Best Lawyers in Colorado, United States for Family Law
About Cynthia Cynthia L. Ciancio is a founding shareholder of Ciancio Ciancio Brown, P.C. She also heads up the firm’s Family Law Group. Ms. Ciancio’s practice specializes in high asset divorces and complex child custody disputes. She is also a certified mediator conducting both mediations and arbitrations for parties with or without lawyers. With over 20 years of experience exclusively in family law, and another four years prior as a Deputy District Attorney in Adams County, Ms. ...
Jim was born and raised in Denver, Colorado. He graduated from the University of Colorado with a degree in Economics in 1988. He attended the University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law and graduated in 1992. He was elected to Order of the Coif and was honored as the Valedictorian of his graduating class. Jim was voted the Outstanding Graduating Senior Award for 1992. In addition to receiving the Valedictorian Award for McGeorge School of Law, 1992, Jim has received many merit awards, i...
Kristi Anderson Wells is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Collaborative Law: Family Law and Family Law. Kristi Anderson practices law in Denver, Colorado Best Lawyers has recognized Kristi Anderson Wells since 2022. 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 Kristi Anderson Wells is held by other lawyers.
Jennifer McDonald practices primarily in family law. She is knowledgeable in all aspects of divorce, custody, and post-decree issues. She represents clients across the State of Colorado, including but not limited to Arapahoe County, Adams County, Denver County and Douglas County. Ms. McDonald founded The Law Firm of Jennifer S. McDonald, LLC with the vision of running a family law firm that is child and family focused. Ms. McDonald handles divorce and custody cases with the intention of helpi...
Erica R. Kemmerley is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Collaborative Law: Family Law, Family Law, Family Law Arbitration and Family Law Mediation. Erica R. practices law in Denver, Colorado Best Lawyers has recognized Erica R. Kemmerley since 2021. 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 Erica R. Kemmerley is held by othe...
Elizabeth practices exclusively in family law, having served hundreds of clients during her tenure with their divorces, parenting, and child support cases. Elizabeth’s family law practice has focused on asset and business valuation, income valuation, complex divorce, parental responsibilities, child relocation, and child support matters, among others. Elizabeth speaks both Spanish and Italian and uses these skills to assist non-native speakers in navigating through domestic matters. Eli...
Riley was born in Aurora, Nebraska and had the good sense to move to Colorado when he was 2 years old. He graduated from Drake University with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science in 2000. Riley received his Juris Doctorate from the University of Denver, Sturm College of Law in 2004. He was admitted to the Colorado Bar in October 2004. He is a member of the Colorado and Denver Bar Associations, and is active in the Family Law Section and Young Lawyer’s Division. Riley is a member of ...
Jennifer prides herself on focusing on her clients’ needs, developing personalized solutions that help them navigate difficult situations such as divorce and child custody. Jennifer provides expert guidance and compassionate advice to individuals during an emotional and life-changing time. Jennifer provides a clear, efficient and reasoned approach to help clients move through the divorce process in a supportive way. First and foremost, Jennifer listens to her clients and identifies thei...
Phil is an AV-rated® trial lawyer. He has tried multiple jury and bench trials and has argued cases in the Colorado Supreme Court, the Colorado Court of Appeals, the Georgia Court of Appeals, the Illinois Appellate Court, the United States District Court for the District of Colorado, the United States District Court for the Northern District of Georgia, and the state trial courts of Colorado, Georgia and Illinois. Phil is licensed to practice before all state courts of Colorado and Georgi...
Carolyn Witkus is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Family Law and Family Law Mediation. Carolyn practices law in Denver, Colorado Best Lawyers has recognized Carolyn Witkus 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 Carolyn Witkus is held by other lawyers.
Kyle McFarlane, co-founding partner of BAM , started the firm after gaining experience working for both government and private entities. From an early age, Kyle began preparing herself for a career in family law, earning a bachelor’s degree in Sociology and Psychology from the University of Denver in 2009. While still attending the University of Denver Sturm College of Law, Kyle worked for the Arapahoe County Public Defender’s Office assisting with misdemeanor criminal defense tri...
Jamie is a dedicated attorney with a deep focus on family law, and she truly understands the complexities and emotional challenges that her clients face. With years of experience, she has been fortunate to help numerous families navigate their domestic relations cases, achieving positive outcomes that make a real difference in their lives. Jamie’s exceptional negotiation skills allow her clients to find resolutions that respect their needs and circumstances, guiding them toward peace of...
Michelle Brinner is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area of Family Law. Michelle practices law in Denver, Colorado Best Lawyers has recognized Michelle Brinner since 2025. 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 Michelle Brinner is held by other lawyers.
Mark serves as head of the firm’s Family Law Group, and has been since joining the firm in 1972. In 1985, he limited his practice to focus exclusively on divorce matters. As one of the leading attorneys in the field, Mark handles cases involving pre-and post-marital agreements, sophisticated property settlements, negotiated settlements, permanent order trials, child-related issues and extensive mediation and arbitration. He also serves as a mediator, settlement master and arbitrator in ...
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.
