Boston, MA, Oct. 15, 2026 – Rubin Rudman’s Family Law department chair Susan B. Grandis, Fiduciary Litigation group co-chairs Marlee S. Cowan and Lisa M. Cukier, and partners Gabrielle Denby, David M. Friedman, Courtney D. Greenberg, Sara E. Kitaeff, Ana Schwarz, Jared D. Spinelli, and Meredith A. Stratford have been selected for inclusion in the 2027 Lawdragon 500 Leading Family Lawyers in America for their expertise in high-net worth divorce, trusts and estate planning, and probate litigation. According to Lawdragon, “these are the lawyers families turn to when everything is on the line.”

As chair of the firm’s Family Law department, Susan B. Grandis brings over 40 years of legal experience to resolving domestic relations matters and litigating complex cases involving trusts, estates, and business interests. She has broad experience negotiating pre-marital, post-marital, and divorce matters in which a closely held business is a source of income to one or both parties or is an asset subject to division. She is ranked in The Best Lawyers in America® for Family Law (2026-2027), Boston Magazine’s Top Divorce and Family Lawyers (2021-2025), a “2025 Go To Family Law Lawyer” by Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly, and as a Martindale Hubbell AV Preeminent Attorney for 24 consecutive years. She received her J.D. from the University of Virginia School of Law and her B.A., magna cum laude, from the University of Massachusetts Amherst.

Marlee S. Cowan co-chairs the firm’s Fiduciary Litigation group, where she focuses her practice on probate litigation, guardianships, conservatorships, will contests, trust disputes, breaches of fiduciary duty, and estate and trust administration. With over 15 years of experience, she is skilled in employing creative tactics to help guide clients through every step of the process – from delicate negotiations to trial. She is ranked in Massachusetts Super Lawyers (2026) and Boston Magazine’s Top Trusts and Estates Lawyers (2022-2025). She received her J.D. from New England Law and her B.A. from the University of California Berkeley.

Lisa M. Cukier co-chairs the firm’s Fiduciary Litigation group and serves on the firm’s Executive Committee. She concentrates her practice on complex family matters for high-net-worth families and individuals, including trust and estate litigation. She also has a niche family law specialty in concierge trusteeship, guardianship, and conservatorship for individuals who have significant assets and reputations to protect, and who are experiencing diminished capacity. She is ranked in The Best Lawyers in America for Family Law, Litigation and Trusts & Estates (2010-2027); Boston Magazine’s Top Lawyers for Divorce and Family Law (2021-2025); and Massachusetts Super Lawyers (2005-2026), among other prestigious awards. She received her J.D. from Suffolk University Law School and her B.A. from Northeastern University.

Gabrielle Denby is a partner in the Family Law department, where she concentrates her practice on all aspects of family law, including high-stakes divorce, child custody, alimony, and complex financial issues in high asset divorce matters. She has been named a Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch for Family Law and Family Law: Arbitration and Mediation (2025-2027), Massachusetts Super Lawyers (2026), and a Super Lawyers’ Massachusetts Rising Star for Family Law (2016-2024). She received her J.D. from Suffolk University Law School, her master’s from Syracuse University, and her B.A., cum laude, from Mount Holyoke College.

David M. Friedman is a partner in the Family Law department whose practice focuses exclusively on domestic relations matters. For over 20 years, he has represented clients in complex divorce, modification, and enforcement proceedings, with a particular emphasis on high-net-worth matters involving closely held businesses, trust and inheritance interests, commercial and residential real estate holdings, and complex compensation structures. Friedman regularly negotiates and drafts prenuptial, postnuptial, and nonmarital agreements, helping clients navigate the legal and financial issues that arise both before and during marriage. Known for his practical and resolution-oriented approach, he works closely with clients to develop strategies that protect their interests while avoiding unnecessary conflict whenever possible.
He is ranked in The Best Lawyers in America (2019-2027), Boston Magazine’s Top Lawyers in Family Law (2021-2025), and Massachusetts Super Lawyers (2026), among other awards. He received his J.D. from Suffolk University Law School and a B.A. from Colby College.

Courtney D. Greenberg is a partner in the Family Law department, where she guides individuals and families through some of the most consequential and personal moments in their lives. She is known for pairing strategic advocacy with a practical, solution-oriented approach in her practice, including divorce, child custody disputes, paternity actions, support (alimony and child support), and removal cases. As part of her family law practice, Greenberg also advises clients on legal frameworks related to alternative family-building methods. She is ranked in Best Lawyers for Family Law (2026-2027), Boston Magazine’s Top Lawyers for Family Law (2022-2024), and Super Lawyers’ Massachusetts Rising Star for Family Law (2024-2026). She received her J.D., cum laude, from Suffolk University Law School and her B.A., cum laude, from Syracuse University.

Sara E. Kitaeff is a partner in the Family Law department, where she focuses her practice on representing individuals in family law matters involving high-conflict and high-net-worth divorce and custody disputes. She regularly handles pre- and post-nuptial agreements, paternity issues, child support, and post-divorce modifications or enforcement of existing court orders. She also acts as a Category F Guardian ad Litem and is frequently appointed in custody and parenting disputes. She has been named to The Best Lawyers in America for Family Law (2026-2027), Boston Magazine’s Top Lawyers for Family Law (2022-2025), and Massachusetts Super Lawyers (2026). She received her J.D., with Honors, from Suffolk University Law School and her B.A. from Boston University.

Ana Schwarz is a partner in the Family Law department, where she represents individuals facing high-stakes divorce, paternity, child custody, removal and relocation, modifications, enforcement actions, and contempt proceedings. Licensed in Massachusetts and Florida, her practice spans across jurisdictions and includes trial work, negotiated settlements, and complex international matters, such as federal Hague Convention cases. Schwarz is a co-chair of Rubin Rudman’s Women’s Working Group. She was named to Boston Magazine’s Top Lawyers for Family Law (2024-2025) and Massachusetts Super Lawyers (2026). She received her J.D., cum laude, from the University of Miami School of Law and her B.A. from the University of Maryland.

Jared D. Spinelli is a partner in the firm’s Family Law department, a member of the firm’s Executive Committee, and chair of the firm’s Pro Bono Committee. He concentrates his practice on all aspects of complex domestic relations law, including divorce, child custody and child support, alimony, paternity, asset valuation and division, and modification and contempt actions. In addition to his trial court work, Spinelli has extensive appellate experience and has argued before the Massachusetts Appeals Court on issues ranging from asset division and alimony duration to business valuation methodology and the treatment of expert testimony. He is ranked in The Best Lawyers in America for Family Law (2024-2027), Boston Magazine’s Top Divorce and Family Lawyers (2021-2025), Doyles Guide’s Leading Family, Matrimonial & Divorce Lawyers in Boston (2026), and Massachusetts Super Lawyers (2025-2026). He received his J.D. from Suffolk University Law School and a B.S., magna cum laude, from Northeastern University.

Meredith A. Stratford is a partner in the firm’s Family Law and Trusts and Estates departments, where she concentrates her 20-year practice on complex family law matters and estate planning, including divorce, child custody, post-divorce modification, alimony and child support, adoption and contempt matters as well as negotiating and drafting of pre-nuptial and post-nuptial agreements. She works closely with her clients to understand their priorities, navigate complex legal and financial issues, and develop strategies to protect their interests and achieve their long-term objectives. She is ranked in The Best Lawyers in America (2023-2027), Boston Magazine’s Top Divorce and Family Lawyers (2022-2025), and Massachusetts Super Lawyers for Family Law (2023-2026). She received her J.D. from Suffolk University Law School and her B.A. from the University of Massachusetts Amherst.