Paula M. Lawhon

Bar / Professional Activity

• Bench Bar Settlement Conference panelist Marin County Superior Court
• Mediate.com
• Association of Professional Family Law Mediators (APFM)
• California, 1999
• Settlement Conference Master San Francisco Unified Family Court
• Member, Sections on: Mediation; Family Law, Bar Association of San Francisco
• Marin County Bar Association, Family Law member

Videos

• Rob Black & Your Money; Channel 4 KRON TV
• Family Law Dispute Resolution -- Getting a Divorce Without Litigation and With Less Emotional Stress.Guests: Paula Lawhon, a Certified Specialist in Family Law; and Stacey Shuster, Ph.D., a Psychologist., Family Law Dispute Resolution, Family Law, 2015

Special Licenses / Certifications

• Certified Specialist, Family Law, State Bar of California Board of Legal Specialization

Pro bono / Community Service

• Marin County Bench Bar Settlement Conference volunteer settlement conference panelist

Educational Background

• University of California, Irvine, B.A.,cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa, 1996

White Papers

• Authored chapter titled "The Role of Mediation in Today's Family Law Cases" in Aspatore Inside the Minds book to be published by Thomson Reuters Westlaw in 2013. Chapters are comparable to white papers or thought-leadership essays, addressing the most important issues that lawyers face and offering strategies for managing those issues and effectively working with clients. , Inside the Minds: Strategies for Family Law in California 2013 ed., Family Law, 2013

Scholarly Lectures / Writings

• "Family Law Seminar Series" Mediation & Law Office of Paula M. Lawhon, 2008- 2009
• This how-to manual examines the benefits of neutral ongoing case management in family law cases and delivers practical guidance, case examples, and sample language for mediators to improve their case management skills and expand the scope of services offered in these complex cases., Author, Effectively Steering the Ship: A Case Management Manual for Family Law Mediators, Published by the American Bar Association, Family Law, Family Law Mediation, 2026
• When working with children and families, it is important to consider alternative strategies to litigation and aggressive practices that emphasize winning and losing. The literature on children and divorce demonstrates that after-effects of divorce are much worse for children in high conflict families. For these reasons, attempting to minimize the contentiousness in custody cases whenever possible is crucial for the wellbeing of all family members and is in the best interests of the children involved. This program, led by three experienced neutral professionals (a psychologist and two attorneys), provides numerous options to family law professionals outside of the court services to support parents navigating the custody and child-related issues in their cases. , Co-Presenter, How Ancillary Professionals Can Help Reduce Conflict in Custody Cases, Marin County Bar Association, Family Law, 2024
• Presenter at the February 2024 California Conference of the Association of Family and Conciliation Courts in San Francisco , Presenter, Family Law Attorneys and Mental Health Professionals: The Need for Interdisciplinary Reconciliation, AFCC, Family Law Professional, 2024
• Presenter at multidisciplinary family law conference, Presenter, Neutrals in Family Law Cases, Bar Association of San Francisco, Family Law Attorneys, Mediators, Mental Health Professionals, 2022
• Presenter at annual AFCC conference , Presenter, Co-Mediation with Interdisciplinary Neutrals, Association of Family and Conciliation Courts, Family Law Attorneys, Mental Health Professionals, Financial Professionals, 2019
• "Marital Property Law and Mediation" Lorman Seminars, 2008
• "Marital Property Law" National Constitution Center Conferences, 2008
• "Small Firm Marketing" San Francisco Bar Association & Barristers, 2006
• Mediating Same Sex Dissolutions, California State Bar, Family Law News, 2012
• "Family Law Mediation" San Francisco Bar Association & Barristers, 2008
• "Advanced Mediation Training" Community Boards, 2008
• Presenter, Mechanics of Co-Mediation, Bar Association Of San Francisco, 2017
• Presenter, Variations In Divorce Co-Mediation, AFCC, 2016
• Author, Crafting an Enforceable Settlement Agreement, Plaintiff Magazine, Alternative Dispute Resolution Issue, 2007
• Presenter, Cross-over issues in Immigration and Family Law, Bar Association of San Francisco, 2016
• Author, Retraining Family Lawyers to Support Mediating Clients, Family Law News, 2016
• "Introduction to Family Mediation", 2010
• "Navigating the Minefields of Family Law Mediations", 2010
• Mediation Section ongoing seminars, San Francisco Bar Association

Other Outstanding Achievements

• Attorney at Law Magazine Cover Feature Special Mediation Issue, 2025
• Rising Star, Super Lawyers, 2009-2012

Honors

• Public Interest Scholar, UC Hastings, 1999
• Recipient of Hall of Fame Medal for Best of the Bay Area in the category of Family Law Attorney , Hall of Fame Medal for Best Family Law Attorney San Francisco Region, Bay Area Parent, 2024
• Top Women Attorneys in Northern California, 2014-2015
• Super Lawyers, Super Lawyers 2013-2025, Super Lawyers
• Bay Area Family Favorite Winner San Francisco/Marin; voted on by Bay Area Parents, Best of the Best: Bay Area Parent Family Favorite 2019-2025, Bay Area Parent

Industry Groups

• Full-time Family Law Mediator

“Paula is the one of the best family law mediators in California. She has unparalleled skill in dispute resolution.”

“Paula is an amazing mediator who's knowledge of complex financial issues helps clients resolve cases.”

“Smart and caring attorney with great attention to the important details. Always settles the stuff I think can't be settled.”

“It takes tremendous skill to successfully mediate family law cases and Paula Lawhon is simply the best. Her attention to detail, efficiency, deep understanding of the law and ability to creatively navigate complicated issues to help families reach resolution is exceptional. The only thing that tops her brilliance as a mediator is her kindness and compassion. A true pleasure to work with!”

“I refer all of my family law cases to Paula, whom I understand to be uniquely qualified, ethical and all all around caring person.”

“I consider Paula to be the best family law mediator in the bay area.”

“One of the best mediators in California. Settles 99.9% of cases sent to her.”