01 Jul, 2024
St. Louis, MO – July 2, 2024 – The Center for Family Law is pleased to announce that Attorney Kristen Sparks joined the firm in June 2024 as partner. Kristen is a 2015 graduate of the Washington University School of Law. She previously served clients at TCFL from 2013 to 2017 as a law clerk and associate. Kristen currently concentrates her practice in the areas of family law, probate, orders of protection, adoption and estate planning. She regularly serves as a Guardian ad litem in St. Louis County. Additionally, she is a certified family law Mediator, is trained in Collaborative Divorce, and is a former Adjunct Professor at Washington University School of Law. When asked why she chose the field of family law in particular, Kristen shared, “I’ve always been interested in the law. In high school, my favorite extracurricular was Mock Trial. In college, I went back and forth between pursuing psychology or law and ultimately decided to go into law. I find that family law combines the two interests, as mental health plays a very important role.” Throughout her career, Kristen has drawn back to invaluable advice and training she received while working with Cynthia Garnholz, who hired Kristen during her first year of law school and guided her for a decade. Kristen takes seriously the opportunity to compassionately and confidently walk her clients through extremely challenging scenarios. Revealing her heart for her clients, Kristen says, “I like knowing I’ve helped someone through a really tough period in life and helped set them up for as successful a future as possible.” True to her commitment to helping pave the way for healthier conflict resolution, Kristen has enjoyed her membership in the Collaborative Family Law Association and was elevated to the role of President of CFLA in June 2024. CFLA is a multidisciplinary group of individuals who want to achieve the best possible outcome for the entire family and provide a better alternative to traditional litigation. Here at The Center for Family Law, we are so grateful for Kristen’s drive to continually learn, collaborate, and find solutions for people in need. We are proud to have her as a partner on our team.
By Phyllis Daniels • 14 Jun, 2024
It is with great excitement that we announce attorney Ann Bauer as one of the esteemed recipients of the 2024 ICON Awards, recognizing her as a pillar of family law in the Missouri legal community. The ICON Awards, hosted by Missouri Lawyers Media each year, recognize and celebrate 25 legal professionals in Missouri who are at least 60 years old and have substantially shaped the practice of law over their exceptional careers. The recipients are chosen based on their leadership and expertise in their respective fields, as well as the pivotal decisions they have made that have influenced the trajectory of their firms or organizations. The prestigious honorees include individuals from a spectrum of legal disciplines, including, state and federal judges whose judgments have established legal precedent, founding partners whose vision and guidance have guided their firms to new heights, and seasoned practitioners who have navigated the complexities of law with unwavering commitment and expertise. Although their backgrounds vary, encompassing large and small firms, public service, corporate counsel, and members of the bench, their collective impact on the legal community is self-evident. The 2024 ICON Awards ceremony acknowledges each distinguished recipient for their legal excellence and mentorship in the community. Throughout Ann's career in family law, she has gained success through her profound empathy for her clients and a comprehensive understanding of the legal challenges they encounter. She has consistently navigated the complexities of family law with grace and tenacity, earning her a reputation as a staunch advocate for justice. Ann specializes in handling complex divorce cases, child custody disputes, and a myriad of other domestic law matters, where she has established herself as a cornerstone of the family law practice in St. Louis, helping families for 30 years as they navigate the tumultuous waters of family law. It is Ann’s commitment to providing compassionate and assured legal guidance that has resulted in favorable resolutions that prioritize the unique needs of each individual involved. True to her passion as a collaborative lawyer, Ann has become well-known for her effectiveness at mediating conflicts outside of the courtroom. She is especially skilled at finding amicable solutions that prioritize the well-being of children, and the financial future of all involved. Ann’s skill set is invaluable in her practice and for her clients, where the emotional stakes are high and the impact of the resolutions in such matters extend far into the future. The dedication to a proactive approach demonstrated by Ann exemplifies the profound difference that a deeply committed lawyer can make in the lives of those they serve. Join us in celebrating Ann Bauer and all she has done for her clients and our community!
