LAURA WASSER’S EVOLUTION OF DISSOLUTION

IN OUR GO-FOR-THE-JUGULAR DIVORCE CULTURE, ONE OF THE MOST RECOGNIZED NAMES IN MARITAL DISSOLUTION SAYS THE TRUE SECRET TO A HAPPY DIVORCE IS THE WILLINGNESS TO BE THE BIGGER PERSON. LAURA WASSER, A SAVVY BEVERLY HILLS-BASED DIVORCE LAWYER WHO HAS REPRESENTED SOME OF THE ENTERTAINMENT INDUSTRY’S BEST-KNOWN CELEBRITIES, IS ON A MISSION TO CHANGE THE FACE OF DIVORCE.

PHOTOGRAPHS BY KEVIN FOLEY PHOTOGRAPHY / MAKEUP BY CHRISTA FOLEY WARDROBE: MS WASSER’S COLLECTION

Laura Wasser’s persona is far from the com- mon depiction of today’s tough lawyer. She’s stunning, smart, socially engaging, and perfectly wrapped in designer clothing (the ones you can only purchase if you’re a size zero). And of course, she’s always adorned in amazing shoes. But beyond her beauty is a hard-working woman who is compassionate and believes that “tough” has more to do with being educated than inflexible.

“I hate it when I go to a doctor and I don’t understand what they’re telling me,” Wasser says, “that’s why I do my best to take the informa- tion I know and distill it in the most understandable way, so the client has all the information need- ed to make reasonable decisions. I think people are intimidated by professionals and I don’t want clients to feel that way.” Wasser believes that helping indi- viduals embark on their next chap- ter is a vital part of her job and she does so by guiding them through the journey with an astute knowl- edge of family law. “People may not be thrilled with the outcome of a divorce – it’s not easy to watch half of that stock portfolio go to someone else,” she says, “but you’re going to be happier than if you spent another 12 or 18 months in litigation and paid a ton more in legal fees.”

Her primary recommendation to those starting the divorce process is to acquire as much information as possible. Although her hourly rate is $1000.00, Wasser’s initial consult with prospective clients is free of charge. “Have meetings with divorce lawyers, come in for the divorce 101 talk,” Wasser advises, “it’s another chance to be empowered.” Knowing what the law says goes a long way in understanding how a settlement will turn out. “Divorcing people need to tell their story,” Wasser says, “they have to get it out in front of a neutral person.” They may tell their therapist, support group, or lawyer and usually, telling a judicial officer is important to them. “The judge won’t listen to your whole story because he or she doesn’t have time on their docket,” she says, “so tell your lawyer the story, but at the end of the day, it’s just about dividing assets in a com- munity property State.”

The fact that California is a no- fault State is a good thing, Wasser believes. “The burden of proof would not work today with apps like Photoshop.” She also believes that California’s divorce laws are better than in other States. “We’re seeing much more mediation here,” says Wasser, “in California we have better dad laws and can use private judges, so we don’t clog up the court system.” Wasser is a proponent of keeping divorce issues and facts private, however, in the State of California, the minute a divorce is filed, it’s public. She’s hoping to change that despite the media’s desire to retain access to salacious celebrity divorce details.

“I think people are intimidated by professionals and I don’t want clients to feel that way.”

On an even larger scale, she believes there is still work to be done to change the way this country views divorce. “In 30 years, divorce hasn’t changed much at all,” she says. “I’m not a therapist but I do know that if you’ve been married to some- one and you have children together, there was a time when you were in love,” says Wasser, “so can’t we make this uncoupling a little more reasonable and respectable, especially if you have to co-parent?”

Wasser’s perspective about co-par- enting is reflected in her personal experience. She was married once for 14 months and has two sons by two men she never married but with whom she shares custody. They all get along well because they have worked together to accommodate each other’s plans and lifestyles and put their chil- dren first. “I am able to co-parent so well with the fathers of my kids because I watched my parents do it,” says Wasser, “they always got along well.”

“If you’re the bigger person the other person will rise up to be better. It’s also a great example for the kids.”

Wasser’s parents, both lawyers, had a tremendous positive impact on her on may levels. Her mom, who passed away in 2019, was her con- summate cheerleader and amazing female role model. Her father, celebrated family law attorney, Dennis Wasser, is her biggest fan and her idea of a tough guy.
“I started working at my dad’s firm when I was out of law school, waiting for my bar results,” Wasser says, “and I found that I loved family law.” Now the managing partner at Wasser, Cooperman, and Mandles, she is passionate about helping clients through one of the toughest transitions they’ll likely go through.

Wasser honed her skill as a clever lawyer by working with her father. “My dad and his partner taught me to watch the judge, more so than even opposing counsel (and it’s not so easy with a mask),” she says, “I pay attention to what they’re tracking, and when they pick up a pen and start writing.”

She also attributes some of her suc- cess to a supportive team. “Our firm is like a family,” Wasser says, “we enjoy each other so much – everyone from the IT guy to the receptionist to the senior partners. And the woman who runs the entire firm has been my best friend since second grade.” A lifelong Angeleno, Wasser is well-connected to her community. She graduated from Beverly Hills High School and still maintains longtime friendships with former classmates, some with whom she serves alongside in philanthropic efforts. “Most of those non-profits benefit the Los Angeles region and involve custody cases and domestic violence issues in the underprivi- leged sectors.”

In her effort to help improve the face of the divorce system in California, Wasser created an online mediation platform called “It’s Over Easy.” The site features support calculators, custody calen- dars, and computations for stan- dard of living determinations. The platform processes the assets and the incomes, computes the figures, and calculates the settlement. The parties can then submit the paper- work to the court. “We’ve had users say we’re never going to be able to do this, we need lawyers,” says Wasser, “but most of the time, they work it out. If they hit a wall, they are referred to a lawyer.”

“People feel like they’re the masters of their destiny,” she says, “they apply the law on their own, and it’s better than having a judge bang her gavel and say you won, or you lost.” It’s Over Easy has been such a suc- cess that it’s in the process of being acquired by a multi-national legal tech company, adding “savvy entre- preneur” to Wasser’s long list of accomplishments.

Wasser has authored “It Doesn’t Have to be This Way,” available on Amazon, and hosts two podcasts, “Divorce Sucks” and “All’s Fair.” The common thread through Wasser’s work is her conviction that “this too shall pass — if you’re going through a terrible time you’ll get through it,” she says, “If things are good, enjoy it and seize the day: Carpe Diem!”
“I believe in happy endings,” says Wasser, “and I believe that people need to compromise, communicate and work together.” And her advice to those battling out a difficult divorce? “Be the bigger person,” she says, “if you’re the bigger per- son the other person will rise up to be better. It’s also a great example for the kids.”
Wasser aspires to help individuals as well as an entire system to do better. “I really hope that I can leave a mark on this industry,” she says, “I hope we do divorce differently as a result of my work.”