In Memoriam of
James Parke
A Life In The Law
James “Jim” Parke devoted more than 45 years to the practice of family law in California, building a reputation as one of the most respected and trusted attorneys in Southern California. A native of Los Angeles, Jim earned his Bachelor of Arts from California State University, Fullerton in 1975, and his Juris Doctor from Pepperdine University School of Law in 1978 — the same year he was admitted to the California State Bar.
From the very beginning of his career, Jim understood that family law was not simply about legal procedure — it was about people navigating some of the most difficult moments of their lives. That understanding shaped everything he did.
“Having been a dad, having gone through a divorce with a custody issue too, I really understand how important that is.”
Colleague, Mentor, Partner
Jim was a founding force in what became Holstrom, Block & Parke — a firm whose very name carries his legacy. Over the decades, he served not only as an exceptional advocate for his clients but as a mentor to countless attorneys who passed through these offices. Colleagues knew him as someone who led by example: tireless in preparation, empathetic in counsel, and formidable in the courtroom.
Beyond his casework, Jim gave generously of his expertise to the profession at large. He served as an adjunct professor of Family Law at Trinity Law School, spoke on family law topics throughout Southern California, contributed regularly to divorce recovery workshops, presented at the Public Law Center of Orange County, and authored numerous articles on family law. He co-deaned the 2013 American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers (AAML) Institute of Trial Advocacy — one of the most prestigious platforms in the field.
Honors & Recognition
Jim’s professional excellence was recognized by virtually every major body in his field. Among his many distinctions:
- Certified Family Law Specialist, State Bar of California Board of Legal Specialization
- Fellow, American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers (AAML)
- Super Lawyers selection, consecutively from 2004 through the present
- Top 50 Attorneys in Orange County (American Registry), including 2023
- Best Lawyers in America, for more than 10 consecutive years (2014–2025)
- AV Preeminent® Peer Review Rating, Martindale — perfect 5.0 from peers
- Member, Celtic Bar Association
- Society of Fellows (Founding Member), Orange County Bar Foundation
- Member, Orange County Jewish Bar Association
- Co-Dean, 2013 AAML Institute of Trial Advocacy
The Man Behind the Counsel
Those who knew Jim outside the office describe a man of warmth, humor, and deep personal integrity — qualities that made him as valued as a friend as he was as an attorney. He approached life the way he approached the law: with patience, genuine curiosity, and an unwavering commitment to the people he cared about. Born on May 10, 1952 in Los Angeles, Jim built a life as full and purposeful as his career. He was a devoted husband to his wife Mary, a proud father, and a grandfather who found great joy in his grandchildren. Those who worked alongside him knew that his family was his foundation — the source of the empathy and genuine care he brought to every client who sat across from him.
Jim passed away on May 23, 2026 in Placentia, California. He was 74 years old.
He will be deeply missed — not only as one of the finest family law attorneys in Southern California, but as a husband, a father, a grandfather, and a friend.
His Legacy
Jim Parke’s legacy lives on in every attorney he mentored, every client whose family he helped steady through an uncertain storm, and in the firm whose name he helped make synonymous with integrity and excellence. He approached every case — and every life he touched — with the conviction that people deserve to be guided with both skill and compassion.
We are grateful for every year he gave to this firm, to this profession, and to the clients who trusted him at their most vulnerable. He was, in the truest sense, one of a kind.
Remembered with deep gratitude and lasting admiration by his partners, colleagues, and the many lives he shaped.