Best Lawyers in America for Collaborative Law: Family Law
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Constructive Solutions for Complex Family Law Matters Jonathan James on Your Family and Your Future: I represent business owners, professionals, and parents who want to resolve complex family law matters in the least destructive manner possible. While managing all aspects of family law, I offer particular strengths with cases involving complicated property and challenging real estate investments, contested custody disputes and modifications, and pre-marital and post-marital agreements. Whethe...
Christopher M. Farish is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Collaborative Law: Family Law and Family Law. Christopher M., who practices law in Dallas, Texas, has been recognized since 2014. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Christopher M. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Founder and owner of Bliss Law Group, Heather Z. Bliss, was drawn to family law largely because of the unexpected tragic loss of both her parents at a young age. She and her brothers experienced a unique childhood after their parents’ deaths, and this incited her passion for helping families navigate through the legal system and the potential turmoil they face when dealing with court and the legal world when it directly impacts children and families. Her hope is to assist in alleviating...
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...
Amanda Gilbert is a family law attorney at Selzer Gurvitch in Bethesda, Maryland. She represents clients in a wide range of family law matters, including separation, divorce, child custody, adoption and assisted reproductive technology. Amanda combines thoughtful legal guidance with a practical, solution-oriented approach to help clients navigate complex and emotionally challenging situations with clarity and confidence. Known for her steady and compassionate manner, Amanda works closely with...
Carla M. Calabrese is the founding and managing partner of Calabrese BudnerLLP , a Dallas-based boutique family law firm focused on complex divorce and custody matters. With more than 35 years of experience, she practices in FamilyLaw , Collaborative Law: Family Law, Family Law Mediation, and Family Law Arbitration. Carla is a pioneer of Emotionally Intelligent Divorce®, guiding clients through high-stakes family matters with clarity, strategy, and a focus on long-term outcomes. A Master ...
Jim Mueller is the owner and managing partner of Mueller Family Law Group , a Dallas, Texas family law firm. He is board certified in Family Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization, a Fellow of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers and the International Academy of Family Lawyers, and the author of the book Divorce in Texas: The Legal Process, Your Rights, and What to Expect . Jim is a Diplomate of the American College of Family Trial Lawyers, an invitation-only organization limit...
Emma L. Whitley is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Collaborative Law: Family Law, Family Law and Family Law Mediation. Emma L., who practices law in Albuquerque, New Mexico, has been recognized since 2026. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Emma L. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
JOSHUA L. PLAGER is a Senior Associate of the law firm of Gladstone, Weissman, Hirschberg & Schneider, P.A. Josh graduated from the University of Florida with honors in 2006, earning a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the Warrington College of Business. Following undergrad and before law school, Mr. Plager was a Series 7 and Series 66 registered financial advisor at AIG, assisting clients with financial planning and investing, including 401(k) plans, 403(b) plans, and I...
Taylor Toombs Imel is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Collaborative Law: Family Law and Family Law. Taylor Toombs, who practices law in Houston, Texas, has been recognized since 2024. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Taylor Toombs is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Pittsburgh divorce attorney Stephanie L. Jablon aggressively works to amicably resolve a variety of cases through collaborative family law, mediation or litigation. Skilled in the courtroom and specially trained in collaborative family law and mediation, Pittsburgh divorce attorney Stephanie L. Jablon works toward cordial resolutions that allow clients to move forward with hope. She approaches equitable distribution, support, custody and protection from abuse cases with an aptitude for swift ...
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...
With over 30 years in the legal field, my journey as a lawyer has been marked by a commitment to fostering resolution and understanding through Collaborative Law and Mediation. Unlike traditional legal paths, something about mediation and helping people in conflict find a better, more productive way to resolve their differences attracted me to Mediation and Collaborative law. While starting my career at a notable Fifth Avenue matrimonial litigation firm, I volunteered as a court mediator, wit...
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.