Best Lawyers Near You in Sandy Hook, Connecticut for Family Law
Jocelyn B. Hurwitz is the firm’s Co-Managing Partner. Jocelyn has been ranked at the highest level by the Chambers High Net Worth Guide 2026 in the Family/Matrimonial practice area, where a source says: "Jocelyn is a fierce advocate who combines exceptional client management skills with a deep commitment to achieving the best outcomes for her clients. Her ability to balance empathy with tenacity sets her apart in the field." For many years, Jocelyn served as Chair of the firm’s Fa...
ANNMARIE P. BRIONES is Of Counsel to Cohen and Wolf’s Family Law and Litigation Groups practicing in the firm’s Bridgeport and Westport offices. Ms. Briones practices primarily in the area of family law representing parties in divorce, legal separation, custody and post-judgment dissolution matters. Ms. Briones currently serves on the Faculty of the National Institute of Trial Advocacy. She has frequently served as a court appointed Guardian ad Litem and Attorney for Minor Childre...
Livia Barndollar is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Appellate Practice and Family Law. Livia practices law in Westport, Connecticut Best Lawyers has recognized Livia Barndollar 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 Livia Barndollar is held by other lawyers.
Rosemary E. Giuliano is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area of Family Law. Rosemary E. practices law in Woodbury, Connecticut Best Lawyers has recognized Rosemary E. Giuliano since 2018. 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 Rosemary E. Giuliano is held by other lawyers.
Connecticut Bar Association, Member, Executive Committee, Family Law Section 1993 - Present, Fairfield County Bar Association, American Bar Association, American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers (2005 - Present), International Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers (2007 - Present). Certificate of Completion GAL/AMC Comprehemsive Basic Training, State of Connecticut, 2012. Member, Connecticut Law Review, 1986-1988, Board of Editors, Connecticut Family Lawyer, 1994-2000, Co-author, Connecticut Practice ...
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...
Allison Thomas is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area of Family Law. Allison practices law in Fairfield, Connecticut Best Lawyers has recognized Allison Thomas since 2027. 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 Allison Thomas is held by other lawyers.
Emilio Estrella Teron is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Commercial Litigation, Family Law and Intellectual Property Law. Emilio Estrella practices law in Bridgeport, Connecticut Best Lawyers has recognized Emilio Estrella Teron 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 Emilio Estrella Teron is held by other la...
Ben Gettinger has a diverse law practice focused on helping his clients navigate through complex legal and life challenges. His clients include businesses, municipalities, police officers, first responders, politicians and everyday individuals. Ben is deeply involved in the local community. He is the Probate Judge for Milford and Orange. In addition, Ben is a Commissioner on the Connecticut Law Revision Commission; Trustee to the Boys & Girls Club of Milford; Board Member on the Friends o...
Matthew F. Dolan is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Family Law and Family Law: Arbitration and Mediation. Matthew F. practices law in New Haven, Connecticut Best Lawyers has recognized Matthew F. Dolan since 2024. 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 Matthew F. Dolan is held by other lawyers.
India A. Butler is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area of Family Law. India A. practices law in Westport, Connecticut Best Lawyers has recognized India A. Butler since 2027. 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 India A. Butler is held by other lawyers.
Kevin O'Leary is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Family Law and Family Law: Arbitration and Mediation. Kevin practices law in New Haven, Connecticut Best Lawyers has recognized Kevin O'Leary 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 Kevin O'Leary is held by other lawyers.
Jenna Shankman is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Family Law, Litigation - Trusts and Estates and Trusts and Estates. Jenna practices law in Bridgeport, Connecticut Best Lawyers has recognized Jenna Shankman since 2024. 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 Jenna Shankman is held by other lawyers.
Clifford Garnett is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area of Family Law. Clifford practices law in New Haven, Connecticut Best Lawyers has recognized Clifford Garnett 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 Clifford Garnett is held by other lawyers.
Richard Meehan (“RJ”) is a trial attorney with MeehanLaw LLC in Fairfield, Connecticut. His practice focuses on Family Law, including matrimonial matters that involve related criminal and civil proceedings. Working alongside Attorney Michael Meehan, RJ regularly represents clients in complex cases where family law and criminal law intersect, requiring careful coordination across multiple courts and legal frameworks. He approaches these matters with detailed preparation and strateg...
Nicole Riel is an associate attorney at MeehanLaw LLC in Fairfield, Connecticut, where she focuses her practice on family law matters. She works with individuals and families throughout Connecticut on issues involving divorce, child custody, parenting plans, child support, and related family law concerns. Nicole earned her Juris Doctor, magna cum laude, from Quinnipiac University School of Law, where she completed a concentration in Family Law with honors. During law school, she served as Edi...
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.