Best Lawyers Near You in Irving, Texas for Family Law
“While many of my cases are litigated, my training in collaborative law ensures that every effort is taken to reach a resolution in the most cost-effective and clear manner possible.” – Aimee Pingenot With a compassionate focus and an eye towards the future, Aimee works with clients to skillfully assist them in identifying their goals and guide them towards a resolution in often complex and contentious family law matters. Having a Master’s degree in social work provide...
Bill Neal handles the most complex family law cases but his approach is very simple: protect the client at every turn. Sometimes that means delicate settlement negotiations; other times it’s fighting a court battle. In every situation, Bill is aggressive and thorough and he represents every client with the same unwavering dedication. Bill specializes in divorce cases involving large estates, family-owned businesses and complicated custody arrangements. He takes special interest in prote...
Kate Smith earned her J.D. from Texas Wesleyan University School of Law and later earned her LL.M. from Pepperdine University School of Law. She is skilled in representing a variety of complex legal issues, including planning and zoning, family law, contract disputes, corporate formation, and more. Kate has also received several honors and has been consistently recognized by Super Lawyer Fort Worth Texas Magazine since 2007. In 2014 and 2015, Kate was also nominated as a Texas Super Lawyer &l...
Kristen Carr is a Senior Associate at Varghese Summersett Family Law Group, where she patiently guides clients through life-altering family matters, including divorce, child custody disputes, property division, and adoptions. Kristen understands that family law involves sensitive, and often complex, issues that can be highly emotional for clients. Her compassion, coupled with years of courtroom experience, makes her an excellent advocate for her clients and their children. Kristen has handled...
Esther R. Donald is a family law attorney at Goranson Bain Ausley in Dallas. She has been admitted to the Texas Bar since 1988 and has practiced family law for 38 years. Esther is a Master Credentialed Collaborative Professional through Collaborative Divorce Texas and is admitted to practice in the Northern and Eastern Districts of Texas. Esther has been recognized in The Best Lawyers in America© for Family Law from 2017 through 2026 and for Collaborative Law: Family Law from 2024 throug...
Jim Mueller is the owner and managing partner of Mueller Family Law Group , a Dallas, Texas family law firm. He is board certified in Family Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization, a Fellow of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers and the International Academy of Family Lawyers, and the author of the book Divorce in Texas: The Legal Process, Your Rights, and What to Expect . Jim is a Diplomate of the American College of Family Trial Lawyers, an invitation-only organization limit...
Jennifer Stanton Hargrave, J.D., is the founder of Hargrave Family Law, a boutique family law firm based in Dallas, Texas. Her practice is focused exclusively on Family Law, with an emphasis on guiding individuals and families through divorce and related matters with clarity, care, and respect. As a Dallas divorce attorney, Jennifer works closely with clients to help them understand their options and make informed decisions during challenging life transitions. She has built a dedicated legal ...
Reagan doesn’t miss a thing. She’s sharp, detail-oriented, and formidable. Having grown up in more than a dozen cities across the United States, she has an almost uncanny ability to connect with people and find her footing in new situations–excellent skills for a family law attorney to have. "Because I’ve lived in so many different communities, I understand and appreciate different perspectives,” says Reagan. “Being able to see all sides of any matter allow...
Kris is board certified in the area of Family Law and Child Welfare by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. Kris earned her law degree at St. Mary's University School of Law in San Antonio after completing her Bachelor of Business Administration at Southern Methodist University in Dallas. She continued her education by earning a Master of Business Administration at St. Mary's University School of Business. Kris has four children and lives in Dallas with her husband. Kris is a credentialed...
Laci Bowman represents clients in all aspects of family law, including divorce, modification proceedings, premarital and post marital property agreements, suits affecting parent-child relationship, and enforcement issues. Board Certified in Family Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization since 2013, Ms. Bowman has extensive experience negotiating difficult settlement agreements or, when appropriate, taking a case through trial. She has tried multiple jury trials, bench trials, and arbit...
Paul M. Leopold is a double Board Certified attorney in Family Law and Civil Appellate Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. He focuses on family law appeals, helping clients across Texas protect their rights in difficult legal situations—like divorce, custody battles, child support issues, or international child abduction cases. With years of experience arguing in both state and federal courts, Paul has a proven track record of handling complex family law appeals. He works cl...
William McClure is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Family Law. William, who practices law in Dallas, Texas, has been recognized since 2026. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which William is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Lee Budner is a partner at Calabrese Budner LLP , a Dallas-based boutique family law firm known for handling complex, high-conflict divorce and custody matters. His practice focuses on Family Law and Family Law: Arbitration and Mediation, with an emphasis on cases involving contentious litigation, sophisticated financial issues, and difficult interpersonal dynamics. Lee is particularly sought after for high-conflict cases, including disputes involving business ownership, complex property divi...
Our Methodology
Recognition by Best Lawyers is based entirely on peer review. Our methodology is designed to capture, as accurately as possible, the consensus opinion of leading lawyers about the professional abilities of their colleagues within the same geographical area and legal practice area.
The Process
Best Lawyers employs a sophisticated, conscientious, rational, and transparent survey process designed to elicit meaningful and substantive evaluations of the quality of legal services. Our belief has always been that the quality of a peer review survey is directly related to the quality of the voters.