Attorney
Allison Gerli
Allison Gerli joined the Center for Family Law in 2013. Allison focuses her practice on complex divorce cases, motions to modify child support and child custody, child custody and child support matters between unmarried couples or third parties, adoptions, and guardianships. She is also a certified family law Mediator, and trained in Collaborative Divorce and as a Guardian ad Litem.
Allison is a St. Louis native, born on The Hill and raised in North County. After moving away for college and law school, Allison returned to St. Louis in 2012. When Allison is not chasing after her two daughters, she and her husband are busy rehabbing her home on The Hill, once owned by her grandparents, and travelling as much as possible.
My goal is to provide clients with the highest level of skill, dedication, and compassion. I believe that a family law attorney’s job extends outside of giving legal counsel given the emotional and financial stakes that are often involved in divorce or child custody case. I strive to not only achieve desired outcomes for clients, but to form a partnership with clients to focus on how best to achieve their goals through a practical and empathetic approach."
Professional Background, Awards & Community Involvement
- Missouri and Kansas Super Lawyers Rising Star list for 2017 and 2019-2024.
- Best Lawyers 2025, recognized in the areas of Collaborative Law: Family Law, Family Law, and Family Law Mediation.
- Best Lawyers Ones To Watch in 2024, recognized in the area of family law.
- Completed the Program on Negotiation at Harvard Law School Executive Education in 2023
- Graduate of the AAML Institute for Family Law Associates in 2014
- The Bar Association of Metropolitan St. Louis (Family & Juvenile Law Section & Young Lawyers Division)
- BAMSL Award of Merit recipient in 2016-17, 2017-18, and 2019-20 bar years for her service to the organization
- The Missouri Bar Association (Family Law Section & MO Bar Family Law Conference Planning Committee)
- Collaborative Family Law Association (CFLA)
- Association of Family and Conciliation Courts (AFCC)
- Women Lawyers’ Association of Greater St. Louis
- Volunteer Attorney for Legal Services of Eastern Missouri
- Speaker on Family Law topics for the Missouri Bar Association and the Bar Association of Metropolitan St. Louis
- Girl Scouts of Eastern Missouri (Women’s Leadership Network & Young Professionals Council)
Education & Bar Admission
- Licensed to practice law in Missouri since 2012
- University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Law, J.D. (with an emphasis in family law), 2012
- Westminster College, B.A. (English), 2009
Related Insights
The Center for Family Law is excited to kick off its fifth year of hosting the Second Saturday Divorce Workshops and to share the 2026 workshop dates.
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!
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 .