Maximizing Results by Minimizing Conflict
Esther R. Donald on Divorcing with Dignity:
As a parent and stepparent who understands the realities of divorce, I know that lawyers can do more harm than good. My clients appreciate that I blend my life experiences and collaborative training with logic, patience, and persuasion to move even the most emotional family law cases toward a more positive and peaceful future. I believe that my clients and their families deserve a lawyer who listens closely, asks the right questions, and works tirelessly to exceed expectations. The high road is the best place to respectfully resolve family law disputes; it is my privilege to guide clients who want to walk this path.
How We Do It:
- My clients and I set realistic goals. Clients provide their history and the facts of their current situation. I apply my understanding of the law and years of experience to help identify an achievable outcome. Together we move past the conflict to create a better future.
- We use restraint and good judgment. We focus on interests rather than positions, considering all the options before moving forward.
- We utilize the collaborative process whenever possible. The collaborative law process allows for customized co-parenting plans, transparent identification and valuation of assets, creative property division and support, and an atmosphere of confidentiality and respect. I urge my clients to utilize this process for divorce, modification, and premarital agreements.
- We keep our eyes on the prize. Even if the collaborative process is not the right fit for a particular situation, my experience as a credentialed collaborative lawyer provides tools to resolve family law disputes outside the courtroom. Negotiated settlements produce the most favorable financial outcomes with minimal collateral damage to children.
- We partner with litigators when there are no other options. Despite my strong commitment to the philosophy and practice of collaborative law, there are rare cases in which agreement is not possible. In these instances, I join forces with the firm’s talented family law litigators.
Professional Experience and Credentials
Esther has immersed herself in the collaborative law model and has been distinguished as a Credentialed Collaborative Divorce Lawyer, one of a select few in the state. She chaired the Dallas Bar Association’s Collaborative Law Section and is a charter board member of the Collin County Bar Association’s Alternative Dispute Resolution Section. She continues to develop her skills via active involvement with Collaborative Divorce Collin County. Esther served the State Bar of Texas as the Course Director for the Annual Collaborative Law Course in March 2022 and as the Assistant Course Director in 2021. She continues on the Planning Committee and will again speak at this state-wide conference in 2023. Her emphasis on cooperative and collaborative family law solutions has led to her recognition as a “Best Lawyer” by U.S. News – Best Lawyers in America© in the field of Family Law in 2017- 2023 and as a Texas Super Lawyer by Thomson Reuters in 2016-2022. She was also named to the 2022 “Top 100: Dallas/Fort Worth” Super Lawyers and “Top 50 Women Texas Super Lawyers” lists by Thomson Reuters.
Esther is a top-tier Collaborative Divorce lawyer in Dallas, Texas, working out of our Dallas & Plano office locations.
Personal
Esther earned her undergraduate and law degrees from the University of Texas, where she served as Associate Editor of the Texas Law Review. She is now a proud Texas Longhorn and Tulane Green Wave parent, a member of Temple Emanu-El, and a passionate advocate for helping clients divorce differently, with compassion and dignity.
Featured Video
Services
- Collaborative Divorce
- Prenuptial and Postnuptial Agreements
- Divorce
- Child Custody
- Child Support
- High Net Worth Divorce
- Uncontested Divorce
- Contested Divorce
- LGBTQ+ Divorce
- Negotiated Divorce
- Alimony & Spousal Support Maintenance
- Complex Property
- Property Division
- Paternity
- Cohabitation Agreement
- Adoption
Honors & Awards
- State Bar of Texas, Annual Collaborative Law Course, Course Director, 2022
- State Bar of Texas, Annual Collaborative Law Course, Assistant Course Director, 2021
- State Bar of Texas, Annual Collaborative Law Course, Planning Committee, 2020 – 2023
- Inclusion in the Best Lawyers in America© list in the field of Family Law by Best Lawyers, Woodward and White Press, 2017 – 2023
- Selected to the Texas Super Lawyers list, Thomson Reuters, 2016 – 2022
- Selected to the “Top 100: Dallas/Fort Worth” Super Lawyers list, Thomson Reuters, 2022
- Selected to the “Top 50 Women Texas Super Lawyers” list, Thomson Reuters, 2022
Articles
Articles
- How You Can Achieve Your Divorce Goals October 8, 2019
- Social Media: Impacts both Marriages and Divorce Proceedings October 14, 2016
- The Final Divorce Decree is Not Etched in Stone September 8, 2015
- GRAY DIVORCES: When Older Parties Untie the Knot January 8, 2015
Published Works
- “Out of the Shadows: Incorporating Adult Children into the Collaborative Divorce Process,” Collaborative Law Course, 2020
- “Disproportionate Division and Spousal Maintenance for the Non-Monied Spouse,” Advance Family Law, 2019
Videos & Podcasts
Videos
- Why Collaborative Divorce is a Good Solution for Divorce After 50
- How Can You Achieve Privacy in the Collaborative Divorce Process?
- What’s Better About a Collaborative Divorce?
- How Does Social Media Impact My Divorce?
- How To Protect Children From A Custody Battle During A Divorce
- The Benefits of the Collaborative Divorce Process
Podcasts
Professional Associations
- Collaborative Divorce Texas
- Member
- Collin County Bar Association, Alternative Dispute Resolution Section, Secretary 2022-23, Charter Board Member since 2021
- Collaborative Divorce Collin County
- Member
- Dallas Bar Association
- Membership Chair, 2022
- Dallas Bar Association, Collaborative Law Section
- Chair, 2019 – 2020
- Vice Chair, 2018 – 2019
- Dallas Bar Association, Family Law Section
- Member
- Dallas Bar Foundation
- Fellow, 2019
- State Bar of Texas, Collaborative Law Section
- Member
- State Bar of Texas, Family Law Section
- Member
- Texas Family Law Foundation
- Member
Education
- University of Texas School of Law, 1988
- J.D., Law
- Texas Law Review, Associate Editor
- University of Texas at Austin, 1985
- B.A., English with Honors
Bar Admissions
- Licensed to Practice in Texas 1988
- Admitted to practice in Northern District of Texas
- Admitted to practice in Eastern District of Texas
Certifications
Credentialed Collaborative Professional, Collaborative Divorce Texas, 2021
