Penina McMahon Biography
I am a trained collaborative divorce attorney and am committed to helping clients navigate difficult transitions with clarity, dignity, and with a focus on long-term family well-being. I focus my practice solely on family law, with an emphasis on mediation in order to help families resolve conflict respectfully and constructively. I offer mediation in all areas of family law, including divorce, post-divorce, parenting matters, and prenuptial/postnuptial agreements. After law school, I practiced for several years...
I am a trained collaborative divorce attorney and am committed to helping clients navigate difficult transitions with clarity, dignity, and with a focus on long-term family well-being. I focus my practice solely on family law, with an emphasis on mediation in order to help families resolve conflict respectfully and constructively. I offer mediation in all areas of family law, including divorce, post-divorce, parenting matters, and prenuptial/postnuptial agreements.
After law school, I practiced for several years in Philadelphia, where I focused on complex criminal defense appeals in both state and federal courts. Representing clients facing life imprisonment and the death penalty gave me a deep appreciation for the profound impact the legal system can have on individuals and their families. That experience continues to shape my approach to family law, where empathy, careful listening, and thoughtful problem-solving are essential.
Upon returning to New Hampshire, I transitioned my practice to family law and developed a strong focus on mediation and collaborative resolution. I completed my mediation training through Jacinta Gallant’s Curious Mediator Course, which emphasizes curiosity, values-based dialogue, and effective facilitation of communication during emotionally charged conversations. I also continue to expand my collaborative skills and training, most recently attending the Canadian Rocky Mountain Collaborative Conference in November 2025, where I engaged with interdisciplinary professionals on best practices in collaborative family law.
As a mediator, I serve as a neutral facilitator, helping individuals navigate a complicated legal landscape, work through conflict, reach agreements, and avoid the stress and expense of court whenever possible.
I earned my Bachelor of Arts degree in Criminal Justice from Plymouth State University, with minors in Pre-Law and Anthropology/Sociology. I received my law degree from the University of New Hampshire Franklin Pierce School of Law, where I was a member of the Daniel Webster Scholars Program, an honors program focused on hands-on, practice-ready legal training. During law school, I also received two awards for public service for my work with the Division for Children, Youth & Families and New Hampshire Legal Assistance.
Outside of my practice, I enjoy spending time with my husband and our two children. As a family, we love to travel, and I also enjoy reading whenever I can find a quiet moment.
Approach
I am a trained collaborative divorce attorney and am committed to helping clients navigate difficult transitions with clarity, dignity, and with a focus on long-term family well-being. I focus my practice solely on family law, with an emphasis on mediation in order to help families resolve conflict respectfully and constructively. I offer mediation in all areas of family law, including divorce, post-divorce, parenting matters, and prenuptial/postnuptial agreements. After law school, I practiced for several years...
I am a trained collaborative divorce attorney and am committed to helping clients navigate difficult transitions with clarity, dignity, and with a focus on long-term family well-being. I focus my practice solely on family law, with an emphasis on mediation in order to help families resolve conflict respectfully and constructively. I offer mediation in all areas of family law, including divorce, post-divorce, parenting matters, and prenuptial/postnuptial agreements.
After law school, I practiced for several years in Philadelphia, where I focused on complex criminal defense appeals in both state and federal courts. Representing clients facing life imprisonment and the death penalty gave me a deep appreciation for the profound impact the legal system can have on individuals and their families. That experience continues to shape my approach to family law, where empathy, careful listening, and thoughtful problem-solving are essential.
Upon returning to New Hampshire, I transitioned my practice to family law and developed a strong focus on mediation and collaborative resolution. I completed my mediation training through Jacinta Gallant’s Curious Mediator Course, which emphasizes curiosity, values-based dialogue, and effective facilitation of communication during emotionally charged conversations. I also continue to expand my collaborative skills and training, most recently attending the Canadian Rocky Mountain Collaborative Conference in November 2025, where I engaged with interdisciplinary professionals on best practices in collaborative family law.
As a mediator, I serve as a neutral facilitator, helping individuals navigate a complicated legal landscape, work through conflict, reach agreements, and avoid the stress and expense of court whenever possible.
I earned my Bachelor of Arts degree in Criminal Justice from Plymouth State University, with minors in Pre-Law and Anthropology/Sociology. I received my law degree from the University of New Hampshire Franklin Pierce School of Law, where I was a member of the Daniel Webster Scholars Program, an honors program focused on hands-on, practice-ready legal training. During law school, I also received two awards for public service for my work with the Division for Children, Youth & Families and New Hampshire Legal Assistance.
Outside of my practice, I enjoy spending time with my husband and our two children. As a family, we love to travel, and I also enjoy reading whenever I can find a quiet moment.
My mediation training is focused on Insight Mediation, a learning-centered approach to conflict resolution in which the parties involved improve their self-understanding and discover new and less threatening patterns of interaction with each other. I combine this valuable set of skills with a legal background that allows for creative and comprehensive problem solving. I also offer co-mediation with Dr. Nadia Delshad in appropriate cases which require additional support.
Areas of Practice
- Adoption
- Adult Family
- Divorce (all issues)
- Divorce (parenting)
- Family
- Marital Mediation
- Online Family/Divorce
- Online Mediation
- Prenuptial
Additional Services
- Collaborative Professional
- Mediating Lawyer
- Representational Lawyer
Languages Spoken
- English
Liability Insurance
Yes

