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.

 

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 .

Ann Bauer named Best Lawyers® 2026 "Lawyer of the Year" in Collaborative Family Law

September 1, 2025
The Center for Family Law is proud to announce that Ann Bauer has once again been named the “Lawyer of the Year” in Collaborative Family Law in St. Louis by Best Lawyers for 2026. Each year, this designation is awarded to only one attorney in each practice area and region, based on outstanding peer feedback—making it a truly exceptional distinction. This marks Ann’s third year being recognized as "Lawyer of the Year" for her work in collaborative divorce, and her 12th year being recognized by Best Lawyers. For 2026, she is listed for her work in family law, family law mediation, and collaborative law. Ann is an active member of the St. Louis Collaborative Family Law Association and is deeply committed to the collaborative divorce process, valuing the positive and lasting impact it has on her clients and their families. About the Collaborative Divorce Process Collaborative divorce is a respectful legal process that enables couples to resolve all aspects of their divorce—such as property division, child custody, child support, and spousal support—without litigation. Using a team-based approach, which includes attorneys for each spouse, a financial neutral, and a mental health professional, couples work together through negotiation and mediation to reach agreements without the stress and conflict of court. Learn more on the St. Louis Collaborative Family Law Association website by clicking here . 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 .

Meet Our Newest Family Law Attorney: Robert Boedeker

July 16, 2025
The Center for Family Law is pleased to announce that Robert Boedeker has joined the firm as of July 2025 as an attorney of counsel. Robert is a 2011 graduate of St. Louis University School of Law. For the past ten years, he has worked at Legal Services of Eastern Missouri, Inc. in the Lasting Solutions Family Law Program, which he co-managed since 2017. At The Center for Family Law, Robert will continue to practice law on family matters and order of protection cases in St. Louis County, St. Louis City, St. Charles County and Jefferson County. Additionally, he is a certified family law Guardian ad Litem and Mediator, and is looking to resume those areas of practice. “Joining The Center for Family Law allows me to dedicate myself again to just representing clients,” said Robert. “At Legal Services, I was dividing my time between clients and my management duties. I am excited to get back to mediating and representing children’s best interests; at Legal Services, often mediation was inappropriate for clients because of the serious domestic violence they were escaping.” He continued, “I loved my time at Legal Services and the clients and colleagues I worked with. But I am now looking forward to focusing just on the courtroom and mediation work. The attorneys at The Center for Family Law have the same passion for serving clients and a wealth of experience that I am grateful to be able to bring to my cases.” “Working in family law is meaningful and can be life-changing for our clients,” said Robert, “and I am glad to join a firm with the right balance of prioritizing conflict-resolution and defending their clients’ interests when needed.” The Center for Family Law welcomes Robert to the team, knowing his experience and personality make him a good fit to continue the firm’s tradition of collaboration and finding solutions for people in need.