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Kristal Thomson

Kristal Thomson is a partner in Goranson Bain Ausley's San Antonio office and a Diplomate of the American College of Family Trial Lawyers — one of only 100 in the United States. Board Certified in Family Law, she has 20+ years of experience guiding business owners, executives, and professionals through high-asset divorce, complex property division, and child custody.

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Kristal Thomson, Board Certified Family Law Attorney at Goranson Bain Ausley's San Antonio office

About Kristal Thomson

Kristal Thomson is a partner in Goranson Bain Ausley’s San Antonio office and one of the most credentialed family law attorneys in Texas. She is Board Certified in Family Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization — a distinction held by fewer than three percent of Texas attorneys — and a Diplomate of the American College of Family Trial Lawyers, an invitation-only honor limited to 100 of the top family law trial lawyers in the United States. With more than 20 years of experience, she advises business owners, executives, and professionals through divorce involving significant estates, complex financial structures, and sensitive family dynamics.

Her practice is built around the financial complexity that defines high-asset cases: trust characterization, separate and community property tracing, business valuation disputes, reimbursement claims, and above-guideline child support. She develops strategy from the outset, whether the path is negotiation, Collaborative Divorce, or full litigation — and brings the local court knowledge that comes from more than two decades of practice in San Antonio’s courts.

Kristal’s approach is deliberately measured. Her goal is strategic: identifying where strong advocacy is genuinely necessary, preserving leverage for the moments that matter most, and preparing fully for trial when the case calls for it. For clients navigating consequential decisions under pressure, she provides candid, grounded guidance that leads to better long-term outcomes.

What sets her apart

  • Rare national distinction. One of only 100 Diplomates of the American College of Family Trial Lawyers in the United States — peer recognition at the highest level of family law trial practice.
  • Deep San Antonio court knowledge. More than 20 years of practice in this market means she understands the local rules, courthouse dynamics, and how to build a strategy around the realities of South Texas courts.
  • Complex financial expertise. Trust income and characterization, business valuation, community and separate property tracing, reimbursement claims, and above-guideline child support — handled with the technical depth high-asset cases require.
  • Strength without escalation. Strong advocacy where it matters; restraint where it doesn’t. She preserves leverage, avoids unnecessary escalation, and is fully prepared to try a case when the situation calls for it.
  • Shapes Texas family law. As a member of the Texas Family Law Foundation’s Legislative Committee for almost 20 years, she helps write the law she practices, bringing a policy-level perspective to every case.

Practice focus

Kristal focuses her practice on the cases that benefit most from technical depth and strategic restraint:

Recognition and credentials

Kristal is one of San Antonio’s most-recognized family law attorneys — Board Certified, named “Lawyer of the Year” for Family Law in San Antonio by Best Lawyers in America (2021 and 2023), continuously listed in The Best Lawyers in America since 2020, repeatedly selected to Texas Super Lawyers, a recipient of the Brian Webb Legislative Award from the Texas Family Law Foundation, and holding an AV® Preeminent Rating from Martindale-Hubbell.

Beyond her recognition, Kristal has held leadership roles across Texas family law: Past President of the Texas Academy of Family Law Specialists, Past Chair of the Family Law Section of the State Bar of Texas, and Past President of the Texas Chapter of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers.

Kristal also considers the legal education of her clients and colleagues a cornerstone of strong advocacy. She has delivered over 100 continuing legal education speeches around the country, covering nearly every topic in family law.

Frequently asked questions

What types of divorce cases does Kristal Thomson handle?

Kristal focuses on high-asset divorce involving complex financial structures — closely-held businesses, professional practices, trust income, executive compensation, and substantial real estate or investment portfolios. She represents clients across the spectrum from negotiated and collaborative divorce to contested litigation.

What does Board Certified in Family Law mean in Texas?

Board Certification in Family Law is awarded by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization to attorneys who demonstrate substantial trial and case experience, pass peer review, and complete a rigorous specialty examination. Fewer than three percent of Texas attorneys hold this certification. Kristal earned hers in 2009.

What is high-net-worth divorce?

High-net-worth divorce typically involves marital estates with significant assets — closely-held businesses, equity in private companies, investment portfolios, multiple properties, trust interests, or complex compensation arrangements. These cases require specialized expertise in business valuation, property characterization, and tracing the origin of assets across the marriage.

How does collaborative divorce differ from litigation?

Collaborative divorce is a resolution process where both spouses and their attorneys commit in writing to settling the case without court intervention. The team often includes financial neutrals and mental health professionals to support productive negotiation. It typically resolves faster and at lower cost than contested litigation, while preserving family relationships.

What does it cost to work with Kristal?

GBA works on a retainer model with hourly billing. Retainer amounts vary based on case complexity. For more on how family law fees work in Texas, see GBA’s guide to the cost of divorce in Texas.

Beyond the practice

Kristal’s commitment to service extends beyond her legal practice. She is a sustaining member of the Junior League of San Antonio, a member of the Rotary Club of San Antonio, and a past president of the Leadership San Antonio Alumni Association.

Client Reviews

If I could give 1000 stars I would. Kristal was beyond amazing. She helped me so much during the process of my divorce. I don’t have enough words to express how amazing her team was and her paralegal Vanessa always kept me well informed throughout the process and helped me not be stressed. Kristal walked me through each process and was very empathetic to my situation and helped me till the very end. Thank you Kristal and Vanessa I don’t know how I could have done any of this without you both. – Sirena A.
I am so grateful that Kristal handled my case. She made me feel confident as she made sure the process was smooth and efficient. I was taken care of in every sense from start to finish, and my results were even better than expected. She truly cares about her clients and it shows. Thanks to her entire staff, Vanessa, was very professional. She ensured that we stayed prepared and I was informed throughout my entire case. Again, thanks to Kristal and staff, especially Vanessa Aldana. – The Singer Family
I highly recommend Kristal Thomson for anyone in need of a divorce attorney. She was consistently professional, attentive, and incredibly detail-oriented throughout my case. Even during a difficult and emotional time, she made the process feel organized and manageable. She took the time to explain each step clearly and ensured I felt informed and supported. Kristal is honest, ethical, and firmly grounded in the law. Her integrity and steady guidance gave me confidence every step of the way, and I’m truly grateful for her representation. – Molly J.

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