Best Lawyers in America for Family Law Arbitration
State
Tia M. Zavaras is the founder and CEO of Evolved Law, a fully remote Colorado law firm providing strategic representation, mediation, divorce coaching, and litigation support in family law, divorce, allocation of parental responsibilities, and animal law matters. With nearly two decades of litigation experience, Tia helps clients navigate complex family law disputes with clarity, preparation, and practical strategy. Her work includes divorce, child custody, post-decree matters, mediation, lit...
A Nationally Recognized Leader in Family Law and Dispute Resolution Vicki L. Shemin brings more than 35 years of experience in family law to her role as Partner at Turco Legal’s Boston office. Widely regarded as one of Massachusetts’ most respected attorneys, mediators, collaborative law practitioners, and parenting coordinators, she has built a career at the intersection of law, mental health, and conflict resolution. Vicki is regularly recognized for her excellence in the field,...
Charles C. Abut is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Arbitration, Family Law, Family Law Mediation and Mediation. Charles C. practices law in Hackensack, New Jersey Best Lawyers has recognized Charles C. Abut since 2001. 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 C. Abut is held by other lawyers.
Virginia C. Haizlip is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Collaborative Law: Family Law, Elder Law, Family Law, Family Law Mediation, Litigation - Trusts and Estates and Trusts and Estates. Virginia C. practices law in Fairfax, Virginia Best Lawyers has recognized Virginia C. Haizlip 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 rega...
Kenneth Shluger is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Family Law and Family Law Mediation. Kenneth practices law in Hartford, Connecticut Best Lawyers has recognized Kenneth Shluger 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 Kenneth Shluger is held by other lawyers.
Jeffrey Owen Anderson has a true passion for the law that was instilled in him at an early age by his father, who was also a family lawyer. Jeff had the unique perspective of following his father around the courthouse at the age of five, working in his father’s practice in high school and serving process through college. This experience developed a keen instinct in him for complex property, custody and enforcement . Jeff joined Orsinger, Nelson, Downing and Anderson, LLP in January of 2...
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...
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...
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...
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...
Paula Bennett represents clients in a wide range of Family Law matters, including divorce and complex property issues, but has a particular commitment to working with parents to resolve issues that impact the welfare of their children. This focus includes parental custody disputes, the termination of parental rights, custody modification, custody relocation and child support matters. Board Certified in Family Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization, Paula is a member of the Texas Acade...
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.
Katherine Dupuis is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Family Law Mediation and Mediation. Katherine practices law in New Providence, New Jersey Best Lawyers has recognized Katherine Dupuis 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 Katherine Dupuis is held by other lawyers.
Mark Arend, a partner at McKinley Irvin, is an experienced family law attorney recognized for strategic advocacy, practical judgment, and a client-focused approach. He handles divorce, child custody and support, mediation, relocation, and complex divorce cases involving business interests, professionals, and military families. Mark serves/d in leadership and service roles within the worldwide legal community. Mark is a Fellow in the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers (AAML) and President...
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.
