About Richard F. Sperling
Experienced Family Law Attorney, Mediator & Collaborative Law Professional
Richard F. Sperling brings years of experience in family law, mediation, and collaborative practice, helping clients navigate important personal and financial transitions with thoughtful legal guidance.
About Richard F. Sperling
Richard F. Sperling brings a uniquely broad legal background to family law. After many years as a business and real estate attorney, he began teaching family law and community property at a law school in Ventura, California, and then shifted his focus to family law. He also became trained and certified as a mediator and as a collaborative law practitioner.
As a divorce attorney representing one spouse, or as a neutral mediator working with both spouses, Richard works with clients throughout Southern California. His practice is grounded in practical problem-solving, thoughtful negotiation, and a clear understanding of both the legal and financial issues that can shape family law matters.
A Rare Combination of Experience
Business & Real Estate Background
Richard began his career handling business, real estate, corporate, and transactional matters for a wide range of clients.
Educator & Professor
He has taught family law, community property, business law, real estate law, mediation, and negotiation at multiple academic levels.
Mediator & Collaborative Professional
Richard is trained and certified in mediation and collaborative law, bringing added resolution skills to family law matters.
Southern California Practice
He works with clients throughout Southern California as an advocate, litigator, negotiator, and neutral mediator.
Professional Background
Richard began his career as a business and real estate transactional attorney. His work included representing business owners, employees, established corporations, and startups. He has also acted as corporate counsel for real estate brokers, mortgage companies, and technology companies.
In addition, Richard owned and operated his own escrow company and 1031 exchange company, where he employed and supervised several attorneys and nearly 50 escrow officers and paralegals across six locations. That depth of experience gives him uncommon insight into financial structures, business interests, contracts, and real estate issues that can directly impact family law cases.
Academic and Teaching Experience
For many years, Richard was a Professor at California State University, Northridge, where he taught Business Law and Real Estate Law. At Antioch University in Santa Barbara, he taught mediation and negotiation.
He also taught family law and community property at a law school in Ventura, California. This teaching background reflects not only subject-matter knowledge, but also the ability to explain complex legal issues clearly and thoughtfully to clients making major life decisions.
Leadership and Collaborative Law Experience
Richard is a past Vice-President of the Southern California Coalition for Collaborative Law. Very few family law attorneys have Richard’s level of experience in business matters, real estate law, mediation, negotiation, and collaborative resolution.
Family Law Focus with a Practical Perspective
After many years in business and real estate practice, Richard redirected his focus to family law, where he now applies that broader legal and financial experience to divorce, negotiation, mediation, collaborative law, and related family matters. This perspective can be especially valuable when a case involves closely held businesses, real estate holdings, financial complexity, or important long-term planning decisions.
As a divorce attorney representing one spouse, or as a neutral mediator working with both spouses, Richard works with clients throughout Southern California with a careful, strategic, and solution-oriented approach.
Beyond the Office
When not working, Richard enjoys spending time with his family, playing guitar, and sailing. That personal grounding complements a practice built on thoughtful communication, calm guidance, and respect for the personal transitions clients face in family law matters.
Speak with Sperling & Associates
Experienced guidance from an attorney with a rare background in family law, business, real estate, mediation, and collaborative practice.