Find Lawyers in America for Collaborative Law: Family Law
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Collaborative Law: Family Law - America
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Respectful, Constructive Problem-Solving to Meet the Future with Confidence Kris Algert on Your Family and Your Future: Regardless of background or economic status, I treat my clients and their families with respect and dignity as I work with them to negotiate pre-and post-marital agreements or divorce settlements. I provide clients with a roadmap that starts with understanding my client's needs, goals, and values, and ends with finding, evaluating and implementing constructive solutions.My c...
Susan Amato is an experienced domestic relations attorney and mediator. Throughout her decades of practice in mediation, collaborative practice and litigation, she has made client satisfaction her first priority. She believes that when a couple enters a divorce process, it's important to support the parenting relationship, to preserve finances as much as possible and to work towards a successful post-divorce family system. This approach is the most positive and healthy way of addressing a ver...
Rebecca is a fighter. She fights for her clients, her clients’ children, her clients’ financial well-being, and her clients’ futures. And she fights to win. Her prowess in the courtroom is well known throughout the legal community. She’s prepared, astute, quick-witted, and good on her feet. Even attorneys on the other side of the table appreciate working with her; yes, she’s an ardent advocate for the people she represents, but she’s also fair, good-natured...
Kelly Ausley-Flores focuses on complex family law cases involving complicated property divisions, family businesses, spousal maintenance above guideline child support, customized possession schedules when parents work irregular hours, and child issues without marriage. She recognizes that every family situation is unique and approaches each situation as an opportunity for creative problem-solving. Kelly is committed to helping individuals regain their voice and confidence so they can successf...
A partner of the firm, Marina excels in dealing with international and complex family law matters. She is a Fellow of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers (AAML) as well as the International Academy of Family Lawyers (IAFL) and has been consistently named a Washingtonian Top Lawyer since 2015. Always emphasizing the importance of family, Marina is skilled at resolving complex custody and property division cases. Marina serves a wide range of clients, including accomplished career execu...
Kyle is a highly regarded family attorney who draws on deep experience and a competitive nature in seeking to prevail for his clients. A seasoned litigator, mediator, and collaborative lawyer, he handles the gamut of family law matters, with special expertise in complex custody and business cases. In addition, Kyle has cultivated a niche in working with Christians, who often struggle with reconciling divorce and their faith. Kyle began his legal career as a civil litigator but realized family...
Bobbie Batley is a New Mexico Board Recognized Specialist in Divorce and Family Law, a Fellow of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, a Diplomat with the American College of Family Trial Lawyers, a Fellow of the International Academy of Family Lawyers, and a trained Collaborative family law attorney. She is dedicated to helping her clients get through one of the most trying times of their life with the goal of reaching a better place emotionally and financially post-divorce. Bobbie em...
A founding partner of Berkman Bottger Newman & Rodd, LLP, Barry Berkman received his B.A. degree from Harvard College and his law degree from Stanford University. Specializing in matrimonial law and mediation, he has guided many of his clients to successful, highly satisfactory out-of-court resolutions through the collaborative law process or mediation. He has served on the American Bar Association Task Force on Standards of Practice for Divorce Mediation and has been a member of the Matr...
Rob has practiced family law for 25 years. He has tried cases in our family courts and witnessed first-hand the destruction the traditional adversarial system can exact upon families and children. For the last 10 years, Rob has focused the majority of his family law practice on alternative dispute resolution with great success, and helping clients resolve their family law disputes mostly through negotiation, mediation, and collaboration, allowing clients and families to make it through to the...
David S. Bouschor, II is a 1991 graduate of the Southern Methodist University Dedman School of Law. Mr. Bouschor was a sole practitioner and a shareholder in a previous law firm until January 2000 when he opened The Law Office of David S. Bouschor, II, P.C. in Denton, Texas. For over twenty-eight years, Mr. Bouschor’s legal practice has consisted of Family Law, Guardianship and Probate. Since 1995 Mr. Bouschor has been Board Certified in Family Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specializa...
Elizabeth K. Bransdorfer received her bachelor’s degree from the College of Liberal Arts and her law degree cum laude from the Law School, both at the University of Minnesota. Liz specializes in divorce and family law using mediation, and collaborative practice as well as traditional litigation and arbitration. She is admitted to practice in all Michigan state courts, the United States Supreme Court, the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit, the United States District Co...
About Eric I am often asked: “Why are you a divorce lawyer?” The answer – I get great satisfaction from seeing how well my clients are doing at the end of their case versus when we first met. Facilitating that transition and growth, while challenging, is the most gratifying part of my job. The follow-up question is often: “What prepared you most to be a Family Law attorney?” Ironically, the answer lies not in court but rather on a court – a tennis court! Be...
David Bulitt is a shareholder and the Assistant Managing Director of Joseph, Greenwald and Laake, PA, one of Maryland's largest and well established suburban law firms. He focuses his practice in all areas of family law, including cases that involve complex financial and property matters and property distribution, divorce, and child custody disputes. He is certified in Collaborative Law and a trained family law mediator. Mr. Bulitt is often appointed by local courts to serve as Best Interests...
Judi Curtin was born in New York City, New York in 1951, and has been an Orange County resident since 1979, following her graduation from law school and admission to the California Bar Association in 1978. She is married and has three children (Jessica is a lawyer, Jordan is a clinical social worker, Jillian is a second-year student at NYU and has her black belt in Shaolin Kempo). Judi is a Certified Family Law Specialist, admitted to the US Supreme Court, and has been rated AV by Martindale ...
Melinda Eitzen, recently recognized by D Magazine as one of the “Best Lawyers in Dallas” and one of the “Best Family Law Mediators in Dallas”, is an attorney on the forefront of the collaborative law movement in Texas. She is credentialed as a Master in collaborative practice by Collaborative Divorce Texas.Focused on multimillion-dollar divorces, custody modifications, paternity cases, and premarital agreements, Melinda Eitzen is highly experienced in all facets of fam...
Clients throughout the Greater Dallas area hire Robert Epstein when they need an experienced family law attorney with the strategic capabilities, creativity and intense drive to resolve challenging cases both in and out of the courtroom. He guides clients with diverse goals and financial circumstances through all types of family law matters, including divorce proceedings, child custody cases, prenuptial and post-marital agreements, collaborative divorces, modifications of visitation and paren...
Abby Ewing has built a family law practice representing people from all walks of life, from single mothers to CEOs and entrepreneurs during some of the most difficult times in their lives. She’s shown a unique ability to understand and relate to those she represents at the most fundamental level, both inside and outside of the courtroom. Ms. Ewing has experience in complex property division cases, as well as pre- and postmarital agreements and child support and custody matters, includin...
Certified Family Law Specialist – The State Bar of California Board of Legal Specialization Fellow, American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers Partner, Chair of the Family Law Mediation Practice HIGHLY CREDENTIALED FAMILY LAW SPECIALIST Hildy L. Fentin has built a local and national reputation for excellence, integrity and professionalism, with over 35 years of experience handling complex Family Law matters. She graduated from Rutgers School of Law in 1980 and then gained admittance to the...
Moving Foward, With Integrity and Respect Kelly Caperton Fischer on doing what’s best for clients: I excel at finding creative and respectful solutions to family law matters, including property and child-related issues. Understanding that each family is unique and has different end goals, I use “collaborative law” as a critical foundation to help clients put settlement at the forefront, negotiate more openly and truly focus on what is best for their family. This results in t...
For more than 37 years, John has handled litigation, trials and appeals in state and federal courts. His practice now focuses exclusively on the resolution of complex divorce and family law cases, whether resolved through settlement, the litigation process and trial, mediation, the collaborative process or the appellate process. John is actively involved in the Family Law Section of the Florida Bar Association. He currently serves on the Family Law Section’s Executive Council and Legisl...
In his over 30 years of practice, Alan Freed has established himself as one of Missouri's pre-eminent practitioners of mediation and collaborative divorce , and as a leading appellate attorney. Mr. Freed was elected a Fellow of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers in 2009 and is listed in Missouri/Kansas Super Lawyers. Best Lawyers named him Attorney of the Year for Collaborative Law: Family Law in St. Louis in 2013 and for Family Law Mediation for 2015. A mediator since 1985, Mr. Free...
Laura Fretland concentrates her practice on family law and represents clients in the Twin Cities metropolitan area and throughout Minnesota. She provides careful guidance and quality legal representation customized to the unique needs of her clients, whether that means litigation, negotiated settlement, collaborative law, or mediation. Her goal is fair and efficient resolutions, but she’s an effective litigator when necessary, working hard to safeguard the rights of her clients. During ...
Professional Affiliations Member, King County Collaborative LawBoard of Directors, GLBT Bar Association of Washington Member, Family Law Section of the American Bar Association Member, Alternative Families Division of the American Bar Association’s Family Law Section Member, Washington State Bar Association’s Sexual Orientation and Gender Identification Legal Issues Section Member, King County Bar Association Family Law Section Community Involvement Lisa Gilmore spent years volunt...
For more than 30 years, Nancy Hutcheson Harris has practiced exclusively in the area of marital and family law. Her firm, Harris, Hunt & Derr, P.A., resolves complex family law matters using the collaborative or traditional methodologies. She focuses on protection without destruction, guiding clients through their most difficult challenges, while preserving the client’s most important assets – the family and their financial future. Ms. Harris was chosen by her peers as Tampa&r...
Some clients truly need the rule-setting and enforcement capabilities of the judicial system. With 20 years of courtroom experience, Curtis is very comfortable advocating in front of a judge or jury on behalf of his clients. However, Curtis also recognizes the collateral harm caused by a judicial system that was never designed to resolve family disputes. That is why he works hard to reserve his trial practice to those cases that simply cannot be resolved outside of the courtroom. The fact is ...
David A. Hoffman is a mediator, arbitrator, attorney, and founding member of Boston Law Collaborative, LLC. David is listed in the book “The Best Lawyers in America” in five categories (Mediation, Arbitration, Collaborative Law – Civil, Collaborative Law - Family, and Family Law Mediation). He was named Boston's "Lawyer of the Year" in Collaborative Law in 2014, in Mediation for 2016, in Arbitration in 2018, and again in Mediation for 2020. He has been named a Massachusetts ...
Ms. Izzo is Chair of the Firm’s Family Law and Domestic Relations practice and Chair of the Associates Committee. Ms. Izzo is recognized as a Certified Family Law Specialist by the State Bar of Arizona Board of Legal Specialization, is AV Preeminent® Peer Review Rated™, is recognized in The Best Lawyers in America© in the category of Collaborative Law: Family Law, Family Law Mediation, Family Law Arbitration (2018 – 2022), and is also recognized by Southwest Super L...
Candice L. Komar is a partner of Pittsburgh family law firm Pollock Begg. A strong litigator and comprehensive attorney, Candice often deals with divorces involving closely held businesses, complex issues and high net worth individuals. She is honored to have been voted the 2022 Pittsburgh "Lawyer of the Year" in family law mediation through the Best Lawyers in America peer review process. With a head for business and more than two decades of experience, Candice is able to quickly assess case...
Anna Krolikowska is an attorney in private practice serving clients in Chicago and the suburbs. She is a collaboratively trained attorney and a Fellow of Collaborative Divorce Illinois. Within her law practice Anna works with clients using mediation, collaborative divorce process, or the litigated approach. Anna's goal is to help you divorce with dignity and respect and preserve your co-parenting relationship and assets. Anna is the Immediate Past President of the Illinois State Bar Associati...
Recognizing that a divorce may be one of the most significant financial transactions a person enters into during his or her life, Ms. Lawless helps clients reach settlements that protect and preserve their assets for the future. She works with each client to find individualized solutions to fit his or her needs, whether that is through collaborative settlement or traditional litigation. Ms. Lawless has spent her entire career navigating high net worth individuals through complicated family la...
Jessica L. Leischner is partner with Wade, Grimes, Friedman, Meinken & Leischner, PLLC. As an accomplished family law attorney and litigator serving Northern Virginia, Ms. Leischner represents clients in Fairfax County, Alexandria City, Arlington County, Loudoun County, Stafford County, and Prince William County. Ms. Leischner’s practice is exclusively in the area of family law, including divorce, child custody, visitation, child support, spousal support, equitable distribution, set...
Keith Maples' 20-year career has been devoted exclusively to Family Law, including litigated divorce, collaborative divorce, custody arrangements and modifications. Mr. Maples has particular expertise in issues related to special needs children and is an experienced mediator and arbitrator in family law matters. He is board certified in Family Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization and is a Fellow of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers.
Understanding that reaching an equitable financial settlement is a priority for clients, Carlton Marcyan, a partner of the firm and a certified public accountant and financial planner, applies his business acumen to financial discovery, analysis and litigation. With a focus on preserving assets, he guides clients to strategic decisions that have a positive return. Well-regarded by the business community and judges, Mr. Marcyan represents high-level executives and their spouses. Known for his ...
Keersten Heskin Martinez is an Attorney with over twenty years of experience helping families in all aspects of family law cases. Keersten is one of the few attorneys in the Orlando area who is Board Certified in Marital and Family Law. She specializes in Family Law including dissolution of marriage, custody proceedings, child support, paternity and modification proceedings. Keersten graduated from the Florida Institute of Technology with a Bachelor of Science and majored in Aviation Manageme...
I am a dedicated family lawyer and business owner. I am known for helping good people through tough times, such as divorce and parenting matters. As a child of an amicable divorce, I know how hard divorce can be on children, even in the best of situations. With a focus on working together for the interests of the family, I strive to give my clients the tools they need for a successful future. I have a strong reputation of giving back to the New Hampshire community that I grew up in and suppor...
Family law matters play no favorites, and it affects couples of every distinction. Jim Mueller is well-versed in the wide range of issues involved. As Managing Partner with Verner Brumley Mueller Parker PC, board certified by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization in family law and a member of the Texas Academy of Family Law Specialists, Jim's practice concentrates on complex divorce matters and contested custody litigation. He approaches all his divorce cases with the goal of helping client...
Certified Family Law Specialist, certified by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization, Susan Myres has over 35 years of experience practicing family law in Harris County and the Greater Houston area. Susan works closely with all of her clients to develop a legal strategy that best fits her client's goals and needs. Her background in business studies allows her to work through complex issues involving the characterization and valuation of a business, closely-held business interests, characteri...
Patrick C. O’Reilly focuses his practice on matrimonial litigation, handling all aspects of divorce and separation and representing clients in matters related to the modification or enforcement of existing matrimonial judgments and orders. For more than 25 years, Mr. O’Reilly has served as a panelist and speaker on matrimonial and family law topic for numerous seminars, workshops, and symposiums sponsored by the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, New York State Office of Cou...
Julie Quaid is a partner in the firm of Quaid Farish, LLC whose practice is limited to matrimonial law. Quaid Farish and all its lawyers are Martindale-Hubbell "AV" rated and are listed in the Bar Register of Preeminent Lawyers, the highest ratings a lawyer and a law firm can receive. Julie provides her clients with a full spectrum of family law services, including collaborative divorce, pre and post-marital agreements, domestic partnership agreements, complex property issues and child relate...
Tara has solely practiced family law since her graduation from Seattle University in 1998. Over the years, Tara has learned that a truly successful outcome is one that achieves the client’s unique, individual needs and goals. In achieving those needs and goals, Tara is highly skilled at employing traditional dispute resolution methods, such as litigation or mediation, as well as assisting clients through the Collaborative Law process. Tara excels at utilizing creative thinking and commo...
Collaborative Law: Family Law Definition
In traditional divorce litigation, the parties look to the court system and judges to resolve their dispute viewing the other as the adversary. The process can result in considerable emotional and financial cost to the family. Collaborative Law is a non-adversarial process that views a family in divorce as a family in crisis that has a series of problems to be solved, rather than a series of battles to be fought. The end goal is to meet the legitimate needs of everyone involved in a restructured family.
The process starts with both Husband and Wife retaining unaffiliated collaboratively trained attorneys who commit, in writing, not to go to court but instead to work together to help the couple reach agreements beneficial to all. If an agreement cannot be reached and one or both parties choose to proceed to court, the attorneys and experts are disqualified from proceeding further on an adversarial basis. With the focus on problem solving instead of adversarial representation, there is a strong likelihood conflict will be reduced, allowing the couple to resolve and reach agreements.
The parties meet privately with their respective lawyers and possibly additional experts, called “Team Members” who may include a child specialist, a neutral financial professional, and divorce coaches, all of whom perform a valuable service helping to minimize conflict and cost by guiding the parties towards an amicable resolution.
Collaborative law is similar to but differs from mediation in some significant respects. In mediation, a neutral third party (the mediator) facilitates the parties’ negotiation to help reach a settlement but cannot give legal advice, advocate for either side, or draft the final legal papers necessary. In Collaborative Law, both parties have independent lawyers present during negotiation to provide legal advice in an educational context, thereby empowering the clients to make informed decisions about their lives and their children’s lives. When agreement is reached, the collaborative lawyers will prepare all the papers necessary and will accompany the parties to court to finalize their case.
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.
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