Best Lawyers Near You in Westport, 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.
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...
Thomas D. Colin is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Family Law, Family Law Arbitration and Family Law Mediation. Thomas D. practices law in Stamford, Connecticut Best Lawyers has recognized Thomas D. Colin since 2006. 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 Thomas D. Colin is held by other lawyers.
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...
Michelle M. Zulawski is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area of Family Law. Michelle M. practices law in Bridgeport, Connecticut Best Lawyers has recognized Michelle M. Zulawski 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 Michelle M. Zulawski is held by other lawyers.
Frederic J. Siegel is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Family Law and Family Law Arbitration. Frederic J. practices law in Stamford, Connecticut Best Lawyers has recognized Frederic J. Siegel 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 Frederic J. Siegel is held by other lawyers.
Cynthia Coulter George is a founding partner of the law firm. She graduated from Cornell University in 1975 and received her law degree from Loyola University in 1978, where she was a member of the Loyola Law Review. Following graduation, Attorney George joined the law firm of Cummings & Lockwood. She became a Partner of Cummings & Lockwood in 1987, having focused most of her career in the area of matrimonial law. Attorney George is a Fellow of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawy...
Karissa L. Parker-Geisler is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area of Family Law. Karissa L. practices law in Stamford, Connecticut Best Lawyers has recognized Karissa L. Parker-Geisler 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 Karissa L. Parker-Geisler is held by other lawyers.
Dyan M. Kozaczka is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area of Family Law. Dyan M. practices law in Stamford, Connecticut Best Lawyers has recognized Dyan M. Kozaczka 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 Dyan M. Kozaczka is held by other lawyers.
Prior to joining the firm, she practiced in the matrimonial department of Tenzer, Greenblatt LLP (currently Blank Rome, LLP) in New York City, practicing family law in both New York and Connecticut. Attorney Blomberg is a Fellow of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, having been inducted in October 2009, and a Fellow of the International Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, having been inducted in February of 2011. She is admitted to practice in the States of New York and Connecticut, as ...
Jacqueline F. Barbara is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Family Law and Family Law Mediation. Jacqueline F. practices law in Bridgeport, Connecticut Best Lawyers has recognized Jacqueline F. Barbara 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 Jacqueline F. Barbara is held by other lawyers.
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...
Jane B. Emons is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Arbitration, Family Law and Mediation. Jane B. practices law in Bridgeport, Connecticut Best Lawyers has recognized Jane B. Emons 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 Jane B. Emons is held by other lawyers.
Rachel A. Pencu is a principal in Cohen and Wolf's Family Law and Litigation Groups. Dividing her time between the firm's Bridgeport and Westport offices, Ms. Pencu practices primarily in the area of family law litigation. Ms. Pencu serves as a Special Master, appointed by the Superior Court, to mediate divorce disputes in the judicial districts of Bridgeport, Danbury and Milford. She is admitted to practice in Connecticut and is a member of the American, Connecticut Fairfield County and Grea...
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.
