Best Lawyers in America for Collaborative Law: Family Law

Heather Shulman is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Collaborative Law: Family Law and Family Law Mediation. Heather, who practices law in New York, New York, has been recognized since 2027. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Heather is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Complex marital dissolutions and legal separations, parenting plans, relocation actions, high-conflict child custody and child support matters, third-party and non-parental custody actions, cohabitation/prenuptial and community property status agreements, and post-dissolution issues, including child support and parenting plan modifications.

Jeffrey A. Weissman is a Principal/Shareholder of the law firm of Gladstone, Weissman, Hirschberg & Schneider, P.A. He is a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania Law School (J.D., 1994). Mr. Weissman is Board Certified in Marital and Family Law and is AV Preeminent Rated by Martindale- Hubbell. He is a Fellow in the International Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers. He is also a Supreme Court Certified Family Law Mediator and is formally trained in Collaborative Law. Mr. Weissman was rece...

Maria Montoya Chavez is an attorney with Sutin, Thayer & Browne APC in Albuquerque, New Mexico. She has been recognized by Best Lawyers since 2018 for her work in Collaborative Law: Family Law, Family Law, Family Law Arbitration, and Family Law Mediation. This recognition is based on peer review by attorneys practicing in the same geographic and practice areas. Maria Montoya Chavez has practiced law since 2000 and focuses exclusively on family law matters, including divorce, child custody...

Drawing on her business background and innate ability to relate to people, Marissa uses her experience to solve diverse and complex family law matters. She helps clients find solutions that preserve their relationships with their children and protect their financial interests. She is adept at understanding the intricate financial and relational issues of divorce and other family law matters. Serving as a neutral mediator, Marissa has had tremendous success in successfully resolving cases for ...

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 ...

Heather Trostle Smith, a partner with Pittsburgh family law firm Pollock Begg, applies her experience in multifaceted family law issues to advocate for clients in all types of divorce, support and custody cases, including those with complex financial estates and high net worth individuals. Heather began her legal career in Pittsburgh concentrating in commercial matters, professional liability, personal injury law and family law with a well-known commercial litigation firm. Her keen ability to...

Lynette Kleiza is a family law attorney at Selzer Gurvitch in Bethesda, Maryland, representing individuals and families in a wide range of domestic relations matters. She provides practical legal guidance tailored to each client’s circumstances, recognizing that family law disputes often involve significant personal, financial and emotional considerations. Lynette works closely with clients to help them make informed decisions and move forward with confidence during periods of transitio...

Nicole A. Forbes is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Collaborative Law: Family Law, Family Law and Family Law Mediation. Nicole A., who practices law in Concord, New Hampshire, has been recognized since 2026. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Nicole A. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

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...

Raleigh “Lee” Greene, though born in Gainesville (the Swamp), is a 3rd generation native of St. Petersburg. He attended UF receiving his degree in economics (1970), his J.D. (1973), was an active member of Florida Blue Key and, many years later, was selected as a “Gator Great” in 2016 by the UF alumni association. He has been a member of the Florida Bar since 1973 and a member of the D.C. Bar since 1986. He served as a JAG officer with the US Navy Reserve, having recei...

Kathleen Donelli is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Family Law and Collaborative Law: Family Law. Kathleen, who practices law in White Plains, New York, has been recognized since 2023. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Kathleen is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Ryan R. Bauerle is a Partner at Goranson Bain Ausley in Plano, Texas, Board Certified in Family Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. He has been recognized in The Best Lawyers in America© for Family Law (2024–2026), following inclusion in Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch© (2020–2023). Ryan is a Fellow of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, the International Academy of Family Lawyers, and the American Bar Foundation, and is also active in the International ...