Find Lawyers in America for Collaborative Law: Family Law
Practice Area Overview
In traditional divorce litigation, the parties look to the court system and judges to resolve their dispute viewing the other as the adversary. The process can result in considerable emotional and financial cost to the family. Collaborative Law is a non-adversarial process that views a family in divorce as a family in crisis that has a series of problems to be solved, rather than a series of battles to be fought. The end goal is to meet the legitimate needs of everyone involved in a restructured family.
The process starts with both Husband and Wife retaining unaffiliated collaboratively trained attorneys who commit, in writing, not to go to court but instead to work together to help the couple reach agreements beneficial to all. If an agreement cannot be reached and one or both parties choose to proceed to court, the attorneys and experts are disqualified from proceeding further on an adversarial basis. With the focus on problem solving instead of adversarial representation, there is a strong likelihood conflict will be reduced, allowing the couple to resolve and reach agreements.
The parties meet privately with their respective lawyers and possibly additional experts, called “Team Members” who may include a child specialist, a neutral financial professional, and divorce coaches, all of whom perform a valuable service helping to minimize conflict and cost by guiding the parties towards an amicable resolution.
Collaborative law is similar to but differs from mediation in some significant respects. In mediation, a neutral third party (the mediator) facilitates the parties’ negotiation to help reach a settlement but cannot give legal advice, advocate for either side, or draft the final legal papers necessary. In Collaborative Law, both parties have independent lawyers present during negotiation to provide legal advice in an educational context, thereby empowering the clients to make informed decisions about their lives and their children’s lives. When agreement is reached, the collaborative lawyers will prepare all the papers necessary and will accompany the parties to court to finalize their case.
Donald C. Schiller, Senior Partner
Schiller DuCanto & Fleck
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Alice Ahearn is a Partner in The Geller Law Group’s Family Law Practice . She guides family law clients through one of the most difficult times in their lives to emerge optimistic about the future. Alice excels at solving contentious and complex child custody problems, including relocation cases. She is also adept at resolving divorces with complicated financial issues, including business and stock valuations, the division of marital interest in a business, and spousal support. Her clie...
Respectful, Constructive Problem-Solving to Meet the Future with Confidence Kris Algert on Your Family and Your Future: Regardless of background or economic status, I treat my clients and their families with respect and dignity as I work with them to negotiate pre-and post-marital agreements or divorce settlements. I provide clients with a roadmap that starts with understanding my client's needs, goals, and values, and ends with finding, evaluating and implementing constructive solutions.My c...
Susan Amato is an experienced domestic relations attorney and mediator. Throughout her decades of practice in mediation, collaborative practice and litigation, she has made client satisfaction her first priority. She believes that when a couple enters a divorce process, it's important to support the parenting relationship, to preserve finances as much as possible and to work towards a successful post-divorce family system. This approach is the most positive and healthy way of addressing a ver...
Rebecca is a fighter. She fights for her clients, her clients’ children, her clients’ financial well-being, and her clients’ futures. And she fights to win. Her prowess in the courtroom is well known throughout the legal community. She’s prepared, astute, quick-witted, and good on her feet. Even attorneys on the other side of the table appreciate working with her; yes, she’s an ardent advocate for the people she represents, but she’s also fair, good-natured...
Kelly Ausley-Flores focuses on complex family law cases involving complicated property divisions, family businesses, spousal maintenance above guideline child support, customized possession schedules when parents work irregular hours, and child issues without marriage. She recognizes that every family situation is unique and approaches each situation as an opportunity for creative problem-solving. Kelly is committed to helping individuals regain their voice and confidence so they can successf...
Thomas L. Ausley is the founding partner of GoransonBain Ausley’s predecessor firm Ausley, Algert, Robertson & Flores, LLP. He has devoted his legal career to the practice of family law and has earned the respect of peers and judges alike for his unwavering integrity in guiding and advising clients. Tom was bestowed the prestigious Sam Emison Award by the Texas Academy of Family Law Specialists in 2013 in recognition of his significant contributions to the practice of family law and...
As a former child abuse caseworker and judge, Angie has witnessed firsthand the destruction that protracted conflict causes in families. Her experience has led her to believe strongly in interest-based settlements of family conflict. She encourages her clients to consider the collaborative law process, because it allows them to fashion their own solutions and begin anew in the best manner possible. As a widely recognized advocate of collaborative law, Angie has traveled around the U.S. teachi...
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...
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’...
Marina excels in dealing with international and complex family law matters. She is a Fellow of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers (AAML) as well as the International Academy of Family Lawyers (IAFL) and has been consistently named a Washingtonian Top Lawyer since 2015. Always emphasizing the importance of family, Marina is skilled at resolving complex custody and property division cases. Marina serves a wide range of clients, including accomplished career executives, stay-at-home spo...
Kyle is a highly regarded family attorney who draws on deep experience and a competitive nature in seeking to prevail for his clients. A seasoned litigator, mediator, and collaborative lawyer, he handles the gamut of family law matters, with special expertise in complex custody and business cases. In addition, Kyle has cultivated a niche in working with Christians, who often struggle with reconciling divorce and their faith. Kyle began his legal career as a civil litigator but realized family...
Every family law matter, just like every person, is different. As such, Greg Beane provides each client with personalized attention throughout each step of the case. A careful listener, he focuses on his clients’ individual goals as he strives to obtain a favorable result. Greg’s background in accounting and finance have helped him to lead clients through one of the most significant financial transactions of their lives while protecting and preserving their assets for the future. ...
A founding partner of Berkman Bottger Newman & Rodd, LLP, Barry Berkman received his B.A. degree from Harvard College and his law degree from Stanford University. Specializing in matrimonial law and mediation, he has guided many of his clients to successful, highly satisfactory out-of-court resolutions through the collaborative law process or mediation. He has served on the American Bar Association Task Force on Standards of Practice for Divorce Mediation and has been a member of the Matr...
Founder and owner of Bliss Law Group, Heather Z. Bliss, was drawn to family law largely because of the unexpected tragic loss of both her parents at a young age. She and her brothers experienced a unique childhood after their parents’ deaths, and this incited her passion for helping families navigate through the legal system and the potential turmoil they face when dealing with court and the legal world when it directly impacts children and families. Her hope is to assist in alleviating...
David S. Bouschor, II is a 1991 graduate of the Southern Methodist University Dedman School of Law. Mr. Bouschor was a sole practitioner and a shareholder in a previous law firm until January 2000 when he opened The Law Office of David S. Bouschor, II, P.C. in Denton, Texas. For over twenty-eight years, Mr. Bouschor’s legal practice has consisted of Family Law, Guardianship and Probate. Since 1995 Mr. Bouschor has been Board Certified in Family Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specializa...
Elizabeth K. Bransdorfer received her bachelor’s degree from the College of Liberal Arts and her law degree cum laude from the Law School, both at the University of Minnesota. Liz specializes in divorce and family law using mediation, and collaborative practice as well as traditional litigation and arbitration. She is admitted to practice in all Michigan state courts, the United States Supreme Court, the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit, the United States District Co...
Guiding You Through Divorce, Ethically and Diligently Kristiana Butler on Your Family and Your Future: Whether through Collaborative Law or the traditional litigation model, I work with clients to develop personalized solutions for a new and better normal. I help clients prioritize goals, generate options, and explore long-term solutions with respect and support. From LGBTQIA+ parenting to buyouts of business interests, I provide a thoughtful and empathetic approach to protecting the people a...
Abigail M. Cohen is a Senior Associate at Gladstone, Weissman, Hirschberg & Schneider, P.A. She is Board Certified in Marital and Family Law by the Florida Bar (2023). Ms. Cohen earned her J.D. (magna cum laude) from Nova Southeastern University in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, where she was ranked 7 out of 238 in her graduating class. She received her Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Florida. Since her admission to the Florida Bar in 1993, Ms. Cohen has represented clients in l...
Judi Curtin was born in New York City, New York in 1951, and has been an Orange County resident since 1979, following her graduation from law school and admission to the California Bar Association in 1978. She is married and has three children (Jessica is a lawyer, Jordan is a clinical social worker, Jillian is a second-year student at NYU and has her black belt in Shaolin Kempo). Judi is a Certified Family Law Specialist, admitted to the US Supreme Court, and has been rated AV by Martindale ...
Laura Dale is Board Certified in Family Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. Her practice is concentrated in the area of family law involving high conflict divorce, high net worth property division, both domestic and foreign, property valuation, custody cases, international child abduction brought under The Hague Convention and complex multi-jurisdictional family law disputes. Ms. Dale is a Fellow of the International Academy of Family Lawyers and a USA Delegate on the Board of Gov...
Making strategic decisions for the future can be challenging during a family crisis like divorce. Jonathan Dana, a compassionate and straightforward divorce attorney with more than 35 years of experience, helps clients navigate these difficult times to make educated, informed and optimal decisions for their circumstances. “I present clients with options, letting them know that my role is to guide, rather than tell them what to do,” says Jonathan. “It’s important that t...
Jennifer Davison is a family law attorney and partner at Tucker PLLC who provides guidance to clients and families in Washington, DC, and Maryland. She handles all types of family law, matters including, divorce , asset division , child support , custody , alimony, prenuptial agreements and postnuptial agreements . In her practice, Jennifer is particularly adept at helping clients identify and prioritize their goals. “I love receiving emails from clients six months or a year later sayin...
“Divorce is a complex and emotional process; I realize that clients need a strong advocate with a level head who will listen attentively and allow them to vent, process and heal.” — Esther R. Donald Esther Donald is an excellent resource in all areas of family law and particularly accomplished in cases where children are involved. A parent and stepparent herself, she mixes her life experiences with logic, patience and persuasion to move even the most emotional cases toward a...
Melinda Eitzen, recently recognized by D Magazine as one of the “Best Lawyers in Dallas” and one of the “Best Family Law Mediators in Dallas”, is an attorney on the forefront of the collaborative law movement in Texas. She is credentialed as a Master in collaborative practice by Collaborative Divorce Texas.Focused on multimillion-dollar divorces, custody modifications, paternity cases, and premarital agreements, Melinda Eitzen is highly experienced in all facets of fam...
Ashley advocates for outcomes that enable families to make the smoothest possible transition during an otherwise stressful time of life. She is committed to seeking peaceful resolutions while also zealously advocating for her clients. Whether clients are going through a divorce, custody dispute, financial disputes, or any other family law matter, it is Ashley’s goal that her clients feel as though their issue has been resolved with dignity. While not all cases can be resolved outside of...
Clients throughout the Greater Dallas area hire Robert Epstein when they need an experienced family law attorney with the strategic capabilities, creativity and intense drive to resolve challenging cases both in and out of the courtroom. He guides clients with diverse goals and financial circumstances through all types of family law matters, including divorce proceedings, child custody cases, prenuptial and post-marital agreements, collaborative divorces, modifications of visitation and paren...
Abby Ewing has built a family law practice representing people from all walks of life, from single mothers to CEOs and entrepreneurs during some of the most difficult times in their lives. She’s shown a unique ability to understand and relate to those she represents at the most fundamental level, both inside and outside of the courtroom. Ms. Ewing has experience in complex property division cases, as well as pre- and postmarital agreements and child support and custody matters, includin...
Moving Foward, With Integrity and Respect Kelly Caperton Fischer on doing what’s best for clients: I excel at finding creative and respectful solutions to family law matters, including property and child-related issues. Understanding that each family is unique and has different end goals, I use “collaborative law” as a critical foundation to help clients put settlement at the forefront, negotiate more openly and truly focus on what is best for their family. This results in t...
For more than 37 years, John has handled litigation, trials and appeals in state and federal courts. His practice now focuses exclusively on the resolution of complex divorce and family law cases, whether resolved through settlement, the litigation process and trial, mediation, the collaborative process or the appellate process. John is actively involved in the Family Law Section of the Florida Bar Association. He currently serves on the Family Law Section’s Executive Council and Legisl...
In his over 30 years of practice, Alan Freed has established himself as one of Missouri's pre-eminent practitioners of mediation and collaborative divorce , and as a leading appellate attorney. Mr. Freed was elected a Fellow of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers in 2009 and is listed in Missouri/Kansas Super Lawyers. Best Lawyers named him Attorney of the Year for Collaborative Law: Family Law in St. Louis in 2013 and for Family Law Mediation for 2015. A mediator since 1985, Mr. Free...
Donna M. Genovese, Esq. is a partner of GOLDSCHMIDT & GENOVESE, LLP. Ms. Genovese has dedicated her practice to the field of matrimonial and family law for over thirty-five (35) years. Ms. Genovese’s experience includes all aspects of matrimonial matters, including negotiation, litigation and drafting of separation and settlement agreements. Ms. Genovese is also trained in the Collaborative Law, Mediation and Arbitration processes. Ms. Genovese regularly handles complex matrimonial ...
Amanda Gilbert represents individuals in all aspects of family law, including divorce, custody, adoption and assisted reproductive technology. Drawing on her own personal experiences, she strives to help clients regain control of often-overwhelming situations, and crafts creative solutions to help them achieve their goals. Her clients often express their appreciation for Amanda’s calm demeanor and patience as she guides their matters to resolution. One client recently expressed gratitud...
Raleigh “Lee” Greene, though born in Gainesville (the Swamp), is a 3rd generation native of St. Petersburg. He attended UF receiving his degree in economics (1970), his J.D. (1973), was an active member of Florida Blue Key and, many years later, was selected as a “Gator Great” in 2016 by the UF alumni association. He has been a member of the Florida Bar since 1973 and a member of the D.C. Bar since 1986. He served as a JAG officer with the US Navy Reserve, having recei...
A partner at GoransonBain Ausley, Tom is known for his approachable manner. His reputation for honesty and integrity serves clients well in skillfully negotiating with opposing counsel to resolve cases. He manages complex divorces with expertise, and has successfully litigated child custody and complex property issues in jury and non-jury cases. He also practices collaborative law and conducts mediation. Board Certified in Family Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization, Tom has more th...
Some clients truly need the rule-setting and enforcement capabilities of the judicial system. With 20 years of courtroom experience, Curtis is very comfortable advocating in front of a judge or jury on behalf of his clients. However, Curtis also recognizes the collateral harm caused by a judicial system that was never designed to resolve family disputes. That is why he works hard to reserve his trial practice to those cases that simply cannot be resolved outside of the courtroom. The fact is ...
David A. Hoffman is a mediator, arbitrator, attorney, and founding member of Boston Law Collaborative, LLC. David is listed in the book “The Best Lawyers in America” in five categories (Mediation, Arbitration, Collaborative Law – Civil, Collaborative Law - Family, and Family Law Mediation). He was named Boston's "Lawyer of the Year" in Collaborative Law in 2014, in Mediation for 2016, in Arbitration in 2018, and again in Mediation for 2020. He has been named a Massachusetts ...
Pittsburgh divorce attorney Stephanie L. Jablon aggressively works to amicably resolve a variety of cases through collaborative family law, mediation or litigation. Skilled in the courtroom and specially trained in collaborative family law and mediation, Pittsburgh divorce attorney Stephanie L. Jablon works toward cordial resolutions that allow clients to move forward with hope. She approaches equitable distribution, support, custody and protection from abuse cases with an aptitude for swift ...
Constructive Solutions for Complex Family Law Matters Jonathan James on Your Family and Your Future: I represent business owners, professionals, and parents who want to resolve complex family law matters in the least destructive manner possible. While managing all aspects of family law, I offer particular strengths with cases involving complicated property and challenging real estate investments, contested custody disputes and modifications, and pre-marital and post-marital agreements. Whethe...
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