Sophia (Hong) Yao

Sophia (Hong)
Yao

Associate Attorney

Call: 650-331-3888

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Personal Experience

Sophia (Hong) Yao is an Associate Attorney at the Law Offices of Rod Firoozye, where she focuses on family law matters with a particular interest in international and complex litigation cases.

Prior to joining the firm, Sophia served as a judicial clerk in the Family Division of the San Mateo County Superior Court. In that role, she prepared legal memoranda and drafted judgments, supported Status Conferences and Mandatory Settlement Conferences (MSCs), worked in the Domestic Violence Clinic, and contributed to revisions of the court’s Local Rules.

Sophia also completed a 533-hour externship with the Family Team at the Santa Clara County Office of Bay Area Legal Aid, where she assisted clients with a broad range of family law issues including divorce, child custody, spousal support, domestic violence restraining orders (DVROs/TROs), and immigration-related matters. She further gained federal court experience through an externship with the Honorable Judge Kesha L. Tanabe at the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Minnesota.

Sophia holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Shandong University of Finance and Economics in Jinan, China, and a Master’s degree in International Law from Shenzhen University. While in China, she also worked as a law clerk at a financial company in Shenzhen. After relocating to the United States, she earned her Master of Laws (LL.M.) from the University of California, Davis, followed by her Juris Doctor (J.D.) from the University of Minnesota Law School.

Sophia’s diverse academic and professional background equips her with a unique, culturally sensitive approach to family law, particularly in matters involving cross-border or international elements. She is fluent in Mandarin Chinese and brings empathy and dedication to every case she handles.

Sophia is licensed to practice in all State Courts in California.

In her free time, Sophia enjoys practicing yoga, hiking, and exploring new destinations through travel.