Best Divorce Lawyers in Dallas
Katie L. Lewis
Divorce Lawyers
Life experience inspired Katie Lewis to choose family law as a profession. As a child of divorced parents, Ms. Lewis experienced first-hand the powerful impact a good divorce attorney can have on a family. As a result, she strives to provide her clients with compassionate representation while not losing sight of achieving their desired outcomes, keeping in mind the overall effect of the process on the family relationship.
A native of the DFW Metroplex, Ms. Lewis graduated in 2002 from Texas A&M University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Political Science, with a Business minor. While at A&M, Ms. Lewis was very active in many activities such as in Pi Beta Phi Sorority, Aggie Pre-Law Society, Fish Camp Counselor, and Muster volunteer. A 2005 graduate of Texas Wesleyan University School of Law, now Texas A&M School of Law, with a Doctor of Jurisprudence degree, Ms. Lewis was recognized for her litigation skills as a member of the Mock Trial Team.
Ms. Lewis has been named to the list of Texas Super Lawyers in 2013 – 2022; a peer-voted honor given to only about 5% of the lawyers in the state of Texas. Ms. Lewis has been honored with selection for membership in the Annette Stewart Inns of Court, an organization dedicated to ethics and professionalism in the legal profession. Additionally, Ms. Lewis mentors aspiring lawyers by presenting at Texas A&M School of Law. In January 2018, Ms. Lewis was selected to be named as among the Top 40 Lawyers Under 40 in Dallas as named by D Magazine.
Ms. Lewis lives in Irving, Texas, where she enjoys spending time with her nieces and traveling to at least one new country per year.
ALEXANDRA “LEXA” WILLEN
Divorce Lawyers
Lexa Willen is a family law attorney who has been with The Law Offices of Amber Shemesh since January 2020. Her primary focus is on divorces, modifications, and original suits affecting parent child relationships. Lexa enjoys getting to know her clients on a personal level so that they can work together to achieve client goals. She is very people oriented and client focused. She is experienced in negotiating, and representing clients in court. Lexa works with each client to determine which strategy is best for their case, and their family in the long run.
Lexa grew up in a small town in West Texas with deep rooted family history in oil and gas. She attended college at Texas A&M University in College Station, Texas where she received her degree in Communication. While at Texas A&M, Lexa worked as a news and features writer for the Texas A&M College of Medicine where her work was published in periodicals, on social media and on the College’s website. She obtained her degree in three years, and went on to law school at Texas Tech University School of Law in Lubbock, Texas.
Following law school, Lexa spent her first year in New Braunfels, Texas where she clerked for the Honorable Judge Dib Waldrip in the 433rd District Court, and practiced family law at the Wright Reneau Law Firm before moving to Dallas, Texas. She is a member of the Family Law Section of the State Bar of Texas. In her free time, Lexa enjoys spending time with her family, traveling, and spending time in the outdoors.
Shapiro, Howard
Divorce Lawyers
Howard Shapiro has been serving the North Dallas and Collin County area for more than 40 years now. He received his undergraduate degree in Accounting from the University of Texas and later earned his law degree from Southern Methodist University School of Law. Specializing in Criminal Defense and Family Law. Mr. Shapiro previously served as a municipal judge and an assistant District Attorney in Collin County. He went into private practice, founding Shapiro Law Associates in 1973. Throughout the years, Howard Shapiro has tried thousands of cases by jury and before the court, many of which were high-profile, and he has developed an in-depth understanding of the intricacies of law that only comes from seasoned professionals. He is recognized as an expert in his field, and his opinion is often sought by both the media and his contemporaries. In the spring of 2003, Howard welcomed his son Todd as a partner and the Firm changed names to The Shapiro Law Firm. Howard has been married to former State Senator Florence Shapiro for nearly 50 years. Together they have three children, two of whom are attorneys and one who works with children in social work at a prominent hospital in Dallas.
Areas Of Practice
- Criminal Law
- Adoption
- Child Support
- Custody & Visitation
- DUI/DWI
- Divorce
- Family Law
- Landlord/Tenant
- Personal Injury — Plaintiff
- Probate & Estate Administration
- Traffic Violations
- Wills
Bar Admissions
- Texas, 1973
- U.S. Court of Appeals 5th Circuit, 1981
Education
- Southern Methodist University School of Law, Dallas, Texas
- J.D.
- Major: Criminal Defense
- Major: Family Law
- University of Texas, Austin, Texas
- 1970
- Major: Accounting
SHARON RAMAGE
Divorce Lawyers
Sharon Ramage has devoted her entire professional career to helping families and children as a social worker and as an attorney. As a former social worker, she saw first-hand the devastation that conflict causes for children and families. Since 1992, Sharon has devoted her law practice to helping families and children. Sharon primarily helps clients in family law and special education matters.
From 1992-1997, Sharon served as an Assistant Criminal District Attorney in Tarrant County, and she was assigned to the Crimes Against Children Division from 1995-1997. Since opening a private practice in 1997, Sharon has worked tirelessly for her clients as they experience a time of transition in their family, always keeping the best interest of their children in mind. As an adoptive parent herself, Sharon also delights in assisting families grow through foreign and domestic adoptions.
In addition to family law, Sharon is passionate about helping families with disabled children obtain services the children need and deserve. For 12 years, Sharon served as a Special Education Hearing Officer and Mediator for the Texas Education Agency, conducting special education due process hearings and mediating disputes between schools and parents. Sharon uses her experience and knowledge to provide representation to families with special needs children.
Sharon co-authored a book about children and the law, All About Texas Law and Kids, published by Texas Lawyer Press. She is frequently called upon to instruct other attorneys and share her knowledge. She has lectured other professionals on special education law topics by serving on the faculty of the National Academy for IDEA Administrative Law Judges & Hearing Officers, as well as the National Administrative Law Judiciary Conferences. Sharon frequently lectures on special education and family law topics for local bar associations, parent groups, and disability organizations.
J. Kyle Short
Divorce Lawyers
Short Law Firm, PC is a Texas Divorce and Family Law Firm, providing aggressive, thorough, competent, responsive, and practical legal services while maintaining sensitivity to the children and emotional and financial issues of each case. Short Law Firm, PC is a divorce and family law firm dedicated to excellence in all divorce and family law matters.
Practice Areas
- Divorce & Family Law
Education
- The College of William and Mary, Marshall-Wythe School of Law, Williamsburg, Virginia
- J.D.
- University of Texas, Austin
- B.A.
- Major: Biology
PHILLIP LINDER
Divorce Lawyers
Phillip A. Linder has been winning cases for his clients since 1996, when he first went into private practice. Prior to that, he earned his law degree from Baylor University Law School in 1991 and spent three and a half years prosecuting criminal cases at the Dallas County District Attorney’s Office. Here, he gained experience representing cases ranging from drunk driving to attempted capital murder.
Mr. Linder is admitted to handle cases in all Texas state and federal courts, as well as five federal districts outside of Texas. He’s Board Certified as a Criminal Trial Specialist by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization and is one of very few lawyers in North Texas who’s authorized to handle capital murder cases.
With over 30 years of legal experience and thousands of cases behind him, Mr. Linder has earned the respect of peers, prosecutors, and judges alike. He has a record of substantial success in the courtroom and has tried more than 200 cases to jury verdict.
Mr. Linder has been awarded Dallas’ Attorney Of The Month by Attorney At Law Magazine. See the feature here and read the article here. Mr. Linder has been highlighted in a D Magazine article. His profile can be read here and read the article here. In addition, Attorney At Law magazine also featured Mr. Linder as the best criminal defense attorney in Collin County. Read the article here.
Rachel Bentley
Divorce Lawyers
Family Law Senior Associate Attorney Rachel Bentley is fiercely committed to doing the right thing. However, she also knows that sometimes “the right thing” just doesn’t happen. As an attorney, that’s where she comes in.
“People are injured, denied benefits, or hurt by someone they loved,” Rachel said. “Attorneys are there to step into the gap and help make sure our clients receive a just outcome.”
Rachel majored in English at Eastern Kentucky University with an emphasis on creative and technical writing. After graduating in 2009, she went on to earn a master’s degree in library and information science from Wayne State University before attending the Claude W. Pettit College of Law at Ohio Northern University.
Before joining Robinson & Henry’s Family Law Team, Rachel represented claimants at Social Security disability hearings and handled worker’s compensation cases. She has a tremendous amount of courtroom experience having participated in Social Security and worker’s compensation hearings throughout Colorado, including in Alamosa, Colorado Springs, Denver, Fort Collins, and Pueblo.
Rachel was recognized for her work representing Social Security claimants. She received a Deputy Commissioner Honor Award in May 2021 for her work at the Social Security Administration. Rachel also was a presenter at the 2017 Colorado Springs Social Security Administration Representative Conference.
During her role at the SSA, Rachel supervised a team of eight attorneys and two legal assistants. This experience left her with a firm sense of empathy and a desire to do whatever she can to help her clients.
Individuals and families who work with Rachel can expect clear and prompt communication as she helps them navigate a difficult process that greatly affects their lives. Quality, accuracy, and efficiency are her top priorities.
Rachel lives with her boyfriend, their cat, and two dogs. In her spare time, she enjoys going to see movies, using her wits in escape rooms, reading, and writing.
Carla M. Calabrese
Divorce Lawyers
For more than 30 years, Carla M. Calabrese has successfully represented clients in every area of family law. What sets Carla apart is her balance of tenacity and level-headedness and her formative big firm training at Dallas-based Haynes & Boone, LLP. Carla primarily handles divorces and marital agreements for high-net worth clients with complex property and business issues. Combining her business background with being highly adept at reading and understanding people’s emotions, Carla strategically counsels clients to protect what matters most to them.
As a Master Credentialed Collaborative Divorce attorney (one of only a few in the Dallas area**) and a pioneer of Emotionally Intelligent Divorce®, she skillfully navigates and guides her clients through the tumult of emotions that accompany the ending of a marriage. Whether in Collaborative Divorce or litigation, Carla, decisive and possessing a rigorous work ethic, goes to bat for her clients. She unrelentingly pursues her clients’ goals, yet does not lose sight of the fact that over-zealous representation damages clients and their families.
Recognized as one of The Best Lawyers in America®, Woodward White, Inc. (2008-2022*), Texas Super Lawyer, Thomson Reuters (2003-2022*), Top 50 Women Lawyers in Texas, Thomson Reuters (2004, 2006, 2010, 2022), Top 5 Exceptional Collaborative Practitioners in Texas by the Collaborative Law Institute of Texas (2009), and one of the Best Lawyers in Dallas by D Magazine (2003, 2007, 2008, 2010-2012, 2014-2022), Carla regularly speaks and educates on family law.
Carla’s vast family law experience also includes child custody, paternity, child support, modifications of the parent-child relationship, grandparents’ rights, adoption and assisted reproductive technology including surrogacy and gestational arrangements. Early in her career as a divorce attorney, she knew she also wanted to help bring families together. To that end, Carla has helped hundreds of clients form or expand their families through domestic and international adoption.
Tapping into her passion for helping people and wanting to give back, Carla founded Hope International Adoption and Humanitarian Aid Agency, a non-profit organization that facilitates adoptions for foreign-born and orphaned children. She also founded A Cradle of Hope Adoption Center, a domestic adoption agency. She is a member of the international Academy of Adoption and Assisted Reproduction Attorneys. An adoptive parent herself, Carla brings invaluable insight to her adoption clients.
Hiring the best divorce lawyer in Dallas can offer several benefits due to their expertise and experience in handling complex legal matters. While I cannot provide real-time information, as of my last knowledge update in September 2021, here are some potential benefits of hiring a top divorce lawyer in Dallas:
Legal Expertise: Experienced divorce lawyers are well-versed in family law and divorce regulations specific to Texas and Dallas. They can provide you with accurate legal advice, ensuring your rights and interests are protected throughout the divorce process.
Strategic Planning: The best divorce lawyers develop strategic approaches tailored to your unique situation. They can help you anticipate potential challenges, navigate complexities, and achieve your desired outcomes.
Asset Protection: Divorces often involve the division of assets, which can be intricate and contentious. A skilled lawyer can help ensure that your property and financial interests are properly assessed, valued, and fairly divided according to the law.
Child Custody and Support: If children are involved, the best divorce lawyers can help you navigate child custody and support arrangements that are in the best interests of the children while protecting your parental rights.
Negotiation Skills: Divorce cases often involve negotiations with your ex-spouse and their legal representation. A skilled lawyer can negotiate effectively on your behalf, striving for a favorable settlement that considers your needs.
Legal Documentation: Divorce involves a significant amount of paperwork, including legal documents, financial records, and agreements. A proficient lawyer can ensure all documents are properly drafted, filed, and submitted, reducing the risk of errors or omissions.
Mediation and Alternative Dispute Resolution: The best lawyers can explore alternative dispute resolution methods, such as mediation, to help resolve issues outside of court. This can save time, money, and emotional stress.
Court Representation: In cases where a settlement cannot be reached, having a skilled lawyer to represent you in court is essential. They can present your case persuasively, cross-examine witnesses, and advocate for your rights.
Emotional Support: Divorce is a challenging and emotional process. A reputable divorce lawyer can provide not only legal guidance but also emotional support, helping you stay focused and make rational decisions.
Objective Advice: Emotions can cloud judgment during divorce proceedings. A top divorce lawyer can provide objective advice based on legal considerations, helping you make informed decisions that align with your long-term goals.
Remember that while hiring the best divorce lawyer may come with a higher cost, the potential benefits in terms of protecting your rights, assets, and well-being can outweigh the expense. It’s important to research and consult with multiple lawyers to find the one who best understands your situation and can provide the representation you need. Keep in mind that laws and practices may have changed since my last update, so it’s advisable to seek up-to-date information before making any decisions.