Diana Sladen

PRO

Diana Sladen

also known as Diana (Cortes) Sladen

5.0
118 reviews
This is an aggregated review score of Avvo and Lawyers.com reviews.
Rating: 10.0

Licensed for 14 years

Divorce and separation Lawyer at Worcester, MA
Practice Areas: Divorce & Separation, Family, Child Custody ... +3 more

146 Main Street, Suite 201, Worcester, MA

Virtual Consultation Available

Free Consultation

About Diana

Biography

2025 Avvo Client's Choice Attorney. The experience that you need. The quality that your family deserves. Call now.

Practice Areas

6

Practice Areas

Divorce and Separation 40%

40%
Child Custody 20%

20%
Family 20%

Uncontested Divorce, Contested Divorce, Child Support, Child Custody, Adoption, Modifications, GALs, Father's Rights, Domestic Violence, Contempts, Pre-nuptial Agreements

15 years

20%
Child Support 10%

10%
Guardianship 5%

5%
Juvenile Law 5%

5%

Fees and Rates

Cost

Free Consultation

$0 first 30 minutes

Hourly Rates

$ 250-350 per hour


Payment Methods

  • Cash
  • Check
  • Credit Card

Licenses

Licensed in Connecticut for 13 years

State: Connecticut

Acquired: 2012

Active

No misconduct found

Licensed in Massachusetts for 14 years

State: Massachusetts

Acquired: 2011

Active

No misconduct found

Licensed in Rhode Island for 14 years

State: Rhode Island

Acquired: 2011

Suspended For Non-Payment of Bar Dues

No misconduct found

Location

The Law Office of Diana M. Sladen

146 Main Street, Suite 201, Worcester, MA, 01608

dmsfamlaw.com/

Diana Sladen's Reviews

Showing 1 - 3 of 3 reviews | Child Abuse

Posted by anonymous | January 05, 2022 | Hired Attorney | Child Abuse

Great representation

Diana is professional, compassionate, and understanding. I recommend her for representation for anyone who maybe unfairly investigated by DCF. She will protect you and she knows your rights. She will be there with you if they schedule a home visit. She will fight for your rights and your family

Posted by anonymous | February 07, 2021 | Hired Attorney | Child Abuse

Highly competent and compassionate attorney

We consulted a number of attorneys with a view to hiring, to represent us for a case involving DCF (supported 51A). We hired Diana because she was the only one who really listened to what we had to say. We found that other attorneys liked to listen to their own voices. One even wanted to hire a speci...alist child psychologist, which we thought was totally unnecessary for our situation. We met Diana at her office (pre-pandemic) for the initial consultation. We spent over an hour explaining and discussing our situation. After our unsatisfactory meetings with other attorneys, Diana was like a breath of fresh air. We decided to hire Diana that day. She prepared the fair hearing papers the next day. All the requests for documents to other parties were sent out over the next day or two. Everything was efficiently handled. Diana was easily reachable when we needed advice (most of the time we used emails). During the hearing, Diana’s cross examination of the DCF worker was efficient and effective. The DCF worker had to admit that she had no evidence for her finding, it was only her opinion. We won the case, the DCF decision was overturned. Overall, we are very pleased with Diana (and Sladen Law) and highly recommend her.

Posted by Ben | January 10, 2020 | Hired Attorney | Child Abuse

Why Sladen Family Law? Top 10 reasons

Sladen Family Law consists (at this time) of Diana Sladen and Allison her paralegal. The office is inviting and well-run by 2 awesome women who make a GREAT team. You will be welcomed with a big smile (a nice office décor) and they strive to make you feel comfortable, without passing any judgment no ...matter what your issue(s) or circumstance may be. My family have been involved with Sladen Family law for almost 10 months as a result of a substantiated 51A filed by a teacher. Diana fearlessly fought for our family from attending home visits, to holding DCF accountable to their own policies (DCF violated many of their own regulations). She did an outstanding and thorough job preparing for our Fair hearing and was brilliant during the fair hearing meeting by calling DCF staff out on their lack of professionalism and disregard for their own policies. DCF reversed their decision and we WON. We have had 2 lawyers prior to finding Diana (one had a judicial nomination within a couple months, the other was lazy and not responsive and we fired him). We can without a doubt confirm that Diana is by far better than both. We were also able to compare her work with opposing counsel from the school that our children attend. The opposing counsel for the school district (who came from a much bigger firm in Worcester) was ill-prepared, disorganized, unresponsive to our requests and clearly used tactics to try and squeeze as much $ from the town/school. Therefore, these are the 10 reasons why Sladen Family Law will not disappoint you: Knowledgeable and sound judgment: Diana knows the law and how to apply it. She is meticulous and always looks at the big picture when advising her clients or before making the next move. Reasonable pricing/plans: Diana is understanding of her clients’ financial need and has different payment plans. Honest: she once advised us to not proceed with a meeting we requested with DCF as we “would be wasting our $ having her there” Prompt responses: Diana acknowledges emails and phone calls within 24 hours or less-so does Allison. Caring and kind: Both Allison and Diana have supported our family during this difficult time and showed great compassion. They answered our many questions, emails, calls and reassured us every time. Result-driven: Diana focuses on the grand prize, in our case, winning the Fair hearing, and we DID Direct/gives you an answer: you will know where things stand with her, you will not be left confused Excellent listener: displays empathy and is able to absorb a lot in at once Fights for you and never gives up: Diana always called DCF out on their lack of follow-thru or lack of response and/or fabricated stories to tear families apart, she got them to close our case sooner and got them to produce case dictations and other documents that we were entitled to. Efficient, Great Oral and Written communicator: Diana challenged the DCF investigator during the fair hearing on a number of things she did (or did not do) the day she showed up at our home. Diana produced an outstanding memorandum to the hearing office pointing out all the areas where DCF failed our family by not following their own protocol, their inconsistent 51B report and showing prejudice the moment they arrived at our home Passionate about her work: Diana loves what she does and is great at it If you are still debating about going with Sladen Family Law, then make an appointment for a free consultation and get to meet Diana and Allison, you will NOT be disappointed!

See All Client Reviews

Diana Sladen's Lawyer Endorsements

Endorse Diana
Mary Beth Ayvazian headshot
Mary Beth Ayvazian

Family lawyer | Aug 13

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I have known Attorney Sladen professionally for 6 years. Not only is she is highly skilled as a seasoned practitioner, she is a fierce advocate for her clients. I highly recommend and fully endorse her."

Irena Wallach Inman headshot
Irena Inman

Divorce and separation lawyer | Apr 18

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Attorney Sladen generously gives her time to her client's and puts true passion into each case. She really treats every case as though it is her own family."

Dahlia Habashy Bonzagni headshot
Dahlia Habashy Bonzagni

Family lawyer | Apr 17

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I have known Diana personally and professionally for many years. She is extremely knowledgeable in the field of family law, professional and a fierce advocate for every client. Anyone would be lucky to have Diana as an attorney, I cannot endorse her enough!"

P. Tyler Summers headshot
P. Tyler Summers

Child support lawyer | Apr 17

Relationship: Opposing Counsel on matter

"Diana was opposing counsel on a hotly contested post-divorce modification. Despite the challenges of the case, Diana was always professional, cordial, and a zealous advocate for her client. I endorse Diana wholeheartedly."

Kathryn E.S. Grogan headshot
Kathryn Grogan

Divorce and separation lawyer | Aug 23

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Attorney Sladen is a fantastic advocate for her clients. She puts her clients first, from the start of the case to the settlement, and ensures that the client receives the best results possible. I highly recommend Attorney Sladen."

Elena Tsizer headshot
Elena Tsizer

Divorce and separation lawyer | May 07

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Diana's confident presence, her knowledge and passion for her profession make her one great attorney. I endorse this lawyer."

Laurel Anne Barraco headshot
Laurel Barraco

Family lawyer | Apr 17

Relationship: Worked together on matter

"Attorney Sladen brings a fresh perspective to any divorce or custody matter and is able to find the best solution for her clients in an expedient and cost effective manner. Her tenacity and attention to detail are beyond compare and lend to her high level of court room performance, as well as negotiating skills."

Patrick Michael Grogan headshot
Patrick Grogan

Family lawyer | Apr 17

Relationship: Co-worker

"Attorney Sladen makes herself available to aid both clients and fellow attorneys within the firm. Her willingness to help is compounded by her knowledge of Massachusetts, Rhode Island and Connecticut law."

David L. Callahan headshot
David Callahan

Alimony lawyer | Dec 13

Relationship: Worked together on matter

"When it comes to navigating the new alimony statute she is one of the "go to" attorneys in the state."

View All Endorsements
Makayla Caliri headshot
Makayla Caliri

Child custody lawyer

Irena Wallach Inman headshot
Irena Inman

Family lawyer

P. Tyler Summers headshot
P. Tyler Summers

Family lawyer

Patrick Michael Grogan headshot
Patrick Grogan

Family lawyer

Laurel Anne Barraco headshot
Laurel Barraco

Family lawyer

Caitlin M. Costigan headshot
Caitlin Costigan

Unknown lawyer

Mandy M. Hebert headshot
Mandy Hebert

Unknown lawyer

David L. Callahan headshot
David Callahan

Divorce and separation lawyer

Experience

Rating:  10.0 (Superb)

Honors

2025

2025 Rising Star, SuperLawyers

2025

Rising Star, Super Lawyers

2024

2024 Rising Star, SuperLawyers

2024

Rising Star, Super Lawyers

2023

2023 Rising Star, SuperLawyers

2023

Rising Star, Super Lawyers

2022

2022 Rising Star, SuperLawyers

2022

Rising Star, Super Lawyers

2019

Client's Choice, Avvo

2018

Client's Choice, Avvo

2017

Client's Choice, Avvo

Work Experience

2018 - Present

Owner, The Law Office of Diana M. Sladen

2016 - 2018

Attorney, Callahan, Barraco & Inman, P.C.

2015 - 2016

Attorney, Cordell & Cordell, P.C.

2011 - 2015

Senior Attorney, Pollack Law Group, P.C.

2010 - 2011

Law Clerk, Homonoff, Levine and Pulner

2009 - 2011

Associate Attorney, Miller & Caine LLP

Associations

2018 - Present

Worcester County Bar Association, Family Law Secti

Member

2011 - Present

Worcester County Bar Association

Member

2021 - 2025

Worcester County Bar Association Conciliation Program

Co-chair

2018 - 2024

Rhode Island Bar Association

Member

2011 - 2024

Rhode Island Family Court Bench Bar Committee

Member

Education

2010

Roger Williams University School of Law

JD - Juris Doctor

2008

Providence College

B.A.-Philosophy + B.A. - Political Science

Speaking Engagements

2021

Paralegal's Guide to Divorce and Pre-nuptial Agreements

Legal Ethics in Family Law

2021

Paralegal's Guide to Divorce and Pre-nuptial Agreements

Smart Phones and Social Media Discovery in Divorce

2017

Divorce Seminar

Divorce in Massachusetts

Languages

Portuguese

Spanish

English

Avvo Rating

Our Rating is calculated using information the lawyer has included on their profile in addition to the information we collect from state bar associations and other organizations that license legal professionals. Attorneys who claim their profiles and provide Avvo with more information tend to have a higher rating than those who do not.

What determines Avvo Rating?
  • Experience & background Years licensed, work experience, education
  • Legal community recognition Peer endorsements, associations, awards
  • Legal thought leadership Publications, speaking engagements
  • Discipline Disciplinary information may not be comprehensive, or updated. We recommend that you always check a lawyer's disciplinary status with their respective state bar association before hiring them.
Avvo Rating Levels
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