Our Mediators

EMILY MCFARLING, ESQ.

Managing Partner

Emily opened a solo law practice in Las Vegas in 2003 with the primary focus of family law. Since that time Emily has worked diligently to establish a reputation as a knowledgeable and aggressive attorney, gaining the respect of both her peers and Judges. Emily has grown her practice over the years and in 2010 gained the credential of Certified Family Law Specialist by the State Bar of Nevada. This is the top Family Law credential an attorney can obtain in Nevada. 

While her practice is primarily focused on representing clients in the Nevada Supreme Court, Nevada Court of Appeals, and Clark County District Court Family Division, Emily is also licensed to practice in the United States Supreme Court, 9th Circuit Court of Appeals, United States District Court – District of Nevada, as well as all state courts in Arizona and California and she represents clients in those courts in cases related to her primary practice.

Emily is a fellow of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers and President of the Nevada Chapter. She is a fellow of the International Academy of Family Lawyers and an AV Preeminent Rated Attorney by Martindale Hubbell. Emily is a member of the Hague Convention Attorney Network for the U.S. Department of State Bureau of Consular Affairs / U.S. Central Authority for the Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction. Emily has been appointed by the Nevada Supreme Court to serve on the Commission on Nevada Rules of Appellate Procedure. Emily is also a certified parenting coordinator, arbitrator, and mediator.

As an attorney, Emily is particularly knowledgeable in handling complex property division and financial issues, international child custody issues, parental kidnapping, and high conflict child custody cases, although her primary focus is representing clients in family law appeals.

Prior to becoming an attorney, Emily worked for three years at the Tobacco Control Resource Center and Tobacco Products Liability Project in Boston, Massachusetts doing research projects on legal issues relating to tobacco. Emily has worked for the New Hampshire Department of Justice Consumer Protection Division and three law firms in Massachusetts in the areas of family law, tobacco litigation, real estate, business transactions and estate planning. 

Emily writes children’s books for children going through family law issues and operates a small publishing company. In her free time, she is a country and jazz singer. She is mom to two teen boys and four dogs.

Holly Fic

Attorney

Holly Fic was born and raised in New Jersey and came out west to attend UNLV just in time to celebrate the Rebels basketball national championship win in 1990. She loved UNLV and Las Vegas and was happy to be able to stay and attend the Charter Class at the UNLV Boyd School of Law where she graduated in the top third of her class. During her last year in law school, Holly was admitted as a student attorney to assist with and appear in Family Court for Children’s Attorney Project Cases for which she developed a love for assisting families in family law matters. Holly participated in the Child Welfare Clinic as a student, has presented to the Family Court Community Legal Education classes, represented children in the Children’s Attorney Project Cases and has participated in the Clark County Family Court “Ask-A-Lawyer” program. Over the years, Holly has taken many Family Law pro bono cases, most especially with respect to guardianship and family law cases. Holly works in conjunction with Legal Aid to represent many Protected Persons to have a voice in their guardianship proceedings and has helped many guardians along the way. Further, Holly has served as a Pro Tem Hearing Master, for minor guardianships and mental court, as well as for Family Court Discovery and Domestic Violence. Holly obtained her Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, in 1997, her Juris Doctor from UNLV School of Law in 2001, and she has been a member of the State Bar of Nevada since 2001 and licensed to practice law in Nevada and the U.S. District Court of Nevada. She has been a member of the Family Law Section from 2008; member of the Clark County Bar Association from 2002; Member of the Associated General Contractors from 2003-2004; Member of the Women’s Chamber of Commerce from 2003-2004; member of the American Bar Association from 2002-2004; and member of the Young Lawyer’s Section in 2001. With over 20 years as a practicing litigator, Holly is a committed and caring attorney and has just joined the McFarling Law Group where she will continue to grow and assist others in need. During her spare time, Holly, who is an animal lover and has many animals of her own, advocates for and volunteers at the Henderson Animal Shelter where adoption is the best option!

Lesley Cohen

Attorney

Lesley Cohen was raised in Southern Nevada, and graduated from the University of Nevada, Reno, and DePaul University College of Law in Chicago, Illinois. Ms. Cohen is licensed to practice in both Nevada and Utah, and she has practiced law in Southern Nevada for more than twenty years. During that time, Ms. Cohen has worked almost exclusively in the family law field as she enjoys assisting families to navigate what can often be a stressful time for them.

Ms. Cohen is also a National Conference of Commissioners on Uniform State Law Uniform Law Commissioner who has participated in drafting law that has been utilized by states throughout the country, including the Uniform Parentage Act. In Southern Nevada, Ms. Cohen received the Clark County Bar Association Circle of Support Award in recognition of her work on the Continuing Legal Education Committee, which educates attorneys on the latest trends in the law so that they can best represent their own clients. Every year, Ms. Cohen volunteers with the Legal Aid Center of Southern Nevada to ensure that all people have access to legal advice and representation, regardless of income.

Ms. Cohen is a member of the Nevada State Assembly, serving in the Nevada Legislature’s 2013, 2017, 2019, and 2021 sessions. For her work as a member of the Legislature, Ms. Cohen received the National Federation of the Blind Nevada Chapter Outstanding Legislator Award, Hillel of Northern Nevada Landon Rosen Memorial Award, and the Henderson Democratic Club Richard Bryan Award for Outstanding Community Service.

When she is not working, Ms. Cohen is active in pet rescue, volunteering with both retired racing greyhounds and cats. She also volunteers as a guide with Achilles Track Group for the blind, guiding blind and visually impaired walkers for their weekly training.

Samantha Birsen

Attorney

Samantha was born and raised in upstate New York. She attended Syracuse University where she obtained her bachelor’s degree in hospitality management. Immediately upon graduating, Samantha relocated to Las Vegas in hopes of both escaping the snow forever and launching a career in food and beverage management. Samantha worked at the Bellagio, MGM Grand, and Aria before she decided to go to law school to pursue a career as an attorney.

Samantha attended Chapman University Dale E. Fowler School of Law where she was active with both the Women’s Lawyer’s Association and the Constitutional Law Society. Samantha also completed multiple internships through law school, gaining experience in a variety of different areas of law such as criminal law, homeowner law, personal injury, and business law. After she graduated and received her license to practice law in Nevada, Samantha worked in private practice primarily dealing with civil law and family law cases.

Beyond her professional endeavors, Samantha enjoys being outside in the Las Vegas heat. She loves going to the lake to ride sea-doos, kayaking, hiking, and attending music festivals. Samantha also enjoys traveling, bargain shopping, and brunch.