Our Team
Darshann M. Wienick, JD, MSW, ACSW
Attorney and Founder
Darshann M. Wienick is a family law attorney and mental-health professional who represents parents navigating divorce, custody, and financial matters involving complex personality dynamics, including narcissism, coercive control, chronic conflict cycles, and other patterns that place children and the protective parent at risk.
As one of the few California attorneys formally trained in both law and associate clinical social work, Ms. Wienick brings a uniquely sophisticated, trauma-informed, and child-centered approach to cases involving manipulation, emotional abuse, entitlement, high-control parenting styles, and patterns consistent with personality disorders. Her practice is defined by a commitment to safeguarding children, stabilizing families, and helping clients navigate partners whose behaviors create persistent unpredictability, fear, or psychological harm.
A Dual-Trained, Trauma-Informed Attorney Experienced in Narcissistic Patterns, Manipulation, Coercive Control, and Complex Relationship Dynamics
Drawing from her combined background as a seasoned litigator and an Associate Clinical Social Worker, Ms. Wienick is exceptionally equipped to manage cases where legal issues intertwine with psychological dynamics. She provides:
Strategic guidance for clients navigating spouses or co-parents whose behavior reflects narcissistic, borderline, or antisocial personality traits
Child-centered strategy for cases involving resistance/refusal, alignment behaviors, or emotional harm
Collegial, solution-oriented negotiation designed to keep costs manageable and reduce unnecessary escalation, where appropriate, and formidable advocacy where necessary.
Advocacy for the protective parent, illuminating harmful patterns, and ensuring the court fully understands the psychological impact on the family system.
Her litigation style is defined by measured strength, meticulous case preparation, and the ability to translate subtle psychological patterns into clear, credible, and evidence-based legal advocacy. In addition to her legal training, Ms. Wienick brings a trauma-informed lens to family-law representation. She provides non-clinical trauma-informed coaching and emotional support as she helps her clients navigate the high-conflict legal processes with greater clarity, stability, and confidence.
Stability, Safety, and Strategic Planning for the Protective Parent
Having experienced the family court system personally and professionally, Ms. Wienick understands the profound emotional, financial, and relational toll of navigating a partner with entrenched personality traits. She prioritizes:
Stability for children
Clarity for overwhelmed parents
Long-range planning for family well-being
De-escalation strategies that protect the protective parent
Narratives that illuminate psychological harm without inflaming conflict
Whenever appropriate, Ms. Wienick encourages mediation with professionals trained in personality-driven family systems. When litigation is necessary, she is a formidable advocate who brings both clinical understanding and legal precision into the courtroom.
Professional Background
Ms. Wienick began her legal career in 2000 as a commercial and environmental litigator in Los Angeles; gaining early exposure to high-stakes negotiations, this experience later became invaluable in managing high-asset dissolutions.
In 2016, she shifted her practice exclusively to family law, integrating her litigation background with her own lived experience navigating family court. This dual lens allows her to anticipate challenges, recognize behavioral patterns that derail progress, and guide clients through emotionally intense disputes with steady, informed leadership.
In 2022, she earned her Master of Social Work from the University of Southern California and is currently registered as an Associate Clinical Social Worker (ACSW) with the California Board of Behavioral Science. Her ongoing education includes advanced study in:
Narcissism and personality-driven conflict
Trauma and post-separation abuse
Child development and attachment systems
High-stakes co-parenting dynamics
Behavioral risk assessment
Trauma- informed litigation strategy
Assessment of Interpersonal Violence and Coercive Control
Military Service and Education
Before entering the legal profession, Ms. Wienick served in the United States Army as a Military Intelligence Linguist (1989–1993). She was honorably discharged at the rank of Sergeant.
She earned her undergraduate degrees in Political Science and Korean Studies, magna cum laude, from the University of Washington in 1997. She graduated cum laude from the University of California College of Law, San Francisco (formerly U.C. Hastings) in 2000, and has been a licensed California attorney for twenty-five years.
Beyond the Courtroom
Outside of work, Ms. Wienick enjoys practicing French on Duolingo, cooking, traveling, and reading British and Nordic noir fiction. She lives in Orange County with her husband, children, and an impressive pack of rescue animals.
Chelsea Daniel, JD
Law Clerk
Chelsea Daniel earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from Stony Brook University in New York. She then obtained her Juris Doctor degree from Brooklyn Law School. While in law school, she was involved in the Veterans Rights Clinic, founded the Women of Color Alliance, received a scholarship from the Women’s Leadership Network, and took part in Marsha Garrison School’s Family Law and Policy Fellowship. Chelsea also gained practical experience in family law by interning for a Kings County Civil Supreme Court Matrimonial Judge, working as a Judicial Intern for the Queens Family Court, and studying Family Law, Divorce Mediation, and Interviewing and Counseling. After law school, Chelsea spent time working in child protection in New York City, gaining valuable knowledge of our legal system’s handling of matters involving child abuse and domestic violence. Chelsea now works at the Law Office of Darshann M. Wienick, continuing her passion for assisting families with legal matters.
Nicole Velazquez
Senior Paralegal
Nicole Velazquez is a seasoned family law paralegal with over five years of experience in complex and high-conflict matters involving custody, and other sensitive family dynamics. She is a graduate of UCLA in Paralegal Studies and holds an Associate’s Degree in Behavioral Science, providing a strong analytical foundation in human behavior, trauma dynamics, and high-stakes decision-making. Nicole’s path into family law began through personal experience in a child custody matter, where she gained firsthand insight into the emotional and procedural challenges families face when navigating the legal system. This experience informs her work today, bringing a rare combination of empathy and discretion. Beyond family law, Nicole has worked in Criminal Mental Health Court, where she supported trial preparation, witness investigation, and complex case coordination involving mental health considerations. This background strengthens her ability to assist in cases involving coercive control, substance abuse and other mental health concerns.
Nicole is dedicated to providing clients with a calm, organized, and detail-driven approach. Clients can expect a steady hand and clear guidance in areas such as high-conflict custody disputes, domestic violence cases, parenting plans for children with special needs, and relocation requests. Nicole’s commitment is to bring clarity and organization to every situation, regardless of its complexity.
Outside of her professional work, Nicole enjoys hiking, creating art, and cooking food inspired by her cultural heritage. She values time with her family and daughter and appreciates unwinding with thoughtfully written science-fiction.
Lynette Michelle Lindberg
Senior Paralegal
Lynette Michelle Lindberg earned her degree in Finance, an Associate of Arts in Political Science, and a Paralegal Certificate from an ABA-approved institution. She has 15 years of dedicated experience in Family Law, and brings exceptional judgment, steadiness, and operational excellence to some of the most complex and emotionally charged legal matters. Ms. Lindberg has played a pivotal role in both litigation support and law firm leadership. She notably assisted an attorney during his appointment to Commissioner; he has since gone on to serve as a Judge in the San Bernardino County Superior Court. Her work reflects a deep understanding of families’ litigation needs and the importance of precision and professionalism at every stage of a case. Her career has been filled with matters involving Child Protective Services, prenuptial agreements, guardianships, and adoptions, often supporting clients navigating profound personal and financial transitions.
Originally born in Downey and raised in the Inland Empire, Ms. Lindberg has deep roots in Southern California. Having witnessed both professionally and personally the emotional toll family law disputes can take, she approaches each matter with care, discretion, and a steady presence. Clients value her ability to explain processes clearly, anticipate issues before they escalate, and provide reassurance during moments of uncertainty.
When Ms. Lindberg is not protecting and supporting families navigating complex legal transitions, she enjoys solving puzzles and contributing to her local puzzle library. She also values spending quality time with her children and grandson.