Ann Bauer recognized as the Best Lawyers® 2024 "Lawyer of the Year" for Collaborative Family Law in St. Louis
August 17, 2023
The Center for Family Law is proud to share that Ann Bauer has been named the 2024 "Lawyer of the Year" in the area of Collaborative Law--Family Law in St. Louis by Best Lawyers in America. This is Ann's second time receiving this recognition. "Lawyer of the Year" honors are awarded annually to only one lawyer per practice area in each region with extremely high overall feedback from their peers, making it an exceptional distinction.
This is Ann's 10th year being recognized on the Best Lawyers list. For 2024, she was included for her work in family law, family law mediation, and collaborative law.
Ann is a proud member of the St. Louis Collaborative Family Law Association. Ann values her work in collaborative divorce and the positive impact it has on her clients and families.
About Collaborative Divorce Process. Collaborative divorce is a legal divorce process that allows couples to negotiate all the terms of a divorce, without the need for mud-slinging or the stress of court. Couples will use a combination of mediation and negotiation to reach an agreement on the critical terms of divorce, like property and debt division, child custody and child support, and spousal support. You have a professional team there to support you--attorneys for each spouse, financial neutral, and mental health professional. For more information about the collaborative divorce process, click here or read more on St. Louis Collaborative Family Law Association's website at this link.
About Best Lawyers. Since it was first published in 1983, Best Lawyers has become regarded as one of the most respected guides to legal excellence. Lawyers on The Best Lawyers in America list are divided by geographic region and practice areas. They are reviewed by their peers on the basis of professional expertise, and undergo an authentication process to make sure they are in current practice and in good standing.
About The Center for Family Law. Since 2013, The Center for Family Law has offered expertise in all areas of family law and a culture of collaboration with clients and other professionals. The Firm has earned national recognition, earning U.S. News and Best Lawyers highest Tier 1 Best Law Firms" ranking in the area of family law.
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 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.
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 .