Cynthia Runge is the founder and sole member of Peridot Family Law LLC in Woburn and Boston, Massachusetts. With more than 30 years of legal experience, she helps individuals and families navigate divorce and other family transitions with confidence, clarity and dignity. Her practice is grounded in a holistic philosophy: resolving conflict thoughtfully, preserving relationships when possible, and empowering clients to make informed, forward-focused decisions.
Formally trained as a mediator in 2001, Cynthia has devoted more than two decades to advanced training in divorce law, marital mediation, and collaborative practice. She is a Fellow of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers (2024–present) and is widely respected for her skill in divorce and family law matters.
From 2007 through 2010, Cynthia served as Coordinator of Court and Divorce Mediation Services at a local community mediation program, where she oversaw mediation services and helped families resolve disputes outside the courtroom. She is a former Vice President of the Massachusetts Council on Family Mediation and a former Co-Chair of the Charles River Collaborative Law Practice Group.
Cynthia is a member of the Massachusetts Collaborative Law Council, the Massachusetts Bar Association (Family Law Section and former member of the Dispute Resolution Section), the Massachusetts Association of Trial Attorneys, and was a co-chair of the Greater Boston Family Law Professional Group.
Before dedicating her practice exclusively to family law, Cynthia developed significant experience in real estate and intellectual property law, representing artists, museums, and nonprofit organizations. Her experience as an intellectual property attorney at a local museum brings a nuanced understanding of complex assets, business interests, and creative property to her family law practice. This diverse background allows her to navigate sophisticated financial matters with confidence—whether they involve closely held businesses, professional practices, real estate portfolios, or intellectual property rights.
Cynthia earned her J.D. from Whittier Law School and her B.S. in Mass Communications/Public Relations from Boston University. She also holds a Certificate in Museum Studies from Tufts University and completed Boston University’s Pocket MBA for Lawyers program.
She is admitted to practice in Massachusetts and New York.
At Peridot Family Law, Cynthia works closely with each client to design a thoughtful strategy aligned with their goals and values. Whether through collaborative law, mediation, or litigation when necessary, she guides clients through transition with strength, perspective, and a clear path forward.
BAR ADMISSIONS
- Massachusetts
- New York
EDUCATION
- Boston University, Boston, MA. Pocket MBA for Lawyers, 2007
- Tufts University, Medford, MA. Certificate, Museum Studies, 2003
- Whittier Law School, Costa Mesa, CA. J.D., 1990
- Boston University, Boston, MA. BS, Mass Communications, Public Relations, 1987
TRAINING
- American Academy of Matrimonial Training, Fellow, 2024 – present
- Collaborative law training, 2011
- Marital mediation training, 2010
- Limited Assistance Representation Training, 2009
- Mediation Works, Inc. Divorce Mediation Training, 2008
- MCLE Family Law Mediation Training, 2006
- Mediation Works, Inc. Basic Mediation Training, 2001
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
- Peridot Family Law, Woburn & Boston, MA, 2020 – present
- Founder and Sole Member
- Law Office of Cynthia T. Runge, Boston, MA, 2001–2020
- Attorney & Mediator
- Healy, Fiske, Richmond & Matthew, Cambridge, MA, 2011–2012
- Of Counsel
- Community mediation program, Cambridge, MA, 2007–2010
- Coordinator of Court & Divorce Mediation
- Boston area museum, Boston, MA, 2002–2007
- Intellectual Property Attorney
LEADERSHIP & SERVICE
- Co-Chair, Women Owned Law, Boston Region
- Co-Chair, Greater Boston Family Law Professional Group
- Past Vice President of the Massachusetts Council for Family Mediation
- Past Co-Chair of the Charles River Collaborative Law Practice Group
AWARDS & HONORS
- Best Up and Coming Law Firm, 2025–26
- Superlawyers, 2019-2026
- 2026: Collaborative Law in Boston
- 2025: Top 50 Women, Top 50 Massachusetts Lawyers, Top 100 Massachusetts Super Lawyers
- Best Lawyers, 2020–2025
- Massachusetts Lawyer’s Weekly, “Go To Family Law Attorney”, 2025
- Boston Magazine Top Lawyer, 2024–2025
PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS
- American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers
- Massachusetts Collaborative Law Council
- Massachusetts Bar Association, Family Law Section
- Massachusetts Council on Family Mediation
- Massachusetts Association of Trial Attorneys
