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
We are proud to share that the Center for Family Law ha s received the Gerald R. Ortbals Law Practice Award at the 2026 For the Common Good Awards, presented by Legal Services of Eastern Missouri (LSEM). The ceremony was held in August at the Ritz-Carlton, bringing together the region's legal community to celebrate outstanding contributions to access to justice. A Firm-Wide Commitment to Pro Bono Service The Ortbals Award recognizes The Center for Family Law's longstanding dedication to pro bono service. The firm's attorneys have consistently been among LSEM's most active, reliable, and supportive partners for family law referrals. Family law cases are rarely simple. They often sit at the intersection of a client's safety, stability, and the wellbeing of their family. The attorneys who take on this work do so knowing the stakes are personal and the outcomes matter deeply to the people they represent. While LSEM has previously honored individual attorneys from the firm for their pro bono contributions, this year's award is different: it celebrates The Center for Family Law as a whole. It reflects a culture, built over more than two decades, where taking on complex, often difficult family law matters for clients who could not otherwise afford representation isn't the exception, it's the norm. That kind of consistency does not happen by accident. It is the result of firm leadership prioritizing pro bono work, attorneys stepping up case after case, and a shared belief that access to skilled legal counsel in family law matters shouldn't depend on a client's ability to pay. Thank you LSEM for this honor !
We're delighted to announce that our attorneys' hard work and commitment to clients has once again been recognized by their peers. This year, four members of The Center for Family Law team have earned spots in the 2027 edition of Best Lawyers. Ann Bauer - Best Lawyers list for family law, family law mediation, and collaborative law (family law). This marks Ann's 13th year on the list. Allison Gerli - Best Lawyers list for family law, family law mediation, and collaborative law (family law). This is Allison's 4th year of recognition. Kristen Sparks - Named to the Best Lawyers "Ones to Watch" list for family law, family law arbitration & mediation, and alternative dispute resolution. This is Kristen's 2nd year being honored. Hallie Van Duren - Named to the Best Lawyers list for family law, family law mediation, and collaborative law (family law). This is Hallie's 3rd year of recognition. In addition, The Center for Family Law itself has been named a Best Law Firm for 2027 in St. Louis as Tier 1 for Family Law and Family Law Mediation. About Best Lawyers Since 1983, Best Lawyers has stood as one of the most trusted guides to legal excellence. Attorneys featured in The Best Lawyers in America are nominated and reviewed by their peers based on professional skill, and each undergoes a thorough verification process confirming they are actively practicing and in good standing. About The Center for Family Law. Founded in 2013, The Center for Family Law offers full-service representation across all areas of family law, guided by a philosophy of partnership with clients and fellow professionals. We believe an attorney's role is to work alongside clients — helping them understand their options and giving them the knowledge and confidence to make sound decisions for their future. To schedule a consultation, click here .
The Center for Family Law is excited to kick off its fifth year of hosting the Second Saturday Divorce Workshops and to share the 2026 workshop dates.
