Bret McLaughlin

Bret McLaughlin is an attorney and clinical psychologist who uses his knowledge and experience to guide clients through the legal intricacies and emotionally challenging aspects of family law. He believes in maximizing the agency of his clients and zealously advocates for them both in and out of the courtroom. Prior to becoming an attorney, Mr. McLaughlin was the founding dean of the College of Psychology at California Northstate University, the Chief of Mental Health at the California Healthcare Facility, on the Child and Family team at Kaiser Permanente, and volunteered as a psychologist in California’s foster care system. Mr. McLaughlin obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of California at Santa Cruz, double majoring in Psychology and English Literature, with a minor in Education. He subsequently earned a Master of Arts degree from New York University in American and British Literature before attending The Wright Institute where he earned a Master of Arts and a Doctorate in Clinical Psychology. He then earned his MBA from California State University at Sacramento and a Juris Doctorate at the University of Pacific’s McGeorge School of Law. While in law school he made the Dean’s Honor List and received CALI Excellence of the Future Awards in mediation, business and practice of cannabis law, elder and health law, and negotiations and settlements. He also received the Loren S. Dahl Award for his achievements in bankruptcy and business courses. Mr. McLaughlin lives in Elk Grove with his wife, daughter, and their dog Cú. In his free time he enjoys his family, reading, theater, listening to music, and cooking.

• Attorney

• College of Psychology at California Northstate University, Founding Dean
• California Healthcare Facility, Chief of Mental Health
• Kaiser Permanente, Child and Family team

• California’s foster care system, Volunteered as a psychologist