Best Lawyers in America for Family Law Mediation
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State
Curtis Harrison is Board Certified in Family Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization, and a partner at Goranson Bain Ausley in Plano. With over 31 years practicing exclusively in family law, Curtis was named Best Lawyers in America's “Lawyer of the Year” for Family Law Mediation in the Dallas/Fort Worth region (2022) and is recognized in Best Lawyers in America for Family Law, Family Law Mediation, and Collaborative Law: Family Law (2017–present). He has been named a ...
Joanne E. Romanow handles high-conflict disputes in family law. Her practice encompasses all aspects of domestic relations and probate litigation, including divorce, custody, modification, child support, paternity, guardianship, and will contests. Joanne handles a variety of litigation involving asset division, complex business valuation, inheritances, custody disputes, domestic violence and non-traditional family structure. She has been appointed as a guardian ad litem by the Probate and Fam...
James J. Tenn, Jr. is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Family Law, Family Law Mediation, 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.
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’...
Brian McFadden is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Family Law, Family Law Arbitration and Family Law Mediation. Brian, who practices law in East Brunswick, New Jersey, has been recognized since 2018. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Brian is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Jaime S. Dursht is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Collaborative Law: Family Law, Family Law and Family Law Mediation. Jaime S., who practices law in Stamford, Connecticut, has been recognized since 2024. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Jaime S. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Lisa Sharpe provides the highest level of legal services to clients in complex dissolution and custody cases. She is a tough advocate who works to protect the best interest of her clients and their children. Her practice emphasizes resolving contested financial issues and child custody issues. Her financial cases include executive divorces, divorces involving businesses, large estates, child support and maintenance (alimony). Lisa has represented clients in divorce, legal separation and in me...
Jason R. Marks is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Commercial Litigation, Family Law, Family Law Arbitration and Family Law Mediation. Jason R., who practices law in Miami, Florida, has been recognized since 2018. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Jason R. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Catherine “Kate” Reese focuses her practice on the full spectrum of family law matters in the Northern Virginia and Montgomery County, Maryland regions. She has extensive trial experience in contested divorces, child custody and visitation matters, equitable distribution of assets, child and spousal support, and the negotiation and preparation of prenuptial and marital agreements. Ms. Reese is known to be an aggressive and resourceful litigator when representing clients’ bes...
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...
Jennifer G. Gadow (“Jenny”) is a partner at Stillman Smith Gadow where her practice focuses exclusively on complex family law litigation, mediation, and Parenting Coordinator work. Ms. Gadow has been a Certified Specialist in Family Law since 2002. She has been a Fellow of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers (AAML) since 2014. There are only 1500 AAML Fellows across the United States and they are generally recognized by judges and attorneys as preeminent family law practit...
Mervyn Braude is a divorce lawyer with extensive knowledge of family law and is an advocate for protecting children from abusive and undesirable situations. As a State of Arizona Board Certified Family Law Specialist, Mervyn has the knowledge and experience to help people who are struggling through divorces and custody disputes by keeping his clients apprised of their rights so they can make well informed decisions during this difficult period of their life. Mervyn has expertise in all facets...
Nicole A. Forbes is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Collaborative Law: Family Law, Family Law and Family Law Mediation. Nicole A., who practices law in Concord, New Hampshire, has been recognized since 2026. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Nicole A. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
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 ...
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.