Mark B. Baer, Inc., APLC

Mark was wonderful in helping us draw up our premarital agreement. His mediation style approach was instrumental in getting us to understand the concepts and implications of all items that needed to be addressed. Although we did not use a mediator, Mark's approach facilitated open communication and discussion. As a result, my husband and I entered our marriage with better communication skills and a much clearer picture of our financial commitments to each other, and our future. Thank you, Mark, for helping us to build and even stronger relationship!

To refer to Mark as a mediator isn't really describing what he does. He's trained and licensed as an attorney but meeting with Mark is a quick reminder why there are so many lawyer jokes. He's like the anti-lawyer. He truly truly cares about his clients and leaves his own agenda (if he even has one in these situations) outside the room. Mediation to help multiple parties come to a satisfying agreement is only part of what he does - I've come to refer to him as an emotional translator. When two people are angry at each other it's more than just anger - Mark helped me see this. There's hurt, betrayal, sadness, grief, and a myriad of other emotions I can't think of right now - but I bet Mark can! He's excellent with naming feelings that you may not know you even have. He's incredible at teaching people to see the other's point of view in a way that doesn't make you feel defensive of yours - huge for me as a control freak always in recovery. Mark helped me navigate a very difficult relationship I was having with my mother and I wanted to be able to let go of my anger - I was beginning to think it wasn't possible and it made me sad as my mom is getting older and I wanted so bad to heal our relationship while she's still here. Mark was incredibly instrumental in making that happen and I'm forever grateful. Like in any mediation situation it always takes all parties willing to do the work but Mark has a way of diffusing tension and making the parties willing and even WANTING to find peaceful resolution. Highly highly recommend him.

Mark is one of the few family law attorneys who is truly collaborative. I am a peacemaking attorney, as well, and I appreciate that Mark doesn’t just preach settlement of cases and then tell his clients what they have to do like most attorneys who still litigate. The fact that he no longer litigates is proof that he is committed to helping his clients to resolve their divorce without fighting in court. He doesn’t try to push the law onto his clients and instead listens to his clients’ concerns and values and is creative rather than being stuck on the law. He doesn’t rely on the dissomaster program to settle disputes but rather does the work to discuss the reality of his clients’ needs and budgeting. When Mark is involved in cases with me, I know he will move the case along without billing unnecessary hours, bullying and he won’t be too busy with court appearances. Leslie Howell

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!!

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!