Restraining orders, civil lawsuits against abusers, and family law built around your protection. Free, confidential consultation — through whatever channel is safe for you.
Sources: CDC National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey (NISVS) · National Domestic Violence Hotline · California Family Code · California Code of Civil Procedure · California Judicial Council Form DV-130.
Civil domestic violence law is a system of shields: orders that bind, lawsuits that compensate, and family court protections that follow your children. Each one starts with one confidential call.
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Learn More →Courts rule on evidence. The declaration that wins a restraining order is built from photographs, messages, and a written log — created in the days after each incident, not the week before the hearing.
We prepare the record with you, and we design the communication plan around your safety — because an order is only as strong as the record behind it.
Thomas Gennaro was a two-time National Collegiate Boxing Champion and four-time All-American before he ever stepped into a courtroom. He knows what real strength is for — and it is not for hurting the people in your home.
Trained on the Thomas Jefferson School of Law National Trial Team, admitted to the California Bar in 2016, a Super Lawyers Rising Stars honoree from 2021 through 2026 — he has spent his career in San Diego courtrooms.
One attorney, direct access. When you call, you deal with him — not a case manager, not an intake screen. And every communication is designed around your safety first.
Full Profile →Thomas Gennaro is a San Diego attorney, California State Bar #312339 — admitted in 2016 with a zero discipline record and a Super Lawyers Rising Stars honoree from 2021 through 2026. He is a two-time National Collegiate Boxing Champion and trained on the Thomas Jefferson School of Law National Trial Team.
A San Diego domestic violence attorney handles the civil side of abuse: domestic violence restraining orders, civil lawsuits against abusers for damages, family law with domestic violence — custody under Family Code 3044 — plus civil harassment and elder abuse protective orders, and safety planning. Every case starts with a free, confidential consultation.
Both. The criminal case — prosecuted by the district attorney — punishes the abuser. The civil case compensates the survivor: restraining orders, custody protections, and damages lawsuits, decided on a preponderance of the evidence and independent of any criminal case.
An emergency protective order, requested by law enforcement at the scene, protects you for five court days or seven calendar days. The same day you file a petition, a judge can issue a temporary restraining order without the abuser present — protection until the hearing, usually within 21 days.
Client matters are confidential — so we point you to the verified third-party profiles where real clients leave real reviews.
Free, confidential consultation. If it is not safe for us to call you, say so — we will use the method you choose.
The call is free and confidential. If we cannot help, we will tell you plainly — and point you to people who can.
In immediate danger? Call 911.
National DV Hotline: 1-800-799-7233
Gennaro DV Law
401 W A St, Suite 1150, San Diego, CA 92101
Email: [email protected]
