Wasser, a divorce solicitor based in Los Angeles and partner at the firm Wasser, Cooperman and Mandles, has handled a star-studded roster of high-profile divorce cases over the years. Stars such as Kim Kardashian, Britney Spears, Stevie Wonder, Ashton Kutcher, Heidi Klum and Johnny Depp are all believed to have been represented by Wasser, who is known as the ‘disso queen’ for her skill at dissolution of marriage cases.

As for her attitudes to divorce and marriage in general, Wasser told the Telegraph in 2013:

“A lot of Hollywood is fantasy and when that idea of walking down the aisle in a beautiful dress or suit is so lovely, and you’ve got unlimited funds, why wouldn’t you want to do it time and time again?”

“They think: ‘So, the first one didn’t work out and the second one didn’t work out, but this one really is the one!’ I’m being glib, but if there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that people love to get married.”

The most high-profile divorce case of the century

In the case of the Brangelina divorce, believed to be one of the biggest celebrity divorces in decades if not the century, Wasser will have many challenges to deal with. This is already an extremely high-profile case, with every detail (real, rumour and imagined) published worldwide and discussed by millions of people online. There has already been speculation that the case has turned nasty, with claims one after another that Pitt had alcohol and drug abuse problems, that the actor was having an affair with a fellow actress and the now discredited allegation of child abuse after an incident involving an argument on a plane.

Wasser will aim to keep the actual details of the case as quiet as possible, if not for her clients but their six children. Divorce lawyers aim to maintain control of the situation as well as the dignity of their clients, although each of the couple’s publicists will be left the task of keeping embarrassing details and allegations out of the press. A custody agreement for the children will be tough to negotiate, although a temporary deal has reportedly been reached in which Jolie receives full custody.

$400m wealth on the table

Another of Wasser’s major challenges in this case will be the complications of wealth and assets. Both parties are A-list Hollywood stars with a string of hit films under their belts - Brad Pitt is believed to be worth $240 million while experts put Angelina Jolie’s at $160 million. Sorting out who is entitled to what, but Wasser has used to negotiating settlements for vast Hollywood fortunes.

Keep an eye on the Tracey Miller blog for the latest developments in the case.