John J. Kappel
Partner, Fox Rothschild, LLP; Board Certified Family Law
An experienced family law, appellate, and litigation attorney who prides himself on delivering practical legal solutions and individual attention, John works closely with his clients to help them overcome some of their most serious challenges.
John is a passionate advocate for his clients inside and outside the courtroom. He is equally at home advocating for a better deal at the negotiation table, clinching a closing argument to ensure the best possible verdict, and distilling complex issues into a clear brief for appellate review.
He represents individuals in a full range of family law matters with a particular emphasis on unusual and complex disputes, appeals, and family law cases with international components, including cases brought under the Hague Convention.
In addition to family law, John represents individuals and businesses in civil litigation matters with a focus on contested probate, contract disputes, real estate litigation and partition suits, and trust and fiduciary litigation at both the trial and appellate level.
Beyond litigation, John advises individuals in estate planning.
- Appeals & Appellate
- Civil Appeals, Federal Appeals
- Divorce
- Contested Divorce, Property Division
- Family Law
- Child Custody, Prenups & Marital Agreements
- Estate Planning
- Trusts, Wills
- Probate
- Probate Administration, Probate Litigation, Will Contests
- Arbitration & Mediation
- Family - Arbitration/Mediation
- Family Law Appeals
- Hague Convention
- International Divorce and Child Custody
- Multi-Jurisdiction Divorce and Child Custody
- Credit Cards Accepted
- Texas
- State Bar of Texas
- ID Number: 24085876
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- 5th Circuit
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- English: Spoken, Written
- Partner
- Fox Rothschild, LLP
- - Current
- Partner
- Orsinger, Nelson, Downing & Anderson, LLP
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- Associate
- Holmes, Diggs, PLLC
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- SMU Dedman School of Law
- J.D. (2014) | Law
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- Honors: Cum Laude
- Activities: SMU International Law Review Association; SMU Board of Advocates; SMU Civil Clinic
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- Baylor University
- B.S. (2011) | Economics
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- Honors: Dean's List
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- Best Lawyers in America: Ones to Watch
- Best Lawyers
- 2023
- Rising Stars
- Super Lawyers
- Best Lawyers Under 40 in Dallas
- D Magazine
- 2021
- Texas Academy of Family Law Specialists
- Member
- - Current
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- Annette Stewart Inn of Court
- Associate
- - Current
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- Texas Bar College
- Member
- - Current
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- State Bar of Texas # 24085876
- Member
- - Current
- Activities: Family Law and Appellate Sections
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- Dallas Bar Association
- Member
- - Current
- Activities: Family Law and Appellate Sections
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- Collin County Bar Association
- Member
- - Current
- Activities: Family Law and Appellate Sections
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- Grandparents’ Rights in Custody Cases
- Good Life Family Magazine
- Freedom of Expression, the Right to Privacy and Grasping for a Middle Ground
- Law & Business Review of the Americas
- Two Down, Eleven to Go: Creating a Canadian SEC or Something Like It
- Law & Business Review of the Americas
- Canada (Attorney General) v. Bedford: The World’s Oldest Profession Struggles to Carve out a Future for Itself
- Law & Business Review of the Americas
- Drawing Bright Lines: Limiting the Scope of Representation and the Snare of Unintended Responsibility
- Law & Business Review of the Americas
- Preparing a Family Law Case for Appeal
- Annette Stewart Inn of Court
- Hague Issues in Custody Cases, Advanced Family Law 2023
- State Bar of Texas, Family Law Section
- Using Summary Judgments in Property Cases, Family Law Essentials Seminar
- State Bar of Texas, Family Law Section
- Board Certified Family Law
- Texas Board of Legal Specialization
- Website
- Fox Rothschild, LLP
John Kappel Speaks to FOX 26 Regarding COVID Vaccines and Child Custody
- Q. My husband bought our home before we met. A few years ago we refinanced in both of our names. Can he sell the house
- A: I agree with the other lawyer's answer. Additionally, if this property is designated as a homestead, which would normally be the case if this is your primary residence, he would not be able to sell it without you approving the sale even without standing orders being in place. Texas homestead law requires a person selling a homestead to have the approval of that person's spouse, if the seller is married, which would be you, to convey clear title on a homesteaded property.
