Best Family Lawyer in Austin
Hannah Hembree Bell
Family Lawyer
You have a clear picture of what you want your life to look like, but there’s a barrier that seems nearly impossible to overcome. Going through a divorce or trying to protect your kids in a custody dispute can feel like being stuck in quicksand or lost in the woods. The deeper you get into the process, the more lost and stuck you feel.
If you had the freedom to build the life you want, what would your days and evenings look like? Who would you spend your time with? How well would you sleep knowing that your kids are happy? How would you feel being in control of your future? It’s time to hold onto this vision tightly. You’re going to have to fight for it, and we’re here to help. Here’s the truth: it’s not selfish to want a beautiful life, and you need to trust your inner voice. Your life is worth fighting for.
We need to understand your vision clearly so we know how to advise you and what actions to take on your behalf to help you accomplish your long-term aspirations. At Hembree Bell Law, the approach we take is to learn about your goals and then build a relationship with you and be there for you throughout your life when you need us. We’re not just a firm that you use one time to solve one problem. We want to have the kind of relationship with you that you come to us first when you need something one or ten years from now. After we wrap up your immediate legal issues as intelligently and as gracefully as possible, we’ll continue to support you by providing connections, information, and resources so you can build the life you desire – the life that makes you proud.
Laura Ramos James
Family Lawyer
Winner of the 2023 Austin Woman’s Magazine “Woman’s Way” Award and the “Advocacy and Activism” Award by the Latina Foundation, Laura Ramos James is one of the most recognized Lawyers in Texas and a women attorney who has supported disadvantaged communities in Austin and South Texas for several years.
A personal injury victim herself, Laura hoped that one day she’d be the loud and fierce voice of those who could not speak on their own behalf in court and amplify the voice of those who could. After graduating law school at Baylor Law with honors, Laura began the arduous professional path that culminated in the founding of Ramos James Law, PLLC in 2018.
With well over a decade of legal experience, Laura has successfully handled hundreds of personal injury cases involving auto and trucking accidents, drunk driving accidents, distracted driver accidents, commercial vehicle accidents, work injury, product liability, Texas Health Care Liability claims, sexual assault cases, complex construction accident and construction defects, catastrophic injury, wrongful death cases and more.
For Laura, the most significant and transforming influence in her life has been becoming the mother of two little girls with her husband Jon: Victoria & Alexandra.
JOE NEWBERRY
Family Lawyer
As an Austin Family Law Lawyer, Joe has considerable experience in family law. He has done numerous complex cases in Austin, and surrounding counties with a high degree of success. His background in finance and accounting has been invaluable with highly disputed property cases.
Austin Family Law Lawyer, Joe Newberry is a member of the State Bar of Texas, the Austin Bar Association (Family Law Section), the Williamson County Bar Association, a life member of the Texas Family Law Foundation, the Dell Children’s Trust, and the Bachelor’s Club of Austin.
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.
Carl Selesky
Family Lawyer
My name is Carl Selesky. As an attorney licensed to practice in Texas since 1994, I provide legal representation to a wide range of individuals, entrepreneurs, businesses and corporate clients.
My firm provides representation and advice in a variety of legal matters before Texas State and Federal courts, government agencies and alternative dispute resolution forums, such as arbitration and mediation. Our goal is to provide legal guidance and representation to establish and maintain strong, lasting client relationships.
Service to clients is the basis for my practice of law and communication is the focus.
2004-present: The Selesky Law Firm, L.L.P.
– Established boutique law practice to allow a greater level of service and concentration to Carl J. Selesky’s existing clients and cases.
– Maintain an of counsel relationship with the Firm of Woodfill & Pressler, L.L.P., on select cases and projects.
– Examples of litigation against national companies for clients including Target, Met Life, Farmers, USAA, Union Standard Insurance, Royce Homes, Sun Beam and Toyota, and with Firms like Baker Botts, Dunn, Kacal, Adams, Pappas & Law, Vinson & Elkins, among many.
– Maintain independent clientele with over 460 individual and business clients.
– Service to clients is the basis for the practice of law and communication is the Focus.
– Licensed and extensive trial experience in Federal and Texas State courts including: Harris, Fort Bend, Montgomery, Brazoria, Liberty, Jefferson, Orange, Travis, Dallas, Williamson, Bell and Hayes.
– Appointed and serve as Amicus Attorney and Guardian Ad Litem for minor children in custody disputes in Harris County Family District Courts.
– Member, American Inns of Court.
– Family Law section member, State Bar of Texas.
Amy Gehm
Family Lawyer
Call Austin Divorce Lawyer Amy Gehm to speak to a family law attorney near by. Family law matters can be complicated and emotionally difficult. The Law Office of Amy K. Gehm practices exclusively in family law to provide quality guidance during a challenging time in your life.
Working with an experienced Austin divorce attorney can help make this process less difficult as they guide you through the process.
Even if you are not ready to file for a divorce, it can be important to consult with an attorney to get advice on your situation, sooner rather than later to understand the best options for you. Oftentimes, people make decisions without contacting an attorney that negatively impact their situation.
When a couple decides to divorce, there are many complicated issues that parties or the courts must work out. Some of these issues include division of property, custody of the children, and child support. A contentious divorce or a high conflict divorce is likely to cost more than an uncontested divorce, especially if an experienced Austin Divorce Lawyer is not on your side.
Scott Thompson
Family Lawyer
Scott A. Thompson is the Managing Attorney at Thompson Law. Scott has represented hundreds of spouses and parents in divorce and family law cases. He’s also a divorced parent who understands what’s at stake for you.
Scott is a passionate advisor, confidant, and problem solver for people in difficult situations. His experience includes high-profile jury trials, complex asset divorces, family law cases involving the most serious criminal charges, and changing the law statewide to win a client’s case.
In 2008, Scott was recruited out of law school by a top global law firm in New York City where he learned from prominent national lawyers while serving elite business and banking clients. After relocating to Austin in 2015, Scott first served as a Texas criminal prosecutor before going into private practice as a family law and criminal defense attorney.
Thompson Law’s unique team approach gives you access to a bench of experts, each helping you through your legal case leveraging their specific expertise, and price point. This team approach is designed to give you better and more cost-efficient representation.
With its wealth of experience in the legal field, Thompson Law provides the knowledge and guidance you need if you’re facing a divorce, criminal charges, or a difficult or complex family issue. If you need a lawyer who will not only find creative resolutions but also fight with you every step of the way, contact our team at Thompson Law today.
MAT RUEDA
Family Lawyer
I specialize in all types of Family Law cases. A substantial amount of is in traditional, litigated divorces. I prefer the former because it is (in my opinion) a less expensive and more efficient process which gives the divorcing couple the opportunity to improve their communications, settle their disputes with dignity and preserve valuable family relationships.
Even in emotional circumstances, I help resolve your divorce through mediation, allowing you a strong voice in the outcome. But we are also prepared to take your case to court if that will provide the best resolution. I handle divorce cases involving a broad spectrum of clients, from those who are struggling financially and are facing divorce and foreclosure of their home to clients who have significant assets and property which they need to protect.
Matias Jose Rueda graduates from the Texas A&M University School of Law and founds the Mat Rueda Law Firm.
Christine Henry Andresen
Family Lawyer
Christine Henry Andresen is a family law attorney in Austin. She is a 2019–2020 Family Law Super Lawyer, Austin Monthly Magazine Best of ATX Adoption Attorney 2019–2020, 2018 Pathfinder’s Award Winner of the Travis County Women Lawyers’ Association, and 2017 Legal Finalist in the Austin Under 40 Awards. Christine has wide-ranging experience in both traditional and non-traditional family-building, family-securing and family-rearranging. Specifically, the areas of family law in which Christine practices are: reproductive law—adoption law, gestational law, surrogacy law, Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART); LGBTQ+ family law; divorce; child custody; and child welfare (CPS cases).
CHA Law Group also prides itself in doing will and estate planning for clients, whether they are single, married, gay, straight, trans, parents, and/or dog-lovers.
The earnings of a family attorney in Georgia (GA) can vary widely depending on several factors, including experience, location within the state, the complexity of cases handled, and the size of the law firm they work for. Here’s a general overview:
1. Average Salary
- Entry-Level Attorneys: Family attorneys just starting their careers in Georgia can expect to earn between $50,000 to $70,000 per year. This range can vary depending on the region, with larger cities like Atlanta potentially offering higher starting salaries.
- Mid-Level Attorneys: With a few years of experience, family attorneys in Georgia can see their earnings increase to between $70,000 and $100,000 per year. This range reflects increased experience, case handling, and possibly a growing client base.
- Experienced Attorneys: Highly experienced family attorneys, particularly those who have established a strong reputation or who work in high-profile firms, can earn well over $100,000 per year. In some cases, top family attorneys may earn between $120,000 and $200,000 or more annually.
2. Geographical Impact
- Metro Atlanta: Attorneys practicing in Atlanta and its suburbs often command higher salaries compared to those in rural areas of Georgia. The higher cost of living and the concentration of larger law firms in Atlanta contribute to this discrepancy.
- Smaller Cities and Rural Areas: Family attorneys in smaller cities or rural parts of Georgia may earn less, often in the lower end of the salary ranges mentioned above. However, the cost of living in these areas is typically lower as well.
3. Law Firm vs. Private Practice
- Law Firms: Attorneys working in established law firms, especially larger ones, generally earn a stable salary and may receive bonuses based on performance and firm profitability.
- Private Practice: Attorneys running their own private practice have the potential to earn more based on the number and complexity of cases they handle, but their income can be more variable. Successful solo practitioners or those in small partnerships can earn significantly higher incomes, particularly if they handle high-net-worth cases or complex family law matters.
4. Specialization and Reputation
- Specialization: Attorneys who specialize in niche areas within family law, such as high-asset divorces or custody disputes, may command higher fees and, consequently, higher annual earnings.
- Reputation: An attorney’s reputation can also have a substantial impact on their earnings. Those known for winning tough cases or for their expertise in specific areas of family law may attract higher-paying clients and cases.
5. Bonuses and Benefits
- In addition to base salaries, many family attorneys in Georgia may receive bonuses, especially in larger firms. These bonuses can be tied to the number of billable hours, the number of cases won, or overall firm performance.
- Attorneys working for firms may also receive benefits such as health insurance, retirement plans, and paid time off, which can add significant value to their total compensation package.
Conclusion
The earnings of a family attorney in Georgia can range widely based on factors like experience, location, and the type of practice. While entry-level salaries start around $50,000 to $70,000, more experienced attorneys, especially those in metro areas like Atlanta, can earn well over $100,000 annually, with top attorneys potentially earning much more.