody pursues those claims aggressively and has a party protected immediately.
In custody issues, Ms. Grover believes in fighting for what is in the best interest of the children. She knows that having both parents in their life will ultimately enrich the adult they grow into.
Melody’s favorite pastime is spending time with her 4 children, 3 grandchildren, and Siberian Husky as well as swimming. Her twins are seniors in high school, one a cheerleader and one a La Cross player. She enjoys attending their school events.
How San Diego Family Law Attorneys Can Help
If you are facing the prospect of ending a marriage or any other family law-related issue, you need to seek the help of the San Diego family law attorneys at the Men’s Legal Center as soon as possible. Contact the firm now to schedule an initial consultation so that you can be sure that your rights are being protected.
