2026 Best of the Best: Top Divorce Mediators Across America

Every year, Divorce Mediators evaluates hundreds of family law professionals across the country using our seven-factor scoring methodology. Today, we are proud to announce the 2026 Best of the Best — the highest-scoring divorce mediator in each of our eight major metro areas.

These eight professionals earned their #1 ranking through exceptional performance across mediation training and certification, professional recognition, specialization depth, years of practice, client satisfaction, community involvement, and professional affiliations.

Congratulations to all eight honorees. Your commitment to helping families navigate one of life's most difficult transitions through empathy, professionalism, and skill sets the standard for the entire field.
Chicago 91 / 100
Maxine Weiss Kunz

Maxine Weiss Kunz

Weiss-Kunz & Oliver, LLC

Named to the Super Lawyers list every year from 2017 through 2025, selected as a Fellow of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers at both the Illinois and national level, and serving as Treasurer and Board Member of AFCC. A certified mediator across four Illinois counties with a deep background in alternative dispute resolution.

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Dallas 91 / 100
Natalie L. Webb

Natalie L. Webb

The Webb Family Law Firm, P.C.

Board Certified in Family Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization and a Fellow of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers. SMU Dedman School of Law graduate with dual certifications in mediation and collaborative law. A leading voice in the Dallas family law community with extensive trial and mediation experience.

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Houston 89 / 100
Mary E. Ramos

Mary E. Ramos

Ramos Law Group, PLLC

Board Certified in Family Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization with over 18 years of experience. Recognized among the Best Divorce Lawyers in Houston by Expertise.com and featured in H Texas Magazine's Top Lawyers list. A certified mediator with 70 hours of advanced mediation training and a U.S. Navy veteran who brings exceptional discipline and compassion to every case.

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Los Angeles 88 / 100
Nina Shayan Depatie

Nina Shayan Depatie

Shayan Family Law, APC

Pepperdine Caruso School of Law graduate with a Certificate in Dispute Resolution from the nationally ranked Straus Institute. Named a Super Lawyers Rising Star and Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch honoree. A licensed attorney and certified mediator who combines legal expertise with specialized ADR training — a dual qualification that strengthens her mediation practice.

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Miami 90 / 100
MRJ

Minervino Rodriguez, Jr.

Law & Mediation Offices of Minervino Rodriguez, Jr.

Over 40 years of legal practice with dual certification as a Florida Supreme Court Family Law and Civil Mediator. Maintained a Martindale-Hubbell AV Preeminent rating for over 25 consecutive years. Named a Florida Super Lawyer consistently since 2009 and former President of the Cuban American Bar Association. A bilingual mediator serving South Florida's diverse community.

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New York City 93 / 100
Cheryl Stein

Cheryl Stein

Law & Mediation Offices of Cheryl Stein

Fordham University School of Law graduate recognized by Super Lawyers for over a decade. A certified mediator through the Center for Mediation and Training with a practice rooted in emotional intelligence and practical resolution. Featured in Forbes, Newsweek, CBS, and NBC. The highest-scoring mediator in the entire directory at 93/100.

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San Francisco 92 / 100
Paula M. Lawhon

Paula M. Lawhon

Lawhon Law & Mediation, P.C.

A Certified Specialist in Family Law by the California State Bar with over 1,000 completed mediations since 2005. Named to SuperLawyers consistently from 2013 through 2025. Full-time mediator with over 200 hours of mediation skills training, bringing 20 years of focused, dedicated mediation practice to every case in the Bay Area.

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Seattle 91 / 100
DCT

Darcia C. Tudor

Eastside Mediation & Arbitration

A uniquely dual-qualified professional holding both a law degree and a Master's in Clinical Psychology. Over 40 years in family law with special expertise in child development, family systems, and child resiliency post-divorce. An Advanced Practitioner Member of the Association for Conflict Resolution and founding board member of the Washington Mediation Association.

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About Our Methodology

Every mediator in our directory is evaluated using the same seven-factor scoring methodology applied consistently across all metro areas. Scores are weighted across mediation training and certification (20%), professional recognition (20%), specialization depth (15%), years of practice (15%), client satisfaction (15%), pro bono and community involvement (10%), and professional affiliations (5%). All scores are compiled from publicly verifiable sources including state bar records, court mediator registries, professional association membership rolls, and verified client reviews.

Rankings are updated annually. To view all five top-rated mediators in any metro area, visit our Metro Directory.

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