I’m Neil Forester, the owner of Forester Family Law PC, a virtual law firm “in” California.

The pandemic reframed my professional outlook. The family law court system is not built for the advances we’ve seen in technology in recent years and struggled to adapt to the forced transition to remote dispute resolution. Mediation, arbitration and private judging solutions can provide a best-case option for couples seeking efficient and cordial outcomes, with or without lawyers involved. With a virtual business model, I extend these tools to a broader clientele while maintaining my focus on client service.

As a child of divorce and the youngest of four brothers, I grew up appreciating the value of compromise over conflict. Being on the high school debate team taught me the power of language and sparked an interest in law as a career. Over the course of 13 years, I dropped in and out of college, taking breaks to learn people skills while managing restaurants. From Sacramento State to McGeorge Law to private practice in three regional firms, including five years as a managing partner, I gained the know-how and leadership to carve my niche today.  

Beyond my practice, I serve on the executive committee for NorCal Boxer Rescue. As a past president, board member, and legal department chair for WEAVE (2011-2022), I supported Sacramento County’s crisis intervention services for survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault. In 2022, I joined ProVisors as Group Leader of SAC1, the first Sacramento-area cohort for the national organization.

In an ode to the movie “Office Space,” I’m proud to show off my pieces of flair. I’m named on the Northern California Super Lawyers “Sacramento Top 25” List. You’ll also find me ranked among peers in the Sacramento Business Journal’s “Best of the Bar” and Sacramento Magazine’s “Top Lawyers” lists. In 2014, I was honored to receive a Hero of Human Services Award from the Sacramento County Board of Supervisors for my role as a chief architect of WEAVE Legal, the redesigned program that ensures DV victims have access to free and discounted legal assistance. My 10-plus years of community service to WEAVE were further highlighted by receiving the Placer County Bar Association’s Annual Pro Bono Award in 2019.

I’m a Certified Arbitrator and Fellow of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers and a Certified Family Law Specialist (CFLS), a designation awarded by the State Bar of California’s Board of Legal Specialization. I also hold a Certificate in Dispute Resolution from Pepperdine Caruso School of Law. These credentials underscore the nuanced experience I bring to complex cases, particularly those that may not fare well in courtrooms where traditional litigation drives unpredictable and protracted outcomes.

Writing and public speaking are comfortable ways for me to share insight. You’ll find my byline in diverse places — from Outword Magazine to CEB Practice Guides to the McGeorge Law Review. I’ve hosted workshops and given talks for many different audiences, including CFLS test-takers in CEB’s Family Law Intensive Course, peers at Sacramento County Bar Association lunchtime Continuing Legal Education (CLE) programs, and community members attending WEAVE’s free legal clinics.

Some of my pastimes include the daily NYT crossword, discovering new foods to smoke/sous vide/torch/bake, early mornings cheering Tottenham on the pitch, and teaching ASL commands to our deaf Boxer Marlee and her support companion and fellow Boxer Jasmine.