Why Goranson Bain Ausley Family Law?

Going through divorce or any family law challenge can make you feel vulnerable and uncertain about the best way forward. You’re in an unfamiliar place, facing a myriad of life-changing questions. Where do you turn for answers, advice, and guidance? Whom can you trust?

The family lawyers of Goranson Bain Ausley have been counsel to clients like you for more than 40 years. You’ll work with some of the most respected, accomplished, and ethical family lawyers in Texas—people who always have your back and your best interests at heart. Together, we deliver clarity about what comes next and confidence that you and your family’s future are more secure.

Taking Care of What’s Important to You. Here’s How.

Every divorce attorney at Goranson Bain Ausley strives for your optimal outcome while minimizing the disruption in your life. We work to maintain a constructive, rational atmosphere, even in high-conflict situations. This not only reduces the emotional and psychological impact for all involved but can also help you reduce the time and costs you have to devote to your case by avoiding unnecessary delays, diversions, and posturing.

Our Story

The firm was founded on essential core values that remain as true today as they did 40 years ago: to place the client first, work for constructive resolutions to family law matters, and deliver exceptional value. Please review the link below to learn about our history.

OUR FIRM’S HISTORY

Goranson Bain Ausley Mission, Values, and Vision

Mission (Our Why): To support our clients and each other so that people see possibilities they could not see before.

How we achieve our mission: With exceptional legal acumen, determination, and compassion, we strive to achieve the best possible outcome for each client while maintaining dignity and respect.

By living our values every day:

Trust: Trust from judges, clients, and attorneys comes from our reliability, honesty, judgment, and abilities. As a result, attorneys trust us to honor our word, clients rely on our judgment, and judges believe in the truth of our representations.
Ethical: Our client’s needs and best interests always come ahead of our own. Reputation for telling the truth and keeping commitments even when it is hard. Always maintain the utmost integrity by doing the right thing and striving to help clients achieve their goals emotionally and financially intact.
Sound Advice: Reasonable, practical, and reliable. It is solid information, free from opinion, and useful to clients in contemplating their best options to move their case forward.
Hardworking: Look for opportunities to exceed client expectations. Always give the extra effort.
Responsive: Consistently show others that we care about what they are saying by quickly responding in an appropriate, informative, and compassionate manner. Being responsive means, caring deeply about what is being communicated. It exemplifies our professionalism and attentiveness to cases. Responsiveness also involves being proactive, setting expectations, and clear communication.

Vision: Our vision is to be a well-managed, thriving practice recognized as the leading family law firm in Texas and the benchmark for ethical representation in family law across the state.

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When You Work With Us, Expect Us To:

Be active listeners from the moment we meet so we deeply understand your unique situation, feelings, goals and challenges.
Carefully and clearly explain your options and likely outcomes.
Create a road map and provide guidance to get you from where you are today to where you want to be in the future—with the least emotional and financial costs.
Make more informed, well-reasoned choices than you might otherwise have made on your own.
Skillfully negotiate with opposing counsel to resolve cases with a reputation for honesty and integrity
Avoid unnecessary expenses that don’t bring value through a planned approach to efficiently reach a resolution that preserves assets.
Advocate for your best interests and always do what is right.

We also believe in moving matters forward in an expedient yet professional manner. You’ll access some of the most advanced resolution and technological tools available today, including strategic litigation, constructive negotiation, mediation, flat fee divorce, Collaborative Divorce, and an online intake process.

Divorce is no time to feel like you are on your own or left to sort out important legal and financial matters without skilled support. Using all our professional and personal strengths, the family lawyers of Goranson Bain Ausley are with you each step of the way to make a lasting difference for you and your family. Today and tomorrow.

Key Facts About Goranson Bain Ausley Family Law

Our professionals are among the most respected family law attorneys in Texas. They are consistently recognized by peers and the press for professionalism, expertise, and ability to deliver results.
Our firm includes three former family court judges who can offer a perspective and analysis of family law matters from a judge’s point of view.
We offer comprehensive experience in virtually every area of family law so that we can assist with immediate needs, but also with any other issues that may arise in the future.
Our online intake tools and locations in Austin, Dallas, Fort Worth, Granbury, Midland, Plano, and San Antonio add a welcome level of convenience and accessibility in stressful times.

Accolades

Angeline Lindley Bain 2015 2014 2013 2012 2011 2009 2008
Hayley Collins Blair 2021 2018
Kevin Davidson 2025
Jeff Domen 2025
Esther R. Donald 2025
Diana S. Friedman 2017 2016 2015 2013
Thomas P. Goranson 2011 2009 2008
Thomas A. Greenwald 2022 2018 2012 2011 2009 2008
Aimee Pingenot Key 2025 2024 2020 2019 2017
Beth E. Maultsby 2010
Kathryn J. Murphy 2024 2023 2020 2019 2018 2017 2010 2009 2008
Lindsey Obenhaus 2025 2024 2023 2022 2021
Katie Flowers Samler 2020 2019 2018

Goranson Bain Ausley Is The Largest Law Firm In Texas, Exclusively Practicing Family Law, and has been voted the #1 Family Law Firm in Austin and Dallas by Texas Lawyer.

1 Partner is the immediate past President of the State Bar of Texas.
7 past Chairs of the Family Law Section of the State Bar of Texas.
2 lawyers double board certified in both Family Law and Appellate Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization.
32 lawyers are Board Certified by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. The Board Certification process is rigorous and thorough, with stringent, ongoing requirements after initial certification. Board Certification is a mark of excellence and a distinguished accomplishment within the legal community. To view the full list of Goranson Bain Ausley Board Certified lawyers, hover over the Board Certified Texas Board of Legal Specialization logo above.
39 attorneys have been honored with inclusion in the 2026 edition of the Best Lawyers in America©, a publication by Best Lawyers. Goranson Bain Ausley has the highest number of lawyers recognized by Best Lawyers in America, for Family Law in Texas and the United States.
47 attorneys have been honored in the 2025 Texas Super Lawyers list, including 14 Rising Stars, published by Thomson Reuters. This prestigious list acknowledges lawyers who have earned the respect of their peers and achieved significant professional success.
4 Goranson Bain Ausley Partners have received the distinguished Sam Emison Award honors from the Texas Academy of Family Law Specialists. Kathryn J. Murphy received the award in 2021, Diana Friedman in 2016, Thomas L. Ausley in 2013, and in 2006, Gary Nickelson was the recipient of this award. 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.
5 recipients of the Dan Price Award from the Family Law Section, awarded to the person with the most significant impact on family law in the preceding year. This award was given to Gary Nickelson in 2003, Chris Nickelson in 2013, Diana S. Friedman in 2014, Kathryn Murphy in 2018, and Cindy Tisdale in 2023, all of whom showcased remarkable leadership and service in the field of family law.
16 lawyers are Fellows of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers.
4 Goranson Bain Ausley Partners, including Curtis Harrison, Kris Algert, Aimee Pingenot Key, and Esther Donald, have achieved advanced credentialing in Collaborative Divorce by Collaborative Divorce Texas. The designation affirms top-tier guidance to those seeking constructive divorce resolution.

Community Involvement

OUR COMMITMENT TO THE COMMUNITY

Get in Touch

At Goranson Bain Ausley, we strive to deliver clarity about what comes next and confidence that you and your family’s future are more secure. Contact our team and discover how we can help you.