Best Lawyers in California, United States for Family Law Mediation
Kimberly A. Madigan is a Certified Family Law Specialist and a Fellow of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers. She is a founding partner of Madigan & Lewis, LLP, a woman-owned and operated law firm serving families of all circumstances in the Silicon Valley. Ms. Madigan has been practicing law for over 20 years. As a Fellow of the Academy, Ms. Madigan is among a distinguished group of family law attorneys in the United States. She litigates some of the most complex family law matte...
In her representation of Silicon Valley’s high earners or their spouses, Jennifer Crum draws upon nearly 20 years of experience untangling complex assets acquired in the unique tech economy.Jennifer combines her mastery of high-asset marital dissolutions with compassion for the emotional and personal transition her clients are experiencing. She is among an elite group of California attorneys recognized as a Certified Family Law Specialist. Jennifer is highly experienced in divorces invo...
Jacqueline A. Whisnant, born in Burbank, California in 1960, has been an Orange County resident since 1985. She and her husband, Bruce Whisnant, have two children. Ms. Whisnant graduated from California State University, Northridge (B.A., 1984) and Loyola Law School of Los Angeles (J.D., 1987). While in law school, she was a member of the Philip C. Jessup International Moot Court Honors Program and held the position of judicial extern for the Honorable Allan E. Broussard of the California Sta...
Joseph P. Crawford is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Family Law and Family Law Mediation. Joseph P. practices law in San Mateo, California Best Lawyers has recognized Joseph P. Crawford since 2009. The Best Lawyers recognition is based on a peer-review survey of lawyers in the same geographic region and legal practice area. The recognition reflects the professional regard in which Joseph P. Crawford is held by other lawyers.
Nicole Schmidt is a partner and Certified Family Law Specialist at Bremer Whyte Brown & O’Meara. Nicole Schmidt focuses on divorce and family law matters in Newport Beach and San Diego. Ms. Schmidt has experience in a plethora of issues arising in the general area of family law, including prenuptial and post-nuptial agreements, child custody and visitation, spousal support, child support, divorce, and complex asset and debt division. She specializes in cases involving non-traditiona...
Michael A. Morris was born in Winston Salem, North Carolina. Michael was named Best Family Law Lawyer of the Year - Orange County in 2013 and 2018 by Best Lawyers in America. He has been listed as one of the Best Lawyers in America by Best Lawyers in America Orange County - Family Law since 2007 and by Super Lawyers each year since 2004. Michael is also listed in Lawdragon 500 Leading Lawyers (USA) - 2020. He graduated from the University of California, Los Angeles (B.A.) and Western State Un...
Vanessa Soto Nellis is a Certified Family Law Specialist as designated by the California Board of Legal Specialization. Ms. Nellis typically represents high net worth clients in the west San Fernando Valley of Los Angeles; in all aspects of divorce, prenuptial and postnuptial agreements, cohabitation agreements, and family law mediation.
Kiana Moradi is a Partner with Moradi Neufer LLP in San Francisco, California. Her practice focuses on representing California senior executives and their spouses in high-asset divorce matters and contested child custody disputes . Kiana approaches each case with care and diligence, helping clients address complex legal and financial issues while planning for the next stage of their lives. In addition to divorce and custody matters, Kiana regularly assists individuals and families with family...
Sara Z. May is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Family Law, Family Law: Arbitration and Mediation and Litigation - Trusts and Estates. Sara Z. practices law in Los Angeles, California Best Lawyers has recognized Sara Z. May since 2024. The Best Lawyers recognition is based on a peer-review survey of lawyers in the same geographic region and legal practice area. The recognition reflects the professional regard in which Sara Z. May is held by other lawyers.
Nina Shayan Depatie is an experienced family law attorney based in Los Angeles. A strong advocate with experience trying high-stakes cases, Nina also recognizes that family law matters can be emotionally trying and is dedicated to achieving the best outcomes for her clients in and out of court. Because every client and every fact pattern is unique, Nina favors a highly-personalized approach, tailored to her clients’ specific needs, and pursues all avenues to achieve the desired outcomes...
Denise H.D. Koeller earned her Bachelor degree at the University of California Irvine in Sociology, while also completing a minor in Political Science. She then earned her Juris Doctor from Chapman's Dale E. Fowler School of Law, graduating cum laude in the top 15% of her class. Her time at Chapman was spent actively involved with the Asian American student associations and earning a certification in Chapman's Advocacy and Dispute Resolution Emphasis Program. Denise has been dedicated to the ...
Our Methodology
Recognition by Best Lawyers is based entirely on peer review. Our methodology is designed to capture, as accurately as possible, the consensus opinion of leading lawyers about the professional abilities of their colleagues within the same geographical area and legal practice area.
The Process
Best Lawyers employs a sophisticated, conscientious, rational, and transparent survey process designed to elicit meaningful and substantive evaluations of the quality of legal services. Our belief has always been that the quality of a peer review survey is directly related to the quality of the voters.
