Professionals

List by:

Consultation

To get more information about Collaborative Divorce, speak to any collaborative professional, including a lawyer, facilitator, financial specialist or child specialist. An initial consultation can be with an individual or a couple.

Starting a Case

To start a Collaborative Divorce process, you and your spouse need to find professionals to work with. If a neutral is chosen first, the spouse must agree to this person, who can then help in the selection of a team. If an attorney is the first point of contact, then the spouse’s attorney should be chosen next and a team formed with the assistance of the two lawyers.

Download a List of CLARA Professionals

Kenneth J. Aufsesser, Esq.

I work in the Collaborative process because it is a process I believe in. While I am an expert in law, you are an expert in your family and this is something that the court system simply does not consider. The court system’s rigid and inflexible nature can exacerbate conflict and lead to poor results for you and your family. The Collaborative Process allows for creative and adaptive results in order to fit your unique family and situatio...
View Profile

Jennifer A Shoemaker, Esq.

Work and family. Two of the most important areas of life come under Jennifer Shoemaker’s purview as an attorney practicing Family Law and Labor & Employment Law. Jennifer represents clients in the full spectrum of family law issues, including divorce, custody, support actions, the negotiation of separation agreements, adoptions and prenuptial agreements. Her diplomacy, compassion and people skills are an asset to her clients, as is her e...
View Profile

Julie V. Mersereau, Esq.

As an attorney in practice for over 30 years, I am committed to using my legal and mediation skills to develop solutions for matrimonial and family law conflict that are constructive not destructive for those involved. The Collaborative Law process allows parties to develop a lasting agreement that provides for their needs and the needs of their children as they move into the future. Collaborative Family Law empowers those who are separa...
View Profile

Kristen Jenks CFA

Kristen is a skilled financial executive with demonstrated abilities in asset valuations; identifying, executing and financing successful growth strategies; evaluation of prospective business and investment opportunities; and in sourcing, negotiating and integrating mergers and acquisitions. She has twenty-five years’ experience in consulting for small and medium-sized businesses as well as in financial management and strategy in the co...
View Profile

Kelly M. Forst, Esq.

At Forst Law Firm, we are committed to helping you find the information you need to make the decisions that will bring you to a life you choose. After nearly twenty years as a family lawyer, Kelly Forst has committed her family law practice to Collaborative and mediated matters. These processes foster respect, fair and honest communication, trust, and a holistic approach in moving from married to single life. ...
View Profile

Christine D Gordon, Esq.

MY GOAL is to provide experienced legal counsel to those who choose collaborative law. I was admitted to practice law in the State of New York in 1978, after graduating from Cornell Law School in 1977. I spent many years thereafter as a court assistant helping adjudicate family law matters at both the trial and appellate levels. For years thereafter I represented clients in traditional litigation involving custody, child support, mainte...
View Profile

Renee O. LaPoint, M.S.

As a neutral coach and facilitator in the collaborative law process, my goal is to assist clients by supporting each of the parties individually and collectively to be both positive and productive in moving forward with a separation or divorce. The separation/divorce process is a very difficult one; emotionally and financially. My role is to help make the experience easier and smoother for everyone. I have a graduate degree in counseling...
View Profile

Lisa B Morris, Esq.

View Profile

Mark C Bezinque, Esq.

Mr. Bezinque assists his clients in their transition from their current relationship — marriage, domestic partnership — and into their new lives, helping them achieve a lasting resolution that meets their core needs related to their family, financial security, individual privacy and personal dignity. As a Collaborative Law attorney, Mr. Bezinque helps people simplify the confusion of the divorce process and enables them to prioritize the...
View Profile

Jennifer L. Fazio, Esq.

Ms. Fazio’s approach is to advise clients on both practical and legal aspects of their issues in a cost-effective manner so as to empower clients in making the best decisions. To this end, Ms. Fazio is trained as a Collaborative Attorney and is a member of the International Academy of Collaborative Professionals and the Collaborative Law Association of the Rochester Area, Inc., supporting alternative means to resolving family law matters...
View Profile

Bette M Gould-Ross, Esq. dg

View Profile

John Sobraske

John Sobraske, based in Rochester, New York, has an MA in clinical psychology and is licensed as a mental health counselor and marriage and family therapist. He has worked as a psychotherapist for 25 years, serving youth, adults, couples and families; as a collaborative facilitator and family specialist for 7 years; and as a mediator for 5 years. John has extensive training in attachment, object relations and psychoanalysis, with special...
View Profile

Donna M. Maier, CDFA, CVA, MBA

My expertise is in the financial issues of separation and divorce. I concentrate my entire practice on this issue. As a result, I have worked on hundreds of collaborative cases. I bring more than 40 years of experience in the financial industry to you, the client, to help educate you about your choices and prevent many of the surprises that could result from making financial decisions during such an emotional time. I recognize that clien...
View Profile

Donald J. Onimus, MBA, CPA, CGMA

I am a practicing CPA with over 40 years of experience. I provide tax and financial advice as well as assistance in tax compliance. My background has allowed me to assist couples in dealing with the financial issues of divorce in a calm, rational way. ...
View Profile

Amber Peshkin, Esq.

View Profile

Michael J Kelly, Esq.

View Profile

Caitlin Carrigg, Esq.

View Profile

Gregory W Wise, Esq.

It is my goal to make collaborative law the predominant means for resolving matrimonial disputes, as it is my belief that this process does the least harm to my clients’ families. ...
View Profile

Anthony J. DelleFave, Esq.

View Profile

Connie M. Fraser

Connie is passionate about the Collaborative Law process because she has witnessed the transformation that can occur with the help and support of a professional, transparent and trusted team.  Each professional engaged in the Collaborative process works for solutions that will benefit the well being of the entire family. Connie has over forty years of professional work experience dealing with human relationships and conflict.  ‘I have ha...
View Profile

Daniel G Cantone, Esq.

Dan Cantone is a family law conflict resolution advocate specializing in out-of-court Collaborative Practice and divorce Mediation. He emphasizes the client-centered nature of Collaborative Law and welcomes the team approach of working with fellow Collaborative Attorneys and allied professionals to assist clients in transitioning to living apart. With his office in the western region of Onondaga County, Dan represents clients in Collabor...
View Profile

Lorraine P Wolch

View Profile

Sarah Wesley, Esq.

View Profile

Jeanne M Colombo, Esq.

Matrimonial matters (such as divorce, custody) should lead to a positive restructuring of relationships. As an attorney with over 40 years of practice in this area, I have come to believe that the Collaborative process, where four people (two clients and two attorneys) use their combined skills, knowledge and expertise to forge solutions that facilitate positive adjustments in financial and living situations, is one of the best ways to r...
View Profile

Jonathan C Trotto, Esq.

View Profile

Vincent M Ferrero, Esq.

I believe Collaborative Law is the best way for most couples to resolve the issues they will encounter during a divorce. Unlike traditional divorce litigation, which is often typified by numerous court appearances, high costs, delays, and hurtful accusations, ultimately resulting in life-altering decisions being made for you and your children by a judge; Collaborative Law allows divorcing couples to maintain control over their lives dur...
View Profile

Seema Ali Rizzo, Esq.

I believe that Collaborative Law provides divorcing couples with a far superior method of reaching resolution than traditional litigation. By encouraging couples to maintain a civil and respectful relationship through the divorce process, Collaborative Law allows divorcing couples to come up with creative resolutions which meet the unique needs of their individual family. Prior to attending law school I obtained my undergraduate degree i...
View Profile

Kathryn R. Castro, CFP®, CDFA®

Kathryn R. Castro is a financial advisor with Cadence Wealth Management Solutions, a private wealth advisory practice of Ameriprise Financial Services, LLC. She has been serving clients in this capacity for over 15 years.  Katie is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNING™ practitioner and a CERTIFIED DIVORCE FINANCIAL ANALYST.  Her educational background, which includes a Bachelors in Social Work and a Masters in Counseling, gives her a unique pe...
View Profile

Suzanne L. Brunsting, Esq.

As a Collaborative Lawyer and Mediator, I help divorcing clients reach good, long-lasting agreements without resorting to the courts. With guidance from caring and experienced professionals, couples can divorce intelligently and creatively, considerate of one another and of their children. I am an experienced family law attorney having practiced in the court system for many years. Named in Best Lawyers in America from 1995 to the present...
View Profile

June Castellano, Esq.

My suburban practice emphasizes divorce and family law. I recognize that legal disputes and family dissolution are traumatic events. Every client presents with a unique situation. My goal is to help each client transition through the difficult and emotional process in a caring and professional manner. I personalize my services to provide the legal counseling necessary to respond to the conflicts that accompany family dissolution. I have ...
View Profile

Cyndy S Rochford, Esq.

As a trained collaborative attorney and mediator, I am committed to helping my clients work through the transition of their marriage or partnership with dignity and integrity, while minimizing the emotional toll on themselves and their family. In the collaborative process, each party is represented by an attorney and all parties have a common goal of reaching an agreement out-of-court. As a collaborative attorney, I can advise and guide ...
View Profile

Leah T Cintineo, Esq.

Leah takes pride in assisting clients with care and respect during arguably one of the most stressful times in their lives- going through a divorce. By taking a collaborative approach to divorce, the parties can manage the divorce in a mindful and respectful way to minimize the damage to their family. Leah focuses her practice on divorce and family law exclusively. Over the years, she has found that when both parties commit to put aside ...
View Profile

Sharon P. Stiller, Esq.

Sharon Stiller is a partner at Abrams, Fensterman, Fensterman, Eisman, Formato, Ferrara, Wolf & Carone, LLP and runs the Rochester office.   General Experience   Ms. Stiller graduated from SUNY Albany, magna cum laude, in three years, and graduated from Albany Law School where she was a notes editor.  Ms. Stiller was admitted to practice law in the courts of the State of New York in 1976 and spent the first almost eight (8) years of p...
View Profile

Lewis J Heisman, Esq.

View Profile

Kevin R. Clark, Esq.

View Profile

JoAnne Pedro-Carroll

Dr. JoAnne Pedro-Carroll is a licensed clinical psychologist with 25 years of experience working with children, adults and families. Dr. Carroll has expertise as a coach and child specialist with families in the process of a divorce. She is a clinician in private practice, former researcher at the University of Rochester’s Childrens Institute, and founder of prevention programs for children and parents dealing with family transitions. He...
View Profile

Paul E Meyer, Esq.

As a practitioner for more than 38 years concentrating my practice in the area of family law, I realize that divorce is a very difficult experience for everyone involved, especially the children. Collaborative Law offers an alternative, non-adversarial way for each spouse to help create solutions together for themselves and their family. I am committed to this process as it offers the entire family the best opportunity for resolving thei...
View Profile

Diana Deyo Ryan, Esq.

Diana is an experienced Collaborative Attorney and Family Mediator.  Her work is client centered and she is committed to helping clients avoid a bad separation or divorce process and achieve the best possible result through constructive negotiation.  Her priority is to help clients move forward with minimal disruption to their lives, and with the best possible outcome.  Named in Best Lawyers In America since 2009, recognized by Top Lawye...
View Profile

Collaborative Practice

Collaborative Law Association of the Rochester Area, Inc.