Claire Forkner is a partner at Lee & Rivers LLP where she exclusively practices family law. She graduated with honors from The Johns Hopkins University and from Boston University School of Law, where she served as a director for the J. Newton Esdaile Moot Court Program. Claire has been recognized as a Massachusetts “Rising Star” since 2013 and has been selected to the Best Lawyers in America in Family Law since 2024. She has also been recently listed as a Top Lawyer by Boston Magazine and maintains a “superb” rating from AVVO.
Claire’s practice focuses on litigating and negotiating complex divorce and related family law matters as well as drafting and negotiating prenuptial agreements. She has substantial experience representing clients with complex financial holdings both in a litigated setting and in a negotiated setting. She has also represented clients in the Massachusetts Appellate Court.
Claire is affiliated with multiple family law organizations, including the Massachusetts Family and Probate American Inn of Court where she sits on the Board of Directors and serves as co-chair of the Law Student Mentoring Committee. She has co-chaired, spoken and moderated many continuing legal education programs on topics including Estate, Gift & Income Tax Issues for Family Lawyers, Family Law Appeals, Alimony and Child Support, Business Valuations, and Transactional Lawyering. She recently spoke at the annual conference of the Massachusetts Forum of Estate Planning Attorneys on the topic of drafting and negotiating prenuptial agreements.
Claire currently sits on the Board of Directors for the Epiphany School in Dorchester, Massachusetts and Hill House in Boston, Massachusetts.
Claire frequently serves as a volunteer judge for the Boston University School of Law moot court programs and as “Lawyer for the Day” in the Probate & Family Courts. She has been appointed by the Probate & Family Courts as an Attorney Representing Children and a Discovery Master.
Claire has co-authored a chapter with David H. Lee entitled Tax Considerations for the Massachusetts Divorce Law Practice Manuel which includes consideration of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act and its impact on family law.
