Best Lawyers in America for Collaborative Law: Family Law

Lisa E. Martin is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Collaborative Law: Family Law. Lisa E., who practices law in Vancouver, Washington, has been recognized since 2024. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Lisa E. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

As a former child abuse caseworker and judge, Angie has witnessed firsthand the destruction that protracted conflict causes in families. Her experience has led her to believe strongly in interest-based settlements of family conflict. She encourages her clients to consider the collaborative law process, because it allows them to fashion their own solutions and begin anew in the best manner possible. As a widely recognized advocate of collaborative law, Angie has traveled around the U.S. teachi...

Stephen E. Reck is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Collaborative Law: Family Law, Family Law and Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs. Stephen E., who practices law in New London, Connecticut, has been recognized since 2021. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Stephen E. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

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...

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.

“While many of my cases are litigated, my training in collaborative law ensures that every effort is taken to reach a resolution in the most cost-effective and clear manner possible.” – Aimee Pingenot With a compassionate focus and an eye towards the future, Aimee works with clients to skillfully assist them in identifying their goals and guide them towards a resolution in often complex and contentious family law matters. Having a Master’s degree in social work provide...

Erin L. Kopelman is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Collaborative Law: Family Law, Family Law and Family Law Mediation. Erin L., who practices law in Bethesda, Maryland, has been recognized since 2018. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Erin L. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

A Nationally Recognized Leader in Family Law and Dispute Resolution Vicki L. Shemin brings more than 35 years of experience in family law to her role as Partner at Turco Legal’s Boston office. Widely regarded as one of Massachusetts’ most respected attorneys, mediators, collaborative law practitioners, and parenting coordinators, she has built a career at the intersection of law, mental health, and conflict resolution. Vicki is regularly recognized for her excellence in the field,...

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.

Known as a thoughtful, determined problem-solver, who is committed to finding positive, constructive approaches for resolving family legal issues, Amy L. Stewart practices exclusively in Mallor Grodner Plummer LLP’s family and matrimonial law division. She assists clients with a full range of family law matters, including separation and divorce, paternity, asset valuation, division and distribution, child custody, child support, prenuptial and postnuptial agreements, cohabitation, and d...

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 ...

The resolution of family law issues impacts a person’s life, frequently affecting long term financial well-being and parental rights. It is important, therefore, to attain the best possible outcome. Robin B. Taub, a principal and founding member of Paradiso, Taub, Sinay, Owel, and Kostecka, P.C., has built her legal reputation upon this principle. She focuses her practice in Maryland and the District of Columbia on negotiation, mediation and collaboration. She believes these alternative...

Ann E. Bauer is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Collaborative Law: Family Law, Family Law and Family Law Mediation. Ann E., who practices law in St. Louis, Missouri, has been recognized since 2014. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Ann E. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

With a long-standing background in collaborative law, mediation, and litigation, Dallas, Texas divorce attorney Carie Silvestri brings creativity, empathy, and strategic thinking to every matter she handles at Hargrave Family Law. She is known for listening carefully to client concerns while navigating complex family law issues with clarity and care. Carie focuses her practice exclusively on Family Law, including Collaborative Law: Family Law, allowing her to devote her full attention to each...

Deanna Rusch is an attorney at McKean Smith's Vancouver office. Highly respected as a skilled family law attorney in Southwest Washington, Deanna's poise in court, knowledge of the law, and trial experience sets her apart. She focuses her practice on complex divorce cases (particularly those involving high net worth property ownership and complicated assets), custody cases, relocation, third party custody, modifications, and all other areas of family law. Deanna was drawn to family law over a...

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 ...