Les Wallerstein

I am an attorney with a master’s degree in psychology, committed to the least adversarial practice of law possible. I had 20 years of experience working as a psychotherapist with individuals, couples, families and groups before becoming a lawyer in 1990.

I served as president of the Massachusetts Council on Family Mediation in 2001, and was the founder and editor of MCFM’s Family Mediation Quarterly from 2002 – 2013. I have been certified as a divorce mediator by MCFM since 1996.

In 2000 I was a founding member of the Massachusetts Collaborative Law Council, and served as treasurer for two years. Between 2003 and 2006 I was a co-founder and co-editor of MCLC’s Collaborative Law Journal, and have helped teach collaborative law.

My family practice has always concentrated on mediating agreements. In 1996 I stopped representing plaintiffs or defendants in court. I believe it is especially important to avoid the ravages of litigation when children are involved whenever possible.

I still represent clients in adversarial actions as settlement counsel. Our work focuses exclusively on negotiating agreements. When a mediated or collaborative agreement is not possible, I refer clients to lawyers who specialize in litigation.

While collaborative legal representation is an integral part of my work, mediating family disputes remains at the heart of my practice.

MEMBERSHIPS & AFFILIATIONS

Massachusetts Council on Family Mediation
Member: 1992 – present
Board of Directors: 1993 – 2019
President: 2001 – 2002
Founder & Editor, Family Mediation Quarterly: 2002 – 2013
Director Emeritus: 2022 – present

Massachusetts Collaborative Law Council
Founding Member: 2000
Board of Directors: 2000 – 2004
Treasurer: 2000 – 2002
Co-founder & Co-editor, Collaborative Law Journal: 2003 – 2006
Member: 2000 – 2010

Massachusetts Bar Association
Member: 1990 – present
Family Law Section: 1998 – present

National Lawyers Guild
Member: 1990 – present

Aids Action Committee of Massachusetts
Volunteer Attorney: 1992 – present

LICENSES & CERTIFICATIONS

Certified Divorce Mediator
Massachusetts Council On Family Mediation: 1996 - Present

Principal Psychologist
Commonwealth of Massachusetts: 1974

Licensed & Certified Social Worker
Commonwealth of Massachusetts: 1982

Justice of the Peace
Commonwealth of Massachusetts: 2008 - Present

Free Divorce Mediation Consultations