Best Lawyers in America for Family Law: Arbitration and Mediation
Kevin Davidson, a partner at Goranson Bain Ausley, is a distinguished family lawyer with over 15 years of experience exclusively in family law. He is skilled in cases involving children, where his focus on child-centric solutions and co-parenting strategies helps mitigate the negative impact of divorce on children. With a J.D. from the University of Houston Law Center and early career experience at the Harris County District Attorney’s Office prosecuting family violence crimes, Kevin br...
Catherine “Kate” Reese focuses her practice on the full spectrum of family law matters in the Northern Virginia and Montgomery County, Maryland regions. She has extensive trial experience in contested divorces, child custody and visitation matters, equitable distribution of assets, child and spousal support, and the negotiation and preparation of prenuptial and marital agreements. Ms. Reese is known to be an aggressive and resourceful litigator when representing clients’ bes...
Born in Great Neck, NY, Jordon moved west to southern California in 1981. He graduated from Cal State Fullerton in 1994 and from the Whittier School of Law in 2000. Jordon is a Certified Specialist in Family Law, as per the State Bar of California Board of Legal Specialization. During law school, Jordon was a member of the Moot Court Honors Board and also served as its Chief Justice in 2000. He was placed on the Dean's List for achievement in academics as well. Upon his graduation, Jordon rec...
Danielle’s practice has focused on complex financial matters, parental responsibilities, interstate jurisdictional disputes, drafting and negotiating marital agreements, and challenges to and enforcement of marital agreements. In addition, Danielle has experience with various family law-related appellate matters. Danielle believes in the pursuit of settlement whenever possible, while recognizing the litigation skills are invaluable when settlement cannot be achieved.Danielle earned her ...
Ann E. Bauer is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Collaborative Law: Family Law, Family Law and Family Law Mediation. Ann E. practices law in St. Louis, Missouri Best Lawyers has recognized Ann E. Bauer since 2014. 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 Ann E. Bauer is held by other lawyers.
Laci Bowman represents clients in all aspects of family law, including divorce, modification proceedings, premarital and post marital property agreements, suits affecting parent-child relationship, and enforcement issues. Board Certified in Family Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization since 2013, Ms. Bowman has extensive experience negotiating difficult settlement agreements or, when appropriate, taking a case through trial. She has tried multiple jury trials, bench trials, and arbit...
Susan Saper Galamba is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Collaborative Law: Family Law, Family Law and Family Law Mediation. Susan Saper, who practices law in Overland Park, Kansas, has been recognized since 2025. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Susan Saper is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area. Susan was named as the 2027 “Lawyer of the Year”...
Charles F. Bowes is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Family Law and Family Law Mediation. Charles F. practices law in Austin, Texas Best Lawyers has recognized Charles F. Bowes since 2017. 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 Charles F. Bowes is held by other lawyers.
Kristiana Butler is Board Certified in Family Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization, and a partner at Goranson Bain Ausley in Austin. With over 13 years practicing exclusively in family law, Kristiana has been recognized in Best Lawyers in America for Family Law, Collaborative Law, and Family Law Mediation (2024–2025), named to Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in Family Law (2020–2023), named a Texas Super Lawyers Rising Star (2017–2023), named by Texas Super Lawyers (20...
Erin L. Kopelman is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Collaborative Law: Family Law, Family Law and Family Law Mediation. Erin L. practices law in Bethesda, Maryland Best Lawyers has recognized Erin L. Kopelman 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 Erin L. Kopelman is held by other lawyers.
Annelisa D. Smith is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Collaborative Law: Family Law, Family Law, Family Law Arbitration, Family Law Mediation and Juvenile Practice. Annelisa D. practices law in Portland, Oregon Best Lawyers has recognized Annelisa D. Smith since 2017. 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 Annelisa D. Sm...
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.
