Bridging the Gap Between Legal Systems and Real Life Solutions:
Providing attorneys, their clients, and court systems with the support needed to achieve improved outcomes and practical results tailored to their unique needs.
At Neilson Consulting we bring together law and social science to create informed, people-centered solutions in family law, probate, and criminal justice matters.
Legal systems affect some of life’s most personal and challenging moments—family transitions, end-of-life planning, and navigating the consequences of legal disputes. Social science provides tools to better understand the human side of these issues—how families function, how communities respond to change, and how individuals can be supported through legal processes.
Our integrated approach helps ensure that the law works not just in theory, but in practice. Whether we’re guiding families through custody matters, helping navigate probate and estate planning, or conducting firearm assessments for felony cases, our work is grounded in the belief that law should serve people with clarity, compassion, and evidence-based care.
Because when law reflects both knowledge and humanity, communities grow stronger.
Explore how we will make the difference:
Family & Probate Matters
Mental Health, Substance Use & Risk Assessments
Who We Are
Neilson Consulting is a team of legal, mental health, and social science professionals led by Hon. Lisa M. Neilson (ret.), LLMSW, a retired family court judge and licensed social worker, and Ellen Craine, JD, LMSW, ACSW, INHC, a clinical, micro and macro social worker. With our combined skills we bridge the gap between social science and the law. We provide the insight and experience needed to understand the deeper dynamics at play—from custody disputes and guardianship hearings to juvenile and criminal proceedings.
Whether we’re helping a family navigate long-standing conflict or supporting an attorney with evidence-based advocacy, our role is the same: to help determine what matters, clarify the path forward, and support decisions that reflect both human nuance and legal strategy.
Meet Our Team
Contact Us
We’re based in Bloomfield Hills and work with clients throughout Michigan and across state lines. Contact us to request a consultation.
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