Jonathan James

Constructive Solutions for Complex Family Law Matters

I represent business owners, professionals, and parents who want to resolve complex family law matters in the least destructive manner possible. While managing all aspects of family law, I have a strong focus on cases involving complicated property and challenging real estate investments, contested custody disputes and modifications, and pre-marital and post-marital agreements. Whether in the courtroom or through out-of-court settlement, my goal is to protect children from the conflict of divorce and preserve financial assets for the future.

Here’s how:

• Customize a plan for each client that considers the unique and dynamic factors of their situation, whether that be a contested custody case, a complex property or real estate division, or pre-marital agreement.
• Serve clients with an unmatched work ethic, integrity, and thorough preparation to achieve the best possible outcome.
• Use Collaborative Divorce, mediation, negotiation, or litigation, depending on the approach that best meets clients’ needs.
• Synthesize and explain complex legal issues to empower clients to make informed decisions throughout their case.
• Educate and prepare clients for each step of the process, so they feel more in control and secure about their future.

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Professional Credentials

Jonathan is a highly skilled litigator and negotiator in high-conflict legal situations who consistently receives praise from clients for his integrity, professionalism, and responsiveness. He has extensive experience handling cases related to Collaborative Divorce, negotiated, and litigated divorce, complex property, and real estate division, contested custody, mental health and addiction issues, and pre- and post-marital agreements.

Jonathan is trained in Collaborative Divorce and is Board Certified by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization in family law. He has been named D Magazine’s Best Lawyers Under 40 in 2023, 2025 and 2026, a Best Lawyers in America © by Best Lawyers in 2020, 2021, and 2023 – 2026, and a Super Lawyers Rising Star From 2019 – 2022 & 2025.

Jonathan invests his time doing pro bono work for victims of domestic violence in partnership with Genesis Women’s Shelter & Support and Emily’s Place. He is a member of the Annette Stewart American Inn of Court and the Dallas Bar Association Family Law Section. Jonathan also frequently writes on family law topics for the Texas Bar Journal, the Dallas Bar Association Headnotes, and the State Bar of Texas Family Law Section.

Jonathan James is a Dallas divorce lawyer working out of our Dallas and Plano office locations.

Interests

Born and raised in Plano, Texas, Jonathan attended Canyon Creek Christian Academy. After completing his undergraduate degree at Baylor University, he attended Texas Wesleyan School of Law (now Texas A&M School of Law) in Fort Worth.

Jonathan and his wife Emily are high school sweethearts and have two sons and a daughter. When not consuming content from numerous podcasts, articles, and the news, Jonathan is an active member of his church and enjoys participating in community service projects and trivia nights, playing golf, and playing bass guitar on the worship team.