Newton County Family Lawyers

Keith Spencer is Board Certified by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization in Family Law. That Board Certification mark of excellence and distinguished accomplishment is attained by only one in ten Texas attorneys, and indicates that Keith has substantial, relevant experience and has demonstrated the same in family law cases. Keith was admitted to the Texas Bar in 1987. Mr. Spencer is a graduate of Southern Methodist University and holds Bachelor’s and Masters degrees in Communications from the University of North Texas. Keith is a Board Certified Family Law specialist. Mr. Spencer has practiced Family Law in Tarrant...

A highly respected attorney who was named Lawyer of the Year in Family Law, Dallas/Ft. Worth by The Best Lawyers in America 2016, Diana S. Friedman has joined her family law practice with that of GoransonBain Ausley’s. Diana shares the core values of GoransonBain Ausley in helping clients make the difficult transition through family law problems in the best way possible.

Diana recognizes that divorce and other family law issues are very personal experiences, so she strives to build comfortable, trusting relationships with her clients. She works with clients to establish goals for their cases, giving them the benefit of her...

Rachel has significant experience in all aspects of family law and passionately advocates for her client’s best interests through negotiation, mediation, or litigation. By listening carefully and finding solutions, Rachel helps clients feel more in control of the process.

The law firm of Bailey & Galyen is one of the largest “consumer law firms” in the state of Texas with over 30 attorneys and 13 offices throughout Texas. The Firm was originally established in 1989 with the objective of providing high quality legal services to the public by acquiring the best attorneys, staff and utilizing the latest technology to maximize productivity. Bailey & Galyen has expanded its services to include most consumer areas of law. The Firm’s focus is to provide competent legal representation which centers on total client satisfaction. The pride of past accomplishments here at Bailey &...

I'm Lauren Fordyce and I handle criminal and family law cases in Walker, Montgomery, Madison, Brazos, Leon and other counties across Texas. Call us for a free consultation. Every person deserves a quality legal defense. I want every client to know that we care about them and we care about their case. Seeking justice is my passion and in the words of Martin Luther King, Jr., "Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere." Because of my experience as a prosecutor, I have a unique perspective of the injustices that can occur within the system and...

Klint focuses his practice in the area of family law, business law, and other areas. Klint has helped hundreds of clients with family and domestic needs.

In addition, Klint assisted clients with complex business contractual matters and aiding in corporate structuring and prevailed in many mid to large scale civil lawsuits in the areas of franchise, consumer issues, and failed business ventures.

Klint received his J.D. from Texas A&M University School of Law. While in law school, Klint interned for the Dallas County District Attorney’s Office and the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. Klint earned a Bachelor of Business Administration...

Karen's goal is to help clients acquire the tools they need to begin the next chapter of their lives successfully. Clients can count on Karen to be straightforward, honest, and compassionate. She approaches each client’s unique story with genuine curiosity, offering guidance to navigate the best path forward.

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...

I have served 4 years as a field artillery cannoneer in the United States Marine Corps and another 4 years in the militias of Arkansas, Oklahoma, and North Carolina. I am a family law and bankruptcy attorney who practices family law in Harris and Fort Bend County, Texas. Bankruptcy cases (Chapter 13 and Chapter 7) are filed in the Houston or Galveston divisions of the Southern Division of Texas, for residents of the following counties, Austin, Brazos, Colorado, Fayette, Fort Bend, Grimes, Harris, Madison, Montgomery, San Jacinto, Walker, Waller, Wharton, Brazoria, Chambers, Galveston, and Matagorda....

J. Reid Perry, Attorney at Law, has been providing legal representation services for over 17 years as a solo practitioner. Serving Northwest Houston/Harris County, Montgomery County and Waller County; Reid is dedicated to helping his neighbors find solutions to their legal matters, whether this includes informal or formal mediation, a collaborative approach, or litigation. Reid's number one goal is to provide high-quality affordable legal representation while treating all his clients with dignity and respect. Reid believes most of his clients are best served by finding collaborative solutions to their family law issues, but is willing and able to...

Frank J. Vendt, Jr., has been meaningfully involved with people that work all types of jobs, people that have various social statuses, and people that live with many different issues. This led him to practice family law.

We have all heard that “nothing takes the place of experience.” Mr. Vendt has been through a divorce himself and has shared custody of his child. He is a Richmond divorce lawyer who understands the battles one faces when it is time to end a marriage (money, children, reputation, failure, et cetera).

Outside of law, Mr. Vendt spends time with his family and in the...

Aileen has a diverse practice that focuses on various areas of family law. Her areas of family law practice include: 1. Divorce: Aileen provides guidance on matters such as property division, spousal support, and child custody. 2. Child Support: Aileen helps clients establish and modify child support arrangements, ensuring that the best interests of the child are upheld. She provides legal representation in child support hearings. 3. Child Custody: Aileen advocates for her clients' rights in child custody cases, whether it's determining custody arrangements during divorce or addressing custody disputes between unmarried parents. 4. Qualified Domestic Relations Orders (QDRO): Aileen assists clients in obtaining...

T.J. Roberts was born in Austin and raised in Lampasas, Texas. Playing baseball for the Lampasas Badgers earned T.J. a chance to attend Austin College in Sherman, Texas. T.J. graduated with a degree in political science and moved on to the Texas Tech University School of Law. In Law School, T.J. served as president of the Criminal Bar Association, Vice-Chair of The Board of Barristers, and was voted the Board’s most outstanding member. In addition to the Criminal Defense Clinic, where he received an American Jurisprudence Award, T.J. was also a member of several national trial advocacy teams. T.J....

I grew up in an immigrant family, experiencing the challenges and complexities of the immigration process firsthand. My parents moved to the United States seeking a better life, instilling in me a deep appreciation for the opportunities that U.S. citizenship provides. Driven by a desire to contribute to the community that fostered my success, I became the first in my family to attend university, graduating *summa cum laude* from the University of New Mexico. After completing my undergraduate studies, I dedicated myself to education, teaching in the bilingual school system in Madrid, Spain. Upon returning to the United States, I pursued...

Attorney Azam graduated from the University of Texas at El Paso, with a B.A. in Political Science, and a minor in Legal Reasoning in 2006. Before attending law school, he served as Director of Operations for an international corporation. He graduated from Thurgood Marshall School of Law in 2012 and has been licensed with the Texas Bar since then. He is also fluent in Arabic. Mr. Azam's philosophy is always to prepare every case as though it is going to trial. He is a zealous advocate and trial attorney, he is experienced in contract negotiations and drafting, business formation and all...

My name is Bryan Willis and I founded the East Texas Family Law Firm in Tyler, Texas. I help clients through divorce and other family law matters such as child custody cases, modifications, and enforcement. I founded the ETX Family Law Firm with the goal of providing practical legal advice. I want that legal advice to be supported with an excellent reputation for quality work and outstanding customer service. Everyday I come to work to help my clients get through the most difficult times in their lives. We will work together to make sure that we achieve the best resolution we...

Mr. Brashear's legal career began with a tour aboard the U.S.S. Philippine Sea (CG58). While aboard this U.S. Naval vessel, he defended the United States while visiting and taking in the cultural values of many other countries such as Poland, Lithuania, Sweden, Germany, Spain, Italy and Greece. After completing his tour aboard U.S.S. Philippine Sea (CG58), Mr. Brashear had the pleasure of working with the Navy Legal Service Office Southeast Jacksonville, Florida; where he processed claim under the Federal Tort Claims Act. While in Jacksonville, he was also stationed with the Trial Service Office Southeast where he...

Heather M. Bachman is a Board-Certified Family Law attorney committed to resolving family issues through collaboration and mediation. Guided by the principle that family relationships should be preserved and protected during crises, Heather prioritizes out-of-court settlements, using the courtroom as a last resort. Her extensive experience includes divorce, child support, visitation rights, enforcement of visitation and child support, collaborative law, and mediation. With a compassionate approach and thorough understanding of the law, Heather offers clients expert legal advice aimed at educating them about legal procedures, exploring solutions, encouraging settlements, maintaining reasonable fees, and protecting their rights when litigation becomes necessary. Her...

Melissa A. Aldape has been an attorney with Laura Dale and Associates, P.C. since 2019. She is a bilingual attorney, fluent in both English and Spanish, focusing her practice on helping individuals with family related matters. Melissa is licensed to practice law in Texas and is experienced in handling high conflict custody cases as well as property division in highly contested divorces.

Melissa graduated from Boston University with a Bachelor of Arts in English and Business Administration in 2011. She obtained a Juris Doctorate degree from Loyola University New Orleans College of Law in 2014 where she was the Secretary...

Mary Jones has been resolving family law matters, including complex financial issues, custody and visitation concerns, immediate and long reaching ramifications of settlement provisions for more than 25 years. Mary’s long-standing focus has been in all aspects of family law and collaborative divorce, including traditional and same-sex divorce, child support, spousal support, child custody, modifications, complex property division, maintenance, post-divorce disputes, paternity, adoptions, enforcement, pre- and post-marital agreements, and grandparent access.

2025 Super Lawyers Rising Star 2024 Avvo Client Choice Award 2024 Martindale-Hubbell Client Champion - Silver If you would like to discuss a customized approach for your case, call me at (361) 579-2490 or email cole@eckhoffpllc.com. My consultation fee is 300. I represent clients seeking strategic representation for divorce, child custody, child support, modification, enforcement, CPS, adoptions and appeals in family law cases where the Court has abused its discretion or misapplied the law in Victoria, Texas and the surrounding area, including Edna, Ganado, La Ward, Port Lavaca, Seadrift, Point Comfort, Cuero, Yoakum (DeWitt portion only), Yorktown, Goliad, Refugio, and Woodsboro. Learn more at...

Candice B. Deyerle is a founding partner of Deyerle Silva Smith, PLLC and is board certified in family law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. Clients with particularly complex family law issues, including divorce with businesses involved, multi-million dollar estates, privacy or publicity concerns, contested custody matters, children or parties with disabilities and/or special needs, or difficult issues such as alcoholism, drug abuse, addiction, mental health disorders, or personality disorders involved particularly benefit from Candice’s expertise. From the initial consultation, she will listen to and thoughtfully evaluate the facts of your case and work with you to...

Jamie Kerr graduated from Rice University with a bachelor’s degree in psychology in 2000. He spent nine years in education, working mostly with high school and university students through the process of application for admission to undergraduate, graduate, business, and law schools. In 2009, Jamie returned to school himself and graduated three years later from the University of Texas School of Law with a Juris Doctor. During his tenure at UT, Jamie focused heavily on clinical education, the study of the dynamics of domestic violence, and criminal law. He spent a year helping victims of domestic violence with their civil cases...

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...

Emily chose family law to help protect clients’ well-being. She works with clients to find a personalized solution for their situation. Emily understands that divorce and other family law matters are not simply a transaction, but a significant life transition. She offers practical and sound advice to help guide clients through this time to a hopeful future.

The Barrows Firm provides effective solutions in high conflict divorce cases, criminal and juvenile criminal matters, probate, guardianship and more.

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.

Paul G. Daly has a strong desire to help people resolve their legal issues. Since joining Anderson Legal Group, P.C., in August of 2012, Mr. Daly has resolved a variety of family law (including adoptions, divorces, custody disputes, and child support modifications) and criminal law cases for his clients.

Education and Goals
In addition to his Law Degree, Mr. Daly also holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Anthropology, or the study of the physical, cultural and societal developments of people. As such, Mr. Daly has a deep understanding of a wide range of cultural backgrounds and ideologies....

I have been on the Board of Directors of TRINITY METRO since 2013, served as Secretary 2015-2016 and Vice Chairman 2017-2019. TRINITY METRO operates all transportation services for Tarrant County, Texas, including bus, commuter rail, Zip Zone and Access for handicapped persons.
I have served on the Irving, Texas, Planning and Zoning Commission 1971-1975 and the Southlake, Texas, City Council 1992-1995.
I have been a member of the Grapevine Rotary Club since 1992 and served on their Board of Directors.
TEXAS MONTHLY Super Lawyer 2003 to present.
FORT WORTH MAGAZINE Top Lawyer 2009 to present.
Martindale-Hubbell AV rated & Preeminent Lawyers
Who's Who in American...

Mark has been licensed by the Supreme Court of Texas to practice in Texas state courts since November 1, 2013. Mark attended the University of North Texas in Denton, where he earned his Bachelor of Arts in English Literature in August 2005. He studied law at Texas Wesleyan School of Law and graduated with his Juris Doctor in May 2013, after which the school became Texas A&M University School of Law in the fall of 2013. Mark served in the United States Army from August 2005 until July 2009. He was stationed in Germany most of that...

Mr. Bridge serves as the Chief Operating Officer and Firm Managing Attorney at Bailey & Galyen, one of the largest consumer law firms in Texas. A dedicated leader and experienced attorney, James has been instrumental in driving the firm’s success and overseeing its operations. James earned his undergraduate degree from Texas Christian University (TCU) and went on to graduate from Texas Wesleyan University School of Law in 1998. During law school, he demonstrated his leadership abilities as the President of the Student Bar Association and as the President of his legal fraternity. With a proven track record in litigation, James is 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...

My practice is focused on Family Law, and Business Law, especially startups. I have been recognized as a Rising Star by Super Lawyers and I have have served my Bar Association as a Qualified Mediator and Past President of the Denton County Young Lawyers Association.

Graduated from The University of Texas at Austin in 1997 with a Bachelor in Social Work and soon thereafter, worked with the immigrant community as a social worker at a local middle school. In my work, I saw first-hand, the difficulties the undocumented confronted and decided to pursue law school to assist the immigrant community and have a greater impact on their everyday lives. Immediately upon enrollment in St. Mary's School of Law in 2000, I began assisting immigrants obtain legal status as a student attorney through the St. Mary's Immigration Clinic. I obtained my Juris Doctor...

I am a Family Law Attorney with over 25 years of experience in the family law field. I am a bilingual speaker fluent in both English and Spanish.

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.

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.

Sandra L. Sprott is currently a solo practitioner and owner of the Law Office of Sandra Sprott, P.C. in Arlington, Texas. Ms. Sprott represents diverse clients in the fields of collections, small business planning, and commercial/consumer litigation. She also devotes her time representing clients in the areas of family law, landlord/tenant disputes, estate planning, and probate matters. From 2008 to 2013, Ms. Sprott was a Managing Attorney at the Law Office of Ben Abbott, P.C., in Garland, Texas. In this role she provided counsel and performed a full complement of legal activities in the plaintiff personal injury field....

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