Christopher D. Sawyer, Esq.
ATTORNEY | MEDIATOR
Professional Biography
Christopher D. Sawyer is the principal of Sawyer Mediation and provides family law consultation and mediation services for parties with divorce, domestic partnership, custody, support and other family law disputes.
Chris has been in the San Francisco Bay Area family law community for over eleven years. He has received extensive training in mediation practice and family law mediation from the Northern California Mediation Center. He is also an experienced divorce attorney and family law litigator, having practiced for the some of the Bay Area’s premier family law firms.
Family Law Litigation
HERSH FAMILYLAW PRACTICE, PC
Attorney
Chris Sawyer practiced as a family law attorney for Hersh FamilyLaw Practice, PC from 2006 through 2009. Chris handled family law cases of all sizes from small uncontested divorces to the division of complex multi-million dollar estates.
As lead counsel, Chris appeared in many Bay Area counties including the superior courts of San Francisco, Marin and San Mateo. Chris did sophisticated representation and research in the division of closely-held businesses, corporations, stock options, real properties, intellectual properties, retirement plans, and other marital assets. He was also represented clients in heavily-contested custody disputes involving allegations of domestic violence.
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HOOVER & BECHTEL, LLP
Attorney
Chris Sawyer practiced as family law attorney for Hoover & Bechtel, LLP in San Jose from 2004 through 2006.
As lead counsel, Chris appeared extensively in California Family courts, including the counties of San Francisco, Alameda, Santa Clara, Monterrey, Santa Cruz, San Mateo and Marin.
Mr. Sawyer represented clients on all family law issues including complex dissolutions, property division, domestic violence, child support spousal support, and custody disputes.
UC Hastings
JURIS DOCTOR 2003
Chris Sawyer received his Juris Doctor degree from the University of California, Hastings College of the Law, in 2003.
At Hastings, Chris made “law review” and served as Sr. Production Editor for the Hastings Law Journal.
Chris received awards for Oral Argument, as well as Witkin and CALI awards for his course work in legal theory.
Chris served as a research assistant to family law Professor, Kelly Weisberg, and contributed to the publication of two treatises on child support and spousal support in California and Texas.
San Francisco Family Court
JUDICIAL INTERN
In 2002, Chris Sawyer served as a judicial intern to Hon. Charlotte Walter Woolard, Judge of the San Francisco Unified Family Court. Working for the family court in this neutral capacity ultimately fueled his desire to open Sawyer Mediation and practice as a neutral family law mediator. Chris currently serves as a volunteer attorney for the San Francisco Unified Family Courts.
Family Law Publications
HASTINGS LAW JOURNAL
Chris was published in the Hastings Law Journal on the topic of California’s obligation to provide full faith and credit to civil unions enacted in the state of Vermont.
Family Law Beginnings
BARRY SCHNEIDER, ESQ. | HENRY SHAIN, PC
Chris began his family law career in the Bay Area in 1999 when he began working as a legal assistant to the thriving boutique family law and civil litigation practices of Barry Schneider and Henry Shain. It was here that Chris became introduced to the San Francisco Family Law community and where he became interested helping people resolve their family law disputes in a professional and amicable manner.
Other Interests
Chris Sawyer was born in Montreal, Canada. He received his Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Vermont in 1998. He is an avid musician, photographer and nature-lover and lives in San Francisco with his wife, Jennifer Moss.