About Forester Family Law PC

Neil Forester

Neil M. E. Forester, CFLS

After years in family court, I can tell you this: no judge knows your family better than you do. My job is to help you keep control of those decisions.

Email Neil

Firm Snapshot

At Forester Family Law, we believe every family deserves a path through conflict that feels fair, private, and efficient. Our focus is on helping couples resolve divorce, parenting disputes, and other family law matters outside the courtroom — through mediation, arbitration, and private judging.

Formed in response to the challenges families faced during the COVID-19 era, this primarily virtual practice makes high-quality dispute resolution more accessible across California. Clients can meet virtually from anywhere, or in person at our El Dorado Hills office, which offers private spaces for couples and conference rooms for group sessions.

Neil Forester brings more than 20 years of experience in family law, including hundreds of court appearances as a litigator. That background gives him insight into how judges typically decide custody, support, and property issues — insight he now uses to guide parties toward realistic expectations and workable settlements. His goal is to help families make durable agreements that reduce conflict, save time and money, and keep control in their own hands.

Beyond divorce and custody, Neil assists modern couples with prenups, cohabitation agreements, co-parenting plans, blended family arrangements, and second-opinion consulting on complex or sensitive matters.

Neil is a Certified Family Law Specialist (State Bar of California, Board of Legal Specialization), a Fellow of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, and a Certified Arbitrator. He earned his J.D. from McGeorge School of Law in Sacramento and later returned to law school for an LL.M. in Dispute Resolution with a concentration in Mediation from the Straus Institute at Pepperdine University Caruso School of Law — a rare combination of credentials that reflects his commitment to advancing accessible, effective alternatives to litigation.

Honors & Recognition

  • The Best Lawyers in America® (Family Law, Sacramento), 2025–2026
  • Northern California Super Lawyers (Family Law), 2017–2025
  • Top Lawyers in Family Law, Sactown Magazine (formerly Sacramento Magazine), 2015–2024
  • Pro Bono Award, Placer County Bar Association, 2019
  • Hero of Human Services, Sacramento County Board of Supervisors, 2014

I Emphasize Resolution Over the Myth of “Winning” In Divorce