Helping Clients Work Through Critical Situations With Care
With her unique ability to minimize conflict in critical situations, Paula Larsen helps clients navigate family law matters in the least acrimonious way. When negotiating premarital agreements, she recognizes the agreement lays the foundation for the marriage and must be handled with the utmost care.
A partner in the firm, Paula provides consultation on divorce matters as well as consultation and representation in the negotiation of premarital agreements. As a former judge, she has seen the impact of divorce on families, and partners with clients to craft agreements that are attainable and durable.
Respected by her peers for her ability, professionalism and integrity, Paula was named as the Dallas Collaborative Family Lawyer of the Year in 2011 by The Best Lawyers in America by Woodward White, Inc. Board Certified in family law since 1985 and consistently featured in The Best Lawyers In America by Woodward White, Inc. since 1997.
Honors & Awards
Honors & Awards
- Inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America© in the field of Family Law, Woodward and White Press, 1995– 2021
- Inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America© in the field of Collaborative Law: Family Law, Woodward and White Press, 2008– 2021
- Inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America© in the field of Family Law Mediation, Woodward and White Press, 2019 – 2021
- Named the Best Lawyers© Collaborative Law: Family Law “Lawyer of the Year” in Dallas, Woodward and White Press, 2011
- Named the Best Lawyers© Family Law “Lawyer of the Year” in Dallas, Woodward and White Press, 2014
- Selected to the “Best Lawyers in Dallas” D Magazine, 2001, 2003, 2005, 2007, 2008, 2011 – 2018
- Selected to the “Best Women Lawyers in Dallas: Family Law”, D Magazine, 2010
- Selected to the Texas Super Lawyers list, Thomson Reuters, 2003 – 2018, 2021-2022
- Selected to the “Top 50: Women Texas Super Lawyers”, Thomson Reuters, 2003 – 2014
- Selected to the “Top 100: Dallas/ Fort Worth Super Lawyers”, Thomson Reuters, 2003 – 2013
- Selected to the “Top 100: Texas Super Lawyers”, Thomson Reuters, 2004 – 2006, 2009 – 2012
- “Most Ethical Family Law Attorney”, D Magazine, 1995
- “AV” Preeminent® rating, Martindale-Hubbell Legal Directory
Presentations
Presentations
- Speaker and Author, Effective Use of Experts in the Collaborative Law Process, Advanced Family Law Course, State Bar of Texas, 2008
- Speaker, Death after Divorce, 32nd Annual Advanced Estate Planning and Probate Course, State Bar of Texas, 2008
- Speaker, Asserting Community Property Claims/Complex Trust Issues, Advanced Family Law Course, State Bar of Texas, 2002
- Speaker, Tax Traps/Tax Tricks and the Complex Property Case, New Frontiers in Marital Property Law, State Bars of Texas, 2000
- Speaker, The Child as a Witness, Advanced Family Law Course, State Bar of Texas, 2000
- Speaker, Stock Options Where Are We Now?, Advanced Family Law Course, State Bar of Texas, 1999
- Panelist, Impact of the New Rules of Discovery, State Bar of Texas, 1998
- Panelist, Handling the Big Money Case, Advanced Family Law Course, State Bar of Texas, 1998
- Speaker, The Art of Persuading the Judge, 18th Annual Marriage Dissolution Institute, State Bar of Texas, 1995
- Panelist, Persuading the Judge, Marriage Dissolution Course, State Bar of Texas, 1995
- Speaker, The Estate Planning/Divorce Interface, 18th Annual Advanced Estate Planning and Probate Course, State Bar of Texas, 1994
- Speaker, Making the Judge’s Job Easier: Practical Suggestions for Improving Your Performance in the Preparation and Trial of a Family Law Case, Solo Firm Section, Dallas Bar Association, 1994
- Speaker, Appearing in a Family Court Proceeding as an Expert Witness: Meeting the Judges Expectations, Divorce Conference, Texas Society of Certified Public Accountants, 1994
- Speaker, Discovery Workshop, Advanced Family Law Course, State Bar of Texas, 1991 – 1993
- Speaker, The New Rules of Disciplinary Procedure, Advanced Family Law Course, State Bar of Texas, 1993
Professional Associations
Professional Associations
- American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers
- Fellow
- Collaborative Divorce Dallas (f/k/a The Collaborative Alliance)
- Member
- Collaborative Divorce Texas (f/k/a Collaborative Law Institute of Texas)
- Member
- Dallas Bar Association, Family Law Section
- Member
- Board Member, 1995-1998
- Dallas Bar Foundation, Family Law Section
- Sustaining Fellow
- Pattern Jury Charge Committee
- State Bar of Texas, Family Law Section
- Member
- Public Information Committee, Chair, 2003 – 2005
- Webcast & CLE committee, Chair, 2006
- District 6, Director, 1995 – 1996
- District 6 Grievance Committee, 1991 – 1995
- Family Law Council, 1999 – 2008
- Judicial Liaison, Family Law Council, 1989 – 1993
- Texas Academy of Family Law Specialists
- Member
- Texas Bar Foundation
- Member
- Texas Family Law Foundation
- Member
- Literacy Achieves
- Volunteer ESL Teacher, 2018 – present
Education
Education
- Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey School of Law, 1979
- J.D., Law
- University of Cincinnati, 1976
- B.A. (Magna Cum Laude), Political Science
Bar Admissions
Bar Admissions
- Texas, 1979
- U.S. District Court Northern District of Texas, 1980
- U.S. Federal Court, 1980
