About us
Trish Siefer and Gretchen Nelson opened their family law practice, after separately practicing corporate, family, and criminal law. They found that the work they had each done previously was extremely complimentary and, so, became eager to cultivate their own practice - one that would bring together their respective areas of interest and expertise. Trish and Gretchen work as a team with Eloise Patterson, a Certified Divorce Financial Analyst, to bring Clients the most comprehensive and best result possible.
Partner
Trish Siefer
Trish’s background includes extensive experience representing individuals and corporations in litigation through her previous practices at Montgomery McCracken Walker & Rhoads LLP in Philadelphia, PA, and Nutter, McLennen & Fish LLP in Boston. Trish furthered her advocacy skills while practicing law at the MA Attorney General’s Office in their Consumer Protection Division. Prior to founding Siefer Nelson, Trish practiced Family Law at Harsip & Stuart, P.C. in Acton, Massachusetts. As the mother of five children, an involved community leader and volunteer, and someone with a degree in psychology, Trish has a passion for helping people during life transitions.
Education
VILLANOVA UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF LAW
Juris Doctor, 1996
COLGATE UNIVERSITY
B.A., Psychology, 1993
Activities & Affiliations
• Concord-Carlisle Community Chest - Overseer, Past Board President and Board Member • Emerson Hospital - Corporator • Concord Education Fund - Board Member • Trinitarian Congregational Church - Nominating Committee Chair, Past Christian Education Committee Chair • Concord-Carlisle High School, Parent Association - Grants Committee Member • Thoreau School, Parent Teacher Group - Past Co-President • Massachusetts Bar Association Member • Women’s Bar Association Member • Consilium Trained since 2018
Bar Admissions
• Massachusetts
Partner
Gretchen Nelson
Gretchen began her legal career with the District Attorney’s Office, where she served as Head of the Domestic Violence Unit. Upon the arrival of her first child, Gretchen stepped back from full-time courtroom to focus on raising her three children, while keeping her toes dipped in the legal arena through ongoing family law work. During her time at home, Gretchen served on numerous boards and, through this work, was able to utilize and hone her writing and analytical skills. Additionally, she learned first-hand both how challenging and rewarding it can be to raise children and, also, how much work is involved in running a busy household. At Siefer Nelson, Gretchen has been able to merge her legal background and training with all that she learned during her years as an at-home parent and, through this, help families navigate their difficult times.
Education
BOSTON UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF LAW
Juris Doctor, 1995
BOWDOIN COLLEGE
B.A., Government & Sociology, 1990
Activities & Affiliations
•Gaining Ground - Board Member & Recipient Committee Chair •Open Table - Volunteer •First Parish Church - Standing Committee Member & Religious Education Committee Chair •Concord-Carlisle School District, METCO Family Friends - Coordinator •Massachusetts Bar Association Member •Women’s Bar Association Member • Consilium Trained since 2018
Bar Admissions
• Massachusetts
Certified Divorce Financial Analyst
Eloise Patterson
Eloise started Clementine Financial Coaching in Lincoln, Massachusetts as the next stage of her career in financial services. She works with individuals and, in divorce cases, as support to her client’s legal team. Her early working years were spent as a commercial lender for Bank of Boston (now Bank of America) in Boston and London. After business school, she worked as Treasury Director for Discovery Communications, Inc. (owner of the Discovery Channel) in Maryland. In recent years, she has been raising her four children at home, but she has stayed involved in community and school affairs as Treasurer of the Lincoln School Foundation (also co-chair), the Lincoln PTO, Lincoln Nursery School and Noble & Greenough School Parent Association. She has also managed the financial books of a family business and a local retail store.
Activities & Affilliations
First Parish Church in Lincoln, Finance Committee Member
Codman Community Farms, Volunteer
Noble & Greenough School Parent Association, Committee Chair
Mother’s On Edge Ice Hockey Team, Defensewoman
Education & Certification
Earned Certified Divorce Financial Analyst® certification
CDFA®, 2020
J.L. Kellogg School of Management
Northwestern University
MBA, 1997
Princeton University
BA, 1988