“I serve as an envoy between my client and the court. I can focus the court on my client’s concerns – and the reasons behind them — in ways that my clients might struggle to convey to the court if doing it by themselves.”
In his more than 20 years of experience as a family law attorney in Los Angeles, Craig S. Pedersen has counseled clients across the full range of issues. His in-depth experience includes high net worth divorce, high-conflict custody cases, paternity matters, and post-judgment litigation.
Craig strives to be the best family law attorney Los Angeles has to offer, that’s why he has earned a reputation as a highly effective communicator for his ability to voice his clients’ concerns persuasively before judges and arbiters. As a Los Angeles family law attorney, Craig customizes his counsel to each client’s individual circumstances and focuses on helping them adjust to their changing personal and family dynamics so they can move forward.
A graduate of Loyola Law School, Craig served as president of his alma mater’s Alumni Association Board of Governors and continues to serve on its board. His work there has involved overseeing pro bono efforts, including legal services clinics. Craig serves as a vice-chair of the Beverly Hills Bar Association, Family Law Section. In addition, he is a member of the Family Law Executive Committee of the California Lawyers Association, where Craig provides guidance on legislation and legislative priorities geared toward family law litigants and their children.
Q&A with Los Angeles Family Law Attorney Craig S. Pedersen
How do you work with clients?
In a high-level sense, I meet my clients where they are and help bring them to where they need to advance. I am highly attuned to how my clients process and perceive information. Each person communicates differently, and different clients are often in different stages of processing the changes in family dynamics that caused them to seek me out for assistance.
What major challenges do you help clients manage?
My clients are typically dealing with major disruptions to or reconfigurations of their family and financial lives. I help them deal with the fear of the unknown by educating them about the law and the choices they may wish to make. I share with them my philosophy that they will overcome as opposed to being overcome. I offer my perspective, saying you should “view divorce as a part of your life, not life as part of your divorce.”
Describe how you personalize your counsel.
I find and use the methods needed to best convey information to clients and ensure their concerns are heard. This may mean taking one approach over another in a drafting process for a document and using preferred methods of communication for my client (i.e. phone, e-mail, etc.)
What achievements/representations are you most proud of?
I am exhilarated to represent clients I know need substantial help from the legal system but who are underdogs because marshaling the evidence needed by the court is difficult. One of the most professionally and personally satisfying results I obtained in this regard was getting a permanent restraining order for a stalking victim against the stalker who had victimized her for years.
What is your favorite part of your work?
I always relish taking on new challenges. As an example, I recently conducted the trial examination of a minor child, which I had not done previously. At issue was where my client’s 17-year old son would live and finish high school. I felt the weighty responsibility of exposing the lack of maturity underlying the boy’s expressed preference but at the same time honoring his dignity and avoiding his embarrassment. The examination went perfectly, and all competing objectives were accomplished.
Where did you grow up?
I am a Pasadena boy — I was raised there and am a lifelong resident of the area.
Craig S. Pedersen
Practice Areas
- Family Law
- Alimony & Spousal Support
- Child Support
- Custody & Visitation
- Dissolution
- Divorce
- Domestic Violence
- Marital Property
- Paternity
Education
- Loyola Law School, Los Angeles, California
- J.D. - 1994
- Azusa Pacific University
- B.A. - 1991
- Major: Political Science
Professional Associations &
Memberships
- Los Angeles County Bar Association, Family Law Section, Member
- Beverly Hills Bar Association, Family Law Section
- California Lawyers Association, Family Law Executive Committee
- State Bar of California
Honors
- Best Lawyers in America: Best Lawyers®: 2025, 2026, 2027
- Los Angeles Magazine: Best of L.A. Legal list, 2026
- Lawdragon 500 Leading Family Lawyers: 2024 - 2027
- Super Lawyers: 2011, 2014 - 2026
- Beverly Hills Bar Association, Family Law Section, Award of Recognition for Service as Co-Chair: 2017 - 2018
- Loyola Law School Alumni Association Board of Governors, Award of Recognition for Service as President: 2013
- Super Lawyers Rising Stars: 2008 - 2009
- Loyola Law School of Los Angeles, Dean’s Service Award: 1994
Published Works
- “For the Best or Worst Interests of Baseball: The Commissioner’s Powers Lie in Doubt,” Loyola Law School of Los Angeles Entertainment Law Journal, Vol. 13, Issue 2 (Spring 1993)