Best Lawyers Near You in Southport, Connecticut for Family Law
THOMAS P. PARRINO is a partner and co-founder of PARRINO|SHATTUCK, PC. He represents clients in all areas of family law, including divorce, alimony, child custody, child support, and property division. With more than 25 years of experience practicing family law, Parrino is considered a top attorney in his field, handling some of the most intricate and high-asset family law litigation in Connecticut. He is a tenacious negotiator and litigator. He was named "Lawyer of the Year" by Best 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 ...
Louise T. Truax is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Family Law. Louise T., who practices law in Southport, Connecticut, has been recognized since 2008. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Louise T. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Justin Contratto is an experienced family law practitioner and trial attorney. Prior to joining BodnarMilone, Justin was employed by well-regarded matrimonial firms in Manhattan and Northern Virginia, where he represented clients in complex matrimonial matters. Justin’s matrimonial practice has focused on the representation of high net worth individuals, including partners at major law firms, tech industry and finance executives, and high-profile public figures. Justin began his legal c...
Attorney Bryniczka is a Partner/Shareholder with the Firm. He is a graduate of Wesleyan University and the University of Connecticut School of Law. While in law school, Attorney Bryniczka was an Associate Editor of the Connecticut Journal of International Law and co-founder of the UCONN Law Ice Hockey Team. Attorney Bryniczka regularly handles complex family law matters including financial and custody/parenting issues. He has written and/or lectured on Family Law related issues such as: Prope...
Livia Barndollar is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Family Law. Livia, who practices law in Westport, Connecticut, has been recognized since 2026. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Livia is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
RANDI R. NELSON is a partner at PARRINO|SHATTUCK, PC. She has worked strictly on matrimonial litigation since 2011 and is admitted to practice in Connecticut. She represents clients in all aspects of family law, including divorce, alimony, child support, child custody, property division, post-judgment modification, and post-judgment contempt. Nelson is a member of the American, Connecticut, Fairfield County, and Westport/Weston bar associations. In addition, she is a special master for family...
Eric is a co-managing partner of the firm and has been with the firm for more than thirty years. He practices in the area of family law and has extensive courtroom experience at the trial and appellate levels. His experience and expertise span all aspects of family law, including alimony and spousal support, cohabitation issues, the identification and division of assets, the dissipation of assets, fraudulent nondisclosure of assets and income, earning capacity issues, child custody and parent...
Attorney Welsh is a Partner at Schoonmaker, George, Blomberg, Bryniczka & Welsh P.C. Attorney Welsh joined the law firm in 2006. Attorney Welsh graduated with honors from the University of Connecticut School of Law in 2006. While in law school, she served on the Connecticut Law Review and received awards for excellence in Evidence and Civil Procedure. Attorney Welsh handles complex divorce and family law actions involving significant assets and child custody issues. She also has significa...
Karissa L. Parker-Geisler is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Family Law. Karissa L., who practices law in Stamford, Connecticut, has been recognized since 2021. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Karissa L. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Kevin O'Leary is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Family Law and Family Law: Arbitration and Mediation. Kevin, who practices law in New Haven, Connecticut, has been recognized since 2023. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Kevin is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
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...
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...
Emilio Estrella Teron is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Commercial Litigation, Family Law and Intellectual Property Law. Emilio Estrella, who practices law in Bridgeport, Connecticut, has been recognized since 2025. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Emilio Estrella is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Natassia Fodor is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Family Law. Natassia Fodor joined Schoonmaker George as an associate in 2019. With prior experience practicing family law in Connecticut and New York, she brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to her practice. Natassia is an active member of the Connecticut Bar Association Family Law Section, staying engaged with the latest developments in the field. She earned her B.A. with honors from the State Unive...
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...
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.