Our Team

Ellen M. Craine, JD, LMSW-Clinical and Macro, ACSW, brings over 30 years of specialized expertise in social work and family law to Family Law Consulting.

A nationally recognized expert in social work ethics and standards, Ellen is also a counselor, therapist, coach, author, evaluator, parenting coordinator, educator, and an approved supervisor through the National Association of Social Workers (NASW). Her interests include all vulnerable populations including the elderly. With her dual qualifications in law and social work, Ellen is passionate about helping court-involved families resolve conflicts.

Ellen leads the development of training and educational programs that promote the use of social science-based practices in family conflict resolution. Her commitment to normalizing these practices is evident in the resources she creates, which blend social science and legal perspectives. As an expert in ethics, her trainings on the ethical considerations for interdisciplinary team members is informative on best practices. By addressing these issues, interdisciplinary teams can provide holistic support to families, ensuring their approaches are both professional and compassionate. Ellen’s leadership is key in fostering an environment that prioritizes ethical practices while integrating social science and legal perspectives.

While an MSW intern student, Judge Neilson worked with Ellen, who provided supervision and guidance to Judge Neilson and Family Law Consulting. Judge Neilson was drawn to Ellen because of her demonstrated background and interest in solution-oriented approaches to familial conflict. She has proven to be an exceptional supervisor, aligning closely with Judge Neilson’s vision of integrating social science research into family law practices. In addition to her supervisory and consulting roles, Ellen is responsible for overseeing social work interns at the firm, providing them with invaluable hands-on experience with the intersection of law and social science.

As their professional collaboration has evolved, Ellen has become an integral member of the Family Law Consulting team. Her initiatives demonstrate a deep commitment to supporting families through challenging circumstances, advancing family law and probate matters with evidence-based practices. Leveraging her specialized expertise, Ellen actively champions the broader implementation of these approaches within the field.