Valley Spring Family Lawyers

Morgan earned a Bachelor of Arts in Economics, a minor in Poverty Studies and Social Justice from Baylor University where she was also an Honors College student. While at Baylor, she was the President of the Baylor chapter of the International Justice Mission and volunteered with local anti-humanitrafficking organizations, like Unbound Waco. Morgan became interested in the law after listening to a lecture by Bryan Stevenson, founder of the Equal Justice Initiative, on the opportunity for lawyers to do good with their law degrees. She then spent a summer interning at the Sacramento District Attorney’s office in her hometown. There...

A renowned super lawyer for over four decades, Garry Lewellen has a stellar reputation, earned by case preparation and courtroom skills. A former Chief Justice describes Lewellen as having the innate ability to, "cross examine witnesses with surgical precision, exposing falsehoods, and revealing the truth."

Lewellen graduated from the University of Texas, in 1970, with a degree in Political Science. He subsequently attended the University of Texas School of Law, while serving as Governor Preston Smith’s Student Affairs Advisor for all college campuses within the state.

Thereafter, with approval of the...

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,...

Attorney Chrysandra S. Bowen believes in putting her clients first. Passionate about the best interest of her clients, she has earned a reputation for aggressively advocating on their behalf. As a mother herself, she is keenly aware of how divorce can adversely affect the children. She helps clients minimize the impact that divorce and separation have on their children. She has long had an affinity for children and family issues.

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...

Prior to joining Hunt Law Firm, Mia graduated in the top five percent of her class, earning summa cum laude from South Texas College of Law after graduating with honors from Texas A&M University.

Mia is passionate about family law because of the client-focused assistance she can offer families during a time of need. She understands every case is different and focuses on working with her clients to achieve the best possible outcome together. As an attorney, Mia believes it is most important to effectively communicate and be prepared.

Previously, Mia worked as an attorney at a family law firm in Houston....

Hanna’s passion for family law grew out of her drive to help others going through difficult times. She prides herself on being a zealous advocate for her clients at every stage of their case. Her goal is to get the best outcome for her client while ensuring her client’s experience within the legal system is as stress-free as possible. Hanna prioritizes open, honest, and consistent communication with her clients because she knows support from an attorney is invaluable. Hanna understands that each case is different, and firmly believes that her role is to provide clients with the legal guidance necessary...

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...

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...

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.

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

I am a solo practitioner and my primary focus is family law and probate. If you are looking for an attorney who will truly listen to your issues and will work with you throughout the process, then give me a call. Solving your problem and getting you back on track is my primary concern. I am diligent, responsive, tenacious, reliable, and I truly care about my clients.

I joined Minor & Jester, P.C. in April of 2025, where my practice is centered around civil litigation, family law, and probate matters. I graduated magna cum laude with a Juris Doctor from Texas Tech University School of Law. During my time there, I stood out for my academic achievements and skills in the courtroom. I represented clients in the Criminal Defense Clinic and actively participated in national moot court and mock trial competitions. Additionally, I was a board member of the Board of Barristers, coaching and judging advocacy teams in various events such as negotiations, moot court, and mock trials....

Kourtney is a trusted family lawyer working hard for families throughout the Houston area. As an experienced attorney, she has assisted families with divorce cases, child custody cases, adoptions, name changes, and estate planning. Kourtney's goal is to provide her clients stellar representation, while keeping the client's goals at the forefront. With Kourtney as their attorney, clients can expect a compassionate advocate committed to resolving their legal issues.

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...

Shahzad R. Khan is an accomplished attorney/litigator. He has over ten-years of experience in the practice of law in Immigration, domestic relations, estate planning, and corporate matters. He is experienced in civil litigation and an author of several published articles on family law issues. Over the course of his career, Shahzad has honed his highly strategic legal skills by successfully litigating and settling numerous cases involving family law issues in Texas and Illinois.
Moreover, Shahzad is well experienced and versed in the areas of Employment and Family Based Immigration. He has prepared and overseen the preparation of...

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.

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...

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.

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...

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...

Katherine's fervor lies in leveraging her experience and talents to aid others, a trait instilled in her by her upbringing as the daughter of two dedicated public school teachers in the Dallas area. This early exposure to community service molded her aspiration to pursue a career in family law, shaping the very essence of her professional approach. In 2012, Katherine attained her juris doctorate with honors from the University of Oklahoma, College of Law. Throughout her tenure there, she excelled as the Symposium Editor of The Oklahoma Law Review, earning recognition with the Gene H. and Jo Ann Sharpe Award for...

LaQuisha Batson provides knowledgeable and sound counsel in all cases related to family law. Her services encompass legal matters involving divorce, prenuptial agreements, cohabitation agreements, child custody, and post-divorce modification. As a compassionate lawyer, Ms. Batson zealously fights for the rights of her clients. She recognizes the delicate nature of family law matters and handle every case with the sensitivity it deserves. She is diligent and professional, committed to achieving her clients’ needs.

Even before founding The Ramos Law Firm, Guillermo Ramos has been devoted to advancing his client’s causes. First as a real estate agent then Real Estate Broker, Mr. Ramos, represented his clients in real estate transactions across North Texas. In 2004, he formed G R Realtors & Associates LLC a Texas real estate brokerage. He has taught agents in Texas the art of the real estate deal ever since. Desiring more out of his career he attended Texas A&M University School of Law. He graduated in December 2009 and was admitted to the State Bar of Texas as a...

Sohaib is a divorce attorney practicing primarily in Fort Bend County, Texas and Harris County, Texas. Sohaib serves his clients by listening to their goals, developing a roadmap for reaching those goals, and equipping his clients with a fundamental understanding of how those goals can be accomplished. By doing this, his clients are better enabled to make informed decisions regarding the direction of their case, including decisions affecting their parental rights and property interests in their case. Sohaib firmly believes in fostering and maintaining a trusting relationship with his clients, and he understands that each client’s case is unique and requires...

Immigration Attorney Daniel F. Albert has over 15 years of experience in practicing law and has helped thousands of clients achieve their American dream of being a US resident or citizen. His practice extends to clients in all 50 states and overseas. Attorney Albert graduated from Tulane University with B.S. Eng. in Biomedical Engineering. He also possesses graduate degrees including an MBA and Masters in Real Estate Development. Attorney Albert received his Juris Doctor with honors from North Carolina Central University School of Law and his Master of Laws in Taxation from the prestigious Northwestern Pritzker...

Joanne Nwaogu’s family law practice is rooted in child advocacy. Ensuring the safety and comfort of children involved in family disputes has been her priority for more than 12 years. Joanne focuses her practice in family law matters involving Child Protective Services (CPS). Her cases are often centered on finding safe environments where children can reside permanently, helping them escape abuse and violence while securing future stability at home. Before attending law school, Joanne worked at the Department of Family and Protective Services for three years in the Child Protective Services unit, advocating for abused children in CPS custody. Joanne assessed...

My practice is focused on cases that require my individual attention, through analysis of my clients facts, and then using my skill, effort, strategy and wisdom to work with my client to obtain the best results.

I do not do a high volume of cases. Instead I like to work with my clients on a one on one basis so that I can help them in a difficult time in their life. I cannot do this is I and handling 10 cases in Court day, or am 3 weeks behind on returning client's phone calls.

Instead I work...

Chris A. Spofford is a Family Law Attorney in Houston who has been defending the rights of men, women and children in Texas Family Law matters for more than 30 years. Over that time, he has handled thousands of divorce and Family Law cases. He has distinguished himself during intense courtroom trials as well as innovating in alternatives to family law litigation, such as divorce mediation and collaborative family law.

Board Certification: Board Certified by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization, 1993; recertified, 1998, 2003, 2008, 2013

Admitted to the Bar: 1986, Texas; 1998, U.S. District Court, Southern District of...

Family Law attorney. Mediator. Practice in Harris, Fort Bend and Montgomery County, Texas. Spanish-Speaking attorney.

I feel most comfortable in a courtroom advocating for my clients and arguing their cases. Years ago, one of my clients called me the "velvet hammer" and it's a nickname that has stuck. I try cases because I enjoy helping people, however, I am also a huge advocate of the mediation process and enjoy cominging up with creative solutions to help my clients reach an amicable resolution. My reputation for thorough preparation and effective advocacy enables my clients a range of options including disposition of the case in their favor through motion practice, settlement, trial, or even reaching...

Carl Ritter is a senior attorney at Bryan Fagan, PLLC, representing clients in family law and estate planning matters. HIs focus areas are contested divorces, child custody disputes, guardianships, and contested wills. Carl doesn’t shy away from the cases involving parties with difficult pasts, or cases involving Child Protective Services (CPS). He is a fierce advocate for clients that are attempting to keep or regain custody of their children, and he also provides assistance to grandparents who are fighting for their grandchildren. He understands that the best interest of the child is always the most important factor in any case. Carl’s representation...