Best Lawyers in America for Collaborative Law: Family Law
Select a location from the list below to find the best legal talent for your needs.
State
Everybody has a special talent, a skill that gives them satisfaction and pleasure. Some are tap dancers, some are prize fighters. I am neither. I help people solve problems. Over my 30 years of experience in resolving legal conflicts, I have learned and practiced problem-solving techniques that benefit and satisfy both parties without losing sight of my clients' needs and feelings. My foundation for this approach comes from my 20 years in the Army. During my five years as an enlisted man, I s...
Lucy Sinkular is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Collaborative Law: Family Law and Family Law. Lucy, who practices law in Albuquerque, New Mexico, has been recognized since 2024. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Lucy is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
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...
Alice Ahearn is a Partner at Eris Law Group. She guides family law clients through one of the most difficult times in their lives to emerge optimistic about the future. Alice excels at solving contentious and complex child custody problems, including relocation cases. She is also adept at resolving divorces with complicated financial issues, including business and stock valuations, the division of marital interest in a business, and spousal support. Her clients include professionals, physicia...
Kathryn SamlerProtecting and serving children and families is a longstanding commitment of Katie’s. She strongly advocates for clients when they are going through one of the most difficult times of life, and ensures that her clients goals are prioritized. Katie has a special interest in helping families with challenges that include complex property division, mental health issues (including personality disorders), and substance abuse issues.
Alexander H. Xanttopoulos is a principal attorney with Roop, Xanttopoulos, Babounakis. He joined the predecessor firm in Fall 2010, to focus primarily on family law. He works in cases involving divorce, child custody, support, visitation and equitable distribution. Prior to joining Roop Law, Alex worked for several years for Greenspun, Shapiro, Davis and Leary P.C. as an associate practicing in the areas of domestic relations, traffic, criminal defense and civil litigation. He also has experi...
Douglas J. Sanderson is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Collaborative Law: Family Law, Family Law and Real Estate Law. Douglas J., who practices law in Fairfax, Virginia, has been recognized since 2020. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Douglas J. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Denise L. Schneider , Principal/Shareholder, is Board Certified by The Florida Bar in Marital and Family Law and a Fellow of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers. Ms. Schneider earned her J.D. (magna cum laude) as well as her Bachelor of Science from Nova Southeastern University. Prior to joining the firm in 2007, Ms. Schneider worked in several Fort Lauderdale area boutique marital and family law practices. Following her admittance to The Florida Bar in 2002, Ms. Schneider has strictl...
Bernadette Staroschuck, a partner at Margolis Edelstein, was admitted to the Pennsylvania Bar in 1985. Ms. Staroschuck has been associated with Margolis Edelstein since 1997 and before that was associated with the former law firm of Rosenberg Kirshner, which ultimately merged with Margolis Edelstein in January of 1997. She has been a partner in the firm since 2001. Ms. Staroschuck concentrates her practice in matrimonial law and family law issues. She has also handled a variety of other legal...
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...
Attorney Amy Wechsler has been practicing law since 1985. She practices exclusively in the area of family law. She is certified by the New Jersey Supreme Court as a matrimonial attorney and is an accredited divorce and family mediator and trained arbitrator. She is also a collaboratively trained practitioner. Ms. Wechsler lectures and presents at the New Jersey State Bar Association as well as the New Jersey Institute for Continuing Legal Education.
Sarah M. Armstrong is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Collaborative Law: Family Law and Family Law. Sarah M., 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 Sarah M. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
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...
I represent a wide range of clients, including professionals, working parents, physicians, and their spouses or partners who want to trust that their lawyer is there for them and will protect their interests. Many of my clients are dealing with the challenges of divorce and other family law matters while also taking care of children, elderly parents, and/or pursuing a career. My goal is to alleviate the stress that comes with making life-changing decisions and help clients through the transit...
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.