Attorney Profiles

Carolyn A. Makupson

Carolyn A. Makupson, founding partner of the firm, received her Bachelor of Arts Degree in History from Loma Linda University in 1970, and her Juris Doctor degree from the University of La Verne in 1986. Prior to practicing as an attorney, Carolyn was an elementary school teacher for 13 years and a vice principal for two years.

Carolyn has served extensively as a Judge Pro Tem in Los Angeles County since 1996. She has also been appointed by the court as minors' counsel to represent the interests of children in contested custody matters.

Carolyn is a former member of the Board of Directors for the Harriett Buhai Center for Family Law through which she has also done substantial pro bono work for 10 years. From 1995 to 2003, Carolyn served on the Executive Committee for the Los Angeles County Bar Family Law Section.  

In addition to her years of experience litigating family law cases, Carolyn has also worked to develop an established mediation practice. She has received mediation training through the Woody Mosten Program and was a member of the Pasadena Collaborative Divorce Group.  Carolyn has also devoted her practice to helping soon-to-be married parties in preparing and reviewing premarital agreements.

She was a member of California Women Lawyers, Black Women Lawyers, Los Angeles County Bar Association, Beverly Hills Bar Association, and The Pasadena Bar Association.

Carolyn resides in Pasadena with her husband. They enjoy traveling and spending time with their grandchildren.

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Kristen M. Howard

Kristen M. Howard, partner at the firm, received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from San Diego State University in 1996 and her Juris Doctor degree from American College of Law in 2000. Before becoming partner, Kristen worked as a law clerk for Carolyn A. Makupson and completed an internship with the Los Angeles District Attorney's office.

Kristen has represented several clients in highly contested child custody matters.  She enjoys advocating for her clients and works diligently for conflict resolution.  Kristen has litigated custody and dissolution matters for over 20 years.  Kristen served as a volunteer for the Los Angeles County Bar Pro Bono Domestic Violence Project and as a volunteer for the Harriett Buhai Center for Family Law Pro Bono Attorney Panel. She also served as a committee member for the Harriett Buhai Center for Family Law Annual Gospel Brunch fundraiser. Kristen is a member of the Los Angeles County Bar Association and Pasadena Bar Association. She also serves on the Board of Directors for the Pasadena Bar Association and is on the Advisory Boards for Shero's Rise and the Pasadena Fire Fighters Association. Kristen has been extended the prestigious offer to become part of the International Society of Female Professionals.

Kristen resides in Pasadena with her husband, their twins, and their Doberman, Bruno.

• Kristen Howard, Esq. Los Angeles’ Top Attorneys

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Lesly J. Silva

Lesly J. Silva, associate attorney of the firm, received her Bachelors of Arts Degrees in Sociology and Political Science from the University of California, Santa Barbara, in 2019, and her Juris Doctor Degree from LMU Loyola Law School, Los Angeles, in May of 2023. Lesly was admitted into the State Bar of California and has been eligible to practice law since November 2023. Prior to being admitted to practice law, she was a law clerk for Kristen M. Howard and Carolyn A. Makupson. 
  
Lesly has served as a law student intern at the LevittQuinn Family Law Center, where she assisted with restraining orders and clinics for pro se clients who required family law legal services. She has also served as Co-President of the Child and Family Law Society at her law school. She also has extensive courtroom experience in the Pasadena court system, as she served as law clerk for the Honorable Judge Harvey A. Silberman at the Pasadena Courthouse in Los Angeles County. She has also worked in private family law firms all around Los Angeles and participated as a student mediator in Loyola’s Center for Conflict Resolution Collaborative Family Law Clinic. 
  
Lesly is a fluent Spanish speaker and resides in Pasadena with her boyfriend and enjoys exploring the local restaurant scene.