64/100LFR Score
Ranked #1 because of its Google rating and review volume: 4.8★ from 441 Google reviews, the most in Palo Alto.
Based on 7 of 9 factors; bar status and recency not yet collected.
Mediators in Palo Alto, CA: 2026 rankings
85 mediators ranked by LFR ScoreUpdated 0 paid placements in this rankingHow we rank →
The short answer
- 1
Highest LFR Score in Palo Alto: Bay Legal, PC, LFR Score 64/100; 4.8★ from 441 Google reviews; open 24/7.
- 5
Open 24 hours (per Google): Modern Family Law, posts 24/7 hours; ranked #5 of 85.
- 5
Most-reviewed: Modern Family Law, 224 Google reviews at 4.8★, the most of 85 ranked after Bay Legal, PC; ranked #5.
Rankings can't be bought. Lawyers can't pay to change their rank or score. How we rank
85 Palo Alto mediators are ranked here by LFR Score, from nine published factors. 6 are open 24/7, 15 open Saturdays and 9 open Sundays, based on posted hours. The median Google rating is 4.8★ across 85 rated law firms.
Most of this list also appears on the Mediators in Fremont ranking. See Mediators in Fremont
Top 10 mediators in Palo Alto 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 | Bay Legal, PC | 64 | 4.8★ (441) | Palo Alto | Open 24 hrs (Google) | Top score |
| 2 | Off The Record Mediation Services LLC | 62 | 4.2★ (5) | Palo Alto | Sat · Sun | — |
| 3 | Families First Mediation, P.C. | 62 | 4.8★ (58) | San Jose, 16 mi away | — | — |
| 4 | Shikina Mediation | 61 | 4.9★ (38) | Oakland, 27 mi away | Sat | — |
| 5 | Modern Family Law | 60 | 4.8★ (224) | San Jose, 16 mi away | Open 24 hrs (Google) | Open 24 hours, Most reviews |
| 6 | East Bay Mediation Services | 59 | 5.0★ (5) | Alameda, 23 mi away | Sat · Sun | — |
| 7 | Graceffa Law, Inc. & The Graceffa Dispute Resolution Center | 59 | 4.7★ (31) | Oakland, 25 mi away | — | — |
| 8 | Mediation Path Silicon Valley | 58 | 5.0★ (3) | San Jose, 14 mi away | Sat | — |
| 9 | Guideway Legal Document & Mediation Services | 58 | 4.8★ (193) | Walnut Creek, 33 mi away | Sat | — |
| 10 | Mei Family Law & Mediation PC | 57 | 4.7★ (21) | Redwood City, 9 mi away | — | — |
All 85 mediators in Palo Alto, 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.
Based in Palo Alto
62/100LFR ScoreRanked #2 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.2★ from 5 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Mediation service”.
Based on 7 of 9 factors; bar status and recency not yet collected.
Based in San Jose, 16 mi away
62/100LFR ScoreRanked #3 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.8★ from 58 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Mediation service”.
Based on 7 of 9 factors; bar status and recency not yet collected.
Based in Oakland, 27 mi away
61/100LFR ScoreRanked #4 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.9★ from 38 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Mediation service”.
Based on 7 of 9 factors; bar status and recency not yet collected.
Based in San Jose, 16 mi away
60/100LFR ScoreRanked #5 because of its Google rating and review volume: 4.8★ from 224 Google reviews.
Based on 7 of 9 factors; bar status and recency not yet collected.
Based in Alameda, 23 mi away
59/100LFR ScoreRanked #6 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 5.0★ from 5 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Mediation service”.
Based on 7 of 9 factors; bar status and recency not yet collected.
Based in Oakland, 25 mi away
59/100LFR ScoreRanked #7 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.7★ from 31 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Mediation service”.
Based on 7 of 9 factors; bar status and recency not yet collected.
Based in San Jose, 14 mi away
58/100LFR ScoreRanked #8 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 5.0★ from 3 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Mediation service”.
Based on 7 of 9 factors; bar status and recency not yet collected.
Based in Walnut Creek, 33 mi away
58/100LFR ScoreRanked #9 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.8★ from 193 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Legal services”.
Based on 7 of 9 factors; bar status and recency not yet collected.
Based in Redwood City, 9 mi away
57/100LFR ScoreRanked #10 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.7★ from 21 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Family law attorney”.
Based on 6 of 9 factors; bar status, recency and availability not yet collected.
#11 DENKER MEDIATION
Based in San Jose, 22 mi away
56/100LFR ScoreRanked #11 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 5.0★ from 6 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Mediation service”.
Based on 7 of 9 factors; bar status and recency not yet collected.
#12 Hello Divorce
Based in Alameda, 25 mi away
56/100LFR ScoreRanked #12 because of its Google rating and review volume: 4.4★ from 109 Google reviews.
Based on 7 of 9 factors; bar status and recency not yet collected.
Based in San Jose, 16 mi away
55/100LFR ScoreRanked #13 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 3.7★ from 3 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Mediation service”.
Based on 7 of 9 factors; bar status and recency not yet collected.
Based in San Francisco, 28 mi away
55/100LFR ScoreRanked #14 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 5.0★ from 31 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Divorce service”.
Based on 7 of 9 factors; bar status and recency not yet collected.
Based in Livermore, 26 mi away
55/100LFR ScoreRanked #15 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 5.0★ from 4 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Mediation service”.
Based on 7 of 9 factors; bar status and recency not yet collected.
Based in San Ramon, 25 mi away
54/100LFR ScoreRanked #16 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 5.0★ from 3 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Mediation service”.
Based on 7 of 9 factors; bar status and recency not yet collected.
Based in Palo Alto
54/100LFR ScoreRanked #17 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 5.0★ from 6 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Bankruptcy attorney”.
Based on 7 of 9 factors; bar status and recency not yet collected.
Based in Fremont, 13 mi away
54/100LFR ScoreRanked #18 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 3.7★ from 3 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Family law attorney”.
Based on 7 of 9 factors; bar status and recency not yet collected.
Based in Campbell, 16 mi away
54/100LFR ScoreRanked #19 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.3★ from 10 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Divorce lawyer”.
Based on 7 of 9 factors; bar status and recency not yet collected.
Based in Berkeley, 30 mi away
54/100LFR ScoreRanked #20 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 5.0★ from 3 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Mediation service”.
Based on 7 of 9 factors; bar status and recency not yet collected.
Based in Albany, 32 mi away
54/100LFR ScoreRanked #21 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 5.0★ from 4 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Mediation service”.
Based on 7 of 9 factors; bar status and recency not yet collected.
Based in Redwood City, 6 mi away
53/100LFR ScoreRanked #22 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 5.0★ from 6 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Family law attorney”.
Based on 7 of 9 factors; bar status and recency not yet collected.
Based in Belmont, 9 mi away
53/100LFR ScoreRanked #23 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.6★ from 11 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Family law attorney”.
Based on 7 of 9 factors; bar status and recency not yet collected.
Based in Santa Cruz, 33 mi away
53/100LFR ScoreRanked #24 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 5.0★ from 3 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Mediation service”.
Based on 7 of 9 factors; bar status and recency not yet collected.
Based in Concord, 37 mi away
53/100LFR ScoreRanked #25 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 5.0★ from 4 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Mediation service”.
Based on 7 of 9 factors; bar status and recency not yet collected.
How we ranked Palo Alto mediators
We scored 85 Palo Alto 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 Palo Alto 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 Palo Alto: frequently asked questions
Which mediator has the highest LFR Score in Palo Alto?
By LFR Score, the highest-ranked mediator in Palo Alto, CA is Bay Legal, PC with an LFR Score of 64/100. It has 4.8★ from 441 Google reviews. It is open 24/7. Off The Record Mediation Services LLC (#2) and Families First Mediation, P.C. (#3) follow. We ranked 85 mediators on nine factors, last updated November 9, 2026.
How many mediators are there in Palo Alto?
LawFirmsRanked ranks 85 mediators serving Palo Alto, CA. 3 of them are based in Palo Alto; the rest serve it from nearby towns. Counts are as of November 2026.
Which mediators in Palo Alto are open 24/7?
6 ranked mediators in Palo Alto post 24/7 hours. The highest-ranked are Bay Legal, PC (#1), Modern Family Law (#5) and Hello Divorce (#12). Hours come from each law firm's Google listing as of November 2026, so call to confirm.
Which mediators in Palo Alto work on weekends?
15 of 85 ranked mediators post Saturday hours and 9 post Sunday hours. The highest-ranked open Saturdays are Bay Legal, PC (#1), Off The Record Mediation Services LLC (#2) and Shikina Mediation (#4). Posted hours are office hours; many firms meet clients by appointment outside them.
What Google rating do Palo Alto mediators have?
The median Google rating among 85 rated mediators in Palo Alto is 4.8★, with a median of 8 reviews. Bay Legal, PC has the most, 441 reviews, and ranks #1. 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 Palo Alto count in this ranking?
Yes, if they are within 40 mi of the Palo Alto 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 Palo Alto, 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 Palo Alto, 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 Palo Alto?
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 Palo Alto
- November 2026: LFR Scores recalculated for 85 mediators serving Palo Alto.
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