Top Rated Family Law Attorney in Clayton, MO

Honors/Awards:

• Top One Percent, The National Association of Distinguished Counsel, 2015, 2016, 2017, Top One Percent, The National Association of Distinguished Counsel, 2017
• Attorney & Practice Magazine - Top 10 Family Law Attorneys in Missouri, 2017 - Present, 2017
• National Academy of Family Law Attorneys - Top 10 Family Law Attorney in the State of Missouri, 2016 - Present, 2016
• American Institute of Family Law Attorneys - 10 Best Family Law Attorney in Missouri for Client Satisfaction, 2016, 2016
• The National Advocates - Top 100 Lawyers, Matrimonial and Family Law, 2015, Top 100 Lawyers, Matrimonial and Family Law, The National Advocates, 2015
• AVVO Superb 10.0/10.0 Rating, 2014 - present, 2014
• Lead Counsel Rated for Divorce/Family Law - 2014 - Present, Lead Counsel Rated for Divorce and Family Law, Lead Counsel, 2014
• Mr. Kershman coached a team of law students from Washington University Law School from 2007 - 2011, and 2013-2015.  As coach, the team had captured three consecutive national championships at the 24th, 25th, and 26th Annual William E. McGee National Civil Rights Moot Court Competition held annually at the University of Minnesota School of Law, in Minneapolis, MN., Coach - National Champions, William E. McGee National Civil Rights Moot Court Competition, 2009

Special Licenses/Certifications:

• Collaborative Family Law - member of IACP (International Association of Collaborative Professionals) & Missouri Collaborative Institute, 2018
• Civil and Family Law Mediator since 2015., 2018

Bar/Professional Activity:

• Member of the Bar Association of Metropolitan St. Louis, 2017
• President of the Missouri Collaborative Institute., 2017
• Member of the St. Charles County Bar Association, 2017
• Formed the Missouri Collaborative Institute - an IACP practice group for Collaborative professionals, member of the Board of Directors and President., 2017
• Member of the International Academy of Collaborative Professionals, 2017
• Member of the St. Louis Collaborative Family Law Association 2015, 2016, through July 2017. Member of the Board of Directors,, 2017

Pro bono/Community Service:

• Co-Chair of Parting Clouds, Inc. (a non-profit charitable organization) since its formation in 2018, 2019

Scholarly Lectures/Writings:

• John will present "Top Challenges in Family Law" for the National Business Institute on 6/12/19., Speaker, Top Challenges in Family Law, National Business Institute, 2019
• Spring Semester 2019. Introduction to Education Law., Instructor, Adjunct Professor of Law at Washington University in St. Louis, Washington University in St. Louis, School of Law, 2019
• Tax in Divorce: New Rules Under the TCJA - myLawCLE (02/19/19), Speaker, Tax in Divorce: New Rules Under the TCJA, myLawCLE, 2019
• Tax in Divorce: New Rules Under the TCJA - Federal Bar Association (01/15/19), Speaker, Tax in Divorce: New Rules Under the TCJA, Federal Bar Association, 2019

• Preventing Fraudulent Transfer and Concealment of Assets in Divorce
  Receivership, Sequestration, and Other Extraordinary Remedies in Enforcing Dissolution, Spousal and Child Support

  This CLE webinar examines the tools available to family law attorneys facing concealment or fraudulent transfer of marital assets during divorce litigation. The panel will arm practitioners with practical guidance for using some often-overlooked, but highly effective, remedies to preserve assets and property for the fulfillment of dissolution and support payment obligations.

  , Speaker, Fraudulent Transfers and Concealment of Assets in Divorce, Strafford Publications, Legal, 2018
• Strafford Publications Webinar CLE, Speaker, The Collaborative Divorce Process, 2018
• Trial and Advocacy Faculty (since 2007) - Washington University School of Law Adjunct Professor of Law, LLM Program - Washington University School of Law, Adjunct Professor of Law, Adjunct Professor at Washington University School of Law, Washington University School of Law, 2018
• Divorce Attorney's Guide to Tax Forms: Step-by-Step:  A Practical Guide to Deciphering Complex Tax FormsBusiness and individual tax returns are a treasure trove of information on income and assets - if you know what to look for and where to find it. In this program, our savvy faculty will teach you how to detangle complex tax forms so you can get an accurate view of a divorcing couples' assets, liabilities and tax benefits., Presenter, DIVORCE ATTORNEY’S GUIDE TO TAX FORMS: STEP-BY-STEP, WestLegalEdCenter, 2017
• Continuing legal education presentation on Smart Phone and Social Media Evidence in Divorce Litigation, Presenter, Smart Phone and Social Media Evidence in Divorce Litigation, 2017
• Advanced Custody and Support Issues: guidance through effective ways to negotiate and draft creative parenting plans for dynamic situations; explore complex support calculation issues., Speaker, Advanced Custody and Support Issues, 2017
• Managing the Discovery Process: A Paralegal's Guide. Subject surrounds the role of paralegals in the discovery process., Speaker, Managing the Discovery Process, Institute for Paralegal Education, 2017
• Discovering Hidden Assets in DivorceTax returns and other financial records offer a treasure trove of information to those who know what they're looking for. If you suspect a client's spouse is squirreling away assets or income, then this program is for you! Get the information you need to ask the experts the right questions - and discover how to do some of your own investigating when hiring a professional doesn't make financial sense. Read line-by-line through tax returns, analyze checking and savings account statements, spot suspicious activity in business documents., Presenter, Discovering Hidden Assets in Divorce, WestEdLegal Center with National Business Institute, 2017
• Adjunct Professor of Law, Washington University Law: LLM Program - Introduction to U.S. Law and Methods 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, and 2018., Adjunct Professor of Law, Introduction to US Law & Methods, 2018
• CLE Video Webcast, Co-host, Divorce Law From Start to Finish , National Business Institute , 2016
• John D. Kershman will be touching on: Calculating Child and Spousal Support, Valuing and Dividing Marital Property, Discover in Family Law: Tax Returns, Electronic Evidence, and more, and How to Authenticate and Admit Electronic Evidence, Co-host, Family Law 101, National Business Institute , 2016
• Adjunct Coach - National Appellate Advocacy Moot Court Team: 2007 - 2011, 2013-2015, Adjunct Coach, Adjunct Coach at Washington University School of Law, Washington University School of Law, 2015
• NBI National Webcast: E-Discovery in Divorce, National Business Institute (April 28, 2015)
• Telephone Seminar: Adoptions and Name Changes, Missouri Bar (April 15, 2015)
• NBI National Webcast: Family Law Boot Camp, National Business Institute (12/9/15-12/10/15)
• CLE: "My Ex Did What?!?": When Family, Tax and Criminal Law Intersect, Bar Association of Metropolitan St. Louis (10/27/15)
• NBI National Teleconference: Gray Divorce, National Business Institute (May 4, 2016)

Verdicts/Settlements:

•   J.D.W., et al. v. V.B., 465 S.W.3d 82 (Mo.App.E.D. 2015) (trial court’s determination of joint physical custody of child was supported by substantial evidence)  , 2015

Other Outstanding Achievements:

• Adjunct Professor Washington University, Fall 2019, Introduction to Education Law, 2019
• Coach of Washington University School of Law's McGee Civil Rights National Appellate Advocacy Moot Court Team - 2011, 2010 and 2009 National Champions., 2011

• Adjunct Professor of Law Washington University in St. Louis Law School

  , 2018
• Assistant Coach of Washington University School of Law's National Appellate Advocacy Moot Court Team, ABA Regional Champions, 2008
• Coach of Washington University School of Law's Evan A. Evans Constitutional Law Moot Court Competition Team 2015: 3rd place overall and Best Petitioner Brief.

Educational Background:

• St. John's University - New York City - B.S.: Economics/Political Science, 1990
• Webster University - St. Louis, Missouri: MA Busines, 2004