Best Lawyers in America for Family Law: Arbitration and Mediation
Amanda Gilbert is a family law attorney at Selzer Gurvitch in Bethesda, Maryland. She represents clients in a wide range of family law matters, including separation, divorce, child custody, adoption and assisted reproductive technology. Amanda combines thoughtful legal guidance with a practical, solution-oriented approach to help clients navigate complex and emotionally challenging situations with clarity and confidence. Known for her steady and compassionate manner, Amanda works closely with...
Julie Christopher is passionate about helping people navigate challenging transformations in their family landscape. She focuses her legal practice on domestic issues including separation and divorce, complex custody suits, child support and alimony, modifications to existing agreements, property distribution and valuations, contempt and enforcement, and pre- and post-nuptial and separation agreements. Julie is driven to ensure her clients maintain the steadfast belief that she is their advoc...
Kathryn J. Murphy is a Board Certified family law partner at Goranson Bain Ausley in Plano and one of the most highly credentialed family law attorneys in Texas. She has been named the Best Lawyers in America© Family Law “Lawyer of the Year” in Dallas three times — in 2015, 2017, and 2019 — a distinction awarded to only one lawyer per practice area in each community. Kathryn has also been recognized continuously in The Best Lawyers in America© in the field of...
Thoughtful Counsel for Complex Family Matters Hayley Blair understands that family law is rarely just about legal issues. Clients come to her facing significant financial decisions, concerns about their children, and uncertainty about the future. She helps them navigate those challenges with thoughtful guidance, practical judgment, and a strategy tailored to their long-term goals. Board Certified in Family Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization, Hayley represents executives, business ...
Carolyn Grimes is a partner in the firm, practicing in all areas of family law including divorce, spousal support, child custody, child support, equitable distribution, retirement issues, and prenuptial agreements, among other areas. She practices in all of the Circuit and Juvenile and Domestic Relations Courts in Northern Virginia and has argued before the Court of Appeals. She has lectured on family law topics ranging from custody to retirement issues, including military, federal, civilian ...
David Rust Clarke is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Family Law and Family Law Mediation. David Rust practices law in Fairfax, Virginia Best Lawyers has recognized David Rust Clarke since 2010. 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 David Rust Clarke is held by other lawyers.
Brooke Tigchelaar concentrates her practice in family law, including divorce, property partition, custody, and support. She regularly handles high-conflict situations, intricate property partitions, and evolving custody and support agreements for high-net-worth individuals. She is skilled in conflict resolution, delivering sound guidance and service to each client with discretion and compassion. Brooke also has experience in commercial litigation, including general business litigation and pro...
J.J. Dahl is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Collaborative Law: Family Law, Family Law and Family Law Mediation. J.J. practices law in Clermont, Florida Best Lawyers has recognized J.J. Dahl since 2022. 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 J.J. Dahl is held by other lawyers.
John R. “Rob” Hill is a highly respected family law attorney with extensive experience providing mediation services for all aspects of family law and divorce matters. Well known for his calm demeanor and ability to listen, Rob is dedicated to helping individuals and families resolve disputes efficiently and amicably. His experience as both a mediator and a litigator allows him to offer clients a comprehensive perspective, clearly outlining the potential outcomes and financial impl...
Ashley advocates for outcomes that enable families to make the smoothest possible transition during an otherwise stressful time of life. She is committed to seeking peaceful resolutions while also zealously advocating for her clients. Whether clients are going through a divorce, custody dispute, financial disputes, or any other family law matter, it is Ashley’s goal that her clients feel as though their issue has been resolved with dignity. While not all cases can be resolved outside of...
David M. Wildstein is a shareholder at Wilentz, Goldman & Spitzer, P.A., where he built a successful and respected Family Law practice. For over 40 years, he has represented clientele that ranges from stay-at-home mothers to high-net-worth individuals in connection with their matrimonial disputes, including custody, spousal support, equitable distribution of assets, and prenuptial agreements. Mr. Wildstein has been a member of several New Jersey Supreme Court Committees that shaped the Ru...
Jenny Berse is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Family Law and Family Law Mediation. Jenny practices law in Westfield, New Jersey Best Lawyers has recognized Jenny Berse 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 Jenny Berse is held by other lawyers.
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.
