Best Lawyers in America for Family Law
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State
Gary N. Skoloff is one of the founders of Skoloff & Wolfe, PC and is a nationally recognized family law practitioner. Mr. Skoloff, a past Chair of the Family Law Section of the American Bar Association, and past President of the New Jersey Chapter of the of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, has argued many of the leading and most high-profile matrimonial cases in the state, including the well-known surrogate mother case of Baby M . Professional Activities Mr. Skoloff has been a...
Michael S. Harrell is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Commercial Litigation and Family Law. Michael S., who practices law in Raleigh, North Carolina, has been recognized since 2019. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Michael S. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Kris is board certified in the area of Family Law and Child Welfare by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. Kris earned her law degree at St. Mary's University School of Law in San Antonio after completing her Bachelor of Business Administration at Southern Methodist University in Dallas. She continued her education by earning a Master of Business Administration at St. Mary's University School of Business. Kris has four children and lives in Dallas with her husband. Kris is a credentialed...
As the child of divorced parents, Jennifer has seen firsthand the stress the legal system can have on a family. She was fortunate in that her parents had a strong support system to include other family members and their respective attorneys, making the divorce process smoother and more manageable. More than twenty years later, Jennifer’s own children enjoy the benefits of having a large, blended, loving extended family comprised of grandparents, great grandparents, multiple aunts and un...
Mr. Schilawski is a partner in the law firm of Wake Family Law Group in Raleigh, North Carolina. He received his B.A. degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1971, his M.Ed. degree from North Carolina State University in 1976 and his J.D. degree from Campbell University in 1982. He served as Editor-in-Chief of the Campbell Law Review. Mr. Schilawski's principal area of practice is family law. In 1989, he was board certified as a specialist in family law by the North Car...
Crystal M. Maldonado is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Family Law. Crystal M., who practices law in Manchester, New Hampshire, has been recognized since 2021. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Crystal M. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
The resolution of family law issues impacts a person’s life, frequently affecting long term financial well-being and parental rights. It is important, therefore, to attain the best possible outcome. Robin B. Taub, a principal and founding member of Paradiso, Taub, Sinay, Owel, and Kostecka, P.C., has built her legal reputation upon this principle. She focuses her practice in Maryland and the District of Columbia on negotiation, mediation and collaboration. She believes these alternative...
Jennifer prides herself on focusing on her clients’ needs, developing personalized solutions that help them navigate difficult situations such as divorce and child custody. Jennifer provides expert guidance and compassionate advice to individuals during an emotional and life-changing time. Jennifer provides a clear, efficient and reasoned approach to help clients move through the divorce process in a supportive way. First and foremost, Jennifer listens to her clients and identifies thei...
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...
Shane T. Herbert is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Family Law. Shane T., who practices law in Windermere, Florida, has been recognized since 2020. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Shane T. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Mr. Sevin concentrates his practice exclusively in the area of family law, representing parties in the litigation and resolution of sophisticated matrimonial and family related matters. He counsels clients on a wide range of divorce-related issues including custody disputes, analysis of complex financial matters, prenuptial and postnuptial agreements, and the disposition of marital and non-marital assets. Mr. Sevin’s peers and colleagues have recognized him as a leading advocate for his...
Melissa Benson is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Family Law. Melissa, who practices law in Phoenix, Arizona, has been recognized since 2026. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Melissa is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
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.