About Raechelle L.
Raechelle L. Velarde began her path toward law at Santa Clara University and completed her legal training at the University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law, where she earned her J.D. in 2009. Her time in law school coincided with a period of steady growth in family law practice across Northern California. The degree provided the foundation for a practice based in California courts and federal district courts that serve the state.
After law school, Velarde began practicing in California and secured admission to the State Bar of California. She is also admitted to the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of California and the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California. Those admissions allow her to take cases in both state and federal forums when circumstances require federal jurisdiction.
Velarde now serves as a senior associate at Daprile-Bell Family Law Offices. In that role she handles a range of family law matters. Her work includes contested divorce proceedings, child custody and visitation disputes, and financial issues arising from dissolution of marriage. She appears in court on behalf of clients and also works on negotiation and settlement efforts outside the courtroom. Her responsibilities at the firm combine client counseling, litigation preparation, and case management.
Colleagues describe her as methodical and thorough in preparation. She approaches each case by mapping out practical steps for clients and by explaining options in clear terms. That practical orientation helps clients understand likely timelines and procedural milestones in custody and support matters. She also manages the evidentiary and documentary tasks that family law often requires, from financial disclosures to motions and orders.
Velarde maintains memberships in the Santa Clara County Bar Association and the State Bar of California. Those professional ties keep her connected to developments in state law and local court practice. She participates in the routine professional exchanges that help family law attorneys stay current on procedural changes and judicial expectations.
Based at Daprile-Bell Family Law Offices, Velarde represents individuals in family law disputes across the Northern California region. She continues to practice in state courts and is admitted to both the federal districts that commonly hear family-related federal matters. Her current practice centers on family law, including divorce, child custody, and associated financial issues.
