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Mark Brian Baer

Mediation Attorney at Pasadena, CA

5.0   9 reviews
  • Licensed for 32 years
    State CA
    Acquired 1991
    Status
    Active No misconduct found

We have not found any instances of professional misconduct for this lawyer.

About Mark

Learn Mark’s areas of practice.

4
Practice areas
  1. Mediation
    80%
    I am a facilitative mediator, meaning that I work to de-escalate conflict, help parties carry out a smooth, open conversation, focus on their interests, and engage in problem solving behavior. Such an approach tends to lead to high-quality outcomes.

    32 years

  2. Family
    15%
    I take a facilitative approach to negotiation in that I try to de-escalate conflict and improve the quality of the relationship between the parties. Studies have shown that that couples would be wise to be aided by facilitative professionals.

    32 years

  3. Trusts
    4%

    32 years

  4. Wills and living wills
    1%

    32 years

I believe that people typically contact attorneys and mediators because they are involved in conflicts and disputes and are seeking help solving them. The beginning impacts the end. The "beginning," in this regard, is not that which led to your current situation; rather, it is the "beginning" of how you choose to handle your conflicts and disputes. Your first moves and decisions greatly impact whether the level of conflict increases or decreases, among many other things. I assist people in bridging the gap between them, regardless of the size. I help de-escalate conflicts and facilitate problem-solving. As angry as you may be, keep in mind that fighting and "winning" don't solve problems and that mediators, peacemakers and bridge builders are not needed in times of peace and absence of conflict. Working together, people understand each other's perspectives and reach agreements quickly and efficiently, saving time, money and stress. Rather than merely helping broker a deal, I strive to facilitate mutually acceptable, achievable and durable solutions to problems that take into account the interests and needs of all involved. Before completing college, I had several experiences with different fields of our legal system. On each occasion, I failed to see how anyone could refer to it as a "justice system" with a straight face. When I decided to apply to law school, I never intended on practicing law. Instead, I thought that if I better understood the law and the inner workings of our legal system, I could use my knowledge to help steer people away from getting involved with the system in the first place. Had I known about mediation then, there's no question I would have pursued a career in mediation at that time. My background and life experiences led me to pursue a career in mediation and motivate me to spend the time I spend doing the research and writing I do, using the social media, and otherwise trying to constantly gain more knowledge and improve my skills, while also working tirelessly to try and educate people about the realities of our legal system and the available alternatives. Thomas Trent Lewis, Supervising Judge for the Los Angeles County Family Law Division, has said the following: (1) "Family Court is supposed to be a last resort for family resolution;" (2) "Parental education on the effects upon children in the midst of a family law dispute advances the goal of 'mediate when you can, and litigate only when you must;'" and (3) "When personal safety is not at issue or compromised, mediated and collaborative negotiated resolution of disputes can achieve favorable and more durable outcomes for parents and children." "Mediation" requires a "mediator." Lawyer to lawyer negotiation is not "mediation" because it doesn't involve a "mediator." 

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Mark B. Baer, Inc., a Professional Law Corporation
301 E. Colorado Boulevard
Suite 514
Pasadena, CA, 91101

Reviews

5.0 / 5.0
  9 customer reviews
5 Star
 
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Posted by anonymous | September 29, 2019
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired Attorney
Excellent and Helpful
My fiancé and I hired Mark to mediate our prenuptial agreement. He helped us develop the agreement together from the very start. Mark has a natural ability to understand each person's desires and the emotions that are driving those desires, and then help to mediate to a common ground. Both my fiancé and I left Mark's office feeling GOOD after having spent many hours discussing topics that were by nature very emotionally charged. Making the choice to develop a prenuptial agreement together with your partner in mediation will set you up for a successful process. I highly recommend Mark; his process works.
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Posted by Linda | May 18, 2018
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired Attorney
Really helpful honest lawyer
My mother passed away earlier this year and since Mark had drawn up her living trust I felt it made sense to go to him for all the final paper work and ultimately a will of my own. He was exceedingly kind and easy to talk to and very promptly and thoroughly took care of everything for what I thought was a reasonable price. He took a lot of time to explain everything and let me know what all my options were. I can totally see how he would be an excellent mediator!!
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Posted by Julie | March 9, 2018
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired Attorney
Excellent Attorney
We have just received our much anticipated finalized Living Trust and also our Will, prepared by Mark Baer. His attention to detail, timeliness and professionalism have been so appreciated during this complicated and sometimes emotional process. His hard work and mentoring in the field of bio-ethics has been of tremendous benefit to us as his clients. As an attorney, Mr. Baer is both extremely bright and highly sensitive to the needs, anxieties and possible future pitfalls for his individual clients. His explanations of possible consequences of various decisions to all concerned are extremely clear and immediately useful. I am so grateful for Mr. Baer's thoroughness in covering our backs for the future!
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Posted by Sonja | November 2, 2017
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired Attorney
Divorce Mediation
Mark was very helpful through our divorce process and knew how deescalate tense situations. I appreciate how he was able to explain things and put things into perspective. I also really appreciate that he has the mindset of putting children first. Thank you, Mark!
Posted by David | November 30, 2016
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired Attorney
Exactly What is Needed! Outstanding Attorney!
Mark is the ideal divorce attorney! He is honest to the core and is absolutely passionate about keeping things fair and helping all parties understand that a fair and compassionate dissolution is always best for all parties involved. Mark earns trust from everyone involved and guides you through the process with complete expertise and overwhelming compassion. I cannot recommend Mark more if you are going through this very unpleasant process!
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Posted by Steve | October 27, 2016
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired Attorney
Thank you!
I am grateful that Mark Baer was my attorney through my divorce process. He was very good at calming me and explaining the consequences, at times I was very frustrated with the process. He was able to help me obtain my major objective of having a clean slate after the divorce was finalized. Thank you Mark for helping me during this period of my life.
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Posted by Pamela | April 15, 2015
Knowledgeable and Supportive Attorney
Mark always kept me informed every step of the way through what can be a very stressful and confusing process. He was always open to questions and partnered with me in making good decisions which enabled us to come to a clean and satisfactory resolution. Thank-you Mark!
Posted by anonymous | March 4, 2010
Mark B. Baer - Attorney
I recommend Mark Baer for all your legal issues. He is very professional, knowledgeable, proactive, and experienced. I will continue to use Mark as my attorney as he was very successful with my Family Law case. Not only is he experienced at Family Law, he is very well versed in other areas of the Legal System.
Posted by Donna | February 4, 2010
Fabulous Divorce Lawyer
I highly recommend Mark Baer. He worked closely with me through out my entire divorce case guiding me on all my questions so that I could make the best decision I would benefit from. The experience I had going through the process taught me a lot. I now feel I have some knowledge about the divorce process. I was extremely happy with my settlement as had I done it myself without the aid of Mark, I don't believe I would have come away with the kind of settlement I received. Anytime I had a question, Mark would always return my call promptly with an answer and I had a lot of questions. Going through a divorce is difficult so having Mark guide me through the entire process from start to finish helped a lot. Even though my divorce has now been finalized, the process in my case took approximately 2 years, Mark still calls me to be certain my ex husband is sending his payments and also to see how I am doing, which means a lot and says a lot about Mark's integrity.
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Cost

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Contact for Details

Resume

AVVO RATING 10.0 (Superb)

Work Experience

  • Attorney
  • Mark B. Baer, Inc., APLC
  • 1993 - Present
  • Attorney
  • Frye & Alberts
  • 1992 - 1993
  • Attorney
  • McKinley & Capleoto
  • 1991 - 1992
  • Attorney
  • Buxbaum & Chakmak
  • 1990 - 1991
View all work experience

Education

  • Loyola Law School, Loyola Marymount University
  • JD - Juris Doctor
  • 1990
  • University of California - Los Angeles
  • BA - Bachelor of Arts
  • 1987
  • University of California - Los Angeles
  • BA - Bachelor of Arts
  • 1987

Associations

  • Beverly Hills Bar Association
  • N/A
  • Los Angeles County Bar Association
  • Member
  • N/A
  • Pasadena Bar Association
  • Member
  • N/A
  • San Gabriel Valley Psychological Association
  • N/A
View all associations

Languages Spoken

  • English

Honors and Awards

  • Selected Fellow of the American Bar Foundation
  • American Bar Foundation
  • 2017
  • Family Lawyer of the Year - North America
  • Corporate LiveWire's Global Awards
  • 2017
  • Southern California Super Lawyer in ADR
  • Super Lawyers
  • 2017
  • Best Litigation and Dispute Resolution Attorney - Pasadena
  • Corporate LiveWire's Global Awards
  • 2016
  • 2016 Top Family Law Attorney
  • Pasadena Magazine
  • 2016
  • Selected as a Member of the Nation's Top One Percent
  • The National Association of Distinguished Counsel
  • 2016
  • Included as a Top 100 Lawyer in California
  • The National Advocates Top 100 Lawyers
  • 2016
  • Best of Los Angeles Award 2016 for Mediation
  • Official Best of Los Angeles
  • 2016
  • Southern California Super Lawyer in ADR
  • Super Lawyers
  • 2016
  • Global Awards recipient as best Family Law attorney - Pasadena
  • Corporate Live Wire
  • 2015
  • 2015 Top Family Law Attorney
  • Pasadena Magazine
  • 2015
  • Included as a Top 100 Lawyer in California
  • The National Advocates Top 100 Lawyers
  • 2015
  • Best of Los Angeles Award 2015 for Mediation
  • Official Best of Los Angeles
  • 2015
  • Selected as a Member of the Nation's Top One Percent
  • The National Association of Distinguished Counsel
  • 2015
  • 2015 Southern California Super Lawyer in the family law category
  • Super Lawyers
  • 2015
  • 2014 Top Family Law Attorney
  • Pasadena Magazine
  • 2014
  • Included as a Top 100 Lawyer in California
  • The National Advocates Top 100 Lawyers
  • 2014
  • Best of Los Angeles Award 2014 for Mediation
  • Best of Los Angeles Award
  • 2014
  • 2014 Southern California Super Lawyer in the family law category
  • Super Lawyers
  • 2014
  • 2013 Top Family Law Attorney
  • Pasadena Magazine
  • 2013
  • 2013 Southern California Super Lawyer in the family law category
  • Super Lawyers
  • 2013
  • 2012 Top Family Law Attorney
  • Pasadena Magazine
  • 2012
  • 2012 Southern California Super Lawyer in the family law category
  • Super Lawyers
  • 2012
  • 2011 Top Family Law Attorney
  • Pasadena Magazine
  • 2011
  • 2010 Top Family Law Attorney
  • Pasadena Magazine
  • 2010
View all awards

Publications

  • San Gabriel Valley Psychological Association Newsletter
  • Communication
  • 2009
  • San Gabriel Valley Psychological Assocation Newsletter
  • Trust
  • 2009
  • San Gabriel Valley Psychological Association Newsletter
  • Mediation
  • 2009
View all publications

Speaking Engagements

  • RPM Mortgage’s 3-day training for its mortgage brokers
  • A Comparison of Family Law Litigation, Mediation and Collaborative Law
  • 2016
  • Bruin Professionals Lawyers Affinity Group meeting
  • The power of empathy in our work as lawyers.
  • 2016
  • San Gabriel Valley Family Law Study Group
  • De-Escalating Parental Conflict Through Service Delivery
  • 2015
  • Michael Levine’s Monthly “City Talk”
  • How to Resolve Conflict
  • 2015
  • Feinberg, Mindel, Brandt & Klein, LLP’s monthly lunch continuing legal education meeting
  • De-Escalating Conflict Through Service Delivery
  • 2015
  • American Bar Association Section of Family Law 2015 Fall CLE Conference
  • The Ethical Do’s and Don’ts of Knowing When 3’s a Crowd
  • 2015
  • The State Bar Family Law Section CDR Standing Committee (South)'s 2012 Spring Symposium
  • Something Old, Something New, Something Borrowed, Something True: Guerilla Marketing- Using new technology and traditional marketing to promote our practices for maximum impact with limited resources
  • 2012
  • San Gabriel Valley Chapter of Bruin Professionals
  • Industry Trends and My Professional Perspective on the Future of Divorce Practice
  • 2012
  • May 2012 meeting for the Financial Planning Association of the San Gabriel Valley
  • Are Attorneys and the Legal System Facilitation the Creation of Post-Divorce Functional or Dysfunctional Families?
  • 2012
  • May 2012 meeting for the Encino Family Law Study Group
  • (1) Different styles of mediation and what styles are most effective in family law cases; and (2) How to enroll clients in the prospect of mediation when they are initially opposed
  • 2012
  • May 2012 meeting for the Collaborative Divorce Professionals of the Inland Empire
  • Industry Trends and My Perspective on the Future of Divorce Practice
  • 2012
  • Pasadena Kiwanis Lunch Meeting
  • Collaborative Divorce – A Constructive Way of Handling an Emotionally Charged Situation
  • 2011
  • Pasadena Host Lions Club Lunch Meeting
  • Collaborative Divorce – A Constructive Way of Handling an Emotionally Charged Situation
  • 2011
View all speaking engagements

Attorney endorsements

Received (25)
Given (15)
Endorse Mark
Mediation Attorney | Aug 08
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
"Mark practices mediation with a holistic approach that considers each parties' unique needs. Mark offers the clients the opportunity to fashion a remedy to their conflict unattainable in the context of litigation."
Mediation Attorney | Jan 24
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
"I endorse this lawyer."
Family Attorney | Jun 16
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
"I endorse this lawyer."
Family Attorney | Jun 12
Relationship: Worked together on matter
"Mark Baer has a lot of success in his mediation and collaborative divorce practice because he is committed to peacemaking. He tells his clients the reality of the situation rather than just saying what they want to hear. This results in agreements being signed rather than expensive and stressful court appearances."
Family Attorney | Jan 27
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
"I endorse this lawyer. Mark always makes himself available for questions I have in his field, and when I have a client who wants a level headed family attorney, I refer them to him."
Unknown Attorney | Nov 02
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
"I endorse this lawyer."
Family Attorney | Jun 06
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
"I endorse Mark. He is a highly skilled attorney that is well respected in the legal community."
Family Attorney | Mar 10
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
"I know Mark through his impressive contributions toward advancing mediation and Collaborative Law online, on LinkedIn, Facebook, Google+, Twitter, etc. You would be hard-pressed to find a more tireless and outspoken advocate of alternatives to family law litigation, and his willingness to share his work so publicly is a huge service to the advancement of respectful family law solutions. We are fortunate to have Mark in our community, and I am certain that his clients are equally fortunate to be working with him."
Family Attorney | Sep 11
Relationship: Other
"Mark is a frequent publisher within the Collaborative Law Community on Linked In. His articles are timely, thought provoking, and I always take away something useful from dialogue with him that I can use to help my own clients in Texas."
Family Attorney | Sep 09
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
"I endorse this lawyer. Mark has proven to truly care about his work and his clients. He is always reaching out and offering great advice and help to others including through social media. He has always treated me with respect and is an attorney I would recommend and be happy to work with."
Family Attorney | Aug 06
Relationship: Other
"I do not know Mr. Baer personally but I do know him from another site. There are many things the two of us seem to disagree on but, I do admire his tenacity. I aso read his publications on the Huffington Post and there is no question he does understand family law. Personal differences are one thing, but on a professional level, Mr. Baer is an attorney I can endorse."
Family Attorney | Jun 08
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
"I endorse this lawyer."
Family Attorney | Jan 19
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
"I endorse this lawyer."
Family Attorney | Nov 01
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
"I endorse this lawyer."
Probate Attorney | Oct 07
Relationship: Other
"I endorse this lawyer."
Family Attorney | Aug 03
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
"Mark is ahead of his time. Unlike many other family law lawyers, Mark understands the true underlying relationship issues, often times nuanced and complex, that are involved in many divorce matters, especially custody disputes. Thus, he helps the parties establish a parenting plan that makes sense for all involved. I.e., he fully comprehends the lasting effect on the "family" long after court orders have been established, which are dependent on the arrangement of the parenting plan. Suffice it to say, Mark is not your typical family law lawyer who prods a case along in a mediocre manner just to collect a fee. He cares about his clients at an extraordinary capacity. As such, he is able to steer the case in a direction to achieve the best result for the family. Mark is well respected by those in the family law community that have a high level of expertise and experience with resolving difficult family issues in the best manner possible. He is, in fact, of that same caliber."
Family Attorney | Jul 31
Relationship: Other
"I endorse this lawyer."
Family Attorney | May 30
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
"Mark is an outstanding and well respected attorney whose solid reputation in the legal community is well earned. He is extremely knowledgeable in all areas of family law, as well as estate planning. Not only is Mark a strong advocate for his client but he is also an extremely dedicated and caring attorney who considers his clients’ whole family situation when representing them. I strongly endorse Mark."
Family Attorney | May 15
Relationship: Friend
"Mark is a fantastic lawyer. He is articulate, kind, and thoroughly thinks through how to proceed in a way that is best for his client. He really believes in what he is doing and it shows as evidenced by the remarkably positive feedback he is receiving from his keynote speech in Detroit. Most people don't know this, but Mark puts a tremendous amount of work into his writing and his representation of his clients. And, he's not afraid to ask for feedback. He actually listens to what people have to say and tries to understand their points of view. I've spoken with Mark about ways to approach difficult cases and was really impressed (which is something I don't usually say) with the creative, thoughtful, and effective ways that he has handled some very difficult cases. The fact that he is so personable and makes a real effort to reach out to lots of people from all walks of life probably has a lot to do with it. The world needs more lawyers like Mark."
Family Attorney | Aug 25
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
"Mark is an extremely creative and innovative lawyer. (See for example his article referring to the costs of raising children and how the minimum child support levels don't even come close to meeting those costs.) He also is a true "family" lawyer -- not just a "divorce" lawyer -- in that he strives not to permit tactics that will harm the children and the parents for many years to come."
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