Best Lawyers in America for Family Law
State
CARL A. MURWAY is a partner in the Cleveland office of Taft Stettinius & Hollister LLP and co-chair of the Private Client Practice Group. He represents clients in a variety of family law matters, including dissolution of marriage, divorce, custody and premarital agreements. Mr. Murway's experience includes complex business valuation issues, treatment of deferred compensation and retirement assets in divorce, analysis of complex executive compensation arrangements, and tax considerations i...
Ms. Garrett is a graduate of George Mason University and received her Juris Doctor from Pace University School of Law, in White Plains, New York. She is admitted to practice law in Virginia and the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia.Ms. Garrett is an active member of the Fairfax County Bar Association (where she is a member of the Family Law Section and on the Judicial Screening Committee), the Arlington County Bar Association, the Alexandria Bar Association, th...
Jaye Meyer is listed in the Best Lawyers in America® and North Carolina Super Lawyers®. She has been recognized by Business North Carolina magazine as one of the "Legal Elite" in North Carolina. Ms. Meyer is a Board Certified Specialist in Family Law, a Fellow in the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, and is certified as a Family Financial Mediator. Ms. Meyer was admitted to the North Carolina Bar in 1990. She received her B.A. cum laude from Wake Forest University and her J.D. ...
Allyson D. Burger is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area of Family Law. Allyson D. practices law in Garden City, New York Best Lawyers has recognized Allyson D. Burger 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 Allyson D. Burger is held by other lawyers.
Cheryl F. Smith earned her Bachelor of Arts in Economics and Political Science at Lehigh University and her J.D. from New York Law School, where she earned the public service certificate and was on the Dean’s List. Prior to joining RWO, Cheryl worked in boutique law firms in New York City. Cheryl practices in the area of domestic relations. She understands that going through a divorce is difficult and approaches every case with the client’s best interest as her main focus. Her wor...
Valentina Shaknes is a founding partner at KSTM. For nearly 20 years, she has practiced exclusively in matrimonial and family law. Valentina represents clients in a wide variety of complex matrimonial matters involving equitable distribution and custody disputes, child and spousal support, prenuptial and post-nuptial agreements, as well as international child custody and international child abduction disputes, including proceedings arising under the Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of In...
Benton S. Duffett III is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area of Family Law. Benton S. practices law in Reston, Virginia Best Lawyers has recognized Benton S. Duffett III since 2020. 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 Benton S. Duffett III is held by other lawyers.
Lynn Soodik is a Shareholder at Lewitt Hackman who represents high net worth individuals in divorce and other family law matters. Ms. Soodik's expertise has garnered her several television appearances on CNN, Larry King , 20/20 , and Entertainment Tonight ; and she has been interviewed for major print publications, including the Los Angeles Times , People Magazine , BuzzFeed New s, and more.
Kermit Tre’ Roux works extensively with insureds, claims adjusters, third-party administrators, and underwriters in the development of strategy and defense of all insurance related matters from the time of the accident through the ultimate resolution of the case. He is experienced in all facets of civil litigation with an emphasis on insurance coverage related litigation work from initial case analysis and strategy formation to trial/arbitrations and Writ applications/Appeals.
Jennifer Payseno is a partner at McKinley Irvin with more than 30 years of experience practicing family law. She represents clients in a wide range of matters, including divorce, child custody, child support, relocation, and complex, high-asset cases involving closely held businesses and substantial financial assets. Known for her thoughtful and strategic approach, Jennifer combines meticulous preparation with strong courtroom advocacy and practical problem-solving. Her practice is grounded i...
Kenneth Shluger is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Family Law and Family Law Mediation. Kenneth practices law in Hartford, Connecticut Best Lawyers has recognized Kenneth Shluger since 2027. 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 Kenneth Shluger is held by other lawyers.
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.
