Best Divorce Lawyers in Austin
Joe Newberry
Divorce Lawyers
Austin Divorce Lawyer, Joe Newberry was born and raised in Austin, Texas. He attended St. Andrews School from first through eighth grade and then went to Austin High School. After graduating from Austin High, Joe attended the University of Arizona in Tucson and double majored in Finance and Economics in four years. Following college, Joe worked in the Fixed Assets Department of Southwest Airlines. It was during this time that he decided he wanted to pursue a degree in law.
In August 2004, Joe entered Law School at Texas Wesleyan in Fort Worth, and gained invaluable experience in the Tarrant County District Clerk’s Office. Joe graduated in May 2007 from Texas Wesleyan, also studying at the University of Texas School of Law as a visiting student. Joe moved to Southern California immediately following law school and kicked off his law career by joining a personal injury firm in Newport Beach, California, that specialized in personal injury, medical malpractice, and products liability litigation. The majority of his cases were heard in Orange County, San Diego County, and Los Angeles County. During his time in California he passed both the California and Texas bar exams and became licensed to practice in federal court in the United States District Court for the Central District of California.
James Evans
Divorce Lawyers
Experienced and recognized Austin attorney James (“Jimmy”) Evans has practiced law since 1995, and since 2010 has been Board Certified in Family Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. At his law firm, Evans Family Law Group, Jimmy handles a full range of family law cases, including divorce, agreed and uncontested divorce, divorce and custody litigation, child custody, child support, adoption, mediation and collaborative law, and grandparents’ rights (to name a few).
For Jimmy, the preparation, pains, and persistence that each case demands of him is small when compared to the reward: a legal outcome that, with a minimum of stress and disruption to the client, makes a family stronger.
Families and individual clients from all walks of life turn to Jimmy for help. Along with Jimmy’s empathy, his long experience is what allows him to know what each client’s unique situation requires and how best to deliver it.
In his decades of experience, Jimmy has handled thousands of cases, accumulated significant courtroom experience, appeared in over 100 jury trials, and has taken part in countless hearings, mediations, adoptions, agreed and uncontested divorces, and collaborative law cases.
Jimmy became licensed to practice law in May 1995. Shortly after, he worked as an assistant criminal district attorney at the Tarrant County District Attorney’s Office in Fort Worth, Texas. For 5 years he conducted around 90 jury trials and prosecuted crimes including domestic violence, family violence, sex crimes against children, and other felony and misdemeanors. During his time at the Tarrant County DA, Jimmy worked with children to protect them from predators. In prosecuting sex crimes, Jimmy spent significant time working with children and preparing them for testimony. “I still have a drawer full of thank-you cards”, Jimmy says.
After 5 years at the Tarrant County District Attorney’s Office, Jimmy worked in commercial litigation with Hill Gilstrap, a private firm in Arlington, Texas, where Jimmy practiced in the areas of contracts, business litigation, wills and estates litigation, and airplane crash litigation.
Ben Carrasco
Divorce Lawyers
I am a seasoned Austin family law attorney with a practice focused on family law and business litigation. While most of my current practice focuses on family law, I also have experience litigating business disputes, including breach of contract, collections disputes, business torts, fiduciary liability, DTPA actions, fraud, and real estate litigation.
I litigate all aspects of family law in my family law practice, including divorce, child custody, child support, property division, modifications, spousal support, paternity, and enforcement actions. I am experienced in every stage of the litigation process, from the inception of a lawsuit through discovery, obtaining injunctive relief, mediation, arbitration, and a jury trial.
Before I opened my practice, I began my legal career practicing complex commercial litigation, first with the Austin office of a global law firm and later with an Austin-based firm. I decided to open my firm and transition to family law for two reasons: I prefer being my own boss and enjoy family law’s “human” element. It can be a cynical and difficult area of law, but I can make a significant difference in people’s lives at the end of the day. As an Austin family law attorney, what can be more rewarding than that?
I am a proud Austin native, although I spent some time growing up in California. After receiving my undergraduate degree from the University of California at Berkeley, I spent several years in Washington, D.C., working as a legislative aide on Capitol Hill. I then went on to earn my law degree from Stanford Law School, where I served as an associate editor of the Stanford Law and Policy Review and was recognized for excellence in legal writing.
Katie Valle
Divorce Lawyers
Katie Valle has practiced exclusively in the area of family law for more than a decade and focuses on divorce and complex child custody matters, with experience representing victims and survivors of abuse and violence as well as grandparents and relatives seeking to protect minor family members.
Prior to law school, Katie spent 11 years helping families in crisis including work as a victim advocate at an area shelter and in the Family Violence Unit of the District Attorney’s Office. Working closely with families involved in the Court System led her to the realization that she could best help as an attorney.
After law school, Katie worked for the family law firm of Carlock-Gormley-Hight and became active in the Family Law Section of the Dallas Bar Association, serving as the Chair of the Family Law Section’s Pro Bono Committee for several years. She went on to join the family law unit of Legal Aid of NorthWest Texas, gaining extensive experience handling contested litigation in high-conflict cases involving family violence and child abuse.
After moving to Austin she joined Volunteer Legal Services of Central Texas (VLS), a pro bono law firm focusing on representing indigent Central Texans. She served as Director of Family Legal Services, mentoring attorneys handling family law cases and working with local attorneys and the judiciary on continuing legal education representing indigent litigants, victims and survivors in family law matters. Katie is excited to be in private practice representing families in crisis with the Law Office of Jason Wright, PLLC.
Katie experienced multiple parental divorces as a child and adolescent and is intimately familiar with the trauma divorce can create for a child as well as the stress associated with the introduction of new people and new family units. She can empathize with clients in a unique way and deeply respects the need to make any transition as easy on children as possible. While she works to resolve conflicts in the most collaborative way possible, Katie is an advocate in her soul and ready to fight for her clients in the courtroom.
Chris M. Kirker
Divorce Lawyers
Chris M. Kirker is a Texas trial lawyer handling highly contested divorce and custody matters. Chris has been successfully handling divorce and custody cases for years and places intense focus and attention on every client he works with. While most cases do not go to trial, Chris knows the importance of being ready for trial should it become necessary.
After successfully handling many divorce and custody matters Chris has received numerous awards related to his prior clients’ satisfaction with his work. He has been named a top 100 Trial Lawyer in the State of Texas by the National Trial Lawyers (2014-2018). Further, he has consistently been named one of the Top Ten Texas Family Law Attorneys under 40 by the National Association of Family Law Attorneys (2012-2018).
Chris M. Kirker is a Texas trial lawyer handling highly contested divorce and custody matters. Chris has been successfully handling divorce and custody cases for years and places intense focus and attention on every client he works with. While most cases do not go to trial, Chris knows the importance of being ready for trial should it become necessary.
After successfully handling many divorce and custody matters Chris has received numerous awards related to his prior clients’ satisfaction with his work. He has been named a top 100 Trial Lawyer in the State of Texas by the National Trial Lawyers (2014-2018). Further, he has consistently been named one of the Top Ten Texas Family Law Attorneys under 40 by the National Association of Family Law Attorneys (2012-2018).
Chris frequently handles highly contested property matters, including but not limited to: claims of separate property and divorces involving business interests.
For custody matters, Chris has successfully represented Fathers, Mothers and even Grandparents in highly contested cases. As a father himself, Chris takes seriously a parent’s most precious gift: time with their child.
Chris clerked at the international law firm of Norton Rose Fulbright (formerly Fulbright & Jaworski, LLP) in San Antonio as well as Scott, Douglass, & McConnico, LLP located in Austin, Texas. Chris also interned for Federal Judge Walter S. Smith in Waco, Texas and Valero Energy Corp., the largest refiner in the United States.
Chris’ areas of practice include Divorce, Custody, Child Support, Family Violence, and other Family law matters.
Chris Kirker provides concierge-level legal services to clients across Texas and most often the following areas: Travis County, Williamson County, Bexar County, Collin County, Dallas County, Tarrant County, Hays County, Bastrop County, Bell County, Burnet County, Caldwell County, Comal County, Austin, Westlake, Lakeway, Round Rock, Georgetown, Leander, Cedar Park, Pflugerville, Lago Vista, Bee Cave, Buda, Kyle, New Braunfels, San Antonio, Alamo Heights, Terrell Hills, Fair Oaks, Stone Oak, Dallas / Fort Worth, Allen, Frisco, McKinney, Plano and Southlake.
Hannah Hembree Bell
Divorce Lawyers
Hannah Bell is the founding attorney of Hembree Bell Law Firm where she focuses her practice on family law, divorce, and estate planning. Hannah is dedicated to helping people navigate tough family matters with genuine care and compassion.
Hannah focuses on serving people and families – not businesses or powerful corporations – because she truly cares about helping others. In fact, it’s her passion. Before founding Hembree Bell Law, Hannah worked at a large law firm in downtown San Antonio. She soon realized that serving big companies was not the best fit for her. At that point, Hannah decided to dedicate her career to helping good people navigate the complexities and emotional turmoil of divorce and family disputes.
Having navigated a divorce herself, Hannah draws a lot from her own personal experience. In her daily practice, she strives to be the lawyer she wishes she’d had during her own divorce and custody case. Today, Hannah has three young children and a blended family, so she understands what families like yours are seeking. She knows that you need – and deserve – an attorney who is willing to stand by your side and get into the weeds with you. With Hannah in your corner, you will receive practical guidance, compassionate care, and legally sound counsel.
Hannah was recently interviewed for a feature article for Attorneys at Law Magazine, where she discusses the origins of her career and the life changes that prompted her to shift from an up-and-coming Big Law employment lawyer to a family law attorney.
Hannah and her team handle divorce, custody, and family law cases for clients throughout several counties in the Austin and San Antonio areas. Her estate planning and divorce coaching practices are offered statewide.
Eric M. Willie
Divorce Lawyers
There are no easy ways to end a marriage. It is especially difficult if you and your spouse have irreconcilable differences and are not on the same page on key issues like alimony, child custody, and child support. The divorce process might drag on for months and take a heavy toll on all the parties involved. This is why it’s vital to have a dedicated Texas family attorney by your side to guide you through the process.
Attorney Eric M. Willie is a top-rated, highly accomplished, family law attorney who can provide you with empathetic and personalized representation that gets the results you need. An alumnus of the prestigious Pepperdine University School of Law, Eric M. Willie brings over two decades of experience and unmatched legal expertise to the table. With him by your side, you can face even the most difficult situations with confidence.
Divorce – especially contested divorce – is an adversarial process in which the spouses are pitted against each other. You cannot expect your spouse’s attorney to care about what is fair or right. They are duty-bound to protect their client’s rights and will want to achieve the best possible outcome for them – even if it is to your detriment. This is why it’s critical for you to be represented by an Austin family attorney who can advocate in the same way for you.
Your attorney should be proactive in their approach towards your divorce and vigorously defend and protect your rights at every step of the process. They should know when to raise the right issues and when to assert your rights as a spouse and as a parent. If they fail to do so, you might be taken advantage of by the other side and as a result, might end up getting the short end of the stick.
Austin Divorce attorney Eric M. Willie knows that divorce can adversely impact every aspect of your life and amplify feelings of stress and anxiety. He also knows that you might feel overwhelmed by the enormity of the decisions you have to make. He can provide you with the information, guidance, and advice you need to make the best possible decision at every stage of the process.
Being a committed and experienced Austin family attorney, Eric M. Willie can predict the disagreements that might arise throughout the divorce process and take steps to minimize conflicts to the extent possible. He can negotiate with your spouse’s attorney, make sure they understand your concerns, emphasize the need to find common ground on important issues like child custody and child support, and clearly state the importance of putting the children’s interests above everyone else’s.
Erin Leake
Divorce Lawyers
Erin Leake brings her client-focused approach and attention to detail to Vaught Law Firm. She has practiced family law with a focus on divorce, child custody, modifications, child support, enforcements, and drafting of marital agreements since 2013.
Erin has helped guide clients through a variety of family law cases by providing assistance to minimize conflict and cost. She also advocates zealously for her clients to ensure the best possible outcome. Her goal is to reach a favorable resolution for their case, whether it be advocating for them or by facilitating settlement.
Erin graduated from the University of Houston Law Center in 2013. Her final year in law school was used to build her family law skills with real clients. She did this while working for the University of Houston Civil Clinic as a student attorney.
Erin was then selected for a fellowship with the CPS Division of the Harris County Attorney’s Office advocating for the State of Texas and Child Protective Services. From there she moved to the Dallas area and continued to practice family law as the head of the family law division at Leake Law Firm, PLLC. After moving back to Austin, she worked 2 years for a family law firm on divorce and custody cases.
Erin is an active member of the Junior League of Austin and Austin Young Lawyers Association Community Service Days. She is a fourth generation attorney and is married to her husband Blair, who is a civil trial attorney at Wright & Greenhill, P.C. They both volunteer at local Austin community programs.
Hiring the best divorce lawyer in Austin, Texas, can offer several advantages during the divorce process. While the specific reasons can vary based on individual circumstances, here are some common reasons why having a skilled divorce lawyer is important:
Texas Divorce Laws: Texas has its own set of divorce laws and regulations that may differ from those in other states. A top divorce lawyer in Austin will be well-versed in Texas family law, property division rules, spousal support guidelines, child custody laws, and more.
Expertise in Local Procedures: Local courts in Austin may have specific procedures and preferences that a skilled local lawyer would be familiar with. This familiarity can help ensure that your case progresses smoothly and efficiently.
Legal Strategy: Each divorce case is unique. A skilled lawyer can help you develop a personalized legal strategy that takes into account your individual goals, circumstances, and priorities.
Negotiation Skills: Many divorce cases involve negotiations over issues such as property division, alimony, child custody, and child support. A knowledgeable lawyer can negotiate on your behalf to secure the best possible terms and protect your interests.
Documentation and Paperwork: Divorce proceedings involve a significant amount of documentation and paperwork. A proficient lawyer can assist you in gathering necessary documents, completing forms accurately, and ensuring that all required paperwork is properly submitted.
Emotional Support: Divorce can be emotionally challenging. A compassionate lawyer can provide not only legal guidance but also emotional support to help you navigate the process more effectively.
Objective Advice: Emotions can sometimes cloud judgment during divorce proceedings. A lawyer can provide impartial advice, helping you make informed decisions that align with your long-term best interests.
Advocacy in Court: If your case goes to court, having a skilled lawyer is crucial. They can present your case persuasively to the judge, ensuring that your rights are upheld and your position is well-represented.
Alternative Dispute Resolution: A capable divorce lawyer may explore alternative dispute resolution methods, such as mediation or collaborative divorce, to help you reach agreements outside of court, potentially saving you time and costs.
Complex Financial Matters: If your divorce involves complex financial assets, like business interests, investments, or high-value properties, a knowledgeable lawyer can help ensure a fair and accurate valuation and division of these assets.
Child Custody and Support: If you have children, a skilled lawyer can assist you in negotiating child custody and support arrangements that are in the best interests of the children.
Remember that the benefits of hiring a divorce lawyer will depend on your specific situation and the lawyer’s expertise. Consulting with a legal professional in Austin will provide you with personalized advice based on the unique details of your case.