Avoca Arbitration & Mediation Lawyers

Kris Algert is one of the most experienced Collaborative Family Lawyers in Austin and has been named Best Lawyers “Lawyer of the Year” for Collaborative Law in the Austin area in 2013, 2016, 2018, and 2020. She is a Master Credentialed Collaborative Professional by Collaborative Divorce Texas, is Board Certified in Family Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization, and is known for her constructive and respectful problem-solving approach to helping clients move forward with confidence after divorce.

Rex Securities Law- Robert H. Rex is a national securities lawyer with offices in Austin, Texas and Boca Raton, Florida. If you have questions about how to recover investment losses due to the fraud or negligence of a stock broker or stock brokerage firm, call for a no charge consultation.

Kevin graduated from the University of Houston- Downtown Campus after serving in the U.S. Army where he received several decorations and awards. While working full time at O'Quinn & Laminack, a major plaintiff's law firm, Kevin attended South Texas College of Law, graduating in May 1992. After being licensed in November 1992, Kevin practiced law at O'Quinn & Laminack for over 5 1/2 years, focusing on consumer and commercial disputes, wrongful termination, medical malpractice, personal injury, premise liability and toxic tort cases. In July 1997, Kevin joined Davis & Shank, P.C., a well-respected defense firm. At Davis & Shank, Kevin's...

Robert Epstein is an experienced family law attorney with the strategic capabilities, creativity, and intense drive to resolve challenging cases both in and out of the courtroom. He guides clients with diverse goals and financial circumstances through all types of family law matters. Clients count on Epstein to outhustle adversaries and create proactive game plans to maintain control of their cases and resolve them favorably. Epstein’s constant communication and supportive nature are highly valued by clients. He has received numerous awards throughout his career.

Rukhsanda Melissa Masoom grew up in Queens, New York before finding her way to Deer Park, Texas, where she attended school. She went on to attend Mount Holyoke College in South Hadley, Massachusetts. Melissa decided to equip herself with the tools necessary to affect social change and seek justice for those in need of help. She matriculated at New England School of Law in Boston, before returning to Houston, her true home. After law school, Melissa has amassed extensive courtroom experience, with a focus on a variety of practice areas, including family law, mass tort litigation and personal injury. She has volunteered...

Anita helps divorcing clients build a solid foundation for a better future post-divorce. Effective and strong, Anita focuses her practice exclusively on Family Law matters, including divorce litigation, collaborative law, mediation, child support, and modifications. With over 2 decades of law practice and a no-nonsense approach, Anita has proven herself to be an outstanding advocate for her clients and their children.

Divorce is a time of great distress and worry and oftentimes feels overwhelming and out of control. Despite that, you need to make decisions that affect every aspect of your future. Anita helps you understand all of your...

The mission of Hiller Law is to deliver expert divorce and family law counsel in a tough, smart, and professional manner. Michael Hiller is known as a fierce courtroom lawyer, and his team provides each client with aggressive and innovative approaches to ensure the best possible outcomes.

Michael Hiller is a Texas Board Certified family lawyer who has extensive legal experience in handling all kinds of family law cases and is specifically trained to handle high conflict divorce cases for high net worth individuals. The Hiller Law Team takes pride in working diligently to present truthful and honest evidence in court...

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...

Siomara ("Sio") Ramirez Pitre is an experienced litigator with several years of experience both in the courtroom and in negotiating good and fair settlements for her clients. Sio grew up in California, and attended college there. She attended law school in Houston, and is proud to call the Houston area home. Sio handles all types of family law, including child support, modifications of support and visitation, and adoption. She is also a trained Texas Family Law Mediator. Sio is fluent in Spanish.

Kaitlin Capetillo has practiced family law since graduating from law school and has direct experience handling a variety of family law issues, including divorce, child custody & visitation, adoption, termination, child support, property division, and the modification or enforcement of prior court orders.

John Schmude is Board Certified by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization in family law. As a former Presiding Judge of the 247th Family District Court of Harris County, Texas, he disposed of more than 13,000 cases in every area of family law, including complex divorce cases, modifications, custody actions, adoptions, paternity suits and enforcements. While on the bench, he presided over more than 400 contested family law bench trials, numerous jury trials and thousands of hearings in every area of family law.

Prior to his election to the Bench, John Schmude served as the President of Schmude...

We are tough and practical regardless of the type of case that you bring to our office. In more than one consult, we find other attorneys or law firms offering services that the law simply doesn't allow, or that the client may not actually need. We pride ourselves on helping client's find practical, cost effective solutions. However, we are always ready to take a case to trial when needed. It is this balance of tough, but fair, that allows us to assert effective advocacy for all of our clients. We proudly serve clients in Kaufman...

As a partner at Shepherd Smith Edwards & Kantas LLP (SSEK Law Firm), Kirk G. Smith focuses his practice on securities law. Representing individual and institutional investors against banks, brokerage firms and trust companies, Mr. Smith generally handles cases involving issues such as retirement losses, broker and brokerage firm misconduct, investment derivatives, fraud and financial product failures. He serves clients throughout the U.S.

Before earning a Juris Doctor from the South Texas College of Law Houston, Mr. Smith attended Loyola University New Orleans. He graduated with a Bachelor of Arts.

Previously working as an investment advisor for a large brokerage firm and...

Michael P. “Mike” Metcalf doing business as Metcalf Mediation & Arbitration Services is engaged in the practice of law that centers on the mediation and arbitration of civil disputes. Judge Metcalf has more than 40 years of legal experience that includes service in the United States Army Judge Advocate General’s Corp, as a District Attorney, District Judge and trial lawyer. Mike, a trial lawyer, is board-certified by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization in Civil Trial Law and Personal Injury Trial Law.

Judge Metcalf was a judicial pioneer who recognized the need for litigants to seek a resolution to their case...

Jim Hall is a partner in the Houston office of Kean Miller. He joined the firm in 2017 and focuses his practice on commercial, products, and premises liability litigation. An accomplished trial lawyer, he has handled numerous matters before state and federal appellate courts and the United States Supreme Court.

Jim is a certified mediator and was primary counsel in a nationwide “early look program” designed to resolve claims before suit was filed. He earned recognition from Thomson Reuters among the Texas Super Lawyers in civil litigation defense in 2006-2007. Jim is AV-rated by Martindale-Hubble.

The Law Office of J. Kevin Clark P.C. is a Fort Worth, Texas, based law firm practicing family law, divorce, child custody, property division, and civil litigation. Our lawyers have extensive experience, practicing in state and federal courts throughout the region and working strategically to achieve optimal results for clients. With our highly tailored practice experience, we are prepared to help our clients protect their rights and meet the demands of every case.

Strategic Counsel and Advocacy in Family Law

Attorney Kevin Clark is capable of taking on the even the most complex family law and divorce cases, including those involving high...

Seven year Attorney, former prosecutor, experience in oil and gas with the largest natural gas company in North America.

As the former Judge of the 224th District Court, Bexar County, Texas, Judge Rene Diaz applies his 28+ years of civil litigation experience as well as his judicial experience and his training as a certified mediator/arbitrator to help guide cases to the best resolution possible. Judge Diaz has achieved a peer reviewed, AV Preeminent Rating with Martindale-Hubbell, which is the highest possible rating for ethical standards and legal ability. He actively handles mediations and arbitrations of a wide variety of cases, including commercial litigation, personal injury, employment law, and family law, including divorce, child custody and child support cases....

Evan S. Harlow grew up in the Austin area and graduated from Pflugerville High School. He kept his Texas roots as he studied higher learning. He earned his Bachelor of Public Administration at Texas State University-San Marcos, graduating Magna Cum Laude. He obtained his Master of Public Service and Administration at Texas A&M University, also graduating Magna Cum Laude. Finally, he received his law degree from the University of Houston Law Center.

Mr. Harlow's work in the law started prior to attending law school. He served for six and a half years as a paralegal in the United States Army. The...

Kary has been practicing law, divorce and family law in particular, since 1998. Most of her career has been as a solo practitioner, so she has been able to work with clients one on one and personally oversee each and every case. Kary, in addition to being a zealous advocate for children and families in the court room, is an avid equestrian competitor competing in the sport of reining. Kary has officed in Weatherford, Texas since 2003, and currently practices out of The Law Offices of Kary L. Key.

Charmaine Wilde is a dedicated attorney practicing in the areas of Probate, Guardianship, Juvenile and selected Criminal Defense. With her wealth of trial experience in criminal prosecution and defense, as well as civil litigation, she is a Certified Mediator to help people find legal resolution to their matters without the lengthy heartache and delay of a backlogged legal system. Charmaine is a volunteer in her local community by serving on the Hays County Bar Association Board as a Director for over 10 years, serving as President for half of that time. She also serves on the board for Hays County Crimestoppers and...

Ms. Londergan represents clients in all areas of family law. Her practice includes extensive experience in negotiating and litigating issues involving divorce, contested child custody, high net worth asset division, visitation rights, geographical restrictions, spousal and child support, prenuptial agreements, and modification and enforcement actions. She also handles matters of paternity, support, and custody of non-marital children.

Ms. Londergan is a skilled and detail oriented negotiator who believes that most family matters should resolve swiftly and out of court. She recognizes, however, that some facts and circumstances require decisive action through litigation, and she prides herself in her ability to...

David Hodges, founding partner at Hodges & Foty, LLP, was born in McAllen, Texas, and moved to Cypress when he was seven. He attended Cy-Fair Senior High School, and discovered he wanted to go to law school after participating in a mock trial in his senior government class.

After graduation, he joined the Corps of Cadets and attended Texas A&M University where he earned his B.S. degree in 1989. After graduating from Texas A&M University, he was immediately commissioned in the Navy and deployed to the Persian Gulf. When he transferred from active duty to the Navy Reserves, he...

Dan focuses on real estate litigation and transactions, estate planning and probate, and general civil litigation matters. He draws on his experience as a former County Court at Law Judge in Hays County handling thousands of civil and criminal matters. He is an AV-Preeminent rated lawyer by Martindale-Hubbell and recognized as a Texas Super Lawyer® (a Thompson Reuters rating service) in the area of General Litigation. He served as law clerk to Justice Davie L. Wilson of the First Court of Appeals in Houston before practicing for several years in the commercial litigation section a large Austin-based law firm. He is...

Multi-State Barred Attorney, Scott F. Lemanski began practicing law in the Corpus Christi area in 2005. Scott served as an assistant district attorney exlusively in County Court at Law No. 5, handlng all aspects of juvenile prosecutions. During his tenure with the district attorney's office, Scott handled certifications, pleas, bench trials, and jury trials, with an attention to hard work and a belief that his work was making a difference in the lives of victims, juveniles and the community. Scott is well educated in the legal requisites regarding guardianship law. All this experience has provided Scott with a firm foundation...

Austin Smith focuses his practice on litigation and dispute resolution. Austin has experience in handling a wide variety of matters in state and federal court, involving complex commercial and business disputes, fraud, personal injury, and criminal matters including white collar crime. From 2017 to 2018, Austin was honored to serve as a law clerk to the Honorable Judge Amos L. Mazzant in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas. With Austin has been consistently selected by BestLawyers as “One to Watch” (2020-2022) and Texas Super Lawyers Rising Stars (2021-2022) - a recognition that only 2.5%...

Tom Carnes is a civil trial lawyer and mediator in Fredericksburg, Texas, in the heart of the Texas Hill Country.

Tom's practice in business litigation includes a broad range of matters, ranging from contracts, to real estate litigation, to construction disputes, to competitive hiring and trade secret litigation. His family law practice includes, but is not limited to, collaborative divorce matters. His traditional family law practice includes all aspects of family law, including divorce, child custody, modification, and enforcement.

Tom also serves as a neutral third-party mediator in a broad range of business and family law...

Experienced business and employment litigator. Also advise and handle construction and business matters. Named a Texas Super Lawyer in Employment Law. Handle state and federal cases in Texas and in other jurisdictions. Admitted to practice in all federal districts in Texas, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit, and U.S. Supreme Court.

It’s no secret that litigation can be stressful, complicated and expensive. That’s why business owners appreciate Amanda’s candid, no nonsense approach to litigation. Always mindful of the big picture, Amanda tailors strategies specific to her client’s goals, and confidently navigates cases as efficiently as possible so her clients can get back to what is most important to them – running their business. Amanda represents companies of all shapes and sizes in litigation involving contract claims, business torts, real estate disputes, residential and commercial defects, mechanic’s and materialman’s liens and bond claims, commercial and consumer collection, and foreclosures. Amanda is also a...

The Law Office of Shelly A. Merchant represents individuals in Deer Park, Pasadena, La Porte, Houston, and surrounding areas in a wide range of general practice matters including family law, bankruptcy, probate and much more. We are a small firm in a small-town suburb of Houston providing clients with a friendly atmosphere and personalized service in addressing their legal concerns. We listen to your needs and work to understand your individual legal situation to help you through a difficult situation. Our attorneys are more than willing to tackle the unique challenges your case presents and to determine and execute the...

Sarah Springer began her career in law in 1980 after earning her J.D. from the University of South Carolina School of Law. In her many years of practice, Sarah has worked as a litigator, mediator, and judge. She served as the state district judge in Mississippi where she covered family law and probate cases, as well as juvenile crime cases. After this, she moved to Katy, Texas and continued to dedicate to herself to clients as a skilled family law attorney – with her experience behind the bench serving as a valuable resource for her clients.

Sarah practices all aspects of...

Paula Lock Smyth is a family law attorney who is dedicated to providing effective and efficient representation to clients in Dallas, Texas, and the surrounding communities. She genuinely cares about her clients and invests in each and every case she handles, taking the time to ensure that clients understand all of their options so that they can make informed decisions about what is right for their family.

Since 1991, attorney Julie Johnson has represented thousands of people in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. As a seasoned trial lawyer, she provides highly effective courtroom representation along with unmatched settlement results for her clients. She handles a broad spectrum of legal matters, including cases that involve personal injury, including car, truck, and motorcycle accidents, Due to her vast experience she often serves as a mediator to facilitate settlement of a wide variety of disputes. If you have been injured in a life changing car crash, suffered a serious fall and injury or have been hurt on the...

Desireé Marie Bedasa is committed to helping families facing challenging family law issues, such as divorce. Due to her own personal experiences growing up, Desireé is inspired to advocate for those who are unable to advocate for themselves, primarily children. As an individual who did not experience a "traditional" upbringing, Desireé knows the potential trauma of a child being caught in the middle of a custody battle. She has dedicated her career to assisting families with children determine what solution is in the best interest of a child. Desireé is dedicated to and experienced at advocating for families in a wide...