Back to Newsroom

News

Esther R. Donald Recognized as Master Credentialed Collaborative Professional

Esther R. Donald | February 18, 2026

Collaborative Divorce Texas has recognized Esther R. Donald, partner and family lawyer at Goranson Bain Ausley, as a Master Credentialed Collaborative Professional, the highest level of distinction awarded by the organization. This designation reflects Esther’s demonstrated commitment to excellence, leadership, and the most rigorous standards of collaborative divorce practice.

To earn the Master Credential, Esther completed a rigorous credentialing process requiring advanced education and training, substantial collaborative case experience, and meaningful service and leadership within the collaborative law community. Achievement of this designation signals a deep dedication to helping families resolve divorce and family law matters through respectful, solutions-oriented processes that prioritize long-term outcomes.

Esther is the third partner at Goranson Bain Ausley to earn the Master Credentialed Collaborative Professional designation. Of the 30 professionals statewide who have achieved this distinction, Goranson Bain Ausley lawyers represent 10 percent, the highest concentration of Master Credentialed collaborative professionals at any law firm in Texas. This recognition further underscores the firm’s longstanding commitment to advancing collaborative law and expanding access to constructive, family-centered solutions across the state.

---

“Earning this designation is meaningful because it reflects a deep commitment to collaborative practice. Collaborative divorce creates space for creativity, problem-solving, and customized outcomes. Whether helping parents design meaningful co-parenting plans or guiding couples through the complexities of a gray divorce, my goal is always the same: to help families reach durable, mutually acceptable resolutions in an atmosphere of respect and trust.”

– Esther R. Donald

---

The collaborative divorce process gives couples the opportunity to confidentially create customized solutions tailored to their family’s unique needs. By focusing on interest-based negotiation rather than litigation, collaborative divorce helps preserve relationships, reduce conflict, and protect both emotional and financial resources.

Collaborative Divorce Texas is a nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing collaborative practice by providing education, training, and resources for professionals committed to helping families navigate divorce outside the courtroom. For more information, visit www.collaborativedivorcetexas.com.

To learn more about the collaborative divorce process and how it may benefit you and your family, contact Goranson Bain Ausley.

Esther R. Donald is a partner and collaborative family lawyer at Goranson Bain Ausley, where her practice is solely focused on out-of-court family law solutions. An experienced family lawyer, Esther brings both professional depth and lived experience to her work, helping families navigate divorce with logic, patience, and compassion. She has served as President of Collaborative Divorce Collin County, Vice-Chair of the State Bar of Texas Collaborative Law Council, Chair of the Dallas Bar Association’s Collaborative Law Section, and Secretary of the Collin County Bar Association’s Alternate Dispute Resolution Section. Esther has been Course Director and a repeat speaker for the State Bar of Texas Annual Collaborative Law Course and is consistently recognized by Best Lawyers in America, Texas Super Lawyers, and D Magazine for her work in family law. She practices in GBA’s Dallas and Plano offices.