Best Divorce Attorneys in Phoenix
Thomas Alongi
Divorce Lawyers
Practice Areas
- Family Law
- Adoption
Education
- University of Kansas School of Law, Lawrence, Kansas
- Juris Doctor – 05/1989
- DePauw University, Greencastle, Indiana
- B.A., Bachelor of Arts – 05/1986
- Major: History
- Minor: Computational Mathematics
Bar Admission
- Arizona, 2001
- Minnesota, 1998
- Kansas, 1989
- United States Supreme Court, 1994
- U.S. District Court District of Arizona, 2003
Professional Associations
- State Bar of Arizona: Family Law Practice & Procedures Committee, Member, 2006 to 2014
- State Bar of Arizona: Family Law Practice & Procedures Committee, Committee Chair, 2012 to 2014
- State Bar of Arizona: Legal Services Committee, Member, 2013 to 2016
- State Bar of Arizona: Legal Services Committee, Vice-Chair, 2013 to 2014
- State Bar of Arizona: Legal Services Committee, Chair, 2014 to 2015
- State Bar of Arizona, Family Law Section, Member, 2007 to Present
- State Bar of Arizona, Appellate Section, Member, 2016 to Present
- State Bar of Arizona, Criminal Law Section, Member, 2015 to Present
- State Bar of Arizona, Juvenile Law Section, Member, 2015 to Present
- Maricopa County Bar Association, Member, 2006 to Present
- Board of Directors, Family Law Section, 2011 to 2013
- Horace Rumpole American Inn of Court, 2019 to Present
- Thurgood Marshall American Inn of Court, 2006 to 2009
Aarti Bhaga
Divorce Lawyers
Associate attorney Aarti Bhaga grew up in two very different places: El Paso, Texas – a border town where American, Texan, New Mexican and Mexican cultures meet – and South Africa – known as the rainbow nation, rich in diversity, culture, wildlife and beautiful landscapes.
Aarti attended Worcester Primary School during and after the end of Apartheid. As an American of Indian descent that grew up in South Africa during Apartheid, Aarti learned firsthand what freedom really is after being deprived of it through government oppression by racial discrimination. Being an American child at school in South Africa through the end of Apartheid was like being a symbol of freedom. She represented the success of a nation that had overcome a legacy of racial oppression and had extended constitutional rights to those who had never known them before. These extraordinary experiences in South Africa influenced her personal life and career choices, her decision to practice law, and gave her the ability to relate to clients of all backgrounds. Because her experience, she deeply appreciates the fundamental principles of equality and liberty. This led her to seek out a career path as a defender of peoples basic liberties. Aarti approaches all of her cases with this dedication and passion.
Regina Pangerl
Divorce Lawyers
Regina Pangerl has been practicing law in the Phoenix area for more than 15 years. Ms. Pangerl started her own firm in 2008. She takes pride in being a listening ear for clients and taking the time to understand their needs and goals. As a mother of children with special needs, Regina understands how those unique challenges make divorce, custody, and child support even more complicated. She’s a fierce advocate for her client’s needs and provides direct one-on-one service to all clients. Regina has resided in the Phoenix area with her husband and children since 1990. Outside of the office she enjoys family time, music, and the outdoors.
Education
- Arizona State University’s College of Law (Magna Cum Laude)
Professional Associations & Memberships:
- Arizona State Bar Association
- Maricopa County Bar Association
- West Maricopa County Bar Association
- Arizona Women Lawyer’s Association
- Member of Lawyer Referral Service
Past Employment & Externship:
- U.S. Attorney’s Office
- Arizona Center for Disability Law
- U.S. District Court, Honorable Susan Bolton
- Attorney Glenn Davis (Now Retired Judge of the Maricopa County Superior Court)
- Arizona Court of Appeals
Pro Bono Activities:
- Provided Legal Advice to Domestic Violence Shelter Victims
- Past President of Advocacy for Battered Women, Sandra Day O’Conner School of Law, ASU
- (As President, Ms. Pangerl founded two programs to assist victims of domestic violence.)
Katherine Kraus
Divorce Lawyers
AREAS OF PRACTICE
- Family Law, including but not limited to:
- Divorce and legal separation, including same-sex couples and matters involving minor children
- Establishment, modification, and enforcement matters relating to legal decision-making and parenting time
- Child support matters
- Spousal maintenance matters
- Third-party rights and visitation
- Prenuptial and postnuptial agreement drafting and review
- Orders of protection and injunctions against harassment
- Name changes
BAR ADMISSIONS
- Arizona, 2011
EDUCATION
- Phoenix School of Law, Phoenix, Arizona
- Juris Doctor – 2010
- Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona
- B.S., Bachelor of Science – 2007
- Major: Justice and Social Inquiry
PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS AND MEMBERSHIPS
- Arizona State Bar
- Maricopa County Bar Association – Family Law Section
- Family Law Section of Arizona State Bar
- Association of Family and Conciliation Court, 2013 to Present
PRO BONO ACTIVITIES
- Family Law Assistance Project, 2011 to Present
- Volunteer Lawyers Program, 2011 to Present
- Arizona Stand Down for Veterans, 2013 to Present
- Law Day Legal Clinic, 2013 to Present
Scott D. Goldman
Divorce Lawyers
Scott D. Goldman, founder and managing member of Goldman Law, LLC established the law firm with the strong belief that all individuals deserve proficient and ethical legal representation.
Scott handles each and every one of his cases in a professional manner to allow for favorable outcomes. His years of experience with bench trials and jury trials give his clients the confidence that he is the right attorney for the job.
He knows that your legal matter is crucial to you, and will take the time to explain your case to you and see to it that you understand what is going on in your case at all times.
Scott earned his B.A. in Economics from Michigan State University. He then earned his J.D. from Thomas M. Cooley Law School. He is admitted to practice law in the State of Colorado and Arizona.
JON D. SCHNEIDER
Divorce Lawyers
Jon Schneider founded Schneider & Onofry, P.C. in 1999. His practice has encompassed a wide variety of complex cases, ranging from divorce, custody and other family law matters to catastrophic injury. Jon is a member of the American Board of Trial Advocates. ABOTA membership requires having served as legal counsel in 20 or more jury trials, a standard that Jon has more than tripled. The Best Lawyers in America® named Jon the 2017 Phoenix “Lawyer of the Year” in Insurance Litigation. A Martindale-Hubbell® AV Preeminent® attorney, Jon is a multi-year Super Lawyers selectee and Best Lawyers® honoree. His professional memberships include the American Bar Association, Association of Defense Trial Attorneys (ADTA), Defense Research Institute (DRI), and Arizona Association of Defense Counsel. Away from the office, Jon is a devoted husband and father and a fan of the Phoenix Suns and University of Arizona Wildcats.
Practice Areas:
- Family Law
- Dissolution
- Custody
- Commercial Litigation
- Real Estate Litigation
- Professional Liability
- Personal Injury
- Wrongful Death
- Products Liability
- Premises Liability
- Probate and Trust Litigation
Terry Bays Smith
Divorce Lawyers
Terry Bays Smith is a 1989 graduate of the University Of Arizona, College of Law. She then went on to practice as a prosecutor for eight years before opening up her own practice. In 1999, Ms. Smith formed a private practice focusing her practice in the area of family law, including divorce, paternity, child support, enforcement issues, legal decision-making authority, relocation, grandparent rights and post decree modification matters.
Ms. Smith served as the managing family law attorney at Smith Law Office, P.C. for twenty years where she was solely responsible for overseeing family law cases from the initial client consultation to the point of ultimate settlement or court litigation. In her time as managing attorney Ms. Smith trained and mentored several associate attorneys.
In August of 2021 Ms. Smith welcomed attorney Catherine Medina as managing partner. Ms. Smith maintained the role of managing attorney overseeing case management and Smith Law Office P.C. thereafter merged and became Medina, Mitchell & Smith Law. In January of 2022, after more than 30 years of dedicated legal practice, Ms. Smith retired. Ms. Smith’s legacy and dedication to family law matters continues on through Medina, Mitchell & Smith Law where much of Ms. Smith’s legal expertise and knowledge remains active through those who Ms. Smith has entrusted with her practice. Although no longer a practicing attorney with the firm, Medina, Mitchell & Smith Law continue to wish Ms. Smith well in her feature endeavors. Ms. Smith remains a close and respected colleague of the firm.
Nicholas Boca
Divorce Lawyers
Nicholas Boca is here to help you navigate this difficult time in your life. Nicholas is a Board Certified Family Law Specialist by the State Bar of Arizona. He confidently provides aggressive and effective representation as a result of his extensive courtroom experience. He thrives under the pressure of contentious family law cases, while lending a patient and empathetic ear to his clients, easing their worries during these difficult cases. Taking pride in reaching agreements, Nicholas’ courtroom experience, informs his advice in reaching settlements. His knowledge of how issues are dealt with in a courtroom setting leads to successful negotiation and settlement of family cases.
A Phoenix, AZ native, Nicholas graduated from Arizona State University, with a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science. He went on to receive his law degree from the University of San Diego. During law school, Nicholas interned at Viacom—believing he wanted to practice entertainment law—writing and reviewing contracts for MTV, VH1, and Comedy Central. Through this experience, he learned that transactional law was not for him, and instead pursued a career as a trial attorney.
Nicholas began his legal career as an Assistant Attorney General with the Arizona Attorney General’s Office, representing the Department of Child Safety. In this position, he appeared in several hundred juvenile court hearings, mediations, and trials.
Upon leaving the Attorney General’s Office, Nicholas started as an attorney with Cantor Law Group, where he now is the Managing Family Law Attorney. With Cantor Law Group, Nicholas’ trial experience continues to build, handling extremely contentious custody matters, along with high-net worth, complex, and high-profile cases, including representing athletes and celebrities.
Vincent Mattioli
Divorce Lawyers
Vince’s practice is dedicated to criminal defense, DUI, drug charges, and domestic violence. He is also devoted to all facets of family law including divorce and child custody matters, juvenile court matters, including termination of parental rights, guardianships, and adoption. Vince is also experienced in contract disputes and personal injury claims. He believes that creativity is key because he understands that every case is different; the easiest solution, may not be the best solution.
What distinguishes Vince is his ability to listen to his clients as well as his approachable, responsive representation. Anyone who has been involved in a divorce or other legal proceeding is aware of how unfair and uncertain divorce and litigation can be. Vince helps minimize the uncertainty by creating a comfortable and productive environment that will put each client at ease. He gets to know each and every client personally, developing a close relationship with everyone, including their families.
Hiring the best divorce lawyer in Phoenix can provide numerous benefits, especially during the emotionally challenging and legally complex process of divorce. Here are some advantages of having top-notch legal representation:
Expert Legal Advice: The best divorce lawyers have extensive knowledge and experience in family law. They can provide you with expert advice tailored to your specific situation, helping you understand your rights and legal options during the divorce process.
Asset and Property Division: Divorce often involves the division of assets and properties acquired during the marriage. A skilled lawyer can help protect your financial interests and ensure a fair distribution of marital property in accordance with Arizona laws.
Child Custody and Support: If you have children, custody and support arrangements can be emotionally charged and legally intricate. A competent attorney can advocate for your parental rights and work towards securing the best possible custody and support arrangement for your children.
Negotiation Skills: Many divorce cases are resolved through negotiation rather than going to trial. A top divorce lawyer can negotiate on your behalf, striving to achieve a favorable settlement that meets your needs and priorities.
Court Representation: In cases where negotiation fails and litigation becomes necessary, a strong divorce lawyer can represent you in court, presenting your case persuasively and advocating for your interests before a judge.
Thorough Documentation: Divorce involves a significant amount of paperwork and documentation. An experienced attorney will ensure that all necessary paperwork is completed accurately and on time, avoiding delays and potential legal issues.
Mediation and Alternative Dispute Resolution: The best divorce lawyers can guide you through mediation or other alternative dispute resolution methods, which can lead to more amicable and cost-effective divorce resolutions.
Protection from Unfair Settlements: During a divorce, emotions can run high, leading to hasty decisions. A reputable attorney acts as an objective advisor, protecting you from accepting unfair or unfavorable settlements.
Knowledge of Local Laws: Each jurisdiction may have unique divorce laws and procedures. Hiring a local attorney who is well-versed in Phoenix and Arizona family law can be advantageous as they understand the local court system and judges’ preferences.
Reduction of Stress: Going through a divorce can be emotionally and mentally taxing. Having a skilled attorney handle the legal aspects allows you to focus on healing and rebuilding your life, reducing the stress of the legal process.
Privacy and Confidentiality: The best divorce lawyers prioritize your privacy and confidentiality, ensuring that sensitive information remains secure throughout the legal process.
In summary, having the best divorce lawyer in Phoenix can significantly impact the outcome of your divorce case. They can provide invaluable legal counsel, protect your rights and interests, and help you navigate the divorce process with greater ease and confidence.