Southlake Family Lawyers

I am Attorney Kesney Nichols, and I assist the firm in managing cases and achieving favorable outcomes for our clients. My responsibilities encompass conducting legal research, drafting documents, interviewing clients and witnesses, preparing for hearings and trials, and aiding in the formulation of legal strategies aimed at resolving cases favorably for each client. I am dedicated to supporting clients through the most challenging periods of their lives and tirelessly advocating on their behalf. Outside of my professional life, I enjoy golfing and spending time with my rescue dogs, Nash and Ollie.

David was born and raised in the Dallas area and attended Mesquite schools. He is a graduate of Texas Wesleyan School of Law. Before he became a lawyer, David was a teacher and a coach in several Texas school districts. He also enjoyed coaching summer leagues for many years.

David served on the Forney ISD school board for six years and was president one year.

David has devoted his career to helping consumers in Texas. He has prosecuted and defended cases involving everything from collections and foreclosures to swimming pools, automobiles, and home foundations. He is proud to say that he has...

Graduated University of North Texas BA 1963; Graduated Baylor Law School Doctor of Jurisprudence 1966; admitted to practice before U.S. District Court, Northern District of Texas; County Judge, Cooke County, Texas, 1970-76; District Judge, 235th Judicial District Court, 1976-88. Member of Cooke County and North Texas Bar Associations; State Bar of Texas (District 14-B Grievance Committee, 2001-07); Texas Trial Lawyers Association; Partner Sullivant Law Firm 1989 to present.

Larry's Legal Assistant is Kim Moudy.

Attorney Michelle May O’Neil earned her Bachelor of Business Administration in 1989 from Baylor University Hankamer School of Business, her Juris Doctorate in 1991 from Baylor University School of Law, and her Mediation Certificate in 2003 from Texas Women’s University. Ms. O’Neil has been practicing law for over 30 years, and is the founding partner of the Dallas family law firm, O’Neil Wysocki. Through the use of genuine compassion for her client’s difficulties, and her determination to help them maintain their most favorable outcomes, Attorney O’Neil has the ability to assist individuals through complicated matters including divorce, child custody, and...

Tom Trahan is proficient in all facets of family law, from out-of-court settlements to courtroom litigation. His deep understanding of the litigation process enhances the chances of reaching negotiated or amicable resolutions, as opposing counsel and clients often realize that finding common ground can lead to beneficial outcomes.

Amber Shemesh is a divorce and family law attorney in Dallas Fort-Worth area with passion and dedication of helping her clients with complex divorce and family law matters. She has represented clients in different counties of Texas, including Dallas, Collin, Tarrant, Denton, Rockwall, and Ellis. Amber Shemesh has been practicing family law in Texas for over 10 years now, and over the years she has helped her clients with contested divorce, uncontested divorce, child support, child custody, parental rights, property division, domestic violence protection, and restraining orders. Her passion to help her clients with their legal matters, dedication to...

Megan was a family law paralegal for 16 years before becoming a family lawyer, and has seen firsthand what matters to clients: knowing their case is in good hands with an attorney who understands their personal situation and who is capable of providing personalized options for addressing their legal issues. With a combination of sound legal counsel and practical advice, Megan guides clients toward goal-oriented decision-making that positions them for a better future. Megan was named to the 2023 Best Lawyers in America: Ones to Watch © list in the field of Family Law.

ABOUT BEN
Dallas-based attorney Benjamin Palatiere is a courtroom veteran with over 10 years of experience helping individuals, families, and businesses in civil disputes.


Education

Texas Wesleyan University School of Law, 2008
Texas State University, magna cum laude, 2005


Licensed/Admitted

Benjamin is admitted to the Texas Bar and licensed to practice in all district and county courts at law throughout the state.


Groups / Clubs

Dallas Young Lawyers Association
Sigma Alpha Epsilon

Brandon Joseph is an Attorney at McClure Law Group. As a persuasive advocate, Brandon's intense work ethic and passion for the law makes him a real asset to the McClure legal team and their clients.

Brandon has proven himself a force to be reckoned with in the courtroom. During his first month at McClure Law Group, Brandon successfully persuaded a court to reconsider and overturn its ruling which granted an emergency protective order. Since that time, Brandon has successfully prosecuted and defended against multiple family violence protective orders. Additionally, Brandon has received numerous victories in suits to modify prior court orders,...

Francesca Blackard is a partner at McClure Law Group, exclusively practicing family law since graduating from law school in 2012. Prior to law school, she worked for family law firms in Chicago, New York, and Dallas as both a paralegal and law clerk.

Francesca is of Mexican descent and is fluent in Spanish. Her travels have often taken her to Mexico, and she attended Instituto Alpes San Javier in Guadalajara, Jalisco to perfect her native tongue. Conversant in French, Francesca loves the study of languages and world cultures.

One of Francesca's finest qualities is how she relates to clients on a...

Carla De La Cruz was born and raised in Puerto Rico. Carla has practiced family law in DFW and surrounding counties since 2017 and joined the Bogdanowicz Family Law team in 2020. She has experience in all areas of family law and is a native Spanish speaker.

Carla graduated from the University of Puerto Rico and later attended Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico School of Law. While in law school, she gained family law experience interning at the Child Support Offices in the District Court of Ponce, Puerto Rico. She further developed her skills...

Linda Risinger has been in private practice since 1989, focusing on the needs of North Texans primarily in Collin, Dallas and Denton Counties. However, her expertise has been called upon in cases across Texas. Linda is a graduate of Southern Methodist University and Southern Methodist School of Law in 1983 with a Juris Doctor. In 1989, she moved to Collin County, preferring the opportunity to meeting her client's needs in a more personal, committed level. She is a member of the State Bar of Texas and the Collin County Bar Association. Her commitment to maintaining the highest level of knowledge and experience...

We understand nobody desires to hire an attorney. But serious circumstances require a seriously-effective attorney. Whatever issue you face, you don’t have to face it alone. Let us help you solve your problem so you can get on with your life.

Ms. Wright is an experienced litigator and advocate. Her direct approach and prompt communication have earned her the trust of her clients and the respect of her peers. Though she is trained as a trial attorney, Ms. Wright attempts to keep her clients out of the courtroom if possible for their benefit, both financially and emotionally. If going to court is necessary, Ms. Wright is trained and ready to be your advocate. She will prepare you thoroughly for each next step.

She is a goal-oriented attorney, and firmly believes in client involvement and keeping clients informed. One of the first requests...

Dave Bunger grew up in North Texas and began a successful career in 1992 in mental health. During his career in public schools as a Licensed School Psychologist, Dave conducted extensive assessments of children with psychological and educational challenges. He assisted in the Admission Review and Dismissal (ARD) process for provision of special education services and advised Section 504 committees in the implementation of academic and behavioral accommodations. Dave also worked extensively on the development of educational programs to assist in monitoring the behavior of emotionally disturbed children. Dave spent countless hours providing knowledgeable,...

In life, nothing imparts knowledge better than experience. Having endured a high conflict divorce that ended her twenty-year marriage, Robin Rubrecht Zegen understands her client’s fears and concerns first-hand. Compassionately, but zealously, helping her clients get through the process and ready for a happy and healthy future is her main focus. With over twenty years of experience Robin Rubrecht Zegen will help you identify and prioritize your goals and she will explain the options available for achieving them. She knows that divorce is a life changing and very personal event. She guides...

If you are thinking about filing for divorce, have a family law related case or need help with visitation or a child custody matter, contact our firm today, our experienced attorneys will be able to guide you through the process and will be able to handle your case. Call our firm today!

Attorney Martin Valko of Dallas immigration law firm of Chavez & Valko, LLP, represents individuals and families from around the world, private and publicly traded companies in employment-based immigration, international Olympic and professional athletes, car racers, artists, and musicians in various non-immigrant and immigrant matters, and visas to foreign countries. Martin Valko has a first hand knowledge about the U.S. immigration laws as he has been through the entire process – from being a high-school exchange student, college student to an H-1B worker to his permanent residency and dual citizenship. Martin's clients greatly appreciate his in-depth understanding of the complex...

Andres was born in Tyler, TX, but at age 4, he moved with his family to  Miami, FL, where he was raised. In 2010, Andres moved back to Texas, and he has lived in Dallas since then. Andres has been practicing law in Texas since 2012, and he has experience dealing with complex issues in both family law and criminal defense. However, he focuses his practice on family law. Having experience in multiple areas of law gives Andres the unique ability to provide clients with insight and guidance on secondary issues that may affect their family law case. Outside of...

Augustus Corbett is building a reputation as one of the best DFW civil rights, personal injury, criminal defense, and family law lawyers in Texas. He represents people throughout the Dallas Fort Worth Metroplex, which includes Collin, Dallas, Delta, Denton, Ellis, Hunt, Johnson, Kaufman, Parker, Rockwall, Tarrant, and Wise Counties. Mr. Corbett also practices federal criminal defense in the United States District Court in the Northern District of Texas. He's the senior partner at Corbett & Corbett LLP where he practices with his daughter, Chloe Corbett.

Chosen by peers as one of the Top 100 lawyers in the entire Dallas/Fort Worth region according to SuperLawyers magazine.

The Albarado Law Firm, P.C., serves clients in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex & North Texas areas with criminal defense. Founding lawyer & former prosecutor Emmanuel Albarado believes that we all have a story to tell, his story is one of redemption & perseverance. The son of a world champion boxer, Emmanuel was born with a fighting spirit. He now brings this fighting spirit to your case & is ready to work diligently to provide you with the legal representation you deserve. After graduating from law school, Emmanuel served as an assistant county attorney in Cooke County, TX, prosecuting a wide range of...

Have you recently found yourself dealing with the painful heartbreak of a child support issue or domestic violence problem? Are you worried about the solidarity of your future now that you're unsure about an adoption problem? That’s why you need to turn to the helpful attention of Rockwall divorce attorney Shannon Estrada. She is experienced and works hard to make sure that each client is provided with attention that’s both necessary and deserved. Ms. Estrada can provide you with experienced guidance and the strong advocacy that your case needs to stay afloat. Don't let your heartbreak keep you from moving...

Attorney Will Underwood is an attorney who prioritizes his clients’ needs in every case they bring to him. He is relentless like a bulldog and has even made cops cry on the stand before. However, he is compassionate with each of his clients and seeks to do everything he can in their service. At Underwood & Associates, everything is about the clients, not the firm. Attorney Underwood is always seeking to find an edge in his clients’ cases and aims to strategize innovative approaches to every situation his clients face. In fact, he is currently working on becoming a forensic...

We help people get a Soft Divorce®...
...divorce doesn't have to be so hard!®

Hi. I'm Rex Dwyer, I have been a practicing attorney for over 35 years. My practice currently serves Rockwall, Texas and the surrounding counties. I practice in the areas of Family Law and Business Litigation. I help people with family issues such as: divorce, child custody, child support and property division and business issues such as: non-competes, real estate litigation, employment litigation and contract litigation.

I opened Dwyer Law Firm in 2003 to serve the Rockwall community and to be closer to my family. I previously worked at a few larger firm's in Houston and Downtown Dallas: Farnsworth & Martin, Patterson...

Comprehensive Family Law Practice including divorce, custody, and support matters Trained and experienced in collaborative law process and mediation but also willing and able to litigate those cases where necessary. Principal office in Rockwall County. Dallas office by appointment only. As the founder of the Eaker Law Firm, Rockwall attorney David M. Eaker provides legal counsel in divorce and a variety of family law situations. Since 1999, he has been licensed to practice law in the state of Texas. Mr. Eaker’s work over the years has led to him being recognized by his peers with...

I was born and raised in Abilene, Texas, having attended, and graduationg from, Abilene Christian School all 12 grades. I went on to get a BBA in Accounting from ABilene Christian University before going to law school at Texas Tech University School of Law. After graduating law school I started working for Isaac M. Castro in Hamlin, Texas. In 1999 I was made a partner in the new law firm Castrro & Davis, L.L.P. Subsequently, in August 2000, I moved to Cleburne, Texas, and went to work as in-house counsel for gimmeabid.com, then located in Dallas, Texas....

Ronda Haynes is a solo practitioner who opened her own law firm in December 2017. She received her J.D. from Texas A&M School of Law in 2015. She holds a Bachelor Degree in Business and an Associate Degree in Paralegal Studies.

Ronda was born and raised in Azle, having graduated from Azle High School in 1990. After moving away for many years, she returned home to open her law practice. She is involved in her local community and in the Fort Worth Community. She volunteers with the VITA program and sits on the Board of Directors of Guardianship Services, Inc.

Ronda held...

We pride ourselves on demonstrating outstanding commitment to issues of each case, whether it be – high value property divorce, valuing closely held family business, contested custody, vigorous impeachment and cross examination of court appointed custody experts who make recommendations adverse to our client, aggressive and thorough review of all child support, and excluding mental health professionals seemingly frequently increasing conflicting roles in family and divorce courts.

Kris is board certified in the area of family law 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. She is a credentialed mediator in Family Law and matters involving Child Protective Services. Kris is licensed to practice law in Texas, Georgia, Oklahoma and Missouri. Kris has four children and lives in Dallas with her husband...

Taylor Mohr distinguishes herself by offering effective, affordable, and compassionate legal services. Her practice focuses on family law in Williamson and Travis counties. She is a member of the Williamson County Bar Association, Texas Bar Association, Texas Trial Lawyers Association and the Baylor Law Alumni Association.

Taylor graduated from the Baylor Law School. She attended this prestigious university with a full-tuition scholarship. As a law student, she balanced her studies with a variety of extracurricular work, serving as Secretary and Executive Vice-President for the Student Bar Association and working as an editing assistant for professor Gerald Powell, director of...