Author Description

Family Lawyer as Peacemaker is a groundbreaking work by Forrest S. Mosten and Lara Traum that redefines the role of the family lawyer as a healer, guide, and changemaker. Drawing on decades of hands-on experience, deep reflection, and a commitment to justice with a human face, Mosten and Traum offer a visionary blueprint for practicing law through empathy, collaboration, and sustainable conflict resolution. This comprehensive volume explores the principles, practices, and mindsets that transform family law into a peacemaking profession. From reshaping legal practice around healing and collaboration to cultivating self-awareness and emotional intelligence, the authors guide readers through the practical and philosophical foundations of peaceful lawyering. Whether navigating mediation, collaborative practice, prenuptial agreements, or long-term client relationships, the book provides concrete tools and frameworks to help professionals lead with presence and purpose. Throughout, the authors are joined by select contributors - esteemed practitioners, interdisciplinary leaders, and a respected peacemaking judge - who share stories from the field and perspectives on systemic reform. These contributions complement Mosten and Traum's central message: that lawyers can be agents of healing in families and communities. Rich with actionable strategies, real-life case examples, and visionary insight, Family Lawyer as Peacemaker is both a practical manual and a call to action. For family lawyers, mediators, and students seeking to serve with integrity, compassion, and courage, this book offers a path forward: one where peace is not a side effect, but the central mission of legal practice.