EDUCATION
Board Certified, Child Welfare Law – Texas Board of Legal Specialization, December 2018
Board Certified, Family Law – Texas Board of Legal Specialization, December 2011
Doctor of Jurisprudence, Texas Tech School of Law – Graduated May 2001; Licensed May 2001
B.A., Criminology and Criminal Justice - Honors Scholar & Magna Cum Laude – U.T. @ Arlington, Tx – May 1998
HONORS
AV Rating, Martindale-Hubbell
PRR AV Preeminent Attorney - Judicial Edition
Bar Register Women’s AV Preeminent Attorney
Texas Super Lawyers – Rising Star 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011
American Institute of Family Lawyers
SPECIALIZED TRAININGS
Child Welfare Training for Mediators, 2012
Family Law Mediation Training – includes Domestic Violence Training, 2008
Guardian Ad Litem/Attorney Ad Litem Trainings (Most recent: 2016)
Collaborative Law Training, 2004
Basic Mediation Training, 1999
PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITIES
State Bar of Texas, Child Protection Law Section, Council Member, Term expires 2023
Fellow, Texas Bar Foundation
Texas Bar College, Member
Chair, Dallas Bar Association Family Law Section, 2011
Vice-Chair, Dallas Bar Association Family Law Section, 2010
Treasurer, Dallas Bar Association Family Law Section, 2009
Secretary, Dallas Bar Association Family Law Section, 2008
President, Collin County Bar Association Family Law Section, May 2007 – June 2008
Member, State Bar of Texas (Family & Child Welfare Sections)
Member, Texas Academy of Family Law Specialists
Member, Dallas Bar Association (Family & Collaborative Law Sections)
Member, Dallas Bar Association Family Law Section Pro Bono Committee (2001 – 2008)
Member, Dallas Hispanic Bar Association
Member, Collin County Bar Association
Member, Collin County Bar Association Family Law Section
Alumnus, The Annette Stewart American Inn of Court
Master, The Curt B. Henderson American Inn of Court
ARTICLES
The Intersection of Immigration and Family Law
Special Juvenile Immigration Status (co-presenter)
May 27, 2022
The Intersection of Immigration and Family Law
Special Juvenile Immigration Status (co-presenter)
April 16, 2021
46th Advanced Family Law Course
Understanding Multi-Ethnic Issues in Foster Care Focusing on Special Immigration Juvenile Status (co-authored)
August 3 – 6, 2020
Child Protection Law Section, State Bar of Texas
Abuse, Abandonment and Neglect of Undocumented Children
Fall 2020, Volume 2, Issue 1
Immigration and Nationality Law Section, State Bar of Texas
Special Immigration Juvenile Classification in Texas
Summer 2020, Volume 1, No. 1
Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers Association
Sexual Assault: Gladiators in Suits
Sex Allegations in Divorce & Child Custody Cases: Taking Off the Metal Gloves
December 6 – 7, 2018
Collin County CPS Training
Extensions and Continuances in CPS cases (co-presenter)
June 2019
Collin County CPS Training
Attorney Ad Litem – Parents and Children (co-presenter)
April 2018
Collin County CPS Training
The Role of the AAL for An Absent / Unknown Parent and the Role of a GAL for Parent (co-presenter)
November 2017
Procedures in Immigration
Court 101: Representing Unaccompanied Minors and Families (co-authored)
May 2015
DVAP
The World of Attorney Ad Litems, Amicus Attorneys, Guardian Ad Litems and CASA with
Child Protective Services
April 29, 2011
Ad Litem and Amicus Attorney Court Appointments: Inside and Outside the Box Training
W.W. Caruth, Jr. Child Advocacy Clinic and Institute and Dallas Volunteer Attorney Program
The Care and Feeding of an Ad Litem/Amicus Attorney
July 14, 2010
