Sarah A. Cavassa, Esq.



Sarah practices family law and civil litigation. A Certified Specialist in Family Law, certified by the State Bar of California Board of Legal Specialization, Sarah represents clients in a wide array of family law issues, including divorce, custody, and support. An experienced trial attorney, Sarah handles many cases involving business valuation, complex separate property tracing, and high value asset division. Sarah prepares and reviews premarital and postmarital agreements.

Sarah is a graduate of the University of Washington and Monterey College of Law, and has been practicing since 2008. She is a professor at Monterey College of Law, teaching Community Property and the Heisler Moot Court program.

Sarah has served on the Board of Trustees of the Monterey County Bar Association, the Monterey County Women Lawyers' Association, and the Monterey College of Law.

When not working, Sarah enjoys her family, running, and the outdoors.

Justin M. O'Connell, Esq.



Justin practices family law, civil, and probate litigation.

Justin is a Certified Family Law Specialist by The State Bar of California Board of Legal Specialization, and he represents clients in a wide array of complex family law issues, inlcuding divorce, custody, and support. He also works with clients to draft and review premarital and postmarital agreements.

Justin represents clients in complex civil and probate litigation, including breach of contract claims, real property disputes, will contests, and trust litigation.

Justin is a graduate of James Madison University and of Monterey College of Law, and has been a lawyer since 2004. He has been a professor of Property Law at Monterey College of Law since 2007.

Justin is a past Commissioner on the State Bar of California Family Law Advisory Commission, and a current member of the California Lawyers Association Family Law Executive Committee. Justin has been on the Monterey Superior Court Alternative Dispute Resolution Executive Committee since 2013.


Claire Borges, Esq.



Claire practices family law, criminal law, and civil litigation. Claire has been practicing law since 2009 and is a professor at Monterey College of Law where she teaches three courses.

Claire is a graduate of Monterey College of Law and Cal Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo. Claire began her legal career with the Monterey County District Attorney's office where she gained significant trial experience. Claire began practicing family law when she became an attorney for the Department of Child Support Services. Claire joined Cavassa O'Connell in 2017 where she practices all aspects of family law including divorce, custody, support, and domestic violence restraining orders.

In her free time Claire enjoys volunteering, serving on the Board of Dorothy's Place, and hiking with her dog.