Neil Michael Edwin Forester

Neil Michael Edwin Forester

also known as Neil Forester, Neil M. E. Forester

4.2
Rating: 10.0

Licensed for 21 years

Mediation Lawyer at El Dorado Hills, CA
Practice Areas: Mediation, Family, Divorce & Separation ... +4 more

5170 Golden Foothill Pkwy, (BY APPOINTMENT ONLY - NO WALK-INS), El Dorado Hills, CA

About Neil

Biography

Practice Areas

7

Practice Areas

Fees and Rates

Cost

Hourly Rates

$ 450-450 per hour

Retainer

Always


Payment Methods

  • Cash
  • Check
  • Credit Card

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Licenses

Licensed in California for 21 years

State: California

Acquired: 2004

Active

No misconduct found

Location

Forester Family Law PC

5170 Golden Foothill Pkwy, (BY APPOINTMENT ONLY - NO WALK-INS), El Dorado Hills, CA, 95762

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Neil Michael Edwin Forester's Reviews

Avvo Review Score

4.2 /5.0

10 Client Reviews

5 star (8)
4 star (0)
3 star (0)
2 star (0)
1 star (2)

Posted by anonymous | April 29, 2025 | Consulted Attorney

This review is from a potential client who consulted with this attorney.

Scam Artist

My ex and I hired Neil for a $100 preliminary consultation, and instead of offering any sort of consultation, he spent the entire time presenting a sales pitch on why we should pay him $5,800 for his services. Buyer beware!

Posted by anonymous | June 6, 2017 | Hired Attorney

This review is from a person who hired this attorney.

Please don't hire this guy.

Used him as my lawyer and I fully regret it. Never contacted me to update me on my divorce. Always had to go in to figure out what was taking so long with the paperwork and would always beat around the bush and give me some BS excuse. And when I did hear from him, it was him sending me a bill or let...ting me know he needed more money. So while he did absolutely nothing for my case, he still charged me thousands of dollars...for what?? But the receipt says he charged me $160 for "updating his assistant on the case." Give me a break. This guy will charge you an arm and a leg just to walk over to the fax machine. After 18 months of this nonsense, I hired a new lawyer and she got it done in just a few months. If you wanna be taken advantage of and legally robbed, go for it. But do yourself a favor and look elsewhere.

Posted by Larisa | October 25, 2016 | Hired Attorney

This review is from a person who hired this attorney.

Smart, Strategic, Ethical, Supportive, and much, much more!

I researched extensively to find a lawyer who was not only smart (Neil was an Anthony M. Kennedy Fellow) but also unwilling to take anything but the high road. I also wanted an attorney who would listen to my concerns, complaints, and even demands, but still keep me on the high road as well. In spi...te of many personal attacks on me and even on Neil by my ex-husband and his lawyer, Neil continued to focus on issues and avoid the low ground that so many divorce cases and custody cases can travel. In my case, I had an ex who after not paying his full child support for six years and owing over $40,000, decided to take me to court to dispute the arrears and get more custody. Yes, that sounds ridiculous and that is exactly the right word to explain the proceedings that took 6 months due to my ex continually making claims and filings that prolonged the inevitable. Throughout the entire 6 months there were many times I was ready to either throw in the towel, or go for the jugular. In each case Neil clearly laid out the correct course of action and stuck to it. Not only did he keep me on the right track, Neil kept himself on the moral high ground. My ex and his attorney resulted to personal attacks on Neil in their court filings, but Neil refused to respond and stayed on point. I believe his approach saved me from getting into an even longer battle of he said/she said. He was fair in his billing, honest in his approach with me and my ex, and clearly experienced with the courts and family law. I highly recommend Neil!!

Posted by Mark | August 21, 2015 | Hired Attorney

This review is from a person who hired this attorney.

Excellent and highly recommended

Neil took on my case regarding family law. I found him thoughtful, resourceful, thorough, and insightful. He provided solid counsel, and very competent help. I would recommend him to anyone needing a very good family law attorney

Posted by Annie | August 20, 2015 | Hired Attorney

This review is from a person who hired this attorney.

These Guys Rock!

Neil and his team were amazing helping me through my divorce proceedings this year! He and his staff were professional, kind, patient and supportive throughout the process. They made a very difficult time more bearable with their compassion, attention to detail and responsiveness. I was always able... to get a hold of someone via phone or email and they were more than happy to answer all my questions along the way. I would recommend them to anyone. These guys are awesome and they were worth every cent!

See All Client Reviews

Neil Michael Edwin Forester's Lawyer Endorsements

Endorse Neil
Michelle Rene' Albright headshot
Michelle Albright

Family lawyer | Feb 15

Relationship: Worked together on matter

"I endorse this lawyer."

Christopher William Dietrich headshot
Christopher Dietrich

Family lawyer | Jan 18

Relationship: Opposing Counsel on matter

"I endorse this lawyer."

Matthew Keith Purcell headshot
Matthew Purcell

Family lawyer | May 16

Relationship: Co-worker

"Neil is an excellent, hard-working attorney who focuses on getting the best possible results for his clients."

View All Endorsements

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This attorney hasn't created any attorney endorsements recently on Avvo.

Experience

Rating:  10.0 (Superb)

Honors

2024

Northern California Super Lawyers (2017-2024), Super Lawyers Magazine

2024

Top Lawyers List - Family Law (2015-2024), Sacramento Magazine

2021

Top 25 Sacramento Super Lawyers (2020, 2021), Super Lawyers Magazine

2018

Best of the Bar - Family Law (2014, 2015, 2016, 2018), Sacramento Business Journal

2014

Hero of Human Services, Sacramento County Board of Supervisors

2014

Northern California "Rising Stars" (2013, 2014), Super Lawyers Magazine

2012

Certified Family Law Specialist Since 2012, State Bar of California Board of Legal Specialization

2004

Witkin Award - Sexual Orientation and the Law, University of the Pacific - McGeorge School of Law

2003

Witkin Award - Internet and the Law, University of the Pacific - McGeorge School of Law

2001

Anthony M. Kennedy Fellow, University of the Pacific - McGeorge School of Law

Work Experience

2020 - Present

Owner, Forester Family Law PC

2016 - 2020

Shareholder, Forester Purcell Stowell PC

2015 - 2016

Shareholder, Forester Purcell Inc.

2012 - 2015

Principal Attorney - Family Law Division, Goyette & Associates, Inc.

2004 - 2012

Associate Attorney - Family Law Group, Downey Brand LLP

Associations

2019 - Present

American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers

Fellow

2013 - Present

Association of Certified Family Law Specialists

Member

2012 - Present

State Bar of California Board of Legal Specialization

Certified Family Law Specialist

2006 - Present

Continuing Education of the Bar

Member - Family Law Advisory Committee

2015 - 2022

NorCal Boxer Rescue

President, Board of Directors

2011 - 2022

WEAVE Inc. (Women Escaping a Violent Environment)

Board of Directors, Past President, Legal Committee Chair

Sample of Legal Cases

Pereira/Van Camp

private settlement

Dissolution of Marriage

We obtained a highly favorable ruling on the business valuation issues, were able to secure a fairly low support award, and we received an order for $75,000 in fees and sanctions against the opposing party.

See More Legal Cases

Education

2024

Pepperdine Caruso School of Law

LLM, Dispute Resolution with a concentration in Mediation

2004

McGeorge School of Law, University of the Pacific

JD - Juris Doctor

2001

California State University, Sacramento

BA - Bachelor of Arts

Speaking Engagements

2017

Beyond the Basics: Domestic Violence Trial Advocacy Workshop

Preparing Your DV Case / DV Mock Trial

2015

Family Law Intensive Course Family Law Jurisdiction

2014

2012

NBI Family Law from A to Z

Ethical Issues for Family Law Attorneys and Property and Financial Issues in Marital Dissolutions

2011

CEB 2011 State Family Law Conference

Asset Protection through Marital Agreements

2009

Continuing Legal Education Seminar

Financial Discovery in Family Law Cases

Publications

2018

California Child and Spousal Support: Establishing, Modifying, and Enforcing (California CEB) Chapter 11 – Interstate Support Enforcement and Modification (August 2018 Update)

2018

Outword California Magazine "Have the Money Conversation” Says Your Would-be Divorce Lawyer

2017

Outword California magazine Myths Surrounding Prenups

2008

Family Law Financial Discovery (California CEB) Ch. 8 - Date of Separation and General Property Division Issues

2006

California Child Custody Litigation and Practice (California CEB) Contributing Author - Ch. 19 General Enforcement Remedies

2003

McGeorge Law Review "The Elephant in the Lockerroom: Does the NFL Discriminate in the Hiring of Head Coaches?"

Languages

English

Activity

Avvo Rating

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