Best Lawyers in America for Family Law: Arbitration and Mediation
Paul Smollar has been practicing family law for more than forty years, and has become a leader in Collaborative Practice in the Washington Metropolitan Area. Recognized as the only trained mediator in the District of Columbia by the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, Mr. Smollar nevertheless is an accomplished litigator when matters do not settle. Mr. Smollar practices in both the District of Columbia and Virginia and is an active member of the Fairfax County Bar, the Virginia Trial Law...
Jessica L. Toelstedt joined Mason Law & Mediation LLC as a partner in 2025 and has practiced family and matrimonial law in New York for nearly twenty years. Before joining the firm, she was a partner at Berkman Bottger Newman & Schein, LLP, where she served as Co-Chair of the Mediation and Collaborative Law Practice. Jessica represents clients in matters involving Family Law, Collaborative Law: Family Law, and Family Law Mediation . After spending the first half of her career litigati...
As a certified Family Law Specialist and the founding partner of Shebby Hirashima LLP, David Shebby brings more than three decades of trial experience to his Los Angeles Family Law practice. In addition to being a Certified Family Law Specialist, David is a Fellow of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, a member of the Los Angeles County Bar Association’s Family Law Executive Committee, and an adjunct professor at Loyola Law School, where he teaches marital property. David recei...
Laura Dale is Board Certified in Family Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. Her practice is concentrated in the area of family law involving high conflict divorce, high net worth property division, both domestic and foreign, property valuation, custody cases, international child abduction brought under The Hague Convention and complex multi-jurisdictional family law disputes. Ms. Dale is a Fellow of the International Academy of Family Lawyers and a USA Delegate on the Board of Gov...
Nicholas Boca is a Board-Certified Family Law Specialist by the State Bar of Arizona who represents clients throughout Phoenix and the surrounding areas in a wide range of family law matters. At DM Cantor , he works closely with individuals and families navigating significant personal and financial transitions, providing thoughtful counsel and strong courtroom advocacy tailored to each client’s circumstances. Born and raised in Phoenix, Arizona, Nicholas began his legal career at the Ar...
Sheraz Barkat is a Washington, D.C. attorney with Barkat Law Firm whose practice focuses on helping individuals and families address complex legal and personal matters with practical guidance and clear communication. He works with clients facing emotionally challenging situations and strives to develop thoughtful solutions tailored to their goals and long-term interests. Mr. Barkat represents clients in a wide range of matters involving Family Law , Collaborative Law: Family Law, Family Law M...
Jeffrey Manganaro is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Family Law and Family Law Mediation. Jeffrey practices law in Concord, New Hampshire Best Lawyers has recognized Jeffrey Manganaro 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 Jeffrey Manganaro is held by other lawyers.
Paula J. Swensen, who was born in Orange, New Jersey in 1955, has been an Orange County resident since 2000 after relocating to California from New England. Ms. Swensen lives in Trabuco Canyon and has three children. She is an avid sports fan, supporting any and all teams from the Boston area. Ms. Swensen graduated from the University of New Hampshire (B.S., Behavioral Science, highest honors, 1996) and Franklin Pierce Law Center (J.D., 1999; M.A., Intellectual Property). Between her second a...
David Littman is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Collaborative Law: Family Law, Family Law, Family Law Arbitration and Family Law Mediation. David practices law in Denver, Colorado Best Lawyers has recognized David Littman 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 David Littman is held by other lawyers.
Martin F. Kane II is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Family Law and Family Law Mediation. Martin F. practices law in Boston, Massachusetts Best Lawyers has recognized Martin F. Kane II since 2021. 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 Martin F. Kane II is held by other lawyers.
Erika Leuffen Salerno Shadowens is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Family Law and Family Law Mediation. Erika Leuffen practices law in Kalamazoo, Michigan Best Lawyers has recognized Erika Leuffen Salerno Shadowens since 2021. 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 Erika Leuffen Salerno Shadowens is held by other lawyers.
Julia A. Perkins is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Family Law and Family Law Mediation. Julia A. practices law in Novi, Michigan Best Lawyers has recognized Julia A. Perkins 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 Julia A. Perkins 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.
