Ann Bauer

Attorney

Ann Bauer

Ann Bauer is a founding member of The Center for Family Law. Ann attended law school after more than 15 years working with parents and children in early childhood education. She practices exclusively in the area of family law. She is a certified family law Mediator and trained in collaborative law, as a Guardian ad Litem, and as a Parenting Coordinator.

Ann was born in Tulsa, Oklahoma and has lived in Chicago and Dallas. She moved to St. Louis in 1983 and currently resides in St. Louis with her husband. She is the parent of two adult children and two grandchildren. When she is not in the office, you can find her testing out a new recipe in her kitchen while marathon-listening to a new true crime podcast.

I work with clients to develop solutions to their problems and plan for their future. I want my clients to understand their choices and options. I tailor my work for each client’s goals and objectives. I often have the opportunity to see clients who have “reached the other side” of a difficult time. There is new joy in their lives and it often shows on their faces and in their voices."

Professional Background & Community Involvement

American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers (AAML) fellow since 2011, a nationally recognized organization whose members must pass a rigorous application and testing process before being invited to become an AAML fellow
2013 Roger P. Krumm Family Law Award, an annual award given by the Missouri Bar to honor a family law lawyer who has demonstrated exceptional skill and dedication toward the practice of family law and families involved in family law matters
Founding member and former president of the Collaborative Family Law Association in St. Louis (CFLA)
International Academy of Collaborative Professions (IACP)
The Missouri Bar Association (Family Law Section and governing council member since 1999)
Women Lawyers’ Association of Greater St. Louis
Association of Family and Conciliation Courts (AFCC)
Appointed to the Advisory Council of the Assistance League
Former president of the Advisory Board for Woman’s Place (a hospitality center in St. Louis serving women who have experienced domestic violence)
YWCA Board of Directors since 2018
Volunteer Attorney for Legal Services of Eastern Missouri
Court Attorney for order of protection dockets at St. Louis County Circuit Court

Education

Licensed to practice law in Missouri since 1994
Washington University School of Law, J.D., 1994
Loyola University (The Erikson Institute of Child Development) M.Ed., 1976
Iowa State University, B.S., 1973

Related Insights

Honoring Ann Bauer: 27th Women's Justice Awards Mentor Award Winner

By Allison Gerli • April 10, 2025

We are proud to share that Ann Bauer will be honored at the 27th Annual Women's Justice Awards on April 10, 2025, as one of this year's recipients in the "Mentor" category. This award celebrates experienced legal professionals who have played an important role in guiding and supporting the next generation of attorneys. Ann’s journey in family law began with co-founding her first firm in 2009, eventually leading to the establishment of The Center for Family Law in 2013. What began as a small practice has grown into a dynamic firm with a team of attorneys and staff dedicated exclusively to family law. Ann has been the heart of this growth—leading with purpose, mentoring with compassion, and consistently advocating for positive change. Ann's unwavering commitment to transforming how families navigate legal separation has helped shift the focus from adversarial litigation to a more compassionate approach to resolution, especially within the collaborative divorce process and in mediation. Her philosophy and approach to family law continue to influence and guide a new generation of legal professionals and practitioners she has mentored throughout her career. Whether she's mentoring within the firm or taking the time to speak with a law student, Ann is always generous with her time, wisdom, and support. She also shares her expertise through active service on numerous committees dedicated to family law and domestic violence. Please join us in congratulating Ann on this well-deserved honor. We are grateful for her vision and proud to continue building on the foundation she helped establish at The Center for Family Law.

Four Attorneys Recognized as 2024 Super Lawyers® and Rising Stars

November 18, 2024

St. Louis, MO - November 18, 2024 - The Center for Family Law is proud to announce that four attorneys have been recognized by Super Lawyers & Rising Star Lists for 2024--Ann Bauer, Allison Gerli, Kristen Sparks, and Hallie Van Duren. Covering more than 70 practice areas, Super Lawyers is a directory of lawyers who have achieved a high degree of peer recognition and professional achievement. Only 5% of attorneys are selected to the Super Lawyers list and 2.5% are selected to the Rising Stars list in each state.