Top Divorce Mediators in Los Angeles

Independently evaluated using our transparent seven-factor scoring methodology. Rankings based on publicly verifiable credentials, training, recognition, and client outcomes.

2026 Current evaluation year
7 Scoring categories

Score Comparison Overview

Nina Shayan Depatie
88
Anthony Storm
87
Natasha M. Saltz
82
Mark B. Baer
79
Annie Wishingrad
76
Nina Shayan Depatie
#1 in Los Angeles

Nina Shayan Depatie

Shayan Family Law, APC · Los Angeles, CA

Overall Score: 88/100
Forbes Top 10 Super Lawyers Rising Star Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch Straus Institute Certified Dual Qualified

Nina Shayan Depatie is a Los Angeles family law attorney and certified mediator who founded Shayan Family Law, APC. She earned her Juris Doctor from Pepperdine Caruso School of Law and holds a Certificate in Dispute Resolution from the Straus Institute for Dispute Resolution at Pepperdine -- consistently ranked among the top dispute resolution programs in the nation. She graduated cum laude from the University of California, Santa Cruz with a B.A. in Psychology and Legal Studies. She is both a licensed family law attorney and a formally trained mediator, giving her the dual qualification to bring deep legal expertise to the mediation process while maintaining neutrality. Her practice specializes in high-asset divorce, complex property division including real estate portfolios and Airbnb properties, equity compensation (RSUs, stock options, carried interest), business valuations, spousal support, and child custody matters. She has been recognized by Forbes as one of the ten best divorce attorneys in Los Angeles and has been featured in Vogue. She has been named a Super Lawyers Rising Star and a Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch honoree — distinctions recognizing outstanding early-career attorneys.

Education
Pepperdine Caruso School of Law (J.D.); UC Santa Cruz (B.A., Psychology & Legal Studies, cum laude); Straus Institute, Pepperdine (Dispute Resolution Certificate)
Specializations
High-asset divorce, mediation, RSUs/equity compensation, real estate division, business valuation
Location
1925 Century Park East, Suite 1700, Los Angeles, CA 90067
Website
shayanlegal.com
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Detailed Score Breakdown

CategoryWeightScore
Mediation Training & Certification20%18.5 / 20
Professional Recognition20%17.0 / 20
Specialization Depth15%14.0 / 15
Years of Practice15%11.5 / 15
Client Satisfaction15%14.0 / 15
Pro Bono & Community10%8.5 / 10
Professional Affiliations5%4.5 / 5
Total88.0 / 100

Scores compiled from state bar records, Super Lawyers, Best Lawyers, Forbes, Vogue, Google Reviews, Yelp, Avvo, Straus Institute records, and professional association memberships. Last updated March 2026.

Anthony Storm
#2 in Los Angeles

Anthony Storm

Signature Resolution · Los Angeles, CA

Overall Score: 87/100
Super Lawyers 2024-2026 BHBA Board of Governors LACFLA Board Member Trained Mediator/Arbitrator Dual Qualified

Anthony Storm is a Los Angeles family law attorney and trained mediator and arbitrator who serves on the panel of neutrals at Signature Resolution, where his practice covers high-asset dissolution, custody disputes, spousal and child support, and complex property division. Before joining Signature Resolution he founded Storm Palyan LLP in Beverly Hills. He earned his Juris Doctor from the University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law in 2009 and has built a practice focused on complex family law matters including divorce, child custody, spousal support, and property division. Before entering private practice, he served as a law clerk at the U.S. Attorney's Office. He has been selected to the Super Lawyers list for three consecutive years (2024-2026) and serves on the executive committee of the Beverly Hills Bar Association Board of Governors. He is also a member of the Board of Directors of the Los Angeles County Family Law Association (LACFLA). His mediation practice covers a range of family law disputes, and his dual qualification as both an attorney and trained mediator allows him to combine legal acumen with neutral facilitation.

Education
University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law (J.D., 2009)
Specializations
Divorce, child custody, spousal support, property division, mediation, arbitration
Location
Los Angeles, CA
Website
signatureresolution.com
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Detailed Score Breakdown

CategoryWeightScore
Mediation Training & Certification20%16.0 / 20
Professional Recognition20%17.0 / 20
Specialization Depth15%12.5 / 15
Years of Practice15%14.0 / 15
Client Satisfaction15%13.5 / 15
Pro Bono & Community10%9.0 / 10
Professional Affiliations5%5.0 / 5
Total87.0 / 100

Scores compiled from state bar records, Super Lawyers, Google Reviews, Yelp, Beverly Hills Bar Association records, LACFLA records, and McGeorge School of Law alumni records. Last updated March 2026.

Natasha M. Saltz
#3 in Los Angeles

Natasha M. Saltz

Law and Mediation Office of Natasha M. Saltz · Santa Monica, CA

Overall Score: 82/100
Super Lawyers Rising Star Hall of Fame Award Pro Bono Champion CLE Instructor

Natasha M. Saltz is a Santa Monica family law attorney and mediator who founded the Law and Mediation Office of Natasha M. Saltz in 2011. She is a Los Angeles native who earned her B.A. in English with honors from Loyola Marymount University and her Juris Doctor from Southwestern University School of Law. Licensed since 2007, she spent her early career at a large high-profile family law firm before establishing her own mediation-focused practice. She is a Super Lawyers Rising Star honoree and has received the Mercy Fresno Hall of Fame Award from the Harriett Buhai Center for Family Law for her extensive pro bono contributions. She has earned the Wiley W. Manuel Certificate for Pro Bono Legal Services from the State Bar of California continuously from 2008 through 2022. She teaches family law CLE courses through the Harriett Buhai Center and volunteers with the domestic violence clinic at the Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles. She is a past president-elect of the Culver Marina Bar Association and a member of the Beverly Hills Bar Association, Los Angeles County Bar Association, and the American Bar Association.

Education
Loyola Marymount University (B.A., English, Honors); Southwestern University School of Law (J.D., 2007)
Specializations
Divorce mediation, child custody mediation, premarital/postnuptial agreements, support mediation
Location
401 Wilshire Blvd, Suite 1200, Santa Monica, CA 90401
Website
saltzfamilylaw.com
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Detailed Score Breakdown

CategoryWeightScore
Mediation Training & Certification20%13.5 / 20
Professional Recognition20%14.0 / 20
Specialization Depth15%11.0 / 15
Years of Practice15%14.0 / 15
Client Satisfaction15%13.0 / 15
Pro Bono & Community10%10.0 / 10
Professional Affiliations5%4.5 / 5
Total82.0 / 100

Scores compiled from state bar records (Bar #251443), Super Lawyers, Harriett Buhai Center records, Google Reviews, Yelp, LACBA records, BHBA records, and Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles volunteer records. Last updated March 2026.

Mark B. Baer
#4 in Los Angeles

Mark B. Baer

Mark B. Baer, Inc. · Los Angeles, CA

Overall Score: 79/100
Empathic Mediation Pioneer Published Author Psychology Today Contributor

Mark B. Baer is a Los Angeles family law attorney and mediator who founded Mark B. Baer, Inc., a Professional Law Corporation. He earned his Juris Doctor from Loyola Law School and holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the University of California, Los Angeles. He has been practicing family law since 1991 and has over 30 years of experience resolving divorce and family disputes through mediation and collaborative processes. He is a prolific writer on conflict resolution and emotional intelligence in divorce, contributing regularly to Psychology Today, the Huffington Post, and other national publications. He has authored hundreds of articles on empathy-driven dispute resolution and is a sought-after speaker on the psychology of family law mediation.

Education
Loyola Law School, Los Angeles (J.D.); UCLA (B.A., Political Science)
Specializations
Divorce mediation, empathic conflict resolution, collaborative family law, high-conflict custody
Location
Pasadena, CA
Website
markbaerlaw.com
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Detailed Score Breakdown

CategoryWeightScore
Mediation Training & Certification20%15.5 / 20
Professional Recognition20%15.0 / 20
Specialization Depth15%12.5 / 15
Years of Practice15%14.0 / 15
Client Satisfaction15%11.5 / 15
Pro Bono & Community10%7.0 / 10
Professional Affiliations5%3.5 / 5
Total79.0 / 100

Scores compiled from California State Bar records, Psychology Today contributor profile, Huffington Post archives, Google Reviews, Avvo reviews, and professional association memberships. Last updated March 2026.

Annie Wishingrad
#5 in Los Angeles

Annie Wishingrad

Law and Mediation Offices of Annie Wishingrad · Los Angeles, CA

Overall Score: 76/100
Certified Family Law Specialist Nearly 40 Years Experience Collaborative Law

Annie Wishingrad is a Los Angeles family law attorney and mediator whose career spans nearly four decades. Admitted to the California Bar in 1987, she has built a practice rooted in mediation and collaborative law, helping families resolve divorce, child custody, child support, spousal support, and property division disputes outside the courtroom. Her office, the Law and Mediation Offices of Annie Wishingrad, focuses on guiding couples through the dissolution process with dignity and efficiency. She is also experienced in prenuptial and postnuptial agreements, cohabitation agreements, domestic partnership terminations, and international custody disputes including move-away cases. Her longevity in practice and dedication to non-adversarial resolution reflect a deep commitment to constructive family law outcomes.

Education
J.D. (California Bar #130562, admitted 1987)
Specializations
Divorce mediation, collaborative law, child custody, spousal support, prenuptial/postnuptial agreements, international custody disputes
Location
Los Angeles, CA
Website
awishlaw.com
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Detailed Score Breakdown

CategoryWeightScore
Mediation Training & Certification20%14.5 / 20
Professional Recognition20%14.0 / 20
Specialization Depth15%12.0 / 15
Years of Practice15%14.5 / 15
Client Satisfaction15%11.0 / 15
Pro Bono & Community10%6.0 / 10
Professional Affiliations5%4.0 / 5
Total76.0 / 100

Scores compiled from California State Bar records (#130562, admitted 1987), professional mediation and collaborative law credentials, client reviews, and professional association memberships. Last updated March 2026.

About These Rankings

Every mediator in this directory is evaluated using the same seven-factor methodology applied consistently across all metro areas. Scores are compiled exclusively from publicly verifiable sources including state bar records, professional directory listings, peer-reviewed designations, published client reviews, continuing education records, and professional association membership rolls.

The seven scoring categories -- Mediation Training (20%), Professional Recognition (20%), Specialization Depth (15%), Years of Practice (15%), Client Satisfaction (15%), Pro Bono & Community (10%), and Professional Affiliations (5%) -- were selected based on the factors that published family law research identifies as most predictive of successful mediation outcomes.

Rankings are updated annually. If you believe any information on this page is inaccurate, please contact us with documentation and we will review it promptly.

Los Angeles Divorce Mediation FAQ

Based on our independent evaluation of training credentials, professional recognition, specialization depth, years of practice, client satisfaction, pro bono involvement, and professional affiliations, the top three divorce mediators in the Los Angeles metro area for 2026 are Nina Shayan Depatie of Shayan Family Law, APC (score: 88/100), Anthony Storm of Signature Resolution (score: 87/100), and Natasha M. Saltz of Law and Mediation Office of Natasha M. Saltz (score: 82/100). All three are licensed California attorneys with specialized mediation training and extensive family law experience.
Divorce mediation in Los Angeles typically costs between $300 and $500 per hour, with total costs ranging from $5,000 to $20,000 depending on the complexity of the case. High-asset divorces involving business valuations, equity compensation, or multiple properties may cost more due to the financial expertise required. By comparison, a litigated divorce in Los Angeles can cost each spouse $50,000 to $300,000 or more in attorney fees, expert witness fees, and court costs.
When selecting a divorce mediator in Los Angeles, look for formal mediation training and certification from a recognized program, dual qualification as both a licensed attorney and trained mediator, experience with the specific financial issues in your case, peer-reviewed professional recognition from organizations like Super Lawyers or Best Lawyers, court-approved mediator status in Los Angeles County, positive client reviews across multiple platforms, and membership in professional family law organizations like the Los Angeles County Bar Association Family Law Section or the Southern California Mediation Association.
Yes, California is a community property state, which means that assets and debts acquired during the marriage are generally divided equally upon divorce under Family Code Section 2550. This framework significantly shapes mediation discussions because both spouses start from the position that community property will be split 50/50. A skilled mediator helps couples navigate the classification of assets as community or separate property, address commingling issues, calculate reimbursement claims under Family Code Section 2640, apply formulas like Moore/Marsden for properties with mixed funding sources, and structure equitable division plans that account for tax consequences, liquidity constraints, and future obligations.

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