Best Lawyers in America for Family Law Arbitration
State
Since 1993, Teresa Cole has been a practicing family law attorney handling complex divorce cases, custody determinations, and all other domestic law matters. Based on her experience and proven track record, she has been appointed as a Neutral Case Evaluator for Fairfax County, Virginia. In this role, she provides case evaluations and non-binding arbitration services for other divorce attorneys. In addition, Ms. Cole was appointed to the Divorce and Family Law Attorney Resource Panel as an adv...
Joshua K. Friedman is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Family Law and Family Law Mediation. Joshua K. practices law in Boca Raton, Florida Best Lawyers has recognized Joshua K. Friedman 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 Joshua K. Friedman is held by other lawyers.
Bar Admissions: New Jersey New York District of Columbia U.S. District Court U.S. Supreme Court Jerry S. D’Aniello, a member of the firm, devotes his practice exclusively to all aspects of divorce and family law. Certified by the Supreme Court of New Jersey as a Matrimonial Law Attorney, he has worked with clients whose needs lie in all areas of matrimonial and family law, including divorce litigation, mediation, and arbitration; post-judgment litigation; custody and parenting time issu...
Mr. Weaver is the chair of the Firm’s Family Law Group. He is one of the Firm’s Partners and Managing Directors. Mr. Weaver has over twenty two years of Litigation experience and concentrates his practice entirely to Family Law. He is involved in all aspects of Family Law and specializes in areas of custody disputes and matters of high assets. Mr. Weaver is also actively involved as a family mediator and arbitrator. His experience includes handling complex litigation such as adopt...
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.
Marlene A. Pontrelli is a certified specialist in family law. Her practice focuses on all aspects of family law including dissolution and legal separation of marriage, business valuations, division of property, spousal support, post-dissolution modifications, premarital and post-marital agreements, paternity, child custody, parenting time, and child support matters. She is admitted to practice in Arizona and California. She also acts as a private mediator for parties wishing to settle outside...
Jason B. Castle has over two decades of unique experience in high conflict custody cases, many of which involve allegations of physical, emotional, or sexual abuse. He is also well-versed in helping families with complicated assets including large businesses and complex estates. He began his law career working for the City of Phoenix Prosecutor’s Office, trying criminal cases before juries and judges. In 2005, Jason pivoted into family law and has since worked to resolve a wide variety ...
Stephen E.S. Daray is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Family Law, Family Law Arbitration and Family Law Mediation. Stephen E.S. practices law in Westlake, Ohio Best Lawyers has recognized Stephen E.S. Daray since 2019. 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 Stephen E.S. Daray is held by other lawyers.
Kathryn Deckert is passionate about guiding clients through what are often challenging, emotionally fraught cases. Kathryn focuses her practice on issues related to divorce, child custody and support, domestic violence and pre- and post-nuptial agreements. Kathryn is motivated by a desire to help her clients move beyond difficult times and into more positive phases of their lives. She wants them to feel heard and supported throughout their case and she works assiduously and compassionately to...
Joseph J. Russell, Jr. is the Founder & Managing Partner of RUSSELL LAW, LLC, Divorce & Family Lawyers. Prior to RUSSELL LAW, Joe spent more than two decades as a Shareholder, Chair of the Family Law Department, a Member of the Management Committee & Managing Partner of the Red Bank office at Wilentz, Goldman & Spitzer, P.A. Joe ended his career at Wilentz on February 6, 2026 to launch RUSSELL LAW with the majority of his Family Law Department including Founding Partner Amy Fr...
Ryan R. Bauerle is a Partner at Goranson Bain Ausley in Plano, Texas, Board Certified in Family Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. He has been recognized in The Best Lawyers in America© for Family Law (2024–2026), following inclusion in Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch© (2020–2023). Ryan is a Fellow of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, the International Academy of Family Lawyers, and the American Bar Foundation, and is also active in the International ...
Erika Alese Gebhardt is an attorney licensed in Colorado, who offers clients efficient and effective representation and tailors her services to the unique needs of each individual client. Ms. Gebhardt's practice focuses exclusively on family law. Ms. Gebhardt’s clients have the added benefit of her experience in the areas of employment law, estate planning, and complex commercial litigation. Her previous experience in these areas provides her with a unique perspective and skill set, whi...
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.
