Meet your mediator
Scott F. Levin, Esq., CDFA®: San Diego Attorney and Divorce Mediator
Scott is a California family law attorney, a Certified Divorce Financial Analyst and a neutral mediator. He helps couples and co-parents settle divorce, property, support and parenting questions without going to court, and he writes the agreement himself. You may also hear him called the Chief PeaceKeeper™.
- ✓ Practicing law for more than 22 years (State Bar member since 2004)
- ✓ J.D., University of Virginia School of Law
- ✓ Certified Divorce Financial Analyst (CDFA®)
- ✓ Mediation-focused practice
- ✓ More than 2,500 mediations
In Scott’s words
Why he chose family law and mediation
“People often ask me why I chose family law and mediation. In divorce, no two cases are alike. Every case is like a snowflake or a fingerprint. Yes, I’m good with numbers, finance and math, but my passion is creativity, human impact and family.
I don’t just check boxes and hand out template agreements. I help people through one of the biggest changes of their lives, and that gives me a real chance to make a difference. After years of litigating and seeing the destructive legal structure divorcing couples face, I decided it mattered more to me to protect families and children, and to save them the time, money and stress that come with divorce.
The number one question I get in consultations is ‘What if we don’t agree?’ Most of my clients don’t agree at first, and many haven’t even talked about what a settlement looks like. Just because you’re mediating doesn’t mean you’re in agreement. That’s where I come in.
Mediation is a practice, almost an art form. The process itself isn’t the answer. The person guiding it is. I don’t have a one-size-fits-all blueprint. I love finding creative financial solutions and agreements that work for everyone in the family, and I write every agreement myself using my legal experience.
My clients often thank me for not making them feel like another file in a stack. When you work with Scott Levin, you’re getting me, and I stand behind that.”
Scott Levin, Esq., CDFA®Scott practiced law for more than ten years at large international firms and in his own practice before building this one. Since he made mediation his whole practice, he no longer takes cases to court. Colleagues across California, including judges, litigating attorneys and other mediators, respect him for his ethics, honesty and ability, and families tell us the process left them with less stress and more privacy.
What sets Scott apart
An attorney, a financial analyst and a mediator in one
Most people who need help with a divorce settlement end up juggling a mediator, a lawyer and a financial professional. Scott is all three, so the law, the numbers and the drafting stay connected.
The legal side
Scott explains what California law says about property, support and parenting, so you understand your rights and options before you decide anything. He then drafts a court-ready agreement and prepares the uncontested court papers.
The financial side
As a CDFA®, Scott shows you what each choice means for your income, taxes and future. That helps when the home, retirement accounts, a business or stock compensation are on the table.
The neutral side
Many attorneys offer mediation alongside a litigation practice. Scott believes an attorney should pick one path or the other, so he trained extensively as a mediator and made mediation his whole practice. He stays neutral and helps both of you reach terms you can live with.
The Chief PeaceKeeper™
Settling well means protecting the relationships too
Scott calls his approach peacekeeping. The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office registered the name Chief PeaceKeeper™, and it reflects how he works: resolve the legal questions, and also protect the people and the relationships that matter after the paperwork is done.
Scott is also a husband and a hands-on dad to three boys, the parent who coaches the teams, shows up for parent-teacher conferences and knows the school pick-up line well. He relates to parents who want to separate with respect and protect and love their kids.
His approach isn’t for everyone. It works best for people who are willing to sit down together, share their information honestly and work toward terms both can accept. If safety is a concern, or you’re not sure mediation is right, say so at your consultation and we’ll talk through your options.
Ways to work with Scott
- Divorce mediation for both spouses
- Co-mediation with Scott and Mary when parenting is a focus
- Consulting attorney for one spouse, when he isn’t your mediator
- Property and asset division and child support mediation
- Prenuptial agreements
Credentials
Education, licenses and training
Education
- Juris Doctor, University of Virginia School of Law
- Bachelor’s degree, New York University
- Taught community property to law students at Western Sierra Law School in Oceanside
Licensed and certified
- Attorney, State Bar of California (2004), Bar No. 234458
- Attorney, U.S. District Courts in California (Central, Southern, Eastern and Northern)
- Certified Divorce Financial Analyst, Institute for Divorce Financial Analysts
- Certified Mediator, Academy of Professional Family Mediators
Training
- Divorce mediation training, Mosten Mediation Training
- Basic interdisciplinary collaborative training, Sacramento Collaborative Practice Group
- Peer mediation training, Legal Aid Society of San Diego
Recognition and community
Awards, affiliations and giving back
Recognition
- Rated Super Lawyer for family law in California
- 2024 San Diego Business Journal Leader of Influence in Law
- Best Attorney in San Diego, San Diego Metro Magazine
- Divorce Lending Association, named Attorney Loan Expert
- Featured monthly presenter on mediation law, Second Saturday Divorce Workshop
Professional affiliations
- Academy of Professional Family Mediators
- Amicable Divorce Network
- Collaborative Practice San Diego
- Vesta: A New Vision for Divorce
- San Diego CAMFT
- Poway Chamber of Commerce (board of directors)
- La Jolla Village Merchants Association (board of directors)
- East County, Encinitas and North San Diego Business chambers
- ProVisors, Echelon and EOA San Diego
Community
- Fresh Start Surgical Gifts
- Kids’ Turn San Diego
- Labs and More Dog Rescue
- Jerabek Elementary
- Lawrence Family Jewish Community Center
- San Diego Jewish Community Foundation
- Old Pros of Scripps Ranch and the Scripps Ranch 4th of July Fun Run
- University of San Diego and University of Virginia School of Law
Listen and learn
Scott on video and on podcasts
If you’d like to hear how Scott explains things before you meet him, start with his YouTube channel or one of these conversations:
- Scott’s YouTube channel on divorce mediation
- The Divorce Mediation Podcast
- How to Divide a 401(k) During Divorce
- Mortgage Advice During Divorce, with Sam Mehta
- Transforming Conflict into Collaboration, on the I’ll Meet You There podcast
- How to Mediate Divorce with a Narcissist, with Jill Kaufman
- Featured guest on the Divorce Lending Association podcast (Episode 11.24)
Beyond the law
A background in business, too
Scott founded LiveSource, a fundraising startup that helps organizations raise more through online auctions, and then founded San Diego Divorce Mediation & Family Law. That business experience is one reason he’s comfortable when a case involves a company, a professional practice or complex income.
Read more about Mary Levin, his partner in co-mediation, or see what clients say about working with us. You can also find Scott on LinkedIn and Avvo.
Common questions
Questions about Scott
Is Scott Levin a lawyer?
Yes. Scott has been a member of the California State Bar since 2004 (Bar No. 234458, which you can verify on the State Bar website) and is admitted to practice in the federal district courts of California. He also holds the Certified Divorce Financial Analyst (CDFA®) credential. Today his practice is mediation, so he doesn’t litigate.
Will Scott represent me in court?
No. Scott doesn’t litigate. In mediation he’s neutral, so he works with both of you and doesn’t represent either one against the other. He can also act as a consulting attorney for one person, advising only that person, as long as he isn’t also your mediator in the same case.
What does a Certified Divorce Financial Analyst do?
A CDFA® is trained to model the financial side of divorce: property division, support, taxes and how choices play out over time. Scott uses that training so you can see what each option means in real numbers before you agree.
What does “Chief PeaceKeeper” mean?
It’s the name Scott uses for his approach to mediation, and it’s a registered trademark. The idea is that a good settlement resolves the legal questions and also protects the relationships and the children involved.
Does Scott work with Mary?
Yes. Mary Levin is a Certified Co-Parenting Specialist™ and Scott’s co-mediation partner. When parents are building a parenting plan, Mary can join the sessions while Scott covers the legal and financial questions.
Where does Scott meet clients?
In person at the office in San Diego (9820 Willow Creek Rd, Suite 410, San Diego, CA 92131), or by Zoom anywhere in California.
How is mediation with Scott priced?
Our rates are affordable, and the fee depends on your circumstances. We go over it together at your consultation, before you commit, and people often tell us the pricing was clear and honest.
Will we have to go to court?
As long as you resolve your divorce through mediation, you are very unlikely to ever have to go to court. Scott takes care of that for your family: he drafts your agreement and prepares the uncontested court papers so the court can approve it.
Will Scott ever meet with us separately?
Sometimes. Scott may move between the two of you or speak with each of you separately, but only with the mutual consent of both spouses and Scott. Most sessions are held with both of you together.
Can we bring in our own financial advisors, attorneys or coaches?
Yes. You’re welcome to work with financial advisors, consulting attorneys, coaches or anyone else you think can help. Ideally, consulting attorneys won’t join the mediation sessions themselves, but we’re flexible about that.
What our clients say
Meet Scott and see if mediation fits your family
Start with a free 15-minute consultation. You’ll talk through your situation, learn how the process works and find out how pricing works, before you commit to anything. There’s no pressure, and Scott will tell you honestly whether mediation looks like a good fit.
General information, not legal, tax or financial advice for your situation. Scott Levin serves as a neutral mediator and does not represent either party in a mediation. San Diego Divorce Mediation & Family Law, 9820 Willow Creek Rd, Suite 410, San Diego, CA 92131.