Mary Louise Pollock
Partner
Family Law Attorney Mediator
With over 30 years of experience dedicated exclusively to Family Law, Mary Pollock has built a career rooted in advocacy and compassion. From her beginnings as a paralegal and mediator to her current role as an attorney, Mary has cultivated a deep passion for guiding individuals through challenging transitions, such as divorce or other family law matters.
Mary is known for her upbeat and positive approach, coupled with genuine empathy for her clients. She understands the emotional toll family law issues can take and works tirelessly to provide the support and clarity her clients need during these pivotal moments.
One of Mary’s standout strengths is her ability to educate clients. She excels at breaking down complex legal concepts, explaining how the law applies to their unique circumstances, and outlining their options. Mary firmly believes that knowledge is power. She empowers her clients by encouraging them to gain a thorough understanding of the issues in their case, enabling them to make informed decisions with confidence.
Allison Hardin
Partner
Attorney since 2001
Pensions/QDRO expert
Attorney/Mediator/Settlements
Allison has dedicated her legal career to conflict resolution, focusing exclusively on helping families navigate challenging transitions with dignity and fairness. With over 27 years of experience in family law and 23 years as an Attorney-Mediator, Allison is a highly skilled mediator and collaborative law attorney. She specializes in Divorce and Legal Separation, Domestic Partnerships/Same-Sex Marriage, QDROs, custody matters, property division, and the unique challenges faced by families dealing with addiction or DNA surprises.
Known for her compassion, empathy, and practical approach, Allison is committed to guiding clients toward equitable settlements that preserve both their dignity and resources. Her ability to foster understanding and collaboration helps create solutions that feel fair and meaningful to everyone involved.
Allison’s diverse life experiences allow her to connect deeply with her clients. She works diligently to understand not just what her clients need, but why they need it—empowering them to find their own best path forward. With a professional background in mental health and addiction services, Allison is uniquely equipped to address complex emotional dynamics and challenges. She recognizes that every family’s situation is distinct and tailors her approach to meet the individual needs of her clients.
Our Founders
The idea for Divorce Helpline started with Ed Sherman, founder of Nolo Press and author of books and software programs that help people going through divorce. In 1990, he opened Divorce Helpline in California with attorneys Anne Lober and Peggy Williams, and together they redesigned the way lawyers work to deliver a service that is economical and effective for people doing their own divorces.