Welcome Kristen Sparks as TCFL Partner

July 1, 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. 

December 3, 2025
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!
November 7, 2025
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.
September 1, 2025
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 .