Gretchen Wallacker

Attorney

About Gretchen

Gretchen M. Wallacker is a Certified Family Law Specialist and has practiced family law exclusively for more than 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, creation of Parenting Plans, 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 this service as a Mediator or as part of a 4-way Collaborative Process with each client having their own Collaborative Counsel.

Gretchen received her 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.

Recognition

Thomson Reuters Super Lawyers: Top 10 Northern California Attorneys, Top 50 Northern California Women Attorneys, Super Lawyer
James M. Dennis Award Recipient, 2024
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, Northern California, 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

Leadership Positions

Mentor, Diversity Equity and Inclusion Mentor Group, American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, Northern California, 2021-present
Past President, American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, Northern California, 2021
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
Co-Chair, Bi-annual Trial Practicum, American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, Northern California, 2012, 2018
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

Speaking Credits

Presenter, “Thorny Issues in Mediation,” San Mateo County Bar Association, Family Law Section 2024
Presenter, “Co-Mediation with a Neutral Financial,” San Mateo County Bar Association, Family Law Section, 2022
Presenter, “Child Custody Evaluation Legal Update,” Santa Clara Psychological Association, Custody Evaluator and Domestic Violence Training, 2019
Moderator, “Tips for Mediators and Consulting Attorneys,” American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, Northern California Symposium, 2018
Presenter, “Spousal Support Update,” Collaborative Practice California, 11th Annual Statewide Conference, 2016
Presenter, “Divorce Options,” Collaborative Practice San Mateo County, Recurring
Presenter, “Second Saturday Divorce Workshops,” Second Saturday, Recurring