Gretchen M. Wallacker, Family Law Attorney in San Francisco, California
Over 33 years of legal practice
Wallacker Mediation & Consulting PC
San Francisco, CA
Practicing family law in San Francisco since 1993.
- 33+
- Years practicing
- 1
- Bar admission
Practices in
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Quick answer
Gretchen M. Wallacker is an attorney based in San Francisco, CALIFORNIA. The practice focuses on Family Law. Gretchen has over 33 years of legal experience. Currently practicing at Wallacker Mediation & Consulting PC.
- Based in
- San Francisco, CALIFORNIA
- Experience
- over 33 years
- Known for
- Family Law
- Handles Family Law matters from San Francisco, CALIFORNIA.
- Over 33 years of practice as a licensed attorney.
- Recognized with Lawyer of the Year — Family Law (San Francisco) (2026).
About Gretchen M. Wallacker: Gretchen M. Wallacker is an attorney based in San Francisco, CALIFORNIA. The practice focuses on Family Law. Gretchen has over 33 years of legal experience. Currently practicing at Wallacker Mediation & Consulting PC.
Areas of practice
Legal matters Gretchen takes on
Gretchen concentrates on family law. Each area below outlines the kind of case Gretchen handles, typical outcomes to expect, and how the intake process starts.
Family Law cases in San Francisco, California
Gretchen takes family law matters in San Francisco, California. Typical engagements include intake calls to scope the issue, review of any records or filings you already have, and a written strategy memo before Gretchen agrees to represent you.
Biography
Meet Gretchen M. Wallacker — family law lawyer in San Francisco
Gretchen M. Wallacker is an attorney based in San Francisco, CALIFORNIA. The practice focuses on Family Law. Gretchen has over 33 years of legal experience. Currently practicing at Wallacker Mediation & Consulting PC.
Gretchen M. Wallacker is a Certified Family Law Specialist and has practiced family law exclusively for 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, 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 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.
Gretchen's approach to family law cases
Gretchen M. Wallacker is a Certified Family Law Specialist and has practiced family law exclusively for 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.…
Clients Gretchen works with
Gretchen reviews new inquiries case-by-case for family law matters in San Francisco and the surrounding California area.
Credentials
Education, bar admissions, and languages
The University of Michigan Law School
J.D. · 1993
Jurisdictions
Gretchen's state bar admissions
California, The Stat
1993 · ACTIVE
Gretchen studied at J.D. in The University of Michigan Law School.
Law school and academic background
Gretchen completed J.D. in The University of Michigan Law School. Formal legal training is one signal of substantive knowledge — the day-to-day practice Gretchen runs in California is where that training gets applied to real client questions.
Recognition
Recognition and thought leadership
Gretchen has received 15 formal recognitions from bar associations, industry bodies, and peer-review services.
Lawyer of the Year — Family Law (San Francisco)
2026
Lawyer of the Year — Family Law (San Francisco)
2024
Lawyer of the Year — Family Law (San Francisco)
2020
Best Lawyers in America — Family Law
2026
Best Lawyers in America — Additional Areas of Practice:
2026
Best Lawyers in America — Family Law Mediation
2026
Best Lawyers in America — Collaborative Law: Family Law
2026
Best Lawyers in America — Awards:
2026
Best Lawyers in America — James M. Dennis Memorial Award, San Mateo County Bar Association, 2024
2026
Best Lawyers in America — Top 10 Northern California Attorneys, Thomson Reuters Super Lawyers, 2022
2026
Best Lawyers in America — NorCal Chapter Fellow of the Year, American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, Northern California, 2018
2026
Best Lawyers in America — Top 100 Northern California Attorneys, Thomson Reuters Super Lawyers, 2015-present
2026
Best Lawyers in America — AV Preeminent Rating, Martindale-Hubble, 2009-present
2026
Best Lawyers in America — Top 50 Northern California Women Attorneys, Thomson Reuters Super Lawyers, 2009-2010, 2014-present
2026
Best Lawyers in America — Northern California Super Lawyer, Thomson Reuters Super Lawyers, 2005-present
2026
Legal awards and honors
Lawyer of the Year — Family Law (San Francisco) (2026). Lawyer of the Year — Family Law (San Francisco) (2024). Lawyer of the Year — Family Law (San Francisco) (2020). Best Lawyers in America — Family Law (2026). Best Lawyers in America — Additional Areas of Practice: (2026). Best Lawyers in America — Family Law Mediation (2026).
Locations
Gretchen M. Wallacker's office in San Francisco
Gretchen's primary office is at 595 Pacific Avenue, Floor 4, San Francisco, California, 94133. In-person meetings are by appointment; a phone intake usually comes first.
Wallacker Mediation & Consulting PC
595 Pacific Avenue, Floor 4
San Francisco, California 94133
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Schedule your consultationHiring guide
How to hire Gretchen M. Wallacker — what to expect in your first consultation
Working with a new family law attorney should feel structured. Here's how the first two conversations with Gretchen usually go, from the moment you request a consult to the day representation begins.
Consultation formats and pricing
Gretchen charges for the initial consult. That fee is credited toward representation if you retain Gretchen's office.
What to bring to your first meeting
Bring any documents you already have — police reports, medical records, filed pleadings, correspondence from an insurer, a copy of the contract at issue. If you're not sure, err on the side of bringing everything; Gretchen will tell you what matters and what doesn't.
Questions to ask a family law attorney in San Francisco, California
A short list to run through before you commit: How many family law matters have you handled in the last year? What's your fee structure? Who else in the office will work on this? What's your realistic estimate of timeline and range of outcomes? How do I reach you between meetings?
Fees & payment
Fees, payment methods, and consultation options for Gretchen
Gretchen discusses fees during intake so the arrangement fits the matter. Contingency, hourly, and flat-fee options are all common in family law practice — ask which fits.
Hourly rates, contingency fees, and flat-fee options
Every family law matter is priced differently. Simple document review might be a flat fee. Injury litigation is often contingency. Complex commercial disputes usually run hourly with a retainer. Gretchen confirms the model in the engagement letter before any work starts.
Payment methods and payment plans
Gretchen's office accepts standard payment methods. Ask about payment plans if the retainer is a stretch — many family law practices work with clients on structured schedules.
Frequently asked
Frequently asked questions about Gretchen M. Wallacker
How much does it cost to hire Gretchen for a family law case?
Cost depends on the type of matter, the fee model (contingency, flat, hourly), and how contested the case becomes. Gretchen walks through the likely range during the consult so there are no surprises.
Does Gretchen offer a free consultation?
Gretchen charges for the initial consult; that fee is credited toward representation if you retain Gretchen's office. Some family law attorneys offer free consults — check Gretchen's current terms during booking.
How long do family law cases in California typically take?
Simple family law matters can wrap in a few weeks; disputed cases can run 6–18 months from intake to resolution, longer if the matter goes to trial. Gretchen gives a realistic estimate for your facts at the consult — vague answers here are a red flag.
Can Gretchen take my case if I'm outside San Francisco?
Gretchen is licensed in California. Matters governed by California law are the natural fit. Out-of-state matters are handled case-by-case, sometimes with local co-counsel. Ask during intake — Gretchen will tell you if the case is a fit or refer you to someone closer to your court.
What should I bring to my first meeting with Gretchen?
Bring every document that touches the dispute: contracts, correspondence, police or medical reports, filed pleadings, invoices, photographs, insurance letters. Also bring a written timeline of what happened, in your own words. Gretchen will filter what matters — over-preparing at intake is always cheaper than needing a second meeting.
Is Gretchen accepting new family law clients right now?
Gretchen's intake status shifts week to week. Submit the form; the office will confirm availability or refer the matter out.
Areas served
Family Law attorneys serving San Francisco, Los Angeles and San Diego in California
Gretchen handles family law matters throughout California. Each city below is a direct link into the search page for verified family law attorneys in that community.
- San Francisco26,380 attorneys
- Los Angeles39,975 attorneys
- San Diego16,903 attorneys
- Sacramento10,561 attorneys
- Irvine6,831 attorneys
- Oakland5,709 attorneys
- San Jose5,009 attorneys
- Palo Alto4,084 attorneys
- Beverly Hills3,348 attorneys
- Newport Beach3,106 attorneys
- Pasadena2,894 attorneys
- Santa Monica2,756 attorneys
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