About Us

Welcome to Family First Divorce Mediation Services. I am Ilene Brookler, the founder, and a Columbia Law School graduate with over 30 years of experience in employment law. Admitted to practice in both New York and California, I have witnessed the legal field's transformation from using books to conduct legal research to today’s remote filings and virtual courtrooms.

Since the pandemic in 2020, I have embraced remote practices, including depositions and court hearings. This shift has allowed me to experience firsthand the benefits of working remotely, such as improved time efficiency and a less adversarial atmosphere. Judges now routinely require cases to go to mediation before proceeding to trial, underscoring the effectiveness of mediation in encouraging open communication and voluntary agreements that benefit all parties involved.

I am deeply passionate about mediation and its ability to help families navigate divorce with dignity and respect. My personal experiences have shown me the significant drawbacks of traditional litigation in divorce cases. Court battles can be incredibly costly and emotionally damaging, especially for children caught in the middle of their warring parents. My family’s intense legal struggles were far more stressful, expensive, and damaging than when we engaged in the mediation process. These experiences solidified my belief that mediation is not only a more cost-effective approach but crucial to avoid the destruction of family relationships.

I am committed to educating others about mediation as a powerful alternative to traditional court proceedings. Through mediation, I aim to help families find solutions tailored to their unique situations and to support them in moving forward in a respectful and effective manner. Our services, available nationwide through remote mediation, provide a more amicable, faster, and less costly way to navigate divorce.

Mediation offers a cooperative environment that reduces trauma and stress. It provides a comprehensive method for resolving conflicts without making an already difficult situation more painful, stressful, or costly. Through virtual mediation sessions, we create a non-intimidating setting that reduces anxiety and promotes productive discussions. I employ collaborative techniques that focus on open communication, mutual respect, and preserving family bonds, benefiting both parents and children as they transition to life as ex-spouses and continuing parents.