Gretchen M. Wallacker

AboutGretchen M. Wallacker is a Certified Family Law Specialist and has practiced family law exclusively for three decades. In that time, she has helped countless families transition out of their marriages, settling a full spectrum of complex family law matters that involve child custody, visitation, child support, spousal support, and property division, including division of high net worth estates.Drawing on her geographical focus in San Francisco, the Peninsula, and Silicon Valley, Gretchen understands the Bay Area's unique economic climate and the range of related sophisticated financial issues.  And when it comes to child-related disputes, she understands the highly sensitive nature of these matters and does her best to help parents reach agreements that prioritize their family.Gretchen focuses her practice on Alternative Dispute Resolution processes that include mediation, settlement judging, consulting, coaching, and Collaborative Divorce.  Whether as a mediator, settlement judge, consulting attorney, or Collaborative Counsel, Gretchen strives to minimize the emotional and financial cost to her clients and their families.  She believes that resolving matters outside of court allows parties to retain more control of the divorce or separation process and reach a resolution that is specifically tailored to their lives and situation.And if a client is embarking on cohabitation or marriage, Gretchen skillfully prepares and reviews premarital, post-marital, and cohabitation agreements.  She offers a variety of process options to create these agreements, including more traditional negotiations between counsel, collaborative 4-way meetings with counsel and clients, and mediation with consulting attorneys.RecognitionGretchen has been named a Northern California Super Lawyer from 2005-present, has received an AV Preeminent Rating by Martindale-Hubbell from 2009-present, and has also been selected by her peers for inclusion in Best Lawyers from 2011-present, in which she has been awarded Lawyer of the Year for 2020 and 2024.Leadership Positions / Professional ParticipationPast President, American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, Northern California, 2022Mentor, Diversity Equity and Inclusion Mentor Group, American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, Northern California, 2021-presentPresident, American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, Northern California, 2021Co-Chair, Bi-annual Trial Practicum, American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, Northern California, 2018, 2012President-elect/Secretary/Legal Counsel, American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, Northern California, 2017-2020Co-Chair, Mentoring Committee, American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, Northern California, 2015-2020Member, Mediation Referral Panel, San Mateo County Superior Court, 2012-presentChair, Collaborative Practice San Mateo County, 2003Chair, San Mateo County Bar Association, Family Law Section, 2002Co-chair, San Mateo County Bar Association, Family Law Section, 2001Speaking CreditsPresenter, “Co-Mediation with a Neutral Financial,” San Mateo County Bar Association, Family Law Section, 2022Presenter, “Child Custody Evaluation Legal Update,” Santa Clara Psychological Association, Custody Evaluator and Domestic Violence Training, 2019Moderator, “Tips for Mediators and Consulting Attorneys,” American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, Northern California Symposium, 2018Presenter, “Spousal Support Update,” Collaborative Practice California, 11thAnnual Statewide Conference, 2016Presenter, “Divorce Options,” Collaborative Practice San Mateo County, RecurringPresenter, “Second Saturday Divorce Workshops,” Second Saturday, RecurringProfessional AffiliationsAmerican Academy of Matrimonial LawyersAssociation of Certified Family Law SpecialistsAssociation of Family and Conciliation CourtsCollaborative Practice San Mateo CountyInternational Academy of Collaborative ProfessionalsInternational Commission on Couple and Family RelationsSan Francisco County Bar AssociationSan Mateo County Bar Association