Best Lawyers in America for Collaborative Law: Family Law

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...

Pittsburgh family lawyer Meghan L. Zupancic is trained and certified in collaborative family law, providing clients with superior representation for challenging family law issues and support through what is often the darkest time of their lives. Meghan strives to understand her clients and their goals and provide open communication to help them feel informed and confident throughout the legal process. She imparts clients with knowledge to help them successfully resolve a variety of family law...

Emma L. Whitley is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Collaborative Law: Family Law, Family Law and Family Law Mediation. Emma L. practices law in Albuquerque, New Mexico Best Lawyers has recognized Emma L. Whitley since 2026. The Best Lawyers recognition is based on a peer-review survey of lawyers in the same geographic region and legal practice area. The recognition reflects the professional regard in which Emma L. Whitley is held by other lawyers.

Thomas A. Greenwald is a Board Certified Family Law attorney by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization and co-managing partner at Goranson Bain Ausley. With more than 30 years of experience, he focuses his practice on complex divorce and custody matters for professionals, executives, business owners, and their spouses throughout the Dallas–Fort Worth area. Tom is recognized for bringing judgment, financial discipline, and long-term thinking to high-stakes family law cases. He regularly...

Christopher M. Farish is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Collaborative Law: Family Law and Family Law. Christopher M. practices law in Dallas, Texas Best Lawyers has recognized Christopher M. Farish since 2014. The Best Lawyers recognition is based on a peer-review survey of lawyers in the same geographic region and legal practice area. The recognition reflects the professional regard in which Christopher M. Farish is held by other lawyers.

Diane Carlton is Special Counsel at Griffiths Law. She has over 40 years of experience dedicated to helping clients and their families move through the difficult process of divorce. She is a skilled trial lawyer as a result of her previous experience as a Colorado deputy public defender, municipal judge and her extensive trial experience in divorce cases. Diane is compassionate and works closely with clients to reach a constructive and productive resolution of their case. Diane focuses on ach...

Kelly Ausley-Flores is a Partner at Goranson Bain Ausley in Austin, Board Certified in Family Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization, with more than 25 years of experience. She has been recognized in The Best Lawyers in America© for Family Law and Collaborative Law since 2012, and for Family Law Mediation since 2024. She has been named Austin “Lawyer of the Year” multiple times. Kelly is also included in LawDragon’s 500 Leading Family Lawyers (2024–2026) a...

Kathleen Donelli is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Family Law and Collaborative Law: Family Law. Kathleen practices law in White Plains, New York Best Lawyers has recognized Kathleen Donelli since 2023. The Best Lawyers recognition is based on a peer-review survey of lawyers in the same geographic region and legal practice area. The recognition reflects the professional regard in which Kathleen Donelli is held by other lawyers.

Laura Dale is Board Certified in Family Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. Her practice is concentrated in the area of family law involving high conflict divorce, high net worth property division, both domestic and foreign, property valuation, custody cases, international child abduction brought under The Hague Convention and complex multi-jurisdictional family law disputes. Ms. Dale is a Fellow of the International Academy of Family Lawyers and a USA Delegate on the Board of Gov...

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...

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...

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...

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...

Reagan doesn’t miss a thing. She’s sharp, detail-oriented, and formidable. Having grown up in more than a dozen cities across the United States, she has an almost uncanny ability to connect with people and find her footing in new situations–excellent skills for a family law attorney to have. "Because I’ve lived in so many different communities, I understand and appreciate different perspectives,” says Reagan. “Being able to see all sides of any matter allow...

Charla Davies, a partner at Goranson Bain Ausley’s San Antonio office, is recognized for her client-centered approach and dedication to guiding families through complex legal matters—including divorce, child custody, child support, and enforcement of court orders. She is known for her compassion, integrity, and commitment to constructive solutions. Board Certified in Family Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization, Charla empowers clients to reach resolutions that prioritize...

Jill Spielberg is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Collaborative Law: Family Law and Family Law. Jill practices law in White Plains, New York Best Lawyers has recognized Jill Spielberg since 2026. The Best Lawyers recognition is based on a peer-review survey of lawyers in the same geographic region and legal practice area. The recognition reflects the professional regard in which Jill Spielberg is held by other lawyers.