“Pauline Tesler has had a transformative impact on family law, helping to redefine how lawyers, mediators and families approach conflict. As a pioneer of collaborative divorce and interdisciplinary dispute resolution, she challenged generations of legal professionals to look beyond litigation and embrace more constructive, humane and sustainable pathways to resolution. Her influence extends across continents through her teaching, writing and leadership, leaving a legacy that continues to shape the future of family law and conflict resolution worldwide.”

Fantastic Lawyers® Editorial 2026

Pauline Tesler is one of the most influential figures in modern family law and collaborative dispute resolution. A former Certified Family Law Specialist in California with more than four decades of experience, she is recognised internationally as a pioneer of collaborative divorce, integrative law and interdisciplinary conflict resolution.

Although she retired from client representation in 2025, Pauline continues to shape the future of the legal profession through teaching, training, mentoring and thought leadership around the world.

What Pauline Tesler does

Pauline devoted her legal career to helping families resolve disputes without unnecessary conflict, focusing on:

• Collaborative divorce and separation
• Family law and matrimonial disputes
• Interdisciplinary dispute resolution
• Integrative conflict resolution
• Collaborative practice training
• Mediation and non-court dispute resolution
• Professional mentoring and coaching
• Neuroscience-based conflict management
• Legal innovation and professional development

Today, through the Integrative Law Institute, she works with lawyers, mediators, judges, mental health professionals and conflict resolution specialists across the globe.

Why she stands out

Pauline is widely regarded as one of the architects of the modern collaborative law movement.

At a time when divorce was still predominantly viewed through a litigation lens, she championed a fundamentally different approach focused on problem-solving, dignity, transparency and long-term family wellbeing.

Her work combines legal expertise with insights from neuroscience, behavioural economics, psychology, restorative justice and mindfulness practices. This multidisciplinary perspective has helped redefine how many lawyers approach conflict resolution.

She is known for challenging traditional legal thinking and encouraging practitioners to focus not only on legal outcomes but also on the human experience of conflict.

A pioneer of collaborative law

Pauline wrote the first major book on collaborative law, Collaborative Law: Achieving Effective Resolution Without Litigation, originally published by the American Bar Association in 2001 and now regarded by many practitioners as a foundational text in the field.

She also co-authored Collaborative Divorce: The Revolutionary New Way to Restructure Your Family, Resolve Legal Issues, and Move on with Your Life, one of the first books aimed at helping families understand collaborative divorce.

Over the past twenty-five years she has delivered more than 200 training programmes, workshops and professional development courses across North America, Europe, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, Israel and South Africa.

Many of the collaborative practitioners she has trained have gone on to become leaders within the international collaborative law movement.

Leadership in legal innovation

Pauline is the Director of the Integrative Law Institute at Commonweal, an organisation dedicated to helping legal professionals integrate modern understandings of human behaviour, neuroscience and psychology into legal practice.

Through the Institute she has developed advanced educational programmes exploring:

• Neuroscience and conflict resolution
• Positive psychology in legal practice
• Behavioural economics and decision-making
• Restorative approaches to conflict
• Mind-body awareness and resilience
• Collaborative and integrative legal practice

Her work has helped shape a generation of lawyers seeking more effective, humane and sustainable approaches to resolving disputes.

Recognition and awards

Pauline’s contribution to family law and collaborative practice has earned widespread recognition throughout her career.

• Recipient of the American Bar Association’s inaugural Lawyer as Problem Solver Award
• Recipient of the Collaborative Practice California Eureka Award for leadership in collaborative practice
• Fellow of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers
• Certified Family Law Specialist, State Bar of California (1984–2025)
• Included in Best Lawyers in America
• Recognised as a California Super Lawyer
• Co-founder and first President of the International Academy of Collaborative Professionals

Her influence extends well beyond California and the United States, with many regarding her as one of the most important figures in the development of collaborative family law worldwide.

Author, educator and mentor

Pauline has devoted a substantial part of her career to education and professional development.

Her publications, training programmes and speaking engagements have influenced lawyers, mediators and conflict resolution professionals across multiple jurisdictions.

She is particularly respected for her ability to translate complex concepts from neuroscience and psychology into practical tools that legal professionals can use to better serve their clients.

Peers frequently describe her as a visionary thinker whose work has changed the culture of family law practice.

Education

• J.D., University of Wisconsin Law School, graduating first in class
• M.A., English, University of Manchester
• Order of the Coif
• Recipient of the Law School Seamans Prize