Best Lawyers in America for Collaborative Law: Family Law
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Stuart Skok is the principal and owner of Stuart Skok Law LLC, founded in 2017, and now Stuart Skok Law and The Next Chapter LLC, founded in 2026. With more than 30 years of experience, she represents clients in complex family law matters, including divorce, custody, domestic violence, prenuptial and separation agreements, and post-divorce litigation. She is admitted to practice in Maryland, Washington, D.C., Colorado, and before the U.S. Supreme Court. Recognized as one of the Top 100 Matrim...
Paula J. Swensen, who was born in Orange, New Jersey in 1955, has been an Orange County resident since 2000 after relocating to California from New England. Ms. Swensen lives in Trabuco Canyon and has three children. She is an avid sports fan, supporting any and all teams from the Boston area. Ms. Swensen graduated from the University of New Hampshire (B.S., Behavioral Science, highest honors, 1996) and Franklin Pierce Law Center (J.D., 1999; M.A., Intellectual Property). Between her second a...
David L. Hirschberg is a Principal/Shareholder at Gladstone, Weissman, Hirschberg & Schneider, P.A. He is a graduate of the University of Florida Levin College of Law, cum laude (J.D., 2003) and received his undergraduate degree from the University of Florida, with honors (B.A., 2000). Mr. Hirschberg is Florida Bar Board Certified in Marital and Family Law, a Fellow of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, a Fellow of the International Academy of Family Lawyers, and is AV Preeminen...
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...
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 ...
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...
Guiding You Through Divorce, Ethically and Diligently Kristiana Butler on Your Family and Your Future: Whether through Collaborative Law or the traditional litigation model, I work with clients to develop personalized solutions for a new and better normal. I help clients prioritize goals, generate options, and explore long-term solutions with respect and support. From LGBTQIA+ parenting to buyouts of business interests, I provide a thoughtful and empathetic approach to protecting the people a...
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.
Emily Baker, a family law attorney and partner at Tucker Family Law, is based in Northern Virginia and mainly serves clients in Fairfax County, Arlington County, the City of Alexandria, Loudoun County, and Washington, D.C. With a focus on separation and divorce , including complex and high-net-worth family law matters , Emily believes in the importance of listening carefully to her clients as they develop their goals. “I value being able to really be there for someone during what’...
Annelisa D. Smith is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Collaborative Law: Family Law, Family Law, Family Law Arbitration, Family Law Mediation and Juvenile Practice. Annelisa D., who practices law in Portland, Oregon, has been recognized since 2017. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Annelisa D. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Alan Rubenstein is a highly-skilled family lawyer, divorce mediator, and collaborative divorce attorney. He has practiced family and divorce law for more than 30 years. He has served as counsel for approximately 1,200 divorces, involving more than 250 divorce mediations, 150 collaborative/cooperative divorces, and numerous hearings and trials. A trained marriage and family counselor with a Master of Science in counseling psychology with a specialization in marriage and family therapy, Alan ap...
Since 1993, Teresa Cole has been a practicing family law attorney handling complex divorce cases, custody determinations, and all other domestic law matters. Based on her experience and proven track record, she has been appointed as a Neutral Case Evaluator for Fairfax County, Virginia. In this role, she provides case evaluations and non-binding arbitration services for other divorce attorneys. In addition, Ms. Cole was appointed to the Divorce and Family Law Attorney Resource Panel as an adv...
Every family law matter, just like every person, is different. As such, Greg Beane provides each client with personalized attention throughout each step of the case. A careful listener, he focuses on his clients’ individual goals as he strives to obtain a favorable result. Greg’s background in accounting and finance have helped him to lead clients through one of the most significant financial transactions of their lives while protecting and preserving their assets for the future. ...
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 ...
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.