62/100LFR Score
Ranked #1 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.9★ from 38 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Mediation service”.
Mediators in Novato, CA: 2026 rankings
71 mediators ranked by LFR ScoreUpdated 0 paid placements in this rankingHow we rank →
The short answer
- 1
Highest LFR Score in Novato: Shikina Mediation, LFR Score 62/100; 4.9★ from 38 Google reviews; open Saturdays until 12 PM.
- 8
Open 24 hours (per Google): Hello Divorce, posts 24/7 hours; ranked #8 of 71.
- 3
Most-reviewed: Guideway Legal Document & Mediation Services, 193 Google reviews at 4.8★, the most of 71 ranked; ranked #3.
Rankings can't be bought. Lawyers can't pay to change their rank or score. How we rank
71 Novato mediators are ranked here by LFR Score, from nine published factors. 3 are open 24/7, 10 open Saturdays and 4 open Sundays, based on posted hours. The median Google rating is 4.8★ across 71 rated law firms.
Top 10 mediators in Novato at a glance
Ranked by our published LFR Score from public data, not by payment; a rank is not an endorsement or a prediction of results.
| Rank | Business | LFR Score | Google rating | Based in | Hours | Notable for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Shikina Mediation | 62 | 4.9★ (38) | Oakland, 26 mi away | Sat | Top score |
| 2 | Divorce with Dignity - Marin and Sonoma | 60 | 4.7★ (18) | Santa Rosa, 28 mi away | Sat | — |
| 3 | Guideway Legal Document & Mediation Services | 60 | 4.8★ (193) | Walnut Creek, 31 mi away | Sat | Most reviews |
| 4 | Graceffa Law, Inc. & The Graceffa Dispute Resolution Center | 59 | 4.7★ (31) | Oakland, 27 mi away | — | — |
| 5 | East Bay Mediation Services | 59 | 5.0★ (5) | Alameda, 29 mi away | Sat · Sun | — |
| 6 | Reiter Family Law & Mediation | 58 | 4.3★ (6) | San Rafael, 7 mi away | — | — |
| 7 | Marla Keenan-Rivero Family Law Mediation | 57 | 4.6★ (11) | Santa Rosa, 24 mi away | — | — |
| 8 | Hello Divorce | 57 | 4.4★ (109) | Alameda, 28 mi away | Open 24 hrs (Google) | Open 24 hours |
| 9 | Divorce with Dignity - San Francisco | 56 | 5.0★ (31) | San Francisco, 24 mi away | Open 24 hrs (Google) | — |
| 10 | Browne Law and Mediation, P.C. | 56 | 5.0★ (53) | Santa Rosa, 24 mi away | — | — |
All 71 mediators in Novato, in rank order
Ordered by LFR Score, a 0–100 score from nine published factors. Paid placement never changes the order.
Ranked by our published LFR Score from public data, not by payment; a rank is not an endorsement or a prediction of results.
Scores below: based on 7 of 9 factors; bar status and recency not yet collected. Hatched segments mark factors we don't have yet.
Based in Santa Rosa, 28 mi away
60/100LFR ScoreRanked #2 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.7★ from 18 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Mediation service”.
Based in Walnut Creek, 31 mi away
60/100LFR ScoreRanked #3 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.8★ from 193 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Legal services”.
Based in Oakland, 27 mi away
59/100LFR ScoreRanked #4 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.7★ from 31 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Mediation service”.
Based in Alameda, 29 mi away
59/100LFR ScoreRanked #5 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 5.0★ from 5 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Mediation service”.
Based in San Rafael, 7 mi away
58/100LFR ScoreRanked #6 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.3★ from 6 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Mediation service”.
Based in Santa Rosa, 24 mi away
57/100LFR ScoreRanked #7 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.6★ from 11 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Mediation service”.
Based in Alameda, 28 mi away
57/100LFR ScoreRanked #8 because of its Google rating and review volume: 4.4★ from 109 Google reviews.
Based in San Francisco, 24 mi away
56/100LFR ScoreRanked #9 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 5.0★ from 31 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Divorce service”.
Based in Santa Rosa, 24 mi away
56/100LFR ScoreRanked #10 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 5.0★ from 53 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Divorce lawyer”.
Based in Mill Valley, 17 mi away
56/100LFR ScoreRanked #11 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 5.0★ from 3 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Mediation service”.
Based in Santa Rosa, 26 mi away
56/100LFR ScoreRanked #12 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 5.0★ from 6 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Mediation service”.
Based in Albany, 21 mi away
56/100LFR ScoreRanked #13 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 5.0★ from 4 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Mediation service”.
Based in Santa Rosa, 24 mi away
55/100LFR ScoreRanked #14 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 3.8★ from 8 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Mediation service”.
Based in Berkeley, 23 mi away
55/100LFR ScoreRanked #15 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 5.0★ from 3 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Mediation service”.
Based in San Rafael, 10 mi away
54/100LFR ScoreRanked #16 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.9★ from 26 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Immigration attorney”.
Based in Santa Rosa, 24 mi away
54/100LFR ScoreRanked #17 because of its Google rating and review volume: 5.0★ from 104 Google reviews.
Based in Concord, 30 mi away
54/100LFR ScoreRanked #18 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 5.0★ from 4 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Mediation service”.
Based in Petaluma, 9 mi away
53/100LFR ScoreRanked #19 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 5.0★ from 7 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Family law attorney”.
Based in Oakland, 27 mi away
53/100LFR ScoreRanked #20 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.6★ from 28 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Legal services”.
Based in San Rafael, 10 mi away
53/100LFR ScoreRanked #21 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.1★ from 9 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Personal injury attorney”.
Based in Petaluma, 10 mi away
53/100LFR ScoreRanked #22 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.4★ from 7 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Divorce lawyer”.
Based in San Rafael, 10 mi away
53/100LFR ScoreRanked #23 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 3.5★ from 11 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Attorney”.
Based in San Francisco, 24 mi away
53/100LFR ScoreRanked #24 because of its Google rating and review volume: 4.9★ from 58 Google reviews.
Based in Alameda, 29 mi away
52/100LFR ScoreRanked #25 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.9★ from 33 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Divorce lawyer”.
Mediators ranked #26 to #50
#1 to #25 are shown in full above. Here are #26 to #50, in LFR Score order; each links to its profile. We publish the top 50 of 71 ranked mediators here; the rest are on their profiles.
Also serving Novato
20 more mediators within 40 mi that we can't rank yet: too few reviews, or a practice area we couldn't confirm. Listed A to Z.
| Business | Google rating | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| De Falla Law & Mediation | 5.0★ (2) | 37 mi |
| Divorce with Dignity - San Mateo | 3.0★ (2) | 38 mi |
| Eric Sternberger - Partner at Ragghianti Freitas LLP | 5.0★ (1) | 10 mi |
| Go Divorce Clinic Inc. | 5.0★ (2) | 25 mi |
| Law & Mediation Offices of Rodney N. Johnson | 5.0★ (2) | 10 mi |
| Law and Mediation Offices of Stuart Diamond | 5.0★ (2) | 10 mi |
| Law Office of Cristin M. Lowe | 3.0★ (2) | 30 mi |
| Law Offices of Andrea B. Goldman | 5.0★ (2) | 22 mi |
| Law Offices of Yasmin James P.C. | 3.5★ (2) | 27 mi |
| Lawhon Law & Mediation P.C | 1.0★ (1) | 7 mi |
| Mediation Offices | 5.0★ (2) | 26 mi |
| Michael Bailey Law Offices | 4.5★ (2) | 28 mi |
| Modern Family Law | 5.0★ (1) | 13 mi |
| Napa Mediation Center | 1.5★ (2) | 20 mi |
| Online 2 Help Notary & Mediation | 5.0★ (2) | 27 mi |
| Sami M Mason Law Offices | In Novato | |
| Sawyer Mediation | 3.0★ (2) | 23 mi |
| Stromberg Law Firm Attorneys-Mediators | 4.5★ (2) | 31 mi |
| The Law and Mediation Offices of Thomas D. Wright | 5.0★ (2) | 24 mi |
| William R. Fishman | 5.0★ (2) | 9 mi |
How we ranked Novato mediators
We scored 71 Novato mediators on nine factors, weighted as shown. A law firm is ranked when its practice area is confirmed and it has 3 or more Google reviews or a claimed profile. A law firm with no Google reviews scores zero on rating, review volume and recency. Other unknown factors are left out, not counted as zero. Scores last refreshed November 9, 2026.
Paid placement never changes a rank or score. Attorney advertising businesses are paid, labelled, limited to 3 and shown above the ranking, outside it.
| Factor | Weight | Computed from | In Novato data |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reputation | 25% | Google star rating, adjusted for how many reviews back it | Measured |
| Bar status | 10% | An active bar or law society record matched to a lawyer at the firm (not measured until a record source is loaded) | Not yet collected |
| Review volume | 10% | Number of Google reviews, compared with the most-reviewed firm on the list | Measured |
| Recency | 10% | Share of reviews from the last 12 months | Not yet collected |
| Availability | 5% | Weekly office hours, Saturday, Sunday, and phones answered 24/7 | Measured |
| Practice focus | 15% | How clearly the firm practises this area (its Google category and name) | Measured |
| Proximity | 5% | An office in the city scores highest, less the farther away it is | Measured |
| Claimed profile | 10% | The firm has claimed its Law Firms Ranked profile (free and paid earn the same) | Measured |
| Law Firms Ranked reviews | 10% | Verified client reviews collected by Law Firms Ranked: their rating and how many there are | Measured |
How to choose a mediator
- Check the lawyer’s status and any public discipline in the state bar or law society directory.
- Ask how many mediation matters the lawyer handles each year, and who at the firm will do the work.
- Get the fee arrangement in writing: hourly, flat or contingency, and which costs are charged on top.
- Ask how and how often the firm will update you, and how fast it answers calls and emails.
- Read recent reviews for how the firm communicated and billed, not only for outcomes.
- Ask whether the mediator is a lawyer, what mediation training or accreditation they hold, and how many matters like yours they have mediated.
- Meet more than one firm; many offer a short first consultation, sometimes free.
Questions to ask a mediator
- How would you approach a matter like mine, and what are the realistic options?
- How do you charge, and what will the total likely cost?
- Who will be my main contact, and how quickly do you reply?
- Are you a lawyer, and who prepares the written agreement?
- How many sessions does a matter like ours usually take?
- Is there any conflict of interest that would stop you representing me?
Terms explained
- Contingency fee
- A fee that is a share of the money recovered, paid only if there is a recovery. Common in injury cases; not allowed for criminal defense or for securing a divorce.
- Retainer
- Money paid up front and held in a trust account, which the lawyer draws on as fees are earned.
- Flat fee
- One set price for a defined piece of work, such as a will or an uncontested matter.
- Limited-scope representation
- Paying a lawyer for part of a matter only, such as reviewing documents or coaching for one hearing (also called unbundled services).
- Statute of limitations
- The deadline to file a lawsuit or charge. It differs by state or province and by type of claim.
- Good standing
- A lawyer’s status as active and eligible to practise with a state bar or law society.
- Law society
- The body that licenses and disciplines lawyers in a Canadian province or territory.
- Board certification
- Recognition in a field of law by a state program or an organisation accredited for that purpose. Lawyers may only claim it when they hold it, naming the certifying body.
- Attorney–client privilege
- The rule that keeps confidential communications between a client and lawyer, made for legal advice, out of court.
- Conflict check
- The search a firm runs before taking a matter to make sure it does not represent someone on the other side.
- Pro bono
- Legal work done for free, usually for people who cannot afford a lawyer.
- Legal aid
- Publicly funded legal help for people with low incomes, through legal aid offices, public defenders or provincial legal aid plans.
Mediators in Novato: frequently asked questions
Which mediator has the highest LFR Score in Novato?
By LFR Score, the highest-ranked mediator in Novato, CA is Shikina Mediation with an LFR Score of 62/100. It has 4.9★ from 38 Google reviews. It is open Saturdays until 12 PM. Divorce with Dignity - Marin and Sonoma (#2) and Guideway Legal Document & Mediation Services (#3) follow. We ranked 71 mediators on nine factors, last updated November 9, 2026.
How many mediators are there in Novato?
LawFirmsRanked ranks 71 mediators serving Novato, CA. Another 20 within 40 mi are listed but not ranked yet. Counts are as of November 2026.
Which mediators in Novato are open 24/7?
3 ranked mediators in Novato post 24/7 hours. The highest-ranked are Hello Divorce (#8) and Divorce with Dignity - San Francisco (#9). Hours come from each law firm's Google listing as of November 2026, so call to confirm.
Which mediators in Novato work on weekends?
10 of 71 ranked mediators post Saturday hours and 4 post Sunday hours. The highest-ranked open Saturdays are Shikina Mediation (#1), Divorce with Dignity - Marin and Sonoma (#2) and Guideway Legal Document & Mediation Services (#3). Posted hours are office hours; many firms meet clients by appointment outside them.
What Google rating do Novato mediators have?
The median Google rating among 71 rated mediators in Novato is 4.8★, with a median of 8 reviews. Guideway Legal Document & Mediation Services has the most, 193 reviews, and ranks #3. We adjust ratings for review count, so a few five-star reviews cannot top the list.
How does LawFirmsRanked rank mediators?
Each mediator gets a 0–100 LFR Score from nine published factors, led by reputation (25%), practice focus (15%), review volume (10%) and recency (10%). A law firm with no Google reviews scores zero on rating, review volume and recency; other factors we cannot measure are left out. Only law firms with a confirmed practice area and 3 or more reviews, or a claimed profile, are ranked.
Do mediators outside Novato count in this ranking?
Yes, if they are within 40 mi of the Novato city center, our service radius for mediators. Each listing shows where the law firm is based and how far away it is. Proximity is 5% of the LFR Score, so a nearby law firm gets a small edge.
Can mediators pay to rank higher on LawFirmsRanked?
No. The LFR Score never reads payment status, and this ranking has 0 paid placements. Up to 3 Featured law firms may appear above the list, labelled Attorney advertising and showing their honest rank.
How do mediators in Novato, CA charge?
Mediators usually charge by the hour or a flat fee per session, and the cost is often split between the two sides. Ask for the fee arrangement in writing before you agree.
Is an agreement reached in mediation legally binding?
Mediation is voluntary and the mediator does not decide anything. If both sides agree, the terms are usually written up and signed, and in a divorce or custody matter filed with the court to become binding. Each side can have its own lawyer review the agreement first. This is general information, not legal advice.
How is this list of mediators in Novato, CA ranked?
By LFR Score only, from public data on reviews, practice focus, office location and hours. Firms labelled “Attorney advertising” paid for that placement; payment never changes a rank, and a rank is not an endorsement.
Does a lawyer need an office in Novato?
No, but the lawyer must be licensed in your state (or, for federal matters such as immigration, in some state). A local office makes meetings and court appearances easier, so proximity is one of our factors.
Update log for Novato
- November 2026: LFR Scores recalculated for 71 mediators serving Novato.
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