Best Lawyers in America for Family Law Arbitration
State
Kathryn Woods is a family law attorney at Elise Buie Family Law in Seattle, Washington. She has been with the firm since 2016 and represents individuals and families in a wide range of family law matters, including collaborative divorce , mediation, arbitration, parenting plans , and negotiated settlements. Kathryn focuses her practice on helping clients make informed decisions about their futures through thoughtful communication and practical problem-solving. She works closely with clients n...
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...
Susan L. Steffey was admitted to the Florida Bar in 1987 and to the Mississippi Bar in 1991. She is admitted to practice in all state and federal courts in Mississippi and Florida and the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit. Before joining Watkins & Eager in 1991, Susan practiced in Tampa, Florida, with the law firm of Sessums & Mason (1987-1990), and served as law clerk to the Honorable Rhesa H. Barksdale, United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit (1990-19...
Rachel A. Pencu is a principal in Cohen and Wolf's Family Law and Litigation Groups. Dividing her time between the firm's Bridgeport and Westport offices, Ms. Pencu practices primarily in the area of family law litigation. Ms. Pencu serves as a Special Master, appointed by the Superior Court, to mediate divorce disputes in the judicial districts of Bridgeport, Danbury and Milford. She is admitted to practice in Connecticut and is a member of the American, Connecticut Fairfield County and Grea...
I did not always know that I wanted to become an attorney. After graduating from the University of Oklahoma with a degree in psychology, I was still searching for a meaningful career path. I decided to take time to explore my interests and moved to New York for a year. While there, I observed a law school class with a friend, an experience that sparked my interest in the law. That moment led me to prepare for the LSAT and ultimately enroll at Touro Law School. Law school proved to be a transf...
Janet Amburgey is a Board Certified Specialist in Family Law. Since graduating from Appalachian School of Law in 2008 she has focused her practice exclusively on family law matters, assisting people through family chaos, ensuring the protection of their rights and property and helping to blend and expand families. She has represented clients in divorce and separation with issues surrounding child custody, child support, alimony, and in property settlement matters. She also assists families th...
When you or someone you know needs assistance for family law matters, I can offer compassionate and skilled legal representation. I am committed to helping all of my clients understand the legal aspects of their specific situations to ensure the best resolution of each individual case. My practice is devoted entirely to family law matters including divorce, property division, support, custody and visitation matters, and protective order hearings and subsequent appeals. I have also expanded my...
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...
Carolyn Witkus is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Family Law and Family Law Mediation. Carolyn practices law in Denver, Colorado Best Lawyers has recognized Carolyn Witkus since 2023. 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 Carolyn Witkus is held by other lawyers.
Nicole A. Forbes is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Collaborative Law: Family Law, Family Law and Family Law Mediation. Nicole A. practices law in Concord, New Hampshire Best Lawyers has recognized Nicole A. Forbes 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 Nicole A. Forbes is held by other lawyers.
Jamie is a dedicated attorney with a deep focus on family law, and she truly understands the complexities and emotional challenges that her clients face. With years of experience, she has been fortunate to help numerous families navigate their domestic relations cases, achieving positive outcomes that make a real difference in their lives. Jamie’s exceptional negotiation skills allow her clients to find resolutions that respect their needs and circumstances, guiding them toward peace of...
Carole A. Rubin is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Family Law and Family Law Mediation. Carole A. practices law in Reston, Virginia Best Lawyers has recognized Carole A. Rubin since 2024. 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 Carole A. Rubin is held by other lawyers.
Recognizing that many people meet Heather Mehigan during times of significant personal and family turmoil, her legal insight and sincerity puts them at ease. A tireless advocate for her clients, she assesses the circumstances of each matter and then works collaboratively with all parties to affect the best possible resolution. Heather instills a sense of confidence in her clients, and opposing counsel respect her fair and firm efforts to achieve consensus. Her areas of focus include fiduciary...
Heather Byrd earned her undergraduate degree, with honors, from Fairfield University in 1993. During that time, she also served as an intern with the Stamford Connecticut Probation Office. While serving as an intern, Heather became interested in cases where criminal and family law overlapped, particularly in the areas of domestic violence and child abuse. Heather earned her Juris Doctorate degree from Quinnipiac College of Law in Hamden, Connecticut in 1995. She graduated in the top 1/3 of he...
Emily Baker, a family law attorney and partner at Tucker Family Law, is based in Northern Virginia and mainly serves clients in Fairfax County, Arlington County, the City of Alexandria, Loudoun County, and Washington, D.C. With a focus on separation and divorce , including complex and high-net-worth family law matters , Emily believes in the importance of listening carefully to her clients as they develop their goals. “I value being able to really be there for someone during what’...
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.
