I told my attorney, Joshua Bentley, that my now ex-wife had made filings for a divorce. He then asked me what Department my case was in. Mr. Bentley then told me [in person] to text him for a referral to a family law attorney. I had to contact him several times over the next week and half to get that referral. When he finally got back to me, he referred me to Ms. Amini, who I then hired. Ms. Amini told me that she could not represent me if I did not hire a therapist to prepare me for my divorce. She then referred me to Valerie Houghton. I was emailed instructions to pay Ms. Houghton only in cash and not to tell anyone. Furthermore, Ms. Houghton stated several times to me that the judge [Honorable James E. Towery] would be angry should I fire either her or Ms. Amini. I asked Ms. Amini several times about needs for secrecy and cash payments. She never gave me an answer that made any sense. After paying about $30,000 between the two of them in a span of two months, I fired both of them. The next hearing Judge Towery vacated all of my hearings without my consent. These hearings included ones pertaining to custody and visitation. Judge Towery also consistently ruled against me and violated many Rules of Court to my detriment throughout the remaining proceedings. After the end of my divorce I carefully examined Ms. Houghton's website. She listed the Honorable Towery as a former employer and as a reference. Furthermore, Ms. Houghton had offered her services to my ex-wife after I fired her. It has been almost four years since I have last had contact with my children. There is nothing in the record that would indicate that it should be so. In fact, the police report which is the basis for no contact [that I subpoenaed] has been removed from the record against my objections. I informed Judge Towery of my intent to complain. The next day the record was uploaded into digital format. Many of my pleadings [1/3 of the record] are now missing. Ms. Houghton's website has also been removed from the internet [www.valeriehoughton.com]. Despite the Honorable Towery's obvious conflict of interest, he has refused to recuse himself. In fact, he has ordered that I not have contact with any of my four children for an additional 5 years. There is a pending complaint against him regarding this matter filed with the Commission on Judicial Performance. There also also pending complaints against Ms. Amini and Ms. Houghton with the State Bar of California. I have also filed a Civil Rights case against the Honorable Towery. Here is the link: www.scribd.com/document/383591530/Judge-James-E-Towery-Complaint-Superior-Court-of-California-County-of-Santa-Clara