Best Lawyers in America for Family Law Mediation
State
Erin L. Kopelman is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Collaborative Law: Family Law, Family Law and Family Law Mediation. Erin L. practices law in Bethesda, Maryland Best Lawyers has recognized Erin L. Kopelman since 2018. 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 Erin L. Kopelman is held by other lawyers.
Theresa R. Lorella is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Family Law, Family Law Arbitration and Family Law Mediation. Theresa R. practices law in Seattle, Washington Best Lawyers has recognized Theresa R. Lorella 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 Theresa R. Lorella is held by other lawyers.
Susannah A. Stinson has successfully handled and favorably resolved hundreds of family law disputes for a wide array of clients. Her decades of experience range from difficult divorces involving high net worth/complex property issues and emotionally-charged child custody matters, to paternity suits, modifications, protective orders, and pre- and post-nuptial agreements, to the many types of enforcement matters inherent in family law matters. In addition to being Board Certified by the Texas B...
For more than 20 years, Seth has devoted his entire professional practice to family law and related matters, including all aspects of dissolution; child custody disputes; alimony and child support modification; prenuptial and settlement agreements; equitable distribution; domestic violence; and post-judgment family-related matters. Seth has led a number of victorious appeals to the Appellate Division, including Khan v. Rajput, where he successfully argued for the return of wrongfully abducted...
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 ...
Focusing on the future rather than the past results in better decisions, Lindley Bain believes, and counsels divorcing clients to strive for healthy, attainable goals. Lindley concentrates on financially complex divorces and high-conflict custody matters. Lindley is board certified in Family Law. She practices both collaborative and traditional litigation with both creativity and compassion to address both their financial and emotional divorce. She is the current Chair of the State Bar of Tex...
About Melinda Melinda, or Mindy as she is better known, is a member of Ciancio Ciancio Brown, P.C. family law team. Mindy comes to CCB from a boutique firm that specialized in family law and probate. Before that, Mindy worked as a staff attorney at the Colorado Court of Appeals for almost 20 years. She specialized in cases involving all aspects of family law, dependency and neglect, and workers’ compensation. The issues she addressed ran the gamut from adoption and paternity to complex ...
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.
Born and raised as the only Chinese-American on the French Caribbean island of Saint Martin where his family still calls home, Alex had brief stints throughout the Caribbean and South America where he attended schools taught only in French, Spanish, and Papiamento. Alex eventually migrated to the United States and earned his undergraduate degree from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, and his Juris Doctorate in Virginia from George Mason University School of Law, a Tier...
Amanda Gilbert is a family law attorney at Selzer Gurvitch in Bethesda, Maryland. She represents clients in a wide range of family law matters, including separation, divorce, child custody, adoption and assisted reproductive technology. Amanda combines thoughtful legal guidance with a practical, solution-oriented approach to help clients navigate complex and emotionally challenging situations with clarity and confidence. Known for her steady and compassionate manner, Amanda works closely with...
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.
Justin L. Mauney, a partner at Wake Family Law Group, was admitted to the practice of law in North Carolina in 2007 and focuses his practice on all aspects of North Carolina family law litigation and negotiation. Justin received his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the Kenan-Flagler Business School at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 2004. In 2007, he received his Juris Doctor, cum laude , from the Norman Adrian Wiggins School of Law at Campbell University...
Jacqueline Newman is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Collaborative Law: Family Law, Family Law and Family Law Mediation. Jacqueline practices law in New York, New York Best Lawyers has recognized Jacqueline Newman since 2016. 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 Newman is held by other lawyers.
Craig E. White is a principal with Sevila, Saunders, Huddleston & White, P.C. in Leesburg, Virginia, where he has practiced law since his admission to the Virginia State Bar in 1988. Mr. White practices in all aspects of family law, including but not limited to divorce, equitable distribution of property, support and custody. He is also certified as a family law mediator by the Supreme Court of Virginia and has been successfully mediating family law cases since 2005. Mr. White is a former...
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...
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.
