About
Lauren Lazare Shell, Esq.
New York divorce mediator, collaborative divorce attorney, and trusted guide for families navigating life's most significant transitions.
Background
Experience That Goes Beyond the Law
Lauren Lazare Shell, Esq. brings something rare to family law: she has lived it. When her children were four and six years old, Lauren went through her own separation and divorce. She knows firsthand what it means to navigate that process while protecting the people you love most — and what it takes to emerge stronger on the other side.
Those children are now in college. Lauren is remarried, with stepchildren, and has experienced the full arc of what a thoughtful, well-handled divorce can make possible — including second chances. Her personal journey has equipped her with personal experience in addition to professional experience.
A graduate of the University of Pennsylvania and Yale Law School, Lauren has dedicated her legal career to helping individuals and couples resolve family law matters with dignity, clarity, and compassion. She understands that behind every case is a family — and that the process of separation, when handled well, can set the foundation for a healthier future for everyone involved.
Lauren is licensed to practice law in New York and has guided her clients through some of the most difficult moments of their lives. Her approach is always client-centered: listening first, advising with honesty and knowledge, and finding creative solutions that lead to amicable resolutions.
Credentials
B.A.
University of Pennsylvania, 1996
J.D.
Yale Law School, 1999
Licensed to Practice
New York State Bar 2000
Specialization
Divorce Mediation
Mediation Training
Center for Mediation and Training 2011
Member
New York State Bar Association · New York State Council on Divorce Mediation (NYSCDM)
Past Positions
Assistant Corporation Counsel, NYC Law Department — Manhattan Family Court
Past Positions (cont.)
Discovery Attorney, Cravath Swaine & Moore, LLP
New Leaf Mediation · Better Way to Divorce
Also licensed: Notary Public · Real Estate Broker, New York
Philosophy
"The law should serve people — not the other way around."
Lauren's practice is grounded in a simple conviction: that the legal process should reduce conflict, not amplify it. Mediation and collaborative divorce give couples the tools to make their own decisions — with expert guidance — rather than surrendering those decisions to a judge. The result is agreements that both parties understand, respect, and are far more likely to honor.
Ready to speak with Lauren?
A confidential consultation is the first step. Lauren will listen carefully, answer your questions honestly, and help you understand your options.
Schedule a Consultation