Our Philosophy
At Primus Family Law Group, we strive to achieve what is right and reasonable for our clients. That means zealously advocating and representing what is right for our clients while taking a reasonable approach to how Family Law is practiced in San Diego.
Meet Our Staff
Bonnie A. Rabinovitch-Mantel, CFLS
Bonnie is a multifaceted dynamo with many talents that make her truly an asset to her clients. She is a passionate and aggressive attorney who has handled many complex matters for her clients.
Bonnie was born and raised in Montreal, Canada, where she graduated from McGill University Law School with Honors, Distinction, and two law degrees. Bonnie was published twice in a prominent Canadian Law Journal. Aside from her numerous distinctions, Bonnie has two business degrees, in Marketing and Entrepreneurship, which she also received from McGill University in Montreal. Bonnie’s passion has always been the law and has 11 years of experience as an attorney in Family Law and 18 years in the Family Law Field. Bonnie is fluent in two languages, but, can speak four. Her depth of experience and educational background makes her uniquely qualified for her work in Family Law and able to handle the most complex of cases.
Bonnie brings a humorous approach to even the toughest situations, and, her clients love her dedication and personal attention. When Bonnie is not at work, she enjoys hiking, working out, and spending time with her family. Bonnie has been married for 16 years and she has three wonderful children who are her pride and joy and the main reasons she brings such passion to her career.
Kim Marie Staron, Esq.
Kim Marie Staron graduated from California Western School of Law and received her undergraduate degree from Nova University in Florida, graduating with Honors. Currently a member of the San Diego County Bar Association and the Foothills Bar Association, Ms. Staron began practicing in the California and Federal Courts in 1993.
Additionally, Kim served as an appointed attorney for the Superior Court of California, Family Support Division. She also served as court-appointed counsel through the Lawyer Referral and Information Service for service members pursuant to the Service Members Civil Relief Act.
Kim served as president of the Foothills Bar Association, an East County association of attorneys and as president of Stoney’s Kids, a charitable organization dedicated to improving the lives of children in East County. She was a participant in the Volunteer Lawyers Program and received the Manuel E. Wiley award for pro bono services for 12 consecutive years.
Kim is a past member of the Consumer Attorneys of San Diego, Lawyers Club of San Diego and the Young Lawyers Association of the San Diego County Bar Association.
Tiffany K. Brown, Esq.
Tiffany brings compassion and understanding to the toughest situations; and, has the unique ability to understand a child’s perspective on divorce, as she herself is a child of divorce and has a blended family. Confident, passionate, and aggressive, Tiffany will always look for the best possible outcome for each family, whether through settlement or trial.
Tiffany was born in San Francisco, CA and grew up in Seattle, WA. Tiffany attended Manhattan College in Riverdale, NY where she played volleyball and graduated Summa Cum Laude and Phi Beta Kappa with a Bachelor of Art in English and Government. Tiffany moved to San Diego in 2003 where she attended The University of San Diego, School of Law and a was a member of the International Law Journal. Tiffany’s dream since a young age was to be a lawyer, and she has 10 years of experience in Family & Criminal Law in San Diego.
Tiffany is also the recipient of the venerable 10 Best Female Attorneys award, issued by the American Institute of Family Law Attorneys. You read the full letter of endorsement, here.
She is an active member of the Run Women Run Legal Group; and, in college, was in the Kappa Alpha Theta sorority with a philanthropic focus toward CASA. When Tiffany is not at work, she enjoys playing volleyball, reading historical fiction, and spending time on the beach. Tiffany has an extensive family, including her brother, and five (5) step-siblings, along with her nephew and five (5) step-nieces and nephews. She brings a comprehensive understanding of the various pitfalls many divorcing families face, and, practical ways in coming to a resolution.
Introducing Tiffany Brown, Esq. – Part 1
I was born in Walnut Creek, California and lived there until 4th grade. Growing up in the 80’s in San Francisco, I am of course a huge Forty Niners fan, and watching the games has always been a family tradition, and continues to be so, with the birth of my nephew a year and a half ago. When I was in fourth grade, my family moved to Seattle, where my parents were both originally from. I graduated from Eastlake High School, which is east of Seattle. In High School I spent most of my weekends playing volleyball, and competed with my club volleyball team, all over the Pacific Northwest and in Las Vegas, and Sacramento.
All of my hard worked paid off when I was offered a volleyball scholarship by Manhattan College in New York City. I attended Manhattan College for undergraduate school, where I obtained my BA in English and Government. I loved going to school in New York, and fell in love with the city while I was there. I spent my last day in New York City walking around Central Park and trying to soak in every moment. Most of my friends from college were New York natives, as such, I learned to love the Yankees, especially as my College was in the Bronx. Some of my fondest memories are sitting in the bleacher seats at the old Yankee Stadium in the Bronx.
I made the decision to move to San Diego, after graduating from College, as I was accepted to the University of San Diego, School of Law. Furthermore, my younger brother, whom I have always been very close to, was already a Freshman at San Diego State University and I was looking forward to being close to family again. While in law school, I was lucky enough to be able to study abroad in London, and visit Paris and Dublin while I was there. It is a goal of mine to return to spend more time in Europe.
I did not intend to stay in San Diego when I moved here in 2003, but it has now been 14 years and I consider myself a native. While I have lived in most of the neighborhoods in San Diego, I am a beach girl; four years ago I found a little cottage by the beach where I spend my nights and weekends with my chihuahua Hugh Hefner.
Introducing Tiffany Brown, Esq. – Part 2
I have wanted to be a lawyer since I was a little girl. There really is not a time in my life, where I cannot remember wanting to go into the practice of law. My main desire for wanting to be an attorney was to help people, so working in Family Law was a natural transition. Though it is a difficult and often heartbreaking time for people in their lives, I feel that I provide the support, guidance and legal advice which helps them through this difficult time and allows them begin a new life after the conclusion of their family law matter. I like to say that family law clients are basically good people, going through one of the worst times in their life, and we are here to help them.
I believe in zealous advocacy, because every client should be represented to the fullest limit of the law. As I work heavily in child custody, I believe that it is not just the clients who deserve zealous advocacy, but their children. This, I achieve, by fervently working with the law to protect a child’s short term circumstances and long term considerations into future.
I think what separates me from many attorneys in Family Law is my genuine desire to truly help people. I am not just here “to be their lawyer.” My daily aim is to help my clients constructively move forward with their lives, and, better those of their children in a positive direction. I believe, at times, I can be too invested in cases; but, it is this passion for helping and often telling my clients what can be a hard truth to help them grow, that separates me from other attorneys.
Sean Torley, Senior Paralegal
Sean M. Torley is the senior paralegal for Primus Family Law Group. Mr. Torley has been a Paralegal for 17 years and has known and supported Attorney Bonnie A. Rabinovitch-Mantel for just as long. Mr. Torley performs a variety of litigation and attorney support functions for Primus Family Law Group, LLP, including legal research, drafting and coordinating discovery and substantive pleadings, client communications and supervising daily firm operations.
Mr. Torley attended paralegal school in 1995 and continuously strives for perfection through diligence, diverse experience and attaining client satisfaction.
I remarried in late 2000, and we became a blended family; two of her sons, and two of mine. We have since had two amazing kids of our own, and a total of four grandchildren, whom we adore.
2000 was a big year. Not two weeks after I married my second wife, I was hired by a solo practitioner with a boutique practice by the beach. During the early part of my tenure, Attorney Bonnie Rabinovitch-Mantel and I were paralegals together, before she went on to pass the California Bar Exam and begin her career as a lawyer. I spent the next 15 years of my professional career learning all I could about civil procedure, contracts, personal injury and big-picture litigation from an outstanding teacher and mentor in Bonnie.
At the end of 2015, an opportunity came up for me to join Bonnie, something we had talked about for a decade. I decided it was time for a change, and joined her with Families 1st Law & Mediation, APC. In May of 2016 we merged with Attorney Kim Staron (now retired) and formed Primus Family Law Group, LLP. Our focus is on zealous advocacy for our clients, through finding a right and reasonable approach to resolving family disputes. As Ms. Mantel once said, “It isn’t always easy, but it doesn’t have to be bitter.” I look forward to supporting this mission, indefinitely.
In my free time, I enjoy spending time with my family, cooking, being a mentor for my younger son, and being a Band Dad in support of my daughter’s varsity high school marching band.
Mission and Values
It may not be easy, but it doesn't have to be bitter. At Primus Family Law Group, it is our unwavering mission to advocate the most right and reasonable outcome for the benefit of our clients and their families.