Best Lawyers in America for Family Law: Arbitration and Mediation
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Dolly Hernandez, Partner at Rafool, PLLC, focuses her practice on complex marital and family law cases. Ms. Hernandez represents high-net-worth individuals in matters that include dissolution of marriage, equitable distribution, alimony, child support, parenting and time-share issues, child abduction actions, defense of third parties joined in dissolution of marriage proceedings, paternity, prenuptial agreements, and postnuptial agreements. Prior to joining the firm in March 2020, Ms. Hernand...
Brian G. Seastrom is President of Seastrom Tuttle Murphy Dockstader in Irvine, California, where he represents business owners, executives, and high-net-worth individuals in complex family law matters. A California Certified Family Law Specialist and Fellow of both the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers and the International Academy of Family Lawyers, he brings more than two decades of experience to cases involving multi-entity business structures, contested business valuations, real est...
Karen Sweeney Shea is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Family Law and Family Law Mediation. Karen Sweeney, who practices law in Boston, Massachusetts, has been recognized since 2021. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Karen Sweeney is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Catherine Puttmann, Esq. is a founding shareholder at Sherr Puttmann Akins Lamb, PC. Ms. Puttmann received her B.A. in political science from the University of Colorado, Boulder in 1994, and her J.D. in 1997 from the University in Houston. Ms. Puttmann is an experienced litigator and negotiator. She was a criminal prosecutor with the 18th Judicial District from 1999 until 2005 when she moved to private practice, specializing in family law. Ms. Puttmann is an advocate for alternative dispute r...
Christopher (“Chris”) Lombardo is a partner at Woodward,Pires & Lombardo, P.A., bringing nearly four decades of experience practicing law in Florida. He represents clients throughout Naples, Collier County, and the surrounding areas, focusing his practice on commercial litigation, family law, and family law mediation. Chris also handles a wide range of related matters, including civil litigation, contracts, appellate law, and personal injury, providing seasoned and practical g...
David N. Horowitz is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Family Law, Family Law Arbitration and Family Law Mediation. David N., who practices law in Phoenix, Arizona, has been recognized since 2021. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which David N. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Jennifer E. Presti is Counsel in the Family Law group at Wilentz, Goldman & Spitzer, P.A. Jennifer concentrates her practice on family law and matrimonial law, serving as a trusted advisor to her clients and providing a stable base they can rely upon in the times they need it most. Jennifer represents clients in all aspects of divorce, equitable distribution, alimony, custody, parenting time, child support, domestic violence, as well as prenuptial, marital, and cohabitation agreements. Je...
Deanna Rusch is an attorney at McKean Smith's Vancouver office. Highly respected as a skilled family law attorney in Southwest Washington, Deanna's poise in court, knowledge of the law, and trial experience sets her apart. She focuses her practice on complex divorce cases (particularly those involving high net worth property ownership and complicated assets), custody cases, relocation, third party custody, modifications, and all other areas of family law. Deanna was drawn to family law over a...
Rebecca is a fighter. She fights for her clients, her clients’ children, her clients’ financial well-being, and her clients’ futures. And she fights to win. Her prowess in the courtroom is well known throughout the legal community. She’s prepared, astute, quick-witted, and good on her feet. Even attorneys on the other side of the table appreciate working with her; yes, she’s an ardent advocate for the people she represents, but she’s also fair, good-natured...
Martin F. Kane II is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Family Law and Family Law Mediation. Martin F., who practices law in Boston, Massachusetts, has been recognized since 2021. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Martin F. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Allison Gerli is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Collaborative Law: Family Law, Family Law and Family Law Mediation. Allison, who practices law in St. Louis, Missouri, has been recognized since 2025. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Allison is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Julie has practiced family law in Southwest Michigan for over 20 years. She is a fellow in the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers. She is past President of the Kalamazoo County Bar Association. And, she was elected twice to serve as a commissioner for the nine counties that comprise District F of the Michigan State Bar.
“While many of my cases are litigated, my training in collaborative law ensures that every effort is taken to reach a resolution in the most cost-effective and clear manner possible.” – Aimee Pingenot With a compassionate focus and an eye towards the future, Aimee works with clients to skillfully assist them in identifying their goals and guide them towards a resolution in often complex and contentious family law matters. Having a Master’s degree in social work provide...
Since 1993, Teresa Cole has been a practicing family law attorney handling complex divorce cases, custody determinations, and all other domestic law matters. Based on her experience and proven track record, she has been appointed as a Neutral Case Evaluator for Fairfax County, Virginia. In this role, she provides case evaluations and non-binding arbitration services for other divorce attorneys. In addition, Ms. Cole was appointed to the Divorce and Family Law Attorney Resource Panel as an adv...
Caryn has limited her practice exclusively to Marital and Family Law since her admission to the Florida Bar in 1996. Caryn promotes problem solving by utilizing appropriate dispute resolution methods designed to avoid expensive litigation, whenever possible. Caryn, a partner at West, Green & Associates, P.L., brings over 19 years of Family Law experience to the firm and is board certified by the Florida Bar, a Fellow of the prestigious American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, and is A/V r...
Leonard J. Frankel is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Family Law Mediation and Mediation. Leonard J., who practices law in Clayton, Missouri, has been recognized since 2007. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Leonard J. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
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.