Best Lawyers in America for Family Law Mediation

Whether helping her clients negotiate to draft commercial leases or working collaboratively to resolve complex family law issues, Leslye Fenton brings a uniquely powerful combination of sensitivity and tenacity to her work. As an attorney and trained mediator, Leslye believes in listening carefully to her clients to identify what drives their interests. This key, she says, unlocks the paths toward resolution, successful negotiation and, hopefully, beneficial outcomes. Her practice includes Fa...

Charles Montgomery is a N.C. Board Certified Specialist in Family Law*, as certified by the North Carolina State Bar. Charles has been a certified Family Law Specialist for over nineteen years. He is one of only 243 lawyers statewide to achieve this distinction in Family Law of the more than 20,000 licensed North Carolina lawyers. His practice emphasizes equitable distribution of property, child custody, child support, alimony and divorce. In addition to more than thirty-nine years' experienc...

Jeffrey A. Weissman is a Principal/Shareholder of the law firm of Gladstone, Weissman, Hirschberg & Schneider, P.A. He is a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania Law School (J.D., 1994). Mr. Weissman is Board Certified in Marital and Family Law and is AV Preeminent Rated by Martindale- Hubbell. He is a Fellow in the International Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers. He is also a Supreme Court Certified Family Law Mediator and is formally trained in Collaborative Law. Mr. Weissman was rece...

Thomas Burns primarily practices family law, appeals, and litigation. With over 10 years of legal experience, he is a leader in the firm’s family law group and was recently named Best Lawyer for his practice. In addition to a strong legal practice, Tom clerked for the Honorable William A. Thorne of the Utah Court of Appeals for five years prior to entering private practice. He is also a member of the Family Law, Litigation, and Appellate sections of the Utah State Bar.

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 ...

Aurelija Fitzpatrick is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Family Law and Family Law Mediation. Aurelija, who practices law in Chicago, Illinois, has been recognized since 2025. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Aurelija is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

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...

Juli Gumina is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Collaborative Law: Family Law, Family Law and Family Law Mediation. Juli, who practices law in Naperville, Illinois, has been recognized since 2024. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Juli is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Thomas A. Greenwald is a Board Certified Family Law attorney by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization and co-managing partner at Goranson Bain Ausley. With more than 30 years of experience, he focuses his practice on complex divorce and custody matters for professionals, executives, business owners, and their spouses throughout the Dallas–Fort Worth area. Tom is recognized for bringing judgment, financial discipline, and long-term thinking to high-stakes family law cases. He regularly...

Catherine Puttmann, Esq. is a founding shareholder at Sherr Puttmann Akins Lamb, PC. Ms. Puttmann received her B.A. in political science from the University of Colorado, Boulder in 1994, and her J.D. in 1997 from the University in Houston. Ms. Puttmann is an experienced litigator and negotiator. She was a criminal prosecutor with the 18th Judicial District from 1999 until 2005 when she moved to private practice, specializing in family law. Ms. Puttmann is an advocate for alternative dispute r...

Todd M. Begg focuses his practice on divorce, equitable distribution and custody matters with an emphasis on custody litigation. Having practiced almost exclusively in this area for more than 20 years, Todd is known as an articulate and experienced attorney, well-versed in statutes and case law. With a background in psychology and sociology, Todd is extremely comfortable litigating cases, including high-conflict cases, which may include issues of addiction, mental illness, or abuse. His educa...

Shalini Nangia is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Collaborative Law: Family Law, Family Law and Family Law Mediation. Shalini, who practices law in Ann Arbor, Michigan, has been recognized since 2023. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Shalini is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

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...

James J. Tenn, Jr. is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Family Law, Family Law Mediation and Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs. James J., who practices law in Manchester, New Hampshire, has been recognized since 2010. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which James J. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Daniel Van Loh is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Family Law and Family Law Mediation. Daniel, who practices law in Minneapolis, Minnesota, has been recognized since 2024. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Daniel is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Richard J. Rotole focuses his practice on negotiation and settlement of complex family law disputes involving such issues as divorce, parental responsibility, spousal maintenance, child support, division of property, and prenuptial/marital agreements. He maintains an active and well respected mediation practice assisting lawyers and parties to divorce in amicably resolving their family law cases with an impressive number of settlements. He is also a well respected Arbitrator known for his tho...