Relentless Focus on Achieving the Best Possible Outcome for Clients
A partner of the firm, Kathryn J. Murphy was named 2019 “Lawyer of the Year” in Dallas by Best Lawyers in America in family law. Only a single lawyer in each practice area within a community is honored with this distinction. Kathryn also received the “Lawyer of the Year” title in 2015 and 2017.
In 2021, Kathryn was the recipient of one of the most coveted awards in Texas family law, the Sam Emison Award. Each year, this award is bestowed upon one exceptionally distinguished family law practitioner or judge who has demonstrated significant commitment and made important contributions to the practice of family law in the state of Texas.
Kathryn also received the Dan Price Award from the State Bar of Texas in 2018. This award is presented to the attorney who has had a major impact on the Family Law Section for the past year. And in 2013, Kathryn was the recipient of the Annette Stewart Inn of Court Serjeant of the Inn Award, an award presented to an attorney who has made meaningful contributions to the profession and the community throughout their career. Kathryn was also the recipient of the University of Texas at Tyler Alumni Association Distinguished Alumni Award in 2016.
A highly goal-oriented family attorney, Kathryn is skilled in answering one of the most important concerns clients have about divorce: seeing an efficient, satisfactory end to the process. Kathryn initially helps clients establish their priorities and then outlines their options for achieving resolution. Her years of experience and attention to detail make her an ideal attorney to help walk clients through challenging situations like complex property division involving closely-held business interests and business valuations. Drawing on her extensive trial experience as a family lawyer, Kathryn helps clients anticipate the likely impact of their decisions so they can choose a path wisely, whether that is mediation, negotiated divorce, Collaborative Divorce, or litigation.
Clients value Kathryn’s thoroughness, especially in high-net-worth divorce cases that often involve issues such as complex property division and child custody. Her experience includes cases involving the valuation of a business, closely-held business interests, relocation, characterization of property, and pre- and post-marital agreements. Kathryn embraces collaborative law when it is the right fit for clients, and she brings considerable skills to the courtroom when litigation is deemed necessary. Above all, Kathryn’s goal is to negotiate a top-notch settlement for her clients and create child custody agreements that both parties can work with. She is known for establishing a close connection with her clients and working together with them as a team to support the best interests of them and their children.
Kathryn is Board Certified in Family Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. She is a fellow of the prestigious American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers (serving a three-year term on the Board of Governors), the International Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, and the Texas Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers (past president). She is also a past chair of the Family Law Council of the State Bar of Texas and a past member of the State Bar of Texas Board of Directors.
Kathryn is a diplomate of the American College of Family Trial Lawyers, a group of the top 100 family law attorneys in the United States. Membership is extended by invitation only to those experienced trial lawyers who have mastered the art of advocacy and whose professional careers have been marked by the highest standards of ethical conduct, professionalism, civility, and collegiality.
Kathryn has extensive trial experience in family law, and she is the author of numerous family law publications and a frequent speaker on family law issues at legal profession continuing education conferences. Working out of our Dallas and Plano office locations, Kathryn is a top-tier Dallas divorce attorney and litigator who advocates tirelessly for her clients.
Featured Video
Services
Services
- Family Partner Violence And Divorce
- Divorce
- High Net Worth Divorce
- Complex Property
- Divorce for Business Owners
- Business Valuation in Divorce
- Property Division
- Dividing the Marital Home
- Characterization of Separate and Community Property
- Collaborative Divorce
- Prenuptial and Postnuptial Agreements
- Child Custody
- Child Support
- Parenting Schedules
- LGBT Parenting Rights
- Modification and Enforcement
- Pre-Divorce Guidance
- Divorce for Men
- Divorce for Women
- Mental Health and Addiction in Divorce
- Visitation Rights
- Becoming a Foster Parent
- Grandparent Visitation and Custody Rights in Texas
- Paternity
- Adoption
- Cohabitation Agreement
- Alimony & Spousal Support Maintenance
- Contested Divorce
- Uncontested Divorce
- LGBT Divorce
- Negotiated Divorce
- Litigated Divorce
- Appealing a Divorce Decree or Judgment
- High-Conflict Divorce
Honors & Awards
Honors & Awards
- Recipient of the Sam Emison Award, 2021
- Each year, this award is bestowed upon one exceptionally distinguished family law practitioner or judge who has demonstrated a significant commitment and made significant contributions to the practice of family law in the State of Texas. The Sam Emison Award is one of the most coveted awards in Texas family law.
- Recipient of the State Bar of Texas Dan Price Award, 2018
- This award is presented to a lawyer who has had a significant impact on the Family Law Section- teaching, writing and advancing the practice of family law.
- Named the Best Lawyers© Family Law “Lawyer of the Year” in Dallas, Best Lawyers, 2015, 2017, and 2019
- Only a single lawyer in each practice area within a community is honored with this distinction
- 2016 honoree of UT Tyler’s Distinguished Alumni Award
- Best Family Law CLE article, State Bar of Texas, 2004 (Relocation)
- Annette Stewart Inn of Court, Serjeant of the Inn Award, 2013- awarded to an attorney who has significantly contributed to the profession and the community throughout their career.
- Selected to the “Best Lawyers in Dallas: Family Law”, D Magazine, 2001, 2005- 2010, 2017 – 2020, 2023, & 2024
- Selected to the “Best Women Lawyers in Dallas: Family Law”, D Magazine, 2010
- Selected to the “Best Personal Lawyers in Dallas: Family Law”, D Magazine, 2009
- Inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America© in the field of Family Law, Best Lawyers, 2003 – 2025
- Selected to the Texas Super Lawyers list, Thomson Reuters, 2003 – 2024
- Selected to the “Top 50: Women Texas Super Lawyers”, Thomson Reuters, 2003 – 2024
- Selected to the “Top 100: Dallas/ Fort Worth Super Lawyers”, Thomson Reuters, 2004 – 2009, and 2011 – 2024
- Selected to the “Top 100: Texas Super Lawyers”, Thomson Reuters, 2004 – 2006, 2008-2009, 2011, and 2013- 2024
- Inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America© in the field of Collaborative Law: Family Law, Best Lawyers, 2024 & 2025
- Inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America© in the field of Family Law Mediation, Best Lawyers, 2024 & 2025
- Named to the 500 Leading Family Lawyers List, LawDragon, 2024
- “AV” Preeminent® rating, Martindale-Hubbell Legal Directory
Articles
Articles
- Changes to Discovery Rules August 30, 2024
- Negotiation Principles, Techniques, and Strategies August 9, 2024
- Post-Divorce Division of Property in Texas August 9, 2024
- Maintaining Separate Property without a Marital Property Agreement February 10, 2022
- The Gray Divorce: Baby Boomers Are Ending Marriages Later in Life June 10, 2021
- How To Tell Your Children You Are Getting Divorced: 5 Tips April 14, 2021
- The Kids Are All Right: Be Prepared and Protect Children’s Best Interest February 14, 2021
- Complex Property and Divorce: What You Need to Know January 26, 2021
- Marital Property Agreements January 14, 2014
Published Works
Published Works
- Marital Property Agreements, Advanced Family Law Course, State Bar of Texas (August 2022)
- Maintaining Separate Property When a Marital Property Agreement Is Not an Option, Dallas/Fort Worth Financial Planning Symposium, 2022
- Protective Orders, State Bar of Texas, Advanced Family Law Course, 2021
- Noteworthy Evidentiary Issues in Divorce Cases, Headnotes, 2021
- Negotiation Principles, Techniques, and Strategies, 2020
- Fraud on the Community and the Reconstituted Estate, 2020
- Noteworthy Evidentiary Issues in Divorce Cases, Dallas Bar Article, 2020
- Reimbursement, Fraud, Waste, and the Reconstituted Estate, State Bar of Texas, Marriage Dissolution Institute, 2019
- Tracing and Characterization of Property, 2019
- Texas Family Law Practice Guide, (Co-Author), West Publishing Company, March 2000, supplemented annually, to the present.
- This 3-volume set is written for lawyers and Judges, and contains the substantive law regards family law matters, including marital property characterization, tracing, valuation, children and divorce.
- Family Law at Your Fingertips – Property, Family Law Section, State Bar of Texas, 2015 and 2019
- Family Law at Your Fingertips – Children, Family Law Section, State Bar of Texas, 2018 and 2019
- Family Law at Your Fingertips – Evidence, Family Law Section, State Bar of Texas, 2019
- Protecting Children from Incompetent Forensic Evaluations and Expert Testimony, (Co-Author), Journal of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, 2006
- Protecting Your Assets From A Texas Divorce, (Co-Author), Professional Solutions Group, 2005
- “Direct and Cross of Tracing Experts”, Advanced Family Law Course, State Bar of Texas, 2019
- “Reimbursement, Fraud, Waste, and the Reconstituted Estate“, Marriage Dissolution Institute, State Bar of Texas, 2019
- “How to Draw Clients to the Collaborative Model and Keep them Satisfied“, Collaborative Law: Avoid Breaking Bad When Breaking Up, State Bar of Texas, 2019
- “Trial of a Custody Case”, Innovations: Breaking Boundaries in Custody Litigation, State Bar of Texas, Panelist, 2019
- “Drafting: Are Your Pleadings and Discovery Ready for Trial?”, Advanced Trial Skills for Family Lawyers, Speaker, 2018
- “Marital Agreements”, New Frontiers in Marital Property Law, State Bar of Texas, Panelist, 2018
- “Premarital and Postmarital Agreements”, Advanced Family Law Course, State Bar of Texas, 2018
- Trial Presentation of a Custody Case, TAFLS Trial Institute, Texas Academy of Family Law Specialists, 2018
- Ask the Expert – Divorce: Complex Property, D Magazine, 2018
- Marital Property Agreements, Advanced Family Law Course, State Bar of Texas, 2017
- Property Case Law Update, Marriage Dissolution Institute, State Bar of Texas, 2017
- Characterization, Advanced Family Law Course, State Bar of Texas, 2016
- Negotiation Techniques and Strategies, Advanced Family Law Course, State Bar of Texas, 2015
- Judges Panel, Innovations- Breaking Boundaries in Child Custody Litigation, State Bar of Texas, 2015
- Protective Orders and Family Violence, Southern Methodist University School of Law, 2014
- Negotiation Techniques and Strategies, Advanced Family Law Course, State Bar of Texas, 2014
- Experts, Examination and Ethics- A Guide to Mental Health Experts, Innovations- Breaking Boundaries in Child Custody Litigation, The University of Texas School of Law, 2014
- Advanced Family Law Course, State Bar of Texas, Co-Course Director, 2013
- Using a Computer Forensic Expert, Family Law Technology Course, State Bar of Texas, 2012
- Property Update, Advanced Family Law Course, State Bar of Texas, 2012
- Turbo Charge Your Collaborative Practice, Advanced Family Law Course, State Bar of Texas, 2012
- Innovations-Breaking Boundaries in Custody Litigation, University of Texas School of Law, Co-Course Director, 2012
- Attorneys Fees Agreements, Advanced Family Law Course, State Bar of Texas, 2011
- Characterization of Property, Family Law on the Front Lines, The University of Texas School of Law, 2011
- Collaborative Law Institute of Texas Course (2010), State Bar of Texas, Asst. Course Director
- Collaborative Law Institute of Texas Course (2011), State Bar of Texas, Course Director
- New Frontiers in Marital Property Course, State Bar of Texas (2010), Co-Course Director
- Electronic Evidence Workshop, Advanced Family Law Course, State Bar of Texas, 2009
- The Electronic Evidence Bible, University of Texas School of Law, 2009
- Characterization, Marriage Dissolution Institute, State Bar of Texas, 2009
- Premarital Agreements, Collin County Bar Association, 2009
- Electronic Evidence – Civil and Ethical Implications, University of Texas School of Law, Parent-Child Relationships; Critical Thinking for Critical Issues, 2009
- Premarital Agreements, Collin County Bar Association, Estate Planning Section, 2008
- Relocation, Advanced Family Law Course, State Bar of Texas, 2006
- Temporary Support, Maintenance and Alimony, Marriage Dissolution Institute, State Bar of Texas, 2006
- Child Support Update: Within and Outside the Guidelines, Marriage Dissolution Institute, 2006
- Relocation, American Bar Association, Section of Family Law, Spring CLE Conference, Washington D.C., 2006
- Collaborative Law, Panel of Texas Authors on Texas Collaborative Law, 2006
- Marital Property 101, State Bar College Spring Training 2006, State Bar College, 2006
- High Tech Evidence, Collin County Bar Association, Family Law Section, 2006
- High Tech Evidence, Websites, Hard Drives, E-Mails, Etc., Advanced Family Law Drafting Course, 2006
- Child Support, 31st Annual Advanced Family Law Course, State Bar of Texas, 2005
- Psychological Testing, American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, 2005
- Relocation, Dallas Volunteer Attorney Program and Family Law Section, “Nuts and Bolts” Family Law Training, 2005
- Opening Statements and Closing Arguments, Ultimate Trial Notebook – Family Law, State Bar of Texas, 2004
- High Tech Evidence, Websites, Hard drives, E-Mails, Etc., Williamson County, 2004
- Relocation Debate, 30th Annual Advanced Family Law Course, State Bar of Texas, 2004 (Article won best Family Law article of the year award)
- Collaborative Law Panel, Collaborative Law Spring Retreat, 2004
- High Tech Evidence, Websites, Hard Drives, E-Mails, Etc., 29th Annual Advanced Family Law Course, State Bar of Texas, 2003
- Family Law Evidence, Collin County Bench Bar Conference, 2003
- Family Law Evidentiary Issues, 16th Annual Advanced Evidence & Discovery Course, State Bar of Texas, 2003
- Parentage: Establishing, Attacking & Undoing, Texas Academy of Family Law Specialists, 2003
- Parentage: Current Issues, University of Houston Law Center, 2002
- Objections at Trial, American Bar Association, Section of Family Law, CLE Conference, Orlando, FL, 2002
- Division of Property and Dividing Specific Assets, University of Houston Law Foundation, 2002
- Family Law for the Non-Specialist, J. Reuben Clark Law Society, 2002
- Division of Property on Divorce, University of Houston Law Foundation, 2001
- Division of Property on Divorce, University of Houston Law Foundation, 2002
- Family Law Update, Ten Hot Topics in Family Law, Collin County Bench/Bar Conference, 2000
- Moderator, Collin County Bench/Bar Conference, 2000
- Family Law Update, J. Reuben Clark Law Society, 2000
- Division of Property on Divorce, University of Houston Law Foundation, 2000
- Family Law Discussion, J. Reuben Clark Law Society, 1999
- Business Valuations in Divorce and Cross-Examination of a Valuation Expert, American Bar Association, Family Law Section, 1999
- Opening Statement – Jury or Nonjury, 25th Annual Advanced Family Law Course, State Bar of Texas, 1999
- Update on Family Law, Dallas Women’s Lawyers Association, 1998
- Family Law for the Non-Specialist, Dallas Bar Association, 1998
- Obtaining Records from Non-Parties, 24th Annual Advanced Family Law Course, State Bar of Texas, 1998
- Discovery Update, Dallas Bar Association Friday Clinic, 1996
- Discovery Update, Dallas Bar Association Friday Clinic, 1998
- Opening and Closing the File, Family Law Conference for the General Practitioner and Legal Assistant, South Texas College of Law, 1998
- Opening and Closing the File, Family Law Conference for the General Practitioner and Legal Assistant, South Texas College of Law, 1999
- Discovery Update, 23rd Annual Advanced Family Law Course, State Bar of Texas, 1997
- Discovery Update, 22nd Annual Advanced Family Law Course, State Bar of Texas, 1996
- Business Valuation in Divorce, Dallas Chapter Texas Society of Certified Public Accountants Fifth Annual Divorce Conference, 1996
- Business Valuation in Divorce, Dallas Chapter Texas Society of Certified Public Accountants Fifth Annual Divorce Conference, 1998
- Discovery, Dallas Bar Association Family Law Training Seminar, 1996
- Attorney’s Fees, Family Law Practice Institute, University of Houston, 1996
Videos & Podcasts
Videos
Presentations
Presentations
- “Protective Orders,” Advanced Family Law Course, State Bar of Texas (August 2021)
- Judges Panel Moderator and Course Director, Innovations in Child Custody Litigation 2021, State Bar of Texas (May 2021)
- “Maintaining Separate Property Without A Marital Property Agreement,” Estate Planning Council of North Texas (March 2021)
- “Characterizing & Valuing Assets to Create an Inventory and Appraisement That Works for Your Client,” Advanced Family Law Course, State Bar of Texas (August 2020)
- “Direct and Cross of Tracing Experts”, Advanced Family Law Course, State Bar of Texas, 2019
- “Reimbursement, Fraud, Waste, and the Reconstituted Estate”, Marriage Dissolution Institute, State Bar of Texas, 2019
- “How to Draw Clients to the Collaborative Model and Keep them Satisfied“, Collaborative Law: Avoid Breaking Bad When Breaking Up, State Bar of Texas, 2019
- “Trial of a Custody Case”, Innovations: Breaking Boundaries in Custody Litigation, State Bar of Texas, Panelist, 2019
- “Drafting: Are Your Pleadings and Discovery Ready for Trial?”, Advanced Trial Skills for Family Lawyers, Speaker, 2018
- “Marital Agreements”, New Frontiers in Marital Property Law, State Bar of Texas, Panelist, 2018
- “Premarital and Postmarital Agreements”, Advanced Family Law Course, State Bar of Texas, 2018
- Trial Presentation of a Custody Case, TAFLS Trial Institute, Texas Academy of Family Law Specialists, 2018
- Family Law at Your Fingertips- Children Issues, Family Law Section, State Bar of Texas 2018
- Ask the Expert – Divorce: Complex Property, D Magazine, 2018
- Marital Property Agreements, Advanced Family Law Course, State Bar of Texas, 2017
- Property Case Law Update, Marriage Dissolution Institute, State Bar of Texas, 2017
- Characterization, Advanced Family Law Course, State Bar of Texas, 2016
- Negotiation Techniques and Strategies, Advanced Family Law Course, State Bar of Texas, 2015
- Judges Panel, Innovations- Breaking Boundaries in Child Custody Litigation, State Bar of Texas, 2015
- Family Law at Your Fingertips, Family Law Section, State Bar of Texas, 2015
- Protective Orders and Family Violence, Southern Methodist University School of Law, 2014
- Negotiation Techniques and Strategies, Advanced Family Law Course, State Bar of Texas, 2014
- Experts, Examination and Ethics- A Guide to Mental Health Experts, Innovations- Breaking Boundaries in Child Custody Litigation, The University of Texas School of Law, 2014
- Advanced Family Law Course, State Bar of Texas, Co-Course Director, 2013
- Using a Computer Forensic Expert, Family Law Technology Course, State Bar of Texas, 2012
- Property Update, Advanced Family Law Course, State Bar of Texas, 2012
- Turbo Charge Your Collaborative Practice, Advanced Family Law Course, State Bar of Texas, 2012
- Innovations-Breaking Boundaries in Custody Litigation, University of Texas School of Law, Co-Course Director, 2012
- Attorneys Fees Agreements, Advanced Family Law Course, State Bar of Texas, 2011
- Characterization of Property, Family Law on the Front Lines, The University of Texas School of Law, 2011
- Collaborative Law Institute of Texas Course (2010), State Bar of Texas, Asst. Course Director
- Collaborative Law Institute of Texas Course (2011), State Bar of Texas, Course Director
- New Frontiers in Marital Property Course, State Bar of Texas (2010), Co-Course Director
- Electronic Evidence Workshop, Advanced Family Law Course, State Bar of Texas, 2009
- The Electronic Evidence Bible, University of Texas School of Law, 2009
- Characterization, Marriage Dissolution Institute, State Bar of Texas, 2009
- Premarital Agreements, Collin County Bar Association, 2009
- Electronic Evidence – Civil and Ethical Implications, University of Texas School of Law, Parent-Child Relationships; Critical Thinking for Critical Issues, 2009
- Premarital Agreements, Collin County Bar Association, Estate Planning Section, 2008
- Relocation, Advanced Family Law Course, State Bar of Texas, 2006
- Temporary Support, Maintenance and Alimony, Marriage Dissolution Institute, State Bar of Texas, 2006
- Child Support Update: Within and Outside the Guidelines, Marriage Dissolution Institute, 2006
- Relocation, American Bar Association, Section of Family Law, Spring CLE Conference, Washington D.C., 2006
- Collaborative Law, Panel of Texas Authors on Texas Collaborative Law, 2006
- Marital Property 101, State Bar College Spring Training 2006, State Bar College, 2006
- High Tech Evidence, Collin County Bar Association, Family Law Section, 2006
- High Tech Evidence, Websites, Hard Drives, E-Mails, Etc., Advanced Family Law Drafting Course, 2006
- Protecting Children from Incompetent Forensic Evaluations and Expert Testimony, (Co-Author), Journal of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, 2006
- Child Support, 31st Annual Advanced Family Law Course, State Bar of Texas, 2005
- Psychological Testing, American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, 2005
- Relocation, Dallas Volunteer Attorney Program and Family Law Section, “Nuts and Bolts” Family Law Training, 2005
- Protecting Your Assets From A Texas Divorce, Professional Solutions Group, 2005
- Opening Statements and Closing Arguments, Ultimate Trial Notebook – Family Law, State Bar of Texas, 2004
- High Tech Evidence, Websites, Hard drives, E-Mails, Etc., Williamson County, 2004
- Relocation Debate, 30th Annual Advanced Family Law Course, State Bar of Texas, 2004 (Article won best Family Law article of the year award)
- Collaborative Law Panel, Collaborative Law Spring Retreat, 2004
- High Tech Evidence, Websites, Hard Drives, E-Mails, Etc., 29th Annual Advanced Family Law Course, State Bar of Texas, 2003
- Family Law Evidence, Collin County Bench Bar Conference, 2003
- Family Law Evidentiary Issues, 16th Annual Advanced Evidence & Discovery Course, State Bar of Texas, 2003
- Parentage: Establishing, Attacking & Undoing, Texas Academy of Family Law Specialists, 2003
- Parentage: Current Issues, University of Houston Law Center, 2002
- Objections at Trial, American Bar Association, Section of Family Law, CLE Conference, Orlando, FL, 2002
- Division of Property and Dividing Specific Assets, University of Houston Law Foundation, 2002
- Family Law for the Non-Specialist, J. Reuben Clark Law Society, 2002
- Division of Property on Divorce, University of Houston Law Foundation, 2001
- Division of Property on Divorce, University of Houston Law Foundation, 2002
- Family Law Update, Ten Hot Topics in Family Law, Collin County Bench/Bar Conference, 2000
- Moderator, Collin County Bench/Bar Conference, 2000
- Family Law Update, J. Reuben Clark Law Society, 2000
- Division of Property on Divorce, University of Houston Law Foundation, 2000
- Texas Family Law Practice Guide, (Co-Author), West Publishing Company, March 2000, supplemented annually, to the present.
- This 3-volume set is written for lawyers and Judges, and contains the substantive law regards family law matters, including marital property characterization, tracing, valuation, children and divorce.
- Family Law Discussion, J. Reuben Clark Law Society, 1999
- Business Valuations in Divorce and Cross-Examination of a Valuation Expert, American Bar Association, Family Law Section, 1999
- Opening Statement – Jury or Nonjury, 25th Annual Advanced Family Law Course, State Bar of Texas, 1999
- Update on Family Law, Dallas Women’s Lawyers Association, 1998
- Family Law for the Non-Specialist, Dallas Bar Association, 1998
- Obtaining Records from Non-Parties, 24th Annual Advanced Family Law Course, State Bar of Texas, 1998
- Discovery Update, Dallas Bar Association Friday Clinic, 1996
- Discovery Update, Dallas Bar Association Friday Clinic, 1998
- Opening and Closing the File, Family Law Conference for the General Practitioner and Legal Assistant, South Texas College of Law, 1998
- Opening and Closing the File, Family Law Conference for the General Practitioner and Legal Assistant, South Texas College of Law, 1999
- Discovery Update, 23rd Annual Advanced Family Law Course, State Bar of Texas, 1997
- Discovery Update, 22nd Annual Advanced Family Law Course, State Bar of Texas, 1996
- Business Valuation in Divorce, Dallas Chapter Texas Society of Certified Public Accountants Fifth Annual Divorce Conference, 1996
- Business Valuation in Divorce, Dallas Chapter Texas Society of Certified Public Accountants Fifth Annual Divorce Conference, 1998
- Discovery, Dallas Bar Association Family Law Training Seminar, 1996
- Attorney’s Fees, Family Law Practice Institute, University of Houston, 1996
Professional Associations
Professional Associations
- American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers
- Fellow, 2004- Present
- Board of Governors, 2015 – 2017
- Texas Chapter
- Fellow
- Executive Committee, 2006 – 2010
- President, 2010
- American Bar Association, Family Law Section
- Member
- American College of Trial Lawyers- Fellowship is extended by invitation only to those experienced trial lawyers who have mastered the art of advocacy and whose professional careers have been marked by the highest standards of ethical conduct, professionalism, civility and collegiality.
- State Bar of Texas
- Board of Directors, 3-year elected term beginning 2019
- State Bar of Texas, Family Law Section
- Member
- Chair, 2016
- Family Law Council, Member, 2005- Present
- Texas Academy of Family Law Specialists
- Member, 1995 – present
- Annette Stewart Inn of Court
- Member
- Board Member, 2005 – 2012
- CASA of Collin County Advisory Board
- Board Member
- Collaborative Divorce Texas (f/k/a Collaborative Law Institute of Texas)
- Member
- College of the State Bar of Texas
- Member
- Collin County Bar Association, Family Law Section
- Member
- Collin County Bench Bar Conference
- Co-Chair, 2001
- Program Committee, 2000
- Collin County Bench Bar Foundation
- Fellow
- Dallas Bar Association, Family Law and Collaborative Law Section
- Member
- Fee Dispute Committee, Member, 1998 – 2000
- DAYL People’s Law School
- Co-Chair, 1995 – 1996
- Denton County Bar Association, Family Law Section
- Member
- Grievance Committee, District 1A
- Chair, 2006 – 2007
- Member, 2002 – 2007
- International Academy of Family Lawyers
- Member, 2015- Present
- Plano Bar Association
- Member
- Southeastern Paralegal Institute
- Instructor, 1993 – 1996
- Texas Bar Foundation
- Fellow
- Nominating Committee
- Texas Family Law Foundation
- Lifetime Fellow
Education
Education
- Southern Methodist University School of Law, 1989
- J.D., Law
- University of Texas, 1986
- B.A., with Honors, English
- Honors: Distinguished Student Award
- Speech Performance Tuition Award
- President’s Honor Roll
- Academic Tuition Scholarship
Bar Admissions
Bar Admissions
- Texas, 1989
- U.S. District Court Northern District of Texas
Certifications
Certifications
Board Certified in Family Law, Texas Board of Legal Specialization, 1995
