Best Lawyers in America for Family Law
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Paula Bennett represents clients in a wide range of Family Law matters, including divorce and complex property issues, but has a particular commitment to working with parents to resolve issues that impact the welfare of their children. This focus includes parental custody disputes, the termination of parental rights, custody modification, custody relocation and child support matters. Board Certified in Family Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization, Paula is a member of the Texas Acade...
“My clients are priority number one. I approach each interaction with integrity, respect, and well-reasoned advocacy to best meet your needs. Working to reach a positive outcome for you is my greatest reward.” With more than four decades of experience, I have a depth of knowledge that gives me clarity, wisdom, and skills that few can match. It’s exciting for me to be at this point in my career and I look forward each day to making a difference in the lives of my clients. I h...
Donald E. Godwin is considered one of the most respected and tenacious trial lawyers in Texas. For over 40 years Don has tried significant jury cases in courts throughout Texas and across the United States. He has the ability to translate complex matters of law and fact into easily understandable language for courts and juries. Don's practice covers a broad range of areas with an emphasis on complex litigation, including oil and gas, environmental, fiduciary duties, will contests, major famil...
Kristen A. Algert is a Board-Certified family law Partner at Goranson Bain Ausley in Austin and one of the most peer-distinguished collaborative law practitioners in Texas. She has been included in The Best Lawyers in America© in the fields of Family Law, Family Law Mediation, and Collaborative Law: Family Law continuously since 2007, representing nearly two decades of sustained peer recognition. Best Lawyers has named Kris “Lawyer of the Year” in Austin for Collaborative Law...
For over twenty-five years, Adam John Wolff has settled, and, if necessary, litigated and tried disputes involving divorce, equitable distribution, custody and visitation, and other areas of family law and matrimonial practice. Prior to co-founding the firm now known as Alter Wolff Foley & Stutman LLP, Adam practiced law at Kasowitz, Benson, Torres & Friedman LLP (now Kasowitz Benson Torres LLP), where he similarly focused on family law, including as a partner for eleven years. Prior ...
Christopher M. Farish is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Collaborative Law: Family Law and Family Law. Christopher M., who practices law in Dallas, Texas, has been recognized since 2014. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Christopher M. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Alice C. Stubbs is a partner in the firm. She joined Tharrington Smith in 2006 after completing eight years as a Wake County District Court judge. First appointed in 1997 by Governor Jim Hunt, she was elected to the judgeship in 1998 and 2002. During her time on the bench, Ms. Stubbs presided in domestic court; was certified as a juvenile judge in 2001; and was designated as a family court judge from 2002 through 2005. Ms. Stubbs is a native of New Bern. She graduated from Phillips Academy in...
“My priority is to develop a deep understanding of your unique situation. Gaining that insight allows me to deliver the best options to meet your needs so that you can make informed decisions with confidence.” I represent business owners, executives, athletes, politicians, physicians, financial advisors, and other professionals who need a strong advocate to help navigate difficult family transitions. Whether a complex financial matter or a thorny child custody issue, my clients ap...
Nicholas B. Missad is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Family Law and Family Law Mediation. Nicholas B., who practices law in Grand Rapids, Michigan, has been recognized since 2020. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Nicholas B. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Lisa C. McNorton is a partner with McNORTON FOX, PLLC, a Tucson, Arizona family law firm and is a Certified Specialist in Family Law and a Fellow of the American Academy of Matrimonial Law (AAML). Lisa is a past-President of the Arizona Chapter of AAML, its current secretary of the Chapter, and is active with committees in the national AAML organization. Lisa is also the Secretary of the State Bar of Arizona Family Law Executive Council and a member of the Family Law Advisory Committee. Lisa ...
Allan E. Mayefsky is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Family Law. Allan E., who practices law in New York, New York, has been recognized since 2003. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Allan E. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Joseph P. Cadicina is the managing member of the firm and concentrates his practice in the area of divorce/matrimonial/family law and related matters. He previously served as a judicial clerk to the Honorable Mark M. Russello, J.S.C., Family Division, Bergen County. Mr. Cadicina is admitted to practice law in New Jersey, New York and Washington, D.C. He received his undergraduate degree from Seton Hall University and attended Western Michigan University Cooley Law School where he obtained a J...
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.