Our People
Linda Papst de Leon
Firm Member
Linda Papst de Leon is a shareholder of the firm whose practice focuses primarily on family law, with an emphasis on contested custody and paternity matters, high-asset dissolution cases and family law/probate matters.
Education Background
Ms. de Leon obtained her law degree from the University of Virginia School of Law in 1990. In 1982, she graduated magna cum laude from Dartmouth College, earning a B.A. In 1978, she graduated from Munich American High School in Munich, West Germany.
Employment Background
Before joining Seltzer Caplan McMahon Vitek in 2000, Ms. de Leon was a solo practitioner for five years, concentrating in family law and general civil litigation. From 1990-995, she worked with Jennings, Engstrand and Henrikson as a bankruptcy associate, then with Mulvaney Kahan & Barry in the area of banking and creditors’ rights.
Prior to entry into University of Virginia School of Law, Ms. de Leon worked for Northrop Corporation, Defense Security Systems, in Annapolis, Maryland from 1985-1987, where she translated Russian and German engineering materials. From 1982-1985, she worked with National Security Agency in Fort Meade, Maryland, transcribing Russian voice material for analysis of its national security significance. Ms. de Leon held a Top Secret, Special Access security clearance from 1982-1987.
Professional Affiliations & Admissions
- State of California Bar
- District of Columbia Bar (Inactive)
- San Diego County Bar Association (Co-Chair 2006-2007, Family Law Section)
- Certified Specialist-Family Law, State Bar of California, Board of Legal Specialization
- Association of Certified Family Legal Specialists
- San Diego County Certified Family Law Specialists, Executive Committee (2007)
- National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution, National No. 859720 (Member)
Community Affiliations
- Foster care volunteer, North County Humane Society (1996-2006)
- Kids’ Turn Event Committee (2006)
- Kids’ Turn Board of Directors (2007-2009)
Publications & Speaking Engagements
- Profile, San Diego Lawyer, November/December 2002
- Featured guest speaker, North County Humane Society, “Donor Appreciation Brunch” (2004)
- Featured guest speaker, North County Humane Society, “Humane Holiday Event” (2004)
- Featured guest speaker at CFLS’ Spring Seminar, “Nov-DV Restraining Orders” (2005)
- Guest speaker at San Diego County Bar Association “Practical Pointers on Prenuptial Agreements” (2005)
