Wellman 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...

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...

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.

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...

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...

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.

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...

Fernando D. Gireud was born in El Paso, Texas, and graduated from Coronado High School in 2002. He attended the University of Texas – Austin where he majored in Computer Science and graduated in 2007. Afterwards, Fernando attended law school at St. Mary’s University School of Law in San Antonio, Texas where he graduated with his J.D. in 2010.

Shortly thereafter, Fernando moved back to his hometown of El Paso, Texas, where he worked for the Domestic Relations Office of El Paso County where he acted as friend of the court and worked on child support enforcement cases. In March 2012,...

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.

Born and raised in San Antonio and the Bexar County area. I am a graduate of NEISD, UTSA and Saint Mary's Law School, with 12 years of legal experience. I am committed to helping those in my community in true need of help.

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...

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...

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...

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...

Merrilee L. Harmon is a Family Law specialist, Board Certified by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization since 1985. Merrilee has lived most of her life in Waco. She graduated from Baylor University in 1975 with a Bachelor of Arts degree, majoring in elementary education with a minor in English. Merrilee also received certificates in teaching and in the fields of language and learning disabilities and mental disabilities. Merrilee graduated from Baylor Law School in 1978 with a Juris Doctor degree and concentration in Civil Trial Law. From 1978 to 1981, she practiced Criminal Law as...

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

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...

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.

Jennifer represents clients in adoptions, premarital planning and estate planning.

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,...

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...

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...

I am an attorney at the Law Office of Bryan Fagan. My practice includes representation of clients at all stages of the legal separation or divorce process, including pre-divorce planning, informal and formal settlement negotiations, court-ordered mediation, divorce litigation in court, and post-divorce enforcement. In addition, he has helped many clients overcome the challenging legal issues related to property distribution, financial support, and parental rights. Practice Areas: -Family Law -Divorce -Temporary Orders -Enforcement -Modifications

Stephanie was born and raised in Katy, Texas. She graduated from the University of Houston Law Center where she participated in the Educational Rights Clinic, Juvenile Law Clinic, Immigration Clinic, and the Alternative Dispute Resolution team. Through her work in the legal clinics, she had the privilege of zelalously advocating for her various clients. Stephanie is well versed in the financial aspects of divorce, having received her accounting degree from the University of Houston Honors College with cum laude honors, particularly as it affects real estate, retirement accounts, and business ownership. Stephanie’s passion for the legal profession, attention to detail, and professionalism...

John C. Ginn is a partner with the law firm of Smith, McDowell, Ginn in Sulphur Springs. He has a general personal injury practice and is Board Certified by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization in Personal Injury Trial Law and by the National Board of Trial Advocacy as a Civil Trial Advocate. He has served as chairman of the District 1A Grievance Committee and is a past member of the Professionalism Committee of the State Bar of Texas. He is a member of the American Board of Trial Advocates and formerly served as a director of the Texas Trial...

Octavio Salinas II brings forth an extensive legal and business background. He has handled hundreds of criminal and civil cases throughout Texas and the United States, settled multi-million dollar personal injury claims, and argued before the state and federal appeal courts.

Silverio Martinez is a highly respected criminal defense and personal injury attorney with over two decades of legal experience. Based in Laredo, Texas, he began his legal career at the esteemed law firm Lopez Peterson before serving as a prosecutor in the Webb County District Attorney’s Office. During his tenure, he rose to leadership roles, including Chief of the Narcotics Unit and a leading figure in domestic violence prosecutions. This unique experience gave him a comprehensive understanding of how criminal cases are built and prosecuted. Today, Mr. Martinez leverages his background as a former prosecutor to offer aggressive, strategic defense for...

I was licensed to practice law in 1992, and am licensed in the Federal District Court-Eastern and Southern Districts of Texas, the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals, and the United States Supreme Court. I am Board Certified by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization in Family Law. Less than 1% of all the attorney's licensed in the State of Texas are Board Certified in Family Law. I am part of that 1%.
The Bloodworth Law Firm is a Trial and Litigation law firm, which practices a general practice of law, handling a...

I was born and raised in the farmlands of the Midwestern United States. I earned an Associate in Science degree from Lincoln Trail College, marking a significant milestone as the first person in my family to obtain a college degree. My educational journey continued at Southern Illinois University, where I achieved both a Bachelor of Science and a Master of Science in Organic Chemistry. My legal education began at the University of Houston and concluded at Indiana University School of Law in Indianapolis, Indiana, where I graduated with a Juris Doctorate cum laude in 2008. During my time in law school,...

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...

Specializing in family law, Morgan serves as an Amicus attorney, advocating for children's best interests. Her practice areas include custody, visitation, and child support matters. As a former president of the South Texas College of Law’s mediation group, she emphasizes mediation to help families reach amicable solutions without resorting to trial. Morgan's experience encompasses visitation modifications, parental rights and child support, parental alienation, paternity, stepparent adoptions, grandparent rights, and representing parties in cases involving the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services. Her professional affiliations include the Houston Bar Association (Family Law Section), State Bar of Texas (Family Law and Child Welfare...

I practice immigration and family law in Katy, Texas. I graduated from the University of Houston Law Center. Before becoming a lawyer I taught both elementary and high school students. Before teaching, I attended Lehigh University as an undergrad where I played college volleyball, took part in an all girls acapella group, and studied international relations. I now live in Katy with my husband and son. I am so excited to live in such a vibrant city where I can make a positive difference in people's lives.

After receiving her law degree from the University of Houston in 2012, Kathleen began practicing family law in the greater Houston area. Her practice has continued to grow while maintaining a focus on family law matters, including adult disabled children, divorce and asset division, modification and enforcement of prior orders, child custody, and child support. She is also experienced in settlement negotiations, mediation, hearings and trial. Kathleen believes that no case is “standard” and it is her attention to the unique circumstances of each case that leads to success for her clients. A native of the Houston area, Kathleen...

Over 30 years in family law experience. My office also provides services in guardianship and probate matters.