A Bittersweet Goodbye: Honoring Penny Robinson and Alan Zvibleman

August 7, 2023

In 2023, the firm bid farewell to attorneys Penny Robinson and Alan Zvibleman, and we cannot help but feel a mixture of emotions. It is indeed a bittersweet moment for our firm and all those who have worked with these family law champions.


Penny and Alan have been an integral part of our firm, dedicating their time, expertise, and compassion to those in need of their guidance and support. Their commitment to ensuring the best possible outcomes for families facing difficult situations has been unparalleled. Their passion for family law and unwavering dedication to their clients have impacted our firm and the legal community as a whole.


Alan has been practicing law since 1979. He worked at Capes Sokol for 15 years, before joining The Center for Family Law in 2013. Alan is a skilled family law litigator, mediator, and collaborative divorce practitioner. He is an American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers (AAML) fellow and served as Missouri AAML chapter president from 2016 to 2018. In 2016, he was selected as “Lawyer of the Year” by Best Lawyers in the area of family law in St. Louis.


Penny has been practicing law since 1991. Penny worked at Zerman Mogerman LLC as a family law attorney for 17 years, before joining The Center for Family Law in 2019. Penny is an excellent family law attorney, mediator, collaborative divorce practitioner, and Guardian ad Litem. Penny was a devoted and active member of the Collaborative Family Law Association of St. Louis.


Their departure marks the end of an era, and we are truly grateful for the legacy they leave behind. The wealth of knowledge and experience they have shared with their colleagues and mentees will continue to shape the future of our firm and the field of family law.


As we say goodbye to Penny and Alan, this year we also welcomed two new legal minds to our team—Lucy Weilbacher, a 2022 SLU Law graduate, and Beth Lewandowski, a seasoned family law attorney with over 20 years of experience. We are excited to see how their unique skills and perspectives will further enhance our ability to serve our clients and advocate for their best interests.


Although it is difficult to bid farewell to Penny and Alan, the next chapter in our firm’s history promises new opportunities and fresh perspectives as we continue our mission to provide exceptional legal representation to families.

 

Honoring Four Attorneys for 2025 Super Lawyers® and Rising Stars

December 3, 2025
We are thrilled to announce that four of our attorneys have been recognized in the 2025 Super Lawyers® and Rising Stars lists! This distinction honors outstanding legal professionals across the nation who demonstrate excellence in their field, and we are proud to celebrate the exceptional achievements of our team. Celebrating Our Super Lawyer Ann Bauer has once again been recognized as a Super Lawyer in Missouri & Kansas, marking her 19th consecutive year on the list. Ann’s dedication, skill, and commitment to her clients have earned her additional prestigious honors: Top 50: Women Missouri & Kansas Super Lawyers – 11th year Top 50: St. Louis Super Lawyers – 7th year Ann’s recognition is a testament to her decades of experience and unwavering commitment to families and individuals navigating complex legal matters. Rising Stars of 2025 We are also proud to celebrate our three attorneys named Rising Stars this year: Allison Gerli – 8th year Kristen Sparks – 7th year Hallie Van Duren – 5th year The Rising Stars designation recognizes outstanding attorneys who are making a significant impact in their field earlier in their careers. What This Recognition Means The Super Lawyers and Rising Stars lists are highly selective, recognizing only a small percentage of attorneys in each state based on peer nominations, professional achievement, and other rigorous criteria. Being named to these lists reflects the consistent excellence, skill, and dedication our attorneys bring to every case.  We are proud to have a team of legal professionals who combine experience, empathy, and expertise to serve our clients. Congratulations to Ann, Allison, Kristen, and Hallie for this well-deserved recognition!

The Center for Family Law Recognized in 2026 "Best Law Firms" Rankings

November 7, 2025
We are proud to share that The Center for Family Law has once again been recognized as a Tier 1 law firm in St. Louis in the practice areas of Family Law and Family Law--Mediation. Firms named to the 2026 “Best Law Firms” list by U.S. News & World Report and Best Lawyers® are honored for their professional excellence, earning consistently strong ratings from clients and peers. A tiered ranking reflects a unique combination of quality legal practice and breadth of expertise. The 2026 “Best Law Firms” rankings, released this month, are based on client feedback, peer evaluations from leading attorneys, and additional information submitted by participating law firms as part of a comprehensive review process. About The Center for Family Law Since 2013, The Center for Family Law has provided progressive, client-centered family law services with compassion and dedication. Our attorneys are committed to advancing the practice of family law and adapting to its ever-evolving landscape. We partner with each client to address their unique needs and goals, helping families navigate challenging transitions with respect and care.

Four Attorneys at The Center for Family Law Recognized by Best Lawyers® 2026

September 1, 2025
We are proud to share that our attorneys’ dedication and exceptional work for clients have been recognized by peers. This year, four attorneys from The Center for Family Law are honored in the 2026 editions of The Best Lawyers in America® and Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® in America . Ann Bauer - Best Lawyers list for family law, family law mediation, collaborative law--family law. In addition, Ann was named as "Lawyer of the Year" for her work in collaborative law. This is Ann's 12th consecutive year being recognized. Allison Gerli - Best Lawyers list for family law, family law mediation, collaborative law--family law. This is Allison's third consecutive year being recognized. Kristen Sparks - Best Lawyers "Ones to Watch" list for family law, family law--arbitration & mediation, and alternative dispute resolution. Hallie Van Duren - Best Lawyers list for family law, family law mediation, collaborative law--family law. This is Hallie's second year being recognized. About Best Lawyers Since 1983, Best Lawyers has been recognized as one of the most respected guides to legal excellence. Attorneys selected for The Best Lawyers in America are nominated and evaluated by their peers based on professional expertise and undergo a rigorous verification process to ensure they are in current practice and in good standing. About The Center for Family Law Founded in 2013, The Center for Family Law provides comprehensive representation in all areas of family law, with a culture built on partnership with our clients and other professionals. We believe the role of a lawyer is to partner with clients, help them understand their options, and give them the information and confidence they need to make well-informed decisions. To schedule a consultation, click here .