Strategic Advocacy in Family and Appellate Law
Family law disputes are often overwhelming, especially when high-value assets or custody of children are at stake. My goal is to help clients protect what matters most — their families, their businesses, and their futures — by providing sound strategic advice and guidance from trial through appeal.
One of only 11 attorneys in Texas Double Board Certified in both Family Law and Civil Appellate Law, I bring a rare depth of expertise to high-stakes cases, including property division, business valuations, and contested custody matters. I represent high-net-worth clients, business owners, executives, and professionals in cases that often involve international or multijurisdictional issues, including cross-border divorce and custody disputes and international child abduction cases under the Hague Convention.
With a blend of trial experience, appellate strategy, and a commitment to client-centered advocacy, I focus on delivering solutions that achieve the strongest possible outcomes.
When You Work with John J. Kappel, He Will:
- Listen carefully to understand your priorities and goals from the outset.
- Provide clear guidance so you can make confident, informed decisions.
- Seek resolution where possible and prepare meticulously for trial when litigation is necessary.
- Apply appellate-level strategy to analyze complex legal issues and strengthen your case.
- Advocate with clarity and precision before trial courts, appellate courts, and federal courts.
Experience and Professional Credentials
John is part of an elite group of fewer than 1% of Texas attorneys Double Board Certified by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization in both Family Law and Civil Appellate Law. His rare double board certification allows him to handle cases seamlessly from trial through appeal, ensuring clients’ interests are protected at every stage.
Recognized in Best Lawyers in America: Ones to Watch 2026, and in Texas Super Lawyers: Rising Stars 2025 for both Family Law and Appellate Practice, and as a Fellow of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers (AAML), John combines courtroom skill, appellate insight, and discretion to deliver solutions tailored to each client’s goals.
He also brings significant international experience, particularly in cross-border divorce and custody disputes and international child abduction cases. He has represented clients in both state and federal trial and appellate courts, giving him a global and multi-jurisdictional perspective on family law.
Named by Texas Lawyer as an attorney “On the Rise,” John is known for his meticulous preparation, creative problem-solving, and ability to guide clients through their most difficult challenges with clarity, discretion, and respect.
Services
Services
- Divorce for Men
- Divorce for Women
- Gray Divorce
- Litigated Divorce
- Family Law/Divorce Appeals
- Child Support
- Child Custody
- Parenting Schedules
- Divorce for Business Owners
- Military Divorce
- Amicable Divorce
- Mental Health and Addiction in Divorce
- Business Valuation in Divorce
- Becoming a Foster Parent
- Modifying Child Support
- Grandparent Visitation and Custody Rights in Texas
- Paternity
- Alimony & Spousal Maintenance
- High Net Worth Divorce
- Divorce Mediation
Honors & Awards
Honors & Awards
- Selected as a lawyer “On the Rise” winner by Texas Lawyer, 2025
- Rated AV Preeminent™ by Martindale-Hubbell®
- Selected to the list of “Texas Rising Stars” by Super Lawyers, 2023-2024
- Selected to the list of “Best Lawyers in America: Ones to Watch” for Family Law by Best Lawyers, 2023-2026
- Selected to the list of “Best Lawyers in America: Ones to Watch” for Appellate Practice by Best Lawyers, 2026
- Selected to a list of the “Best Lawyers Under 40 in Dallas” by D Magazine, 2021-2022
Publications & Speeches
Publications & Speeches
- “When Federal Law and Family Law Collide” – Speaker, Advanced Family Law, August 2025
- “Creative Possession Schedules: Long Distance and International” – Speaker, Marriage Dissolution Institute, April 2025
- “Immigration and Family Law” – Speaker, Advanced Family Law, August 2024
- “Trying Your First Case and Perfecting the Record for Appeal” – Speaker, Marriage Dissolution 101, April 2024
- “Preparing a Family Law Case for Appeal” – Speaker, Annette Stewart Inn of Court, December 2023
- “Hague Issues in Custody Cases” – Speaker, Advanced Family Law, August 2023
- “Motions for Summary Judgment in Property Cases & Appeals in Suits Affecting the Parent-Child Relationship” – Speaker, Family Law Essentials Seminar, June 2023
- “Retirement on the Fly: Understanding Retirement Plans” – Co-Speaker, Family Law 101, August 2020
Professional Associations
Professional Associations
- American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, 2024
- State Bar of Texas, 2014-present
- – Family Law and Appellate Sections
- – Family Law Leadership Class and Family Law Appellate Committee, 2024
- Texas Academy of Family Law Specialists, 2021-present
- Texas Bar College, 2018-present
- Annette Stewart Inn of Court, 2019-present
- Collin County Bar Association, 2012-present
- – Family Law and Civil Litigation & Appellate Law Sections
- Collin County Young Lawyers Association, Member, 2012-present
- Dallas Bar Association, 2012-present
- – Family Law and Appellate Sections
- Dallas Association of Young Lawyers, 2012-present
Education
Education
- Southern Methodist University, Dedman School of Law
- J.D., cum laude, 2014
- Baylor University
- B.S., 2011
Bar Admissions
Bar Admissions
- Texas, 2014
Court Admissions
- S. Court of Appeals, Fifth Circuit
- S. District Court, Northern District of Texas
- S. District Court, Eastern District of Texas
- S. District Court, District of Colorado
Certifications
Certifications
- Board Certified in Family Law, Texas Board of Legal Specialization, 2020
- Board Certified in Civil Appellate Law, Texas Board of Legal Specialization, 2024
Representative Cases
Representative Cases
Divorce Appeals
- In the Matter of the Marriage of Renteria and in the Interest of N.M.R. & P.S.R., 12-23-00171-CV, 2024 WL 3527409 (Tex. App.—Tyler July 24, 2024, no pet. h.) (Successful prosecution in appeal from divorce case resulting in reversal of entire property division)
- Cowden v. Cowden, No. 02-23-00054-CV, 2023 WL 8267696 (Tex. App.—Fort Worth Nov. 30, 2023, no pet.) (Successful prosecution in appeal from divorce property division enforcement case resulting in increased damages judgment)
- Rodriguez v. Rodriguez, No. 05-22-00056-CV, 2022 WL 17974631 (Tex. App.—Dallas Dec. 28, 2022, no pet.) (Successful defense in appeal from divorce property division resulting in affirmation of favorable partition of retirement benefits)
- Khademazad v. Khademazad, No. 05-20-00568-CV, 2022 WL 3024607 (Tex. App.—Dallas July 29, 2022, no pet.) (Successful defense in appeal from divorce property division enforcement case involving real property receivership and resulting in affirmation of favorable judgment)
- In re Interest of K.M.C., No. 05-16-00635-CV, 2017 WL 745802 (Tex. App.—Dallas, Feb. 27, 2017, no pet.) (Successful prosecution in restricted appeal in divorce and child custody case involving defective service and resulting in reversal of default judgment)
Child Custody Appeals
- In the Interest of A.Y.K., M.Y.K. and A.Y.K., Children, 05-23-00590-CV, 2024 WL 4379942 (Tex. App.—Dallas Oct. 3, 2024, no pet. h.) (Successful defense in appeal from child custody modification case resulting in affirmation of favorable judgment)
- Interest of J.P., No. 05-22-01239-CV, 2023 WL 4101362 (Tex. App.—Dallas June 21, 2023, no pet.) (Successful defense in appeal from child custody modification case resulting in dismissal of appeal)
- Interest of J.D.D.C., No. 05-22-01207-CV, 2023 WL 2259173 (Tex. App.—Dallas Feb. 28, 2023, no pet.) (Successful defense in appeal from child support enforcement case resulting in dismissal of appeal)
- In the Interest of D.A.C.-R., No. 05-21-00033-CV, 2022 WL 2302172 (Tex. App.—Dallas June 27, 2022), judgment set aside, opinion not vacated, No. 05-21-00033-CV, 2022 WL 2737752 (Tex. App.—Dallas July 14, 2022, pet. denied) (Successful prosecution in appeal of child custody case resulting in partial reversal and partial remittitur of attorney’s fees judgment)
- In The Interest of D.F.D. and T.Z.D., Children, No. 05-20-00428-CV, 2022 WL 2816542 (Tex. App.—Dallas July 19, 2022, no pet.) (Successful defense in appeal from child support enforcement case resulting in affirmation of favorable judgment)
- In re Interest of A.E.J., No. 05-20-00340-CV 2020, WL 5107293 (Tex. App.—Dallas, Aug. 31, 2020, pet. denied) (Appeal from parental rights termination case)
- In re S.H., No. 05-17-00336-CV, 2018 WL 3751297 (Tex. App.—Dallas, Aug. 8, 2018, no pet.) (Successful prosecution in appeal from child support enforcement case resulting in reversal of improper interest judgment)
Original Appellate Proceedings
- In re Teketele, 05-23-00929-CV, 2023 WL 6284704 (Tex. App.—Dallas Sept. 27, 2023, orig. proceeding) (Successful defense in request for appellate injunctive relief and mandamus review and of child custody judgment resulting in denial of emergency motion and mandamus relief and dismissal of request for injunctive relief)
- In re Portteus, No. 05-23-00909-CV, 2023 WL 6226331 (Tex. App.—Dallas Sept. 26, 2023, orig. proceeding) (Successful defense in mandamus review of child custody modification judgment resulting in denial of mandamus relief)
- In re Castillo, No. 05-23-00055-CV, 2023 WL 2661241 (Tex. App.—Dallas Mar. 28, 2023, orig. proceeding) (Successful defense in mandamus review of child support enforcement judgment resulting in denial of mandamus relief)
- In re Daniels, 05-20-00501-CV, 2020 WL 2715406 (Tex. App.—Dallas May 26, 2020, orig. proceeding) (Successful defense in mandamus and habeas corpus review of child support enforcement judgment resulting in denial of mandamus and habeas corpus relief)
Hague Convention Cases
- Johnson v. Johnson, 669 F. Supp. 3d 1089 (D. Colo. 2023) (Successful trial defense in Hague Convention case involving determination of habitual residence and application of grave risk, acquiescence, and age and maturity defenses and resulting in denial of requested relief)
- Ramsis v. Garcia, No. 4:22-CV-394-SDJ (E.D. Tex. May, 24, 2022) (Successful trial defense of child custody case filed in violation of the Hague Convention resulting in denial of requested relief)
- Garcia v. Ramsis, No. 4:21-CV-650-SDJ, 2022 WL 1036770 (E.D. Tex. Apr. 6, 2022), appeal dismissed, No. 22-40226, 2022 WL 10220199 (5th Cir. June 13, 2022) (Successful trial prosecution and appeal defense in Hague Convention case involving determination of habitual residence and resulting in return of child to Spain)
- Smith v. Smith, 4:19-CV-00784-O, 2019 WL 13201172 (N.D. Tex. Nov. 20, 2019), aff’d, 976 F.3d 558 (5th Cir. 2020) (Trial and appeal in Hague Convention case involving determination of habitual residence and application of age and maturity defense, including first application of ‘totality of circumstances’ test in the 5thCircuit for determining habitual residence under Hague Convention)
Contract and Real Estate Litigation Cases
- JLMH Investments, LLC, v. Family Dollar Stores of Texas, LLC, 02-23-00233-CV, 2024 WL 2971684 (Tex. App.—Fort Worth June 13, 2024, pet filed) (Successful defense in appeal from nuisance case between neighboring commercial landlords resulting in affirmation of summary judgment based on limitations)
- Pro Health, LLC v. Elite Jet Solutions, LLC, No. 02-03-00111-CV, 2024 WL 1670900, (Tex. App.—Fort Worth April 18, 2024, no pet.) (Successful prosecution in breach of contract cases involving interpretation of brokerage agreement for sale of private aircraft and resulting in reversal of summary judgment)
- Huemmer v. Huemmer, No. 05-21-00973-CV, 2023 WL 1960420 (Tex. App.—Dallas Feb. 13, 2023, no pet.) (Successful trial prosecution and appeal defense in breach of contract action relating to marital property agreement resulting in affirmation of favorable judgment)
- Regency Title Co., LLC V. Westchester Fire Ins. Co., 5 F Supp. 3d 836 (E.D. Tex. 2013) (Authored opinion granting judgment on the pleadings in case resolving professional liability insurance policy coverage dispute during internship for Federal District Judge)
