$45
When substance abuse enters a custody dispute, the legal and emotional stakes escalate dramatically. Hon. Harry L. Powazek (Ret.) of Signature Resolution draws from decades on the family bench and his experience in drug court to examine the statutory tools available to address substance abuse—such as Family Code §3041.5 testing orders, supervised visitation protocols, and the use of trained custody evaluators.
Judge Harry Powazek is a Mediator, Arbitrator, and Private Judge with Signature Resolution. With a distinguished career spanning nearly three decades on the San Diego Superior Court bench, Hon. Harry L. Powazek (Ret.) brings extensive experience in the field of family law to Signature Resolution’s panel of neutrals.
Judge Powazek’s measure of success is best reflected in his approach to cases, where he handled multiple hearings/trials per day with a relentless commitment to providing finality for each case and the families involved. He prides himself on spending considerable time on each case, diligently pre-reading all materials and thoroughly understanding the nuances, including the expertise of all involved experts. By conveying his mastery of the subject matter and the parties’ unique circumstances, Judge Powazek establishes his credibility for the orders he makes, ensuring that justice is served in each case.
After graduating from Western State University College of Law in 1980, Judge Powazek began his legal career as appointed counsel for indigent criminal defendants with Haug, Werth & Nolan and then as a sole practitioner and Certified Family Law Specialist, demonstrating his early commitment to ensuring equal access to justice. Before taking the bench, he managed his own private family law practice for 13 years, honing his expertise on the subject matter and often handling mediation cases, where he learned the importance of patience and acknowledging the emotions of those involved to find successful resolutions. In 1995, Judge Powazek was appointed as a San Diego Superior Court commissioner in Family Court. This role allowed him to directly impact the lives of families and individuals seeking resolution to complex legal issues.
Appointed by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger in 2007, Judge Powazek presided over countless cases involving probate, divorce, child custody, property division, surrogacy issues and other family-related legal matters. His meticulous and empathetic approach to resolving these sensitive issues made him a beloved figure within the San Diego Superior Court.
Before joining the Foundation for California Community Colleges as a Rising Scholars Network Regional Coordinator in March 2025, Ashley dedicated herself to supporting justice-impacted students as the Student Support Specialist for the Transitions Scholars Program at MiraCosta College, which she co-founded in 2021. Through this role, she worked tirelessly to create equitable access to higher education for those who have been incarcerated. Ashley is an activist committed to advocating for justice-impacted individuals, a passion driven by her personal experiences. Her career has been shaped by her journey and passion for dismantling systemic barriers.
Ashley holds a Master’s degree in Sociology from Arizona State University, where she honed her passion for social justice and her desire to impact systemic change. She is deeply committed to abolishing mass incarceration and advocating for the restoration of dignity to marginalized communities. Ashley’s work aims to foster a more just and compassionate society for all, emphasizing expanding educational opportunities for justice-impacted individuals. Her journey has equipped her with unique insights and a strong drive to advocate for change at both the individual and institutional levels.
In addition to her professional roles, Ashley serves on the board of Collective Freedom, a non-profit organization that provides compassionate, holistic support to those affected by incarceration. The organization aims to help individuals reenter society by providing essential tools and resources. Ashley’s ambition is to continue expanding her impact by bringing her experience to a regional level, ensuring that justice-impacted individuals receive the support and opportunities they need to succeed. Her commitment to this work reflects her dedication to creating a more inclusive and equitable future for all.
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