Gretchen Wallacker

I have practiced family law for three decades. In that time, I have 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 the division of high-net-worth estates.

Drawing on my geographical focus in San Francisco, the Peninsula, and Silicon Valley, I understand our unique economic climate and the range of related sophisticated financial issues. And when it comes to your children, I understand the highly sensitive nature of any related disputes and do my best to help you reach agreements that prioritize your family.

I focus my 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, I strive to minimize the emotional and financial cost to you and your family. I believe that resolving your matter outside of court allows you both to retain more control of the divorce process and reach a resolution that is specifically tailored to your lives and situation.

And if you are embarking on cohabitation or marriage, I prepare and review premarital, post-marital, and cohabitation agreements. I offer 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.

I received my law degree from the University of Michigan in 1992, after graduating cum laude from the University of California at Davis in 1988 with a Bachelor of Arts in Economics.

Education

• J.D., University of Michigan, 1992
• B.A. in Economics, University of California at Davis, cum laude, 1988

Awards & Accolades

• James M. Dennis Memorial Award, San Mateo County Bar Association, 2024
• Tier 1 Family Law Firm, Best Law Firms, 2025, 2024
• Lawyer of the Year, Family Law, Best Lawyers, 2024, 2020
• Top 10 Northern California Attorneys, Thomson Reuters Super Lawyers, 2022
• NorCal Chapter Fellow of the Year, American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, Northern California, 2018
• Top 100 Northern California Attorneys, Thomson Reuters Super Lawyers, 2015-present
• Best Lawyers, 2011-present
• AV Preeminent Rating, Martindale-Hubble, 2009-present
• Top 50 Northern California Women Attorneys, Thomson Reuters Super Lawyers, 2009-2010, 2014-present
• Northern California Super Lawyer, Thomson Reuters Super Lawyers, 2005-present

Associations & Memberships

• American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers
• Association of Certified Family Law Specialists
• Association of Family and Conciliation Courts
• Collaborative Practice San Mateo County
• International Academy of Collaborative Professionals
• International Commission on Couple and Family Relations
• San Francisco County Bar Association
• San Mateo County Bar Association

Leadership Positions & Professional Participation

• Past President, American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, Northern California, 2022
• Mentor, Diversity Equity and Inclusion Mentor Group, American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, Northern California, 2021-present
• President, American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, Northern California, 2021
• Co-Chair, Bi-annual Trial Practicum, American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, Northern California, 2018, 2012
• President-elect/Secretary/Legal Counsel, American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, Northern California, 2017-2020
• Co-Chair, Mentoring Committee, American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, Northern California, 2015-2020
• Member, Mediation Referral Panel, San Mateo County Superior Court, 2012-present
• Chair, Collaborative Practice San Mateo County, 2003
• Chair, San Mateo County Bar Association, Family Law Section, 2002
• Co-chair, San Mateo County Bar Association, Family Law Section, 2001