Lawrence S. Katz is a Fellow in The International Academy of Family Lawyers (IAFL)[1]. He focuses his practice on family law, complex jurisdictional issues, interstate and international cross border family law as well as child abduction. He has practiced law for five decades. In 2010, the U.S. Chapter of the IAFL established the Bill Hilton Memorial Award for Exceptional Contributions to International Family Law. A Fellow cannot apply, and it is not an annual award. The first time it was given was in June 2014 and Mr. Katz was a recipient. This is the highest and only such award given by the U.S. Chapter of the IAFL. He has been counsel of record, mentored or consulted in about 400 Hague Convention and child abduction cases. Mr. Katz was the first and in the majority of cases, the only U.S. attorney to recover children from: Turkey, (non-Hague) Iran, Saudi Arabia and Japan (using “Special Family Circumstances”) as well as to return children to Haiti, Jamaica, the Bahamas, Russia and Trinidad. Mr. Katz also conducted the first mediation in a Hague case in a pilot program for NCMEC and the U.S. Dept. of State in November 2005. He continues to mediate only child abduction cases. Mr. Katz has lectured and published on international relocation for the ABA, a portion of the article was quoted by the Georgia S. Ct. in Sahibzada v. Sahibzada, 2014 Ga. LEXIS 219 (S.Ct. Ga. 2014). He has successfully represented clients in international relocation cases and responsible for drafting the relevant portions of the agreement and final decrees with respect to relocation, jurisdiction, homologation and enforcement. He has litigated international relocation cases: Argentina, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, France, Germany, Israel, United Kingdom, Portugal, Spain and Switzerland. In 2012 he testified as an expert and prepared provisions of the final judgment (7 pages) permitting a mother to relocate to Argentina with her two minor children. In 2013, he was co-counsel in relocation from the U.K. to Florida. He has often drafted proposed language and given written opinions that has been utilized by foreign courts for custody, residency, relocation and Hague orders. Mr. Katz has testified on numerous occasions as an expert witness in international matters especially concerning The Hague Abduction Convention, relocation, abduction factors/profiles, preventive measures, drafting and enforcement of court orders. In July 2013-present, his testimony resulted in orders that prevented travel of children to Argentina, Brazil, Peru, Japan and Russia. Likewise, he has testified that has permitted cross border travel of children. The last case in 2023 permitted the child to travel to Chile. He has been requested by various courts to draft provisions of orders or decrees. In addition, he is retained as counsel, consultant, co-counsel or an expert for: complex jurisdictional cases; drafting provisions of agreements, court orders, judgments; international abduction cases, preventive measures, travel, and international or interstate relocations. [1]“The IAFL is a worldwide association of practicing lawyers who are recognized by their peers as the most experienced and expert family law specialists in their respective countries” www.IAFL.com

Ms. Kawos is a seasoned attorney specializing exclusively in Family Law and Domestic Relations. Originating from Afghanistan, she has been a respected Californian resident for over two decades. Ms. Kawos earned her Doctorate in Jurisprudence with a notable emphasis on Family Law and Intellectual Property Law from Golden Gate University, School of Law. Complementing her extensive legal education, she holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice with a Minor in Communications from San Francisco State University. Ms. Kawos brings a wealth of experience to her practice, including her tenure at Uber Technologies, Inc. In her role, she performed employment and HR legal compliance for Uber Technologies, Inc., where she managed Uber’s legal employment and business contracts and policies globally. Ms. Kawos collaborated and worked directly with Uber’s in-house counsels, directors, and various management heads across multiple departments, including but not limited to Engineering, Facilities, Security, Privacy, Trust and Safety, Compliance, FinOps, HR, and Operations, ensuring company and corporate compliance, global alignment, and the seamless execution of various systems and programs. In addition to her legal practice, Ms. Kawos has made significant contributions to the legal community. She previously served as Chair of the New Lawyers Section of the California Lawyers Association and later as an Advisor to the Section. She has also served on the Board of the Contra Costa County Family Law Section and as the California Young Lawyers Association Liaison to the California Lawyers Association’s Family Law Section. These roles reflect her strong commitment to mentorship, leadership, and the advancement of the legal profession. Before entering the legal field, Ms. Kawos contributed significantly to the legal community. She worked at the Family Law Facilitator’s Office in San Francisco County, aiding over 400 self-represented litigants. Additionally, she served as a judicial extern for Family Law and dependency matters. Ms. Kawos also dedicated her efforts to the San Francisco Sheriff’s Department, providing essential legal assistance to inmates incarcerated in San Francisco jails.

She practices exclusively in the area of family law, with special emphasis on child custody matters for married and unwed individuals, preparation of premarital agreements, highly contested matrimonial cases involving multimillion-dollar assets, domestic violence matters and same sex partner disputes. A skilled trial attorney, Ms. Keephart also embraces mediation as an alternative dispute resolution method. She serves as a Mediator in the Superior Court of New Jersey and privately. Ms. Keephart is licensed to practice law in New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Colorado. She is a member of the American, New Jersey, Mercer County, Princeton and Pennsylvania Bar Associations. Ms. Keephart received her Bachelor of Arts degree from Trenton State College, her Master’s degree from Rider University, and her Juris Doctor degree from Seton Hall University School of Law.

For assistance with navigating complex family law matters, turn to Cory Keith, the Founder and Managing Attorney at Desert Legal Group, one of Arizona’s quickest growing family law firms. While acting in his capacity as the Managing Attorney, Cory also holds a limited number of cases further sharpening his trial expertise including handling complex custody disputes, high-net-worth cases, and high-profile legal matters. He is an active member of the family law legal community with a legal portfolio featuring successful representation of athletes, public figures, and high net worth individuals. Cory’s legal practice encompasses a wide spectrum of family and juvenile law matters, including DCS (Department of Child Safety) cases, dependency proceedings, termination of parental rights, adoption, divorce and legal separation, prenuptial and post-nuptial agreements, child support, parenting time, legal decision-making, spousal maintenance, enforcement or modification of existing orders, relocation issues, orders of protection, injunctions against harassment, and third party/grandparent rights. Cory began his studies at Arizona State University, earning his bachelor’s in criminal justice and criminology. After graduating cum laude, he received a full ride academic scholarship to attend law school. While being fully submersed in his studies, Cory also served as a legal clerk at multiple law firms. Cory is actively involved in the legal community, participating in several non-profit organizations including volunteering with the Arizona Stealing Hearts Rescue–a large breed dog rescue.

Ms. Kelso specializes in criminal, juvenile, and family law. A native Oklahoman, Kelli grew up in Midwest City, graduated with a bachelor’s degree from Oklahoma State University, and received her Juris Doctorate from the University of Tulsa. She focuses on easing the stress of her clients by providing an informed and well-planned defense on their behalf.