SAN DIEGO – Divorce is a complicated matter to begin with. Throw in a business, military family dynamics or high-asset matters and it requires even more care.
Sarah Schaffer knew this when she founded Schaffer Family Law Group, formerly The Law Offices of Sarah Schaffer, in 2011, and her unique background has equipped her to navigate all kinds of clientele.
Before she earned her Master of Laws degree in taxation from University of San Diego (USD), Schaffer served five years in the U.S. Marine Corps as a logistics officer in Okinawa, Japan, and Quantico, Virginia. She is recently retired as Deputy Director, Reserve Legal Support, Headquarters Marine Corps, Judge Advocate Division, Washington, D.C.
Before founding Schaffer Family Law Group, Schaffer spent three years working as a tax consultant with Big 4 accounting firm Ernst & Young.
Schaffer was introduced to family law while working in legal assistance during her military service, helping service members and their families navigate family law.
“I found that the combination of financial complexity and deeply personal stakes resonated with me,” Schaffer said. “Today, my background in tax, finance and military service allows me to guide clients through high-conflict and high-asset matters with both strategic insight and empathy.”
After 15 years, the firm’s footprint has expanded to serve various regions in San Diego County across several legal areas including high-net-worth divorce, complex property division, military divorce and support, same sex divorce and divorce over the age of 50.
In 2024, Schaffer Family Law Group was named one of the nation’s “Best Law Firms” by Best Lawyers in America, a ranking determined through qualitative and quantitative research and client and peer review to identify the top 4% in the industry.
Steady, Client-Focused Growth
Year over year, the firm has experienced “steady” and “sustainable” growth, Schaffer said.
“That growth has been driven primarily by referrals, specialization and long-term client trust, rather than aggressive marketing or rapid scaling,” Schaffer said.
Schaffer Family Law Group operates as a full-service family law firm offering litigation, mediation and collaborative divorce services. In particular, Schaffer said the firm is skilled in high-net-worth cases, business and executive divorces and matters involving military families.
As the firm has scaled, Schaffer has added service offerings and team members based on client needs.
“The focus has been on maintaining quality, specialization and consistency rather than growth for growth’s sake,” Schaffer said.
Today, the firm — made up of seven employees — has three locations across San Diego County. Its main office is located in Del Mar, with satellite offices in Carlsbad and Downtown San Diego.
Schaffer said her firm’s approach blends financial and tax analysis with family law strategy, a method she said is not common for similar firms. Alternative dispute resolution is also a hallmark of Schaffer’s approach. Resolving matters privately, while being prepared for possible litigation, is a priority.
Like many other industries, the legal world is being shifted by the advent of AI technology.
Schaffer said that her firm is integrating AI “thoughtfully” in accordance with the State Bar of California’s requirements. The technology is being implemented in the firm’s legal research technology to promote efficiency while safeguarding client confidentiality.
Schaffer noted other high-quality family law firms, including boutique practices and larger full-service firms, as primary competition.
“We differentiate ourselves through specialization, experience, responsiveness and our ability to handle complex financial and military-related issues with precision,” Schaffer said.
A Changing Market
In today’s world of family law, Schaffer said that financial complexity and evolving asset structures in cases are on the rise. Her clients are also exhibiting an increased desire for alternatives to traditional litigation, especially with court congestion posing an industry challenge.
“We’ve adapted by expanding mediation and collaborative services and continuing to educate clients on options that can reduce cost, time and conflict,” Schaffer said.
Supporting a healthy workplace is central to Schaffer’s work, especially since family law clients are often navigating crisis. To that end, the firm engages in team building initiatives and provides wellness resources to its team members.
Schaffer said that the firm’s future growth will remain “thoughtful and strategic.”
“Our focus is on expanding mediation services, developing future firm leadership, and continuing to serve clients throughout San Diego County,” Schaffer said. “Any partnerships or expansion will align with those priorities.”
While managing complex cases, especially ones involving children, Schaffer said that creative problem-solving is a strength of her team.
“One case that stands out involved a highly contentious divorce where litigation would have jeopardized a family business,” Schaffer said. “Through mediation, the parties were able to step out of an adversarial posture and craft a non-traditional solution that allowed them to remain joint owners of the business post-divorce.
“Seeing that shift — from conflict to collaboration — and knowing it preserved both the business and the parties’ long-term financial stability was a powerful reminder of the impact thoughtful dispute resolution can have,” she continued.
Schaffer Family Law Group
FOUNDED: 2011
CEO: Sarah Schaffer
HEADQUARTERS: San Diego
BUSINESS: Legal
EMPLOYEES: 7
WEBSITE: www.sandiegofamilyattorneys.com
CONTACT: (858) 509-7907
NOTABLE: Sarah spent five years as a Logistics Officer in the United States Marine Corps, with assign-ments in Okinawa, Japan and Quantico, Virginia, and recently retired as a Colonel as Deputy Director of Reserve Legal Support for Headquarters Marine Corps in Washington, D.C.
Born and raised in San Diego, Madison takes great pride in local storytelling. Her coverage at the San Diego Business Journal includes tourism, hospitality, nonprofits, education and retail. An alumna of San Diego State University’s journalism program, she has written for publications including The San Diego Union-Tribune and The San Diego Sun. At the 2024 San Diego Press Club awards, Madison was recognized for her exemplary profile writing. She was also a speaker for the 2023 TEDx Conference at Bonita Vista High School. When she’s not working on her next story, Madison can be found performing music at a local restaurant or on one of San Diego’s many hiking trails.
