Kristal Thomson

Guiding Families Through High-Stakes Divorces with Knowledge, Compassion, and Results

Kristal Thomson, a partner at Goranson Bain Ausley’s San Antonio office, is a top family law attorney with over 20 years of experience. She is recognized for her expertise in high-stakes divorce cases involving substantial estates and complex child custody matters. Board Certified in Family Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization, Kristal is known for her strength in both litigation and negotiated settlements, tailoring her approach to protect her clients’ interests and well-being.

Kristal’s commitment to the legal profession extends beyond client advocacy. She shares her knowledge as a writer, speaker, and mentor, contributing to the education and growth of the family law community in San Antonio and throughout Texas.

Her leadership roles include serving as President of the Texas Academy of Family Law Specialists, past Chair of the Family Law Section of the State Bar of Texas, and a Past President of the Texas Chapter of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers (AAML). She also helps shape family law policy as a board member and Legislative Committee Co-chair for the Texas Family Law Foundation.

In addition to her legal work, Kristal is dedicated to serving her community. She is a sustaining member of the Junior League of San Antonio, a member of the Rotary Club of San Antonio, and has served as President of the Leadership San Antonio Alumni Association.

Her professional accolades include being named “Lawyer of the Year” for Family Law in San Antonio by Best Lawyers in America (2021, 2023) and receiving the Brian Webb Legislative Award from the Texas Family Law Foundation. She has also earned repeated recognition as a “Super Lawyer” by Texas Monthly and holds an AV® Preeminent Rating from Martindale-Hubbell.

Kristal’s extensive family law experience, compassionate client-centered approach, and strategic focus enable her to guide clients through the challenging transitions of divorce with confidence and clarity, helping them protect what matters most and secure their futures.

Services

Honors & Awards

Best Lawyers in America© in the field of Family Law, Best Lawyers, 2020-2025
Best Lawyers in America© Family Law Lawyer of the Year in San Antonio, 2021 & 2023
Brian Webb Legislative Award, Texas Family Law Foundation, 2023
Super Lawyer, Family Law Texas Monthly Magazine, 2018-2024
Best Lawyer, Family Law, San Antonio Scene, 2006-2009, & 2011-2024
Leadership San Antonio, Steering Committee, Class 46, 2022
Leadership San Antonio, Class #300 (43), 2018
Standing Ovation Outstanding Volunteer Award, TexasBarCLE, 2018
50 Up-And-Coming Women Lawyers, Texas Monthly, 2017
40 Under 40, San Antonio Business Journal, 2017
Rising Star, Texas Monthly, 2006-2017
Top 30 Family Lawyers, San Antonio Scene, 2014
Belva Lockwood Outstanding Young Lawyer, Bexar County Women’s Bar Association, 2007
San Antonio Outstanding Young Lawyer, San Antonio Young Lawyers Association, 2006
Rising Star, San Antonio Scene, 2005-2006
AV® Preeminent Rating, Martindale-Hubbell

Publications & Speeches

Speaker: “Valuing Reimbursement Claims” | Marriage Dissolution (Galveston) 2025
Speaker: Caselaw Update, Judicial Education Conference, Georgetown, January 2025
Speaker: “Brief Focus Child Custody Evaluations” | Advanced Family Law (San Antonio) 2024
Speaker & Author: Jury Charge, Advanced Trial Skills for Family Lawyers, New Orleans, December 2024
Speaker and Author (with Hon. Ferguson, J. Bashara & Hon. Graves-Harrington): Relocation Issues, Innovations: Breaking Boundaries in Child Custody Litigation, Boerne, May 2024
Speaker: Becoming a Family Law Trial Lawyer, Fort Worth, March 2024
Speaker: Reimbursement: It’s Easy Again!, Family Law Essentials, Family Law Bar Association San Antonio, San Antonio, February 2024
Speaker: Show Me the Love ‐ Legislative Update, MABA San Antonio, Membership Meeting, San Antonio, February 2024
Speaker: “Reimbursement” | Handling Your First Divorce (Austin) 2023
Speaker: “Unusual Child Support Issues” | Advanced Family Law (San Antonio) 2023
Speaker: Legislative Update, Advanced Family Law Drafting, Ft. Worth, December 2023
Speaker: Legislative Update, Family Law Bar Association San Antonio, Membership Meeting, San Antonio, July 2023
Panelist (with J. Warne, W. Cole & G. Beane): Legislative Update, TexasBarCLE, Austin, June 2023
Speaker & Author: Characterization, Marriage Dissolution, Austin, April 2023
Presenter: Trial Institute Property Day, Texas Academy of Family Law Specialists, New Orleans, February 2023
Speaker: “Trial Technology” | Advanced Trial Skills (New Orleans) 2022
Speaker: “Reimbursement Deep Dive” | Advanced Family Law (San Antonio) 2022
Presented (with Hon. Ferguson): Child Support: Beyond Basics and Presumptions, 2022 Annual Judicial Education Conference, Dallas 2022
Speaker & Author: Child Support: Beyond the Basics, Summer School, Galveston, July 2022
Speaker: Child Support: Be Creative, HBA Family Law Section Membership Meeting, Houston, May 2022
Panelist & Co-Author (with C. Tisdale, C. Fritch, & S. Naylor): Marriage Dissolution, Fort Worth, April 2022
Speaker: Marital Property: Frequent & Emerging Issues, Family Justice Conference, Texas Center for the Judiciary, January 2022
Speaker & Author: Want to Get a Charge: How to Get the Most Out of the Texas Pattern Jury Charges, Advanced Family Law Drafting, San Antonio, December 2021
Panelist (with S. Pretorius, D. Morgan, B. Vertz, J. Jackson, S. Galamba, K. Rubin, J. Lounsberry, L. Datz, P. Wright & T. Tuft): Technology Built to Last, Webinar, American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, October 2021
Panelist & Author (with Judge Kaitcer & J. Nickelson): School Law, Marriage Dissolution, TexasBarCLE
Speaker & Author: Rights & Duties, Handling Your First or Next Divorce, TexasBarCLE, Webinar, 2021
Speaker: Legislative Update, Webinar, Family Law Bar San Antonio, 2021
Panelist (with M. O’Neil & M. Unger): New Discovery Rules, Webinar, Family Law Bar San Antonio, 2021
Speaker & Author: Third‐Party Standing, Annual Judicial Education Conference, Texas Center for the Judiciary, 2020
Panelist: (with C. Hopper, Judge Cox, & D. Jefferson): Tips, Traps and Tricks that Help “Win” Your Case Before Trial, Fiduciary Litigation, Converted to Webinar, 2020
Speaker & Author (with J. Bashara & J. Gould): Cross‐Examining the Trusted Psychologist, Advanced Trial Skill for Family Lawyers, Converted to Webinar, 2020
Speaker & Author (with Judge Marr): Pre‐School Issues, Advanced Family Law, Converted to Webinar, 2020
Panelist (with S. Galamba, C. Haston, B. Vertz & K. Raggio): Practice & Technology, American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers Webinar, May 2020
Moderator: (with S. Chiscano): SABA Townhall District Court Operating Plan Update, San Antonio Bar Association, July 2020
Panelist (with S. Chiscano & Judges Alvarado, Alvarez & Diaz): Civil District Courts Virtual Hearings – Most Common Mistakes to Avoid, San Antonio Bar Association, April 2020
Panelist (with Judges Miskel & Ferguson): Zoom Training for Lawyers, Webinar, Family Law Section, March 2020
Author & Speaker: Case Law Update, Family Justice Conference, Texas Center for the Judiciary, 2020
Author & Panelist (with L. Hirsch, H. Levy & C. Nickelson): Entities & Marital Property Law: Interrelated Claims and Issues, Savannah, Georgia, 2019
Speaker: Ten Family Law Questions Every In‐House Counsel Needs Answered, Association of Corporate Counsel Monthly Luncheon, San Antonio, 2019
Speaker (with C. Hodge), Fiduciary & Tracing Issues in Probate & Family Law, State Bar of Texas Annual Meeting, Austin, 2019
Panelist (with Judge Ferguson & R. Theis), When a Lie Isn’t a Lie: Dealing with False Testimony During Trial, Marriage Dissolution, Galveston, 2019 (Repeated as a TexasBarCLE Live Web Cast, August 2019)
Author & Speaker (with J. Monnig), Professionalism 201, Advanced Family Law, San Antonio, 2018
Author & Panelist (with H. Levey & D. Fejer): Difficult Valuations, Marriage Dissolution, Dallas, 2018
Author & Speaker: Case Law Update, Family Justice Conference, Texas Center for the Judiciary, 2018
Author & Panelist (with K. Hufstetler, K. Gilliland, and B. Jefferies): Addiction in Custody Battles, Innovations in Child Custody, New Orleans, 2018
Author & Speaker: Drafting Rights & Duties, Advanced Family Law Drafting, Fort Worth, 2017
Speaker: Technology for Lawyers Panel, American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers Annual Meeting, Chicago, 2017
Author & Speaker: Rethinking Rights & Duties, Advanced Family Law, San Antonio, 2017
Speaker: How to Love Networking Again, Bexar County Women’s Bar Association Retreat, Boerne, 2017
Author & Speaker: Child Support: Coloring Outside the Lines, Marriage Dissolution, Austin, 2017
Author & Speaker: Top 20 Cases in Family Law and How They Changed the Practice, Extreme Family Law Makeover, San Antonio Bar Association Family Law Section, San Antonio, 2017
Author & Speaker (with Judge Miskel, M. Unger & R. Robertson): Peeping Toms in the New Millennium: Digital Dos and Don’ts, New Frontiers in Marital Property, Louisville, Kentucky, 2016
Author & Speaker: The Top 20 Cases in Family Law and How They Changed the Practice, Advanced Family Law, San Antonio, 2016
Author & Speaker: What They Didn’t Teach You in Law School – How to Run a Solo or Small Law Firm, Marriage Dissolution 101, Galveston, 2016
Speaker (with L. McLaughlin): Where Probate & Family Law Collide, Docket Call, San Antonio, 2016
Speaker: Mobile Lawyering, American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers Annual Meeting, Chicago, 2015
Panelist: The Role of MHPs in Divorce, Kids First Parents Second Seminar, San Antonio, 2015
Author & Speaker: Legislative Update, San Antonio Family Lawyers Association, San Antonio, 2015
Author & Speaker: Ethical Traps for Family Lawyers, Annual Meeting, San Antonio, 2015
Speaker: Third Party Actions and Joinder, Marriage Dissolution, Dallas, 2015
Speaker: Mission Statements & Strategic Planning, LeaderBOARD, Junior League of San Antonio, 2015
Author & Speaker: Case Law Update, Extreme Family Makeover, San Antonio Bar Association Family Law Section, 2015
Attorney Participant: Texas Academy of Family Law Specialists Trial Institute, New Orleans, 2015
Author & Speaker: The Mobile Law Office, Family Law Technology 360, Austin, 2014
Speaker (with S. Bandoske): Spousal Maintenance & the Reconstituted Estate, San Antonio Bar Association Family Law Section CLE, 2014
Author & Speaker (with K. Raggio): The Pleasures & Pitfalls of Social Media, Advanced Family Law, San Antonio, 2014
Author & Speaker: Ethical Traps for Family Lawyers, Marriage Dissolution, Austin, 2014
Author & Speaker: Legislative Update, Extreme Family Law Makeover, San Antonio Bar Association Family Law Section, 2014
Witness Participant, Texas Academy of Family Law Specialists Trial Institute, Witness, New Orleans, 2014
Speaker: Child Support Enforcement, Family Law Essentials Pro Bono Seminar, San Marcos, 2013
Speaker: Office Management, Bexar County Women’s Bar Association Annual Retreat, Fredericksburg, 2013
Speaker: Legislative Update, San Antonio Bar Association Family Law Section, 2013
Author & Panelist (with J. Gould, L. Kamin, and C. Schmidt): Custody Evaluations and the New Law, Marriage Dissolution, Galveston, 2013
Speaker: Legislative Update, San Antonio Family Lawyer’s Association, Luncheon, San Antonio, 2013
Author & Speaker: Social Media & Your Custody Case, Advanced Family Law, Houston, 2012
Speaker: Family Law, Certification & Mentoring, SABA Mentor/Mentee Luncheon, San Antonio, 2012
Author & Speaker (with M. Unger): The Best Apps for Your Practice, Advanced Family Law Drafting, Dallas, 2011
Author & Speaker: Discovery Traps & How to Get Out of Them, Advanced Family Law, San Antonio, 2011
Author & Speaker: Electronic Discovery in the Age of Honza & Weekly, Marriage Dissolution, San Antonio, 2010
Author & Speaker: Narrowing the Issues, Ultimate Trial Notebook, San Antonio, 2009
Speaker: Jurisdiction, Family Law Essentials Pro Bono CLE, Eagle Pass, 2009
Author & Speaker: Interim Orders, Advanced Family Law Drafting, Austin, 2008
Speaker: Economic Contribution and Reimbursement, Texas Academy of Paralegal Specialists, San Antonio, 2008
Author & Speaker: Attorney’s Fees and Billing, State Bar College Summer School, Galveston, 2008
Panelist (with H. Mendez & J. Monnig): Jury in a Box, Marriage Dissolution, Galveston, 2008
Author (with H. Mendez): Ten Things You Should Know About a Jury Trial, Marriage Dissolution, 2008
Panelist: Current Trends and Problems in Family & Civil Litigation, San Antonio Bar Association, San Antonio, 2005
Author (with C. Wilson): Characterizing & Tracing: Follow the Yellow Brick Road, Advanced Family Law, 2004
Author (with C. Negem): Identifying, Characterizing and Valuing the Marital Estate, Legal Assistants University, 2003

Professional Associations

American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, 2014 – Present
- National Involvement:
  - Practice & Technology Committee, 2014-2024
    *Committee Co-Chair, 2023-2025
  - Web Site Committee, 2018-2022
    *Committee Co-Chair, 2022-2023
  - Speaker for Mid-Year Meeting, 2025
  - Membership Committee, 2020-2022
  - Speaker for Tech Webinar, 2021
  - Rebranding Committee, 2020
  - Speaker for Tech Webinar, 2020
  - Speaker for Annual Meeting, Chicago, 2017
  - Speaker for Annual Meeting, Chicago, 2015
  - Legislative Committee, 2014-2015
- Chapter Involvement:
  - Immediate Past President, Texas Chapter , 2023-2024
  - President, Texas Chapter, 2022‐2023
  - President-Elect, Texas Chapter, 2021-2022
  - Vice-President, Texas Chapter, 2020-2021
  - Secretary, Texas Chapter, 2019 – 2020
  - Treasurer, Texas Chapter, 2018 – 2019
  - Course Director, Innovations in Child Custody Law, (Chicago), 2022

American Bar Association, 2002 ‐ 2012
- Young Lawyer’s Division Conference Attendee, Miami, 2005
- Member of the Family Law Section, since 2002
Bexar County Women’s Bar Association, 2002 – Present
- Speaker, 2017 Retreat
- Vice-President, 2009
- Secretary, 2008
- Elected, Director, 2005-2007
- Auction Committee Advisor, Autumn Affair, 2010
- Financial Chair, Bench Brunch Goes Prime Time, 2009
- Financial Chair, Bench Brunch Goes Prime Time, 2008
- Printing Chair, Bench Brunch, 2007
- Bench Brunch Chair, 2006
- Auction Chair, Bench Brunch, 2005
- Auction Chair, Bench Brunch, 2004
- Auction Committee, Bench Brunch, 2003
Children’s Commission Standards of Representation Committee
Collaborative Professionals of San Antonio, 2013 – Present
College of the State Bar of Texas, 2003 – Present
St. Mary’s Law Alumni Association, 2002 – Present
- Director, 2005–2017
- Bylaws Committee, 2015-2016
- Distinguished Graduate Dinner, Committee, 2015 & 2016
- Distinguished Graduate Dinner, Table Sales Co-Chair, 2014
- Awards Committee, 2011-2015
- Finance Committee, 2010-2013
- Distinguished Young Alumni Committee, 2010
- Secretary, 2008-2009
- Treasurer, 2006-2008
San Antonio Bar Association, 2002 – Present
- Board of Directors, 2024-2027 & 2008-2010
- Law Day Chair, 2025
- SABA Gala Committee, 2017
- Bylaws Committee Chair, 2009
- Nominating Committee, 2007
- District Courts Committee, 2003-2012
- Installation Gala Committee, 2008 & 2005
- Unauthorized Practice of Law Committee, 2006-2007
- Ex-Officio Member of the Board of Directors, 2005-2006
- Courting Justice Committee, 2005
- Law Day Committee, 2005
- Member of Family Law Section, since 2002
San Antonio Bar Association, Community Justice Program
- Volunteer Mentor, 2007-2017
- CJP Committee, 2009-2011
- Volunteer Attorney, 5 Cases
San Antonio Bar Foundation Fellow, 2006 – Present
San Antonio Family Lawyers Association, 2010 – Present
- Past President, 2019-2020
- Elected, President, 2018‐2019
- Elected, Treasurer, 2010-2018
San Antonio Young Lawyers Association, 2002 – 2013
- Immediate Past President, 2006-2007
- Elected, President, 2005‐2006
- Elected, President-Elect, 2004-2005
- Appointed, Chair Counselors & Cocktails, 2004
- Appointed, Committee Member, First Annual Counselors & Cocktails, 2003
State Bar of Texas, Generally, 2002 – Present
- Annual Meeting Co-Chair, 2025
- Chair of Chairs, 2024-2025
- Annual Meeting Planning Committee, 2011
- Bar Leader Conference Attendee, 2005 Dallas
- Bar Leader Conference Attendee, 2004 The Woodlands
- Member, Women and the Law Section
- Member, Litigation Section
- Member, Technology Section
- Member, Family Law Section
State Bar of Texas, Family Law Council, 2009 – Present
- Immediate Past Chair, 2021-2022
- Elected, Chair, 2020‐2021
- Elected, Chair-Elect, 2019-2020
- Elected, Vice-Chair, 2018-2019
- Elected, Treasurer, 2017-2018
- Elected, Secretary, 2016-2017
- Re-Elected Board Member, Class of 2016 (2-year Term)
- Elected Board Member, Class of 2014 (5-year Term)
- CLE Committee, 2023-2024
- Web Site Chair, 2010-2024
- Legislative Committee, 2009-2019
- Awards & Scholarship Committee, Assistant Chair, 2015-2019
- Section History & Archives Committee, 2013-2017
- Membership & Member Services Committee, 2013-2016
State Bar of Texas, Grievance Committee, District 10, Panel 1, 2014 – 2020
- Panel 1 Chair, 2018-2020
State Bar of Texas, Pattern Jury Charge Committee, Estates & Family Law, 2015 – Present
Texas Bar Foundation, 2012 – Present
- Texas Bar Foundation Trustee, 2023 – 2026
- 2025 Chair Dan Rugley Price Selection Committee
- 2025 Finance and Investment Committee
- 2024 Samuel Pessarra Selection Committee
- 2024 Best Law Review Selection Committee
- 2024 Dan Rugley Price Selection Committee
- District 10 Nominating Committee, 2013 & 2016
- Sustaining Life Fellow
Texas Board of Legal Specialization – Board of Directors, 2017 – 2023
- Member Services and Public Awareness Committee, 2018-2019
- Family Law Standards Revision Committee, 2017
Texas Board of Legal Specialization – Judicial Administration Task Force, 2024
Texas Academy of Family Law Specialists, 2010 – Present
- Elected, President‐Elect, 2024
- Elected, Vice-President, 2023
- Elected, Secretary, 2022
- Elected, Treasurer, 2021
- Elected, Board of Directors, 2015–2020
- Trial Institute Co-Director, Charleston, South Carolina, 2016
Texas Family Law Foundation, 2008 – Present
- Board of Directors, 2021-2025
- Co-Chair, Legislative Committee, 88th & 89th Legislative Sessions
- Appointed, Bill Oversight Committee, 82 -89th Legislative Sessions
- Lobbyist Volunteer, 82 -89th Legislative Sessions
- Website Committee, 2021-2024
- Auction Committee, 2013-2016
- Contributing Author: Predicates Manual Update, 2012
- Sustaining Fellow, since 2014

Education

St. Mary’s University School of Law, 2002
- J.D., Law
The University of Texas at Austin, 1999
- B.A., Political Science and Government

Bar Admissions

Texas, 2002
United States District Courts, Western District, 2003

Certifications

Board Certified in Family Law, Texas Board of Legal Specialization, 2009

Collaborative Law Interdisciplinary Training, CLI‐TX, 2014

Guiding Families Through High-Stakes Divorces with Knowledge, Compassion, and Results

Services

Services

Honors & Awards

Honors & Awards

Publications & Speeches

Publications & Speeches

Professional Associations

Professional Associations

Education

Education

Bar Admissions

Bar Admissions

Certifications

Certifications

Contact Our Team

Send Us An Email

Give Us A Call

Get Started Online