The Practice and Team
Our Approach and Mission
At Seige Law, our core mission is the precise application of legal expertise to the personal lives of our clients. We specialize in bringing the law to your corner, translating complex statutes and precedents into clear, actionable guidance that directly addresses your unique circumstances.
Our practice is deliberately focused on these foundational areas of law that most frequently intersect with the modern family unit, e.g.,:
(1) Tax and Estate (Wills and Trusts) Law, which includes but is not limited to probate, conservatorpships and guardianships;
(2) Business Law, which includes but is not limited to entity formation, governance, contract drafting/negotiation, debt settlement and civil litigation,
(3) Real Estate Law, which includes but is not limited to evictions
(4) Family Law, which includes but is not limited to divorce, custody, support, paternity and adoption.
By concentrating on these common yet critical issues, we ensure that our representations contemplate more than just the matter at hand but also considers the holisitic impact on your family's future.
We are dedicated to forging a comprehensive understanding of your individual needs and the specific legal outcome you seek. This commitment requires proactive engagement and a collaborative approach to developing a sound, effective legal strategy from the outset — a partnership rooted in mutual trust and respect.
Recognizing that the legal process can be inherently challenging, we work alongside you at every stage, ensuring you are fully briefed on all available legal options and their potential ramifications. Our goal is for you to feel confident in making the legal decisions that align with your long-term goals.
Client confidence is a cornerstone of our practice. By providing timely updates, clear advice and meaningful agency at every stage, we ensure you are an active, knowledgeable participant in your representation. Seige Law is your dedicated partner, committed to to navigating you successfully through these vital legal matters and securing your family's future.
H. Frederick Seigenfeld - Principal and Managing Attorney
Mr. Seigenfeld handles matters primarily in Santa Barbara, Ventura, Los Angeles and San Diego County involving Family, Estates and Civil Law from our offices located in Santa Barbara, Oxnard, Westlake Village and San Diego (Carlsbad).
Educaton and Professional Licensure
Born on the East Coast, Mr. Seigenfeld moved to California when he was nine. He studied at UC Davis where he double majored in Political Science, and Communications, graduating in three years. After entering the workforce, he couldn't ignore his interest in law eventually starting a night program at the Ventura College of Law. He was subsequently admitted to the California State Bar and has been in practice ever since.
Continued Professional Development
He currently attends a part-time LL.M. (post-doc) program through the Golden Gate University in Taxation and Estate Planning slated to have his degree to be conferred December '25, C.P.A. licensure to follow February '26 and Certified Legal Specialization in (1) Taxation, (2) Estates and (3) Family Law pending next available examination October '27.
Professional Accomplishments
These include, but are not limited to the following: (1) successful settlement of almost one thousand cases; (2) co-founder KFT Legal Aid Clinic; (3) board member of the Ventura County Bar Association 2020-present; (4) president of the Ventura County Barristers 2020; (5) treasurer of the Ventura County Barristers 2018 & 2019; (6) board member of the Ventura County Barristers 2017-2023; (7) Selected 2023-2025 as a Rising Star by Super Lawyers representing the top 2.5% of attorneys under 40.
Personal Life
"After graduating from law school, I went backpacking through Europe. It was there, in Rome, that I met my wife. We now live happily in Southern California. In my spare time I enjoy tennis, hiking, snowboarding, kayaking, and playing musical instruments including the bass guitar and drums."
Rachel Coleman - Senior Litigation Attorney
Joining the firm in 2000, Ms. Coleman graduated with honors from Ventura College where she obtained her Associate Degree and then received her Juris Doctorate from the Ventura College of Law. She is licensed by the State Bar of California and has made appearances in Court on behalf of hundreds of clients over the years.
For the last fifteenyears, Ms. Coleman has practiced in the following areas of law: criminal defense, civil litigation, and family law. She was a part-time instructor at University of California Santa Barbara Extension Paralegal Program from 2010-2016.
Ms. Coleman sat on the Ventura County Barristers Board from to 2009-2016. Since 2010, Ms. Coleman has sat on the editorial board of the Ventura County Bar Association magazine, Citations. As a member of the editorial board of Citations, she published several judicial profiles as well as other articles related to local legal issues.
Ms. Coleman also sits on the board of the Ventura County Bar Association and has been a board member since 2013. She has also been a volunteer arbitrator for the Ventura County Bar Association Mandatory Fee Arbitration program from 2013-2019 arbitrating fee disputes between clients and attorneys.
Santa Barbara Staff
H. Frederick Seigenfeld, Esq.
Principal and Managing Attorney
LLM Taxation & Estate Planning Candidate
Area(s) of Practice: representation is generally limited to Santa Barbara, Ventura, Los Angeles and San Diego Superior Courts in Family, Estate and Civil Law.
Joseph P. Gleason, Esq.
Associate Attorney
Area(s) of Practice: representation is generally limited to Santa Barbara and Ventura Superior Courts in Family and Civil Law. Counsel assists in other Venues remotely.
Julika C. Job
Interim Assistant Administrator and Case Manager
(Ext. 102)
Emma Spini
Legal Assistant
Family and Civil
(Ext. 108)
Oxnard Staff
Westlake and San Diego Staff
H. Frederick Seigenfeld, Esq.
Principal and Managing Attorney
C.P.A. (c), LL.M. (c) Taxation and Estates
Area(s) of Practice: representation is generally limited to Santa Barbara, Ventura, Los Angeles and San Diego Superior Counties in Family, Estate, Taxation and Civil Law.
Rachel Coleman, Esq.
Senior Litigation Attorney
Arears of Practice: representation is generally limited to Family and Civil Litigation in Santa Barbara and Ventura Superior Courts.
Mary Lane Seigenfeld
Director of Community Relations
(Ext. 106)
Nadia Gray, J.D.
Paralegal Supervisor
Family and Civil Litigation
(Ext. 110)
Farida Lemus
Case Manager and Senior Legal Assistant
Family and Civil
(Ext. 111)
Yesenia Aguayo
Certified Paralegal I
Estate Planning, Trust Administraion and Estate Law
(Ext. 112)
Westlake and San Diego Staff
Westlake and San Diego Staff
H. Frederick Seigenfeld, Esq.
Principal and Managing Attorney
LLM Taxation & Estate Planning Candidate
Area(s) of Practice: representation is generally limited to Santa Barbara, Ventura, Los Angeles and San Diego Superior Courts in Family, Estate and Civil Law.
Susan J. Rosen, Esq.
Senior Family Law Attorney
Area(s) of Practice: representation is generally limited to the San Diego Superior Court in Family Law. Counsel assists in other Venues remotely.
Thomas DiFrancesco
Director of Technology Solutions
Ivan Hernandez, J.D.
Paralegal II
Estate Planning and Family Law
(Ext. 105)