Top Best Family Lawyers | 17471 Available

Grady Reiff began working for Fullenweider Wilhite as a clerk in law school and became an associate with the firm shortly after his admission to the State Bar of Texas in 2010.. Grady has represented a variety of individuals in all aspects of family law, including drafting pre- and post-marital property agreements, preparing gestational (surrogacy) agreements, divorce litigation, parentage and custody suits, adoptions and parental rights termination, child custody and support modifications and enforcements, and post-divorce property enforcements and divisions. Grady also has extensive experience in complex property characterizations and valuations and pre-trial matters, working to successfully dismiss unmeritorious claims, defending as well as invalidating pre- and post-marital property agreements, and reaching settlement.. Prior to joining the firm, Grady interned at the First Court of Appeals of Texas under Justice Terry Jennings and was a member of the Environmental & Energy Law and Policy Journal at the University of Houston Law Center. He is also a fifth-generation Texan and native Houstonian.

Ashley V. Tomlinson is an experienced attorney with Laura Dale & Associates, P.C. She focuses her practice on helping clients with their family related matters. With over ten years of legal experience, Ashley has helped many families with all aspects of family law, including cases involving child abduction under the Hague Convention.. Ashley graduated magna cum laude from Hollins University where she received a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and French. She earned a Juris Doctorate from Tulane University in New Orleans where she was the Senior Articles Editor for Tulane Journal of International and Comparative Law, one of the leading scholarly journals in international law. While in law school, Ashley focused primarily on family and international law. She was a member of the Tulane Domestic Violence Law Clinic, representing survivors of domestic violence in divorce and protective order cases. Ashley also interned for the Honorable Lisa Millard of the 310th Family District Court of Harris County, Texas.. Ashley has a unique legislative background, with previous experience in the U.S. Senate, U.S. House of Representatives, Texas Senate, and as a lobbyist. Ashley is Board Certified in Family Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. She is licensed to practice law in the state of Texas and is admitted to the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals and the United States District and Bankruptcy Court of the Southern District of Texas.. Ashley is a member of several legal organizations including the State Bar of Texas, Houston Bar Association, and Houston Young Lawyers Association. She was selected by her peers for inclusion in the Texas Super Lawyers Rising Stars list by Thomson Reuters from 2019 to 2020. Her clients often describe her as a “patient” attorney who is “responsive, diligent, and knowledgeable” when handling cases.

I am passionate about personal injury and entertainment law. A native Houstonian, I graduated from The University of Houston Law Center. Prior, I attended college at Emory University, graduating with a joint degree in English and Creative Writing and a minor in Theater.. During my time at the University of Houston Law Center, I was President of the Student Animal Legal Defense Fund and chaired the Moore’s School of Music Gala.  I was also honored and a speaker alongside actress Christine Baranski for the Human Rights Gala. I completed a summer clerkship at the Law Office of Dan Cogdell, a nationally prominent, Houston based, white collar defense attorney, and a winter clerkship at a boutique family law firm.. After graduating from the University of Houston Law Center, I went on to earn my LLM degree in Entertainment and Media Law from Southwestern Law School in Los Angeles. There, I was editor of the award winning Biederman Entertainment Law Review.. While in Los Angeles, I clerked at The Rosen Law Group, a boutique entertainment law firm in Venice Beach, that represents a variety of entertainment industry clients, including actors, directors, and production companies. In the entertainment law industry, I found a natural fit working with people, which led her ultimately to a career in family law.. I am also certified life coach from the Life Coach Institute of Orange County.  As a coach, I  specialized in empowerment coaching and dating and relationship coaching.  I truly believe that my life coach background makes her particularly compassionate regarding her family law clients.

Nicholas Traylor is an experienced attorney in Houston, Texas who focuses his practice on helping individuals and families facing family law challenges. He regularly advises clients on cases involving divorce and separation, complex property disputes, and child custody. Nicholas joined Laura Dale & Associates, P.C. in 2018 after working for several family law firms in Houston.. Nicholas spent the majority of his life living abroad in Asia and the Middle East. He returned to the United States after high school and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from Baylor University. After receiving his undergraduate degree, he enrolled in Baylor University’s law program where he received his Juris Doctorate degree. While in law school, Nicholas sharpened his advocacy skills by serving on Baylor’s moot court and mock trial team. During his first summer in law school, he had the privilege of serving as an intern for, the now retired, Honorable Bonnie Crane Hellums of the 247th Judicial District Court in Harris County, Texas. He has been licensed to practice law in the state of Texas since 2014 and is dedicated to helping families find solutions to their legal needs.. Nicholas is affiliated with several legal organizations including the State Bar of Texas, Houston Bar Association, and Houston Young Lawyers Association. He was listed in Houstonia Magazine’s “2020 Top Lawyers” and was recognized by Lawyer Legion for his Professional Involvement in the legal community. Of his work, clients describe him as an attorney who is “thorough” and “very knowledgeable in family law.”

Jedediah D. (“Jed”) Moffett is originally from Amarillo, Texas. Jed attended McMurry University in Abilene, Texas where he received his bachelor’s degree in 2000. In 2005, Jed earned his Doctor of Jurisprudence from South Texas College of Law Houston and was licensed to practice law in the State of Texas that same year. Jed is admitted to practice law in state district courts in Texas and the United States District Court – Southern District of Texas. Jed is a member of the Houston Bar Association, Family Law Section, the State Bar of Texas, American Bar Association, and the Houston Young Lawyers Association. Jed has been recognized on multiple occasions in Texas Monthly Magazine, Super Lawyers – Rising Stars Edition, and has been a guest speaker at South Texas College of Law.. Jed’s practice focuses primarily on litigation of contested Family Law cases involving divorce, division of property, complex assets and estates, and contested custody cases. Jed has significant experience representing clients in highly litigated cases involving all areas of Family Law including high net worth estates, complex assets, and significantly contested custody cases. Since establishing the Firm in 2006, Jed has built a reputation as a quality Houston family law attorney, zealous advocate and an honest and trusted adviser to his clients.

Our law firm is dedicated to serving the needs of clients by providing the highest level of commitment, experience and professionalism to achieve successful results. We assist families in time of transition whether that be by divorce or the seeking of custody of a child, modifications, enforcements and pre & post nuptial agreements. Please click on our Practice Areas for a more detailed list of the matters that we handle.. When hiring an attorney, you should always feel comfortable and confident with your ultimate choice. That is why we promise that you can always talk directly to one of our lawyers. The office will strive to keep you completely informed as your case progresses. You will be involved with all decisions affecting your case.. James R. Hedlesten. Education. B.S. Criminal Justice, Southwest Texas State University (1998). Texas Southern University – Thurgood Marshall School of Law. Juris Doctorate, 2001. Admitted to the Bar. State Bar of Texas -- 2002. Areas of Practice. Divorce; Child Custody Litigation; Enforcement of Court Orders; Modification of Prior Court Orders; Father’s Rights; Grandparents’ Rights; Child Support and Visitation; Premarital and Marital Property Agreements; Community Property Division; Complex Division of Marital Assets. Memberships. American Bar Association, Houston Bar Association, Member of Family Law Section and Fort Bend County Bar Association. American Inns of Court and Burta Rhoads Raborn Family Law Inns of Court. Biography. In 2002, James earned his law degree at Texas Southern University’s School of Law. James handles all types of family cases. James is licensed to practice in both Federal and State District Courts. James has had casses all over Texas, but works primairly in Harris, Galveston, Brazoria, Montgomery and Fort Bend counties.

Mr. Sydow was born in Cuero, Texas, December 12, 1950. He earned his undergraduate degree from Southwestern University with concentrations in Physics and Modern Languages. He attended the University Texas School of Law graduating with Honors. He was admit­ted to the bar in 1976.. After graduation Mr. Sydow joined the United States Navy General Counsel’s Office where he served with distinction. He was named the Outstanding Student in the Navy’s post graduate law program in 1976. During his career with the Navy General Counsel’s Office he was in charge of major litigation involving research and development, construction, supply, and services contracts.. Since leaving the Navy Mr. Sydow has specialized in complex litigation. He has been lead counsel in cases arising from complex divorce and family matters involving complex financials, maritime disasters, ship collisions, hazardous materials spills, airline disasters, exposure to toxic materials, commodities trading and hedging, securities, violations, major insurance coverage matters, intellectual property, defamation, oil and gas royalties, and international trading disputes. He is also experienced in construction law, government contracts, and utili­ties regulation.. Mr. Sydow is a Fellow of the Texas Bar Foundation and Houston.  He is a Member of the Houston Bar Association and the Federal Bar Association. Mr. Sydow was Chair of the Houston Bar Judicial Liaison Committee, 1989-1990. He received the President’s Award for his service in 1990. He is Board Certified in Civil Trial Law and speaks Portuguese, Spanish and French.

In Real Life I am blessed to be the devoted husband of one, father of four, grandfather of ten, and confidant of my trusty companion, Sammie, an energetic 5 year old Cocker Spaniel "rescue" who agrees with me on almost everything . Married to the former Joann Worley of Houston, Texas in 1956, I have spent my entire adult life in Houston except for sojourns to Texas A&M University for an education, and the University of Texas Law School to "learn a trade." Along the way I have been privileged to play college and semi professional baseball, sing with the Houston Grand Opera, ride tens of thousands of miles on a motorcycle deep into Mexico (long before motorcycles were cool), own a motorcycle dealership, conduct The Houston Symphony Orchestra, be a church choir director and bail bondsman, all while managing to persuade my bride of all these years to continue to be patient with me. This eclectic journey has taught me how truly unique each client, and that client's values, really are. Collaborative practice allows me to honor the uniqueness of each client, while serving as an advocate, counselor and guide during perilous times in their lives.. I believe that "the family" is the single most important entity in our culture, and in our time. I was drawn to family law because of its' potential to truly make a difference in the lives of individual clients and help strengthen that institution in direct and positive ways at the same time. This,to me, is an awesome opportunity to leave the world a little better than you found it, one family at a time.. I hope that 58 years of marriage, 53 years in the practice of law, and 30 consecutive years inclusion in Best Lawyers of America suggests that, God willing, I will be here when you need me, and can be counted on to provide thoughtful and understanding counsel as well as passionate advocacy for those things you feel are most important.

I am a native Houstonian with deep roots in Texas. I am a husband and father. Before law school, I worked as a family crisis interventionist. I saw first-hand the myriad of family dynamics and learned the importance of providing the right kind of help to families.I know that no two family law cases are the same. That is why I strive to provide personalized representation to each client. Clients expect more than just a lawyer when dealing with difficult and emotional matters. I have the extra-legal background to provide more than just legal representation. My work in family services and degree in psychology allow me to draw upon experience and education to provide advice and understanding to my clients.. Twice named to the Texas Super Lawyers Rising Stars 2014 / 2015. Houstonia Magazine Top Lawyers of 2015. H Texas Magazine Top Family Lawyers 2016 / 2017 / 2018

John Ransom has been an attorney for Laura Dale & Associates, P.C. since 2012. He focuses his practice on family law matters. Licensed to practice law in Texas since 2009, he has handled family related cases, including: prenuptial and postnuptial agreements, complex property issues, and bankruptcy.. John is a graduate of American University with a degree in International Studies. He obtained his law degree from Texas Tech University School of Law in 2008 where he was involved in the Student Bar Association. He later interned for the Honorable Jeff Bohm and worked as in-house counsel before working at Laura Dale & Associates, P.C.. John is a member of the Houston Bar Association and Burta Rhoads Raborn Family Law Inn of Court. He is also a Co-Founder of American University Alumni Association’s Houston chapter and has volunteered his time on the board of various charitable organizations, including the Epilepsy Foundation of Texas, Constellation Foundation, and Camp For All Foundation, where he was a former Program Director. John was recognized in the Texas Rising Stars list by Thomson Reuters from 2018 to 2019. He is an advocate for family rights and passionately works in his clients’ best interest.

J. Shannon Cavers is a seasoned attorney at Laura Dale & Associates, P.C. in Houston, Texas. She focuses her practice on helping individuals and families with family law matters.. Shannon graduated from Sam Houston State University with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Government. She then graduated at the top of her class from South Texas College of Law where she earned her Juris Doctorate degree. Throughout her legal career, Shannon has handled cases involving civil litigation and health care liability claims; however, her passion is in family law. She is a certified family law mediator through the Texas Mediator Credentialing Association and is a parenting facilitator and coordinator.. Shannon is a long-time member of the Texas Bar College, an organization for judges, lawyers, and paralegals to enhance professional skills. She is also a member of several legal associations including the American Bar Association, State Bar of Texas, and the Burta Rhoads Raborn Family Law Inn of Court, and the Houston Bar Association where she served as a Co-Chair of the Continuing Legal Education Committee and the Alternative Dispute Resolution Section.. Of her work, clients describe her as “honest,” “hard working,” and an attorney that is “amazing at walking her clients through difficult experiences.”

Jelena Kovacevic earned her bachelor’s degree in Finance from Southern Methodist University in 2006 and her Juris Doctor, cum laude, from Texas Tech University in 2009.  She was admitted to the State Bar of Texas inNovember 2009.. Jelena's practice is devoted to all areas of family law.  She assists clients through complex divorce matters, high asset property division and contested custody litigation.  Jelena is client focused and understands that each case, like each client, is different.  Her approach is to provide every client with personalized attention throughout each step of the case.. Along with her trial experience, Jelena is trained in the area of collaborative law.  Whether in the conference room or the courtroom, she is able to guide her clients through all of the challenges that present themselves during the process.

Dan-Phi is a former Assistant County Attorney with over 8 years experience in the area of Family and Child Welfare Law as a CPS Prosecutor for the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services. Skilled in Motion Practice, Legal Writing, Discovery, Oral Advocacy, and First Chair Jury Trial Experience. He earned his post-graduate (JD) degree from Thurgood Marshall School of Law (Texas Southern University) in 2010 and has been licensed to practice in the State of Texas since 2011. After departing from the County Attorney's office, he briefly worked under two reputable family law firms for a brief period of time, and learned a great deal of family law outside of the CPS realm, only to later realize that he was no longer built to work under anyone as an associate and decided to start his own law practice with the primary focus on family law and CPS defense.. Dan-Phi V. Nguyen is a native Houstonian who was born and raised in Sharpstown and Sugar Land, Texas in his younger years. He graduated from Houston Baptist University in February 2004 with a Bachelor degree in Business Administration and Finance. After working a few years in commercial property management and real estate, he decided to pursue a legal career and attended Thurgood Marshall School of Law. During his tenure there, he took every opportunity to participate in trial simulation events, mock trials, and moot court competitions. Dan-Phi fell in love with the courtroom since his internship with the Harris County Attorney’s Office (Child Protective Division) and developed many meaningful relationships with his mentors where he was offered the job as an Assistant County Attorney two weeks after his admission with the Texas State Bar. He has experience in CPS and family law litigation in both the family courts and juvenile courts of Harris County, Fort Bend County, Montgomery County, and Galveston in the counties. He was very active with TMSL Board of Advocates and has been invited every year to act as presiding judge over the mock trial competitions for TMSL’s rising lawyers in training.

As a compassionate advocate, Tesha prides herself in knowing the details that make the difference. She knows that achieving the best possible result in each case is dependent on thoroughly listening to the client, understanding and analyzing the client’s specific facts and circumstances, and ultimately being a voice for that client. Tesha excels in telling her client’s story in a compelling and persuasive manner that gets results.. Tesha often receives referrals from her past clients- a true testimony to the care Tesha provides each case, the attention given to each client’s file, and the successful outcomes realized when the cases are complete.Tesha has handled and successfully resolved cases for several notable public interest figures, professional athletes, and other prominent sports figures, maintaining the strictest confidences to keep such cases out of the public arena and media. Tesha has also successfully handled more than half a dozen grandparent conservatorship cases and is equipped to handle any family law matter presented.. Tesha Peeples began her tenure with Holmes, Diggs & Sadler as a law clerk, and is now a shareholder with the firm. She has gained significant experience handling divorce, child custody, child custody modification, paternity, grandparent rights, and other family law cases, and has first-chair trial experience in family law.. Tesha’s dedication to her clients and reputation led to her nomination and selection as a Rising Star in Family Law by Super Lawyers in 2018. This honor was again bestowed on Tesha in 2019 and 2020. Only 2.5% of lawyers are chosen for this honor each year, and Tesha has now been selected three years in a row.. In 2019, Tesha was also named as a Houstonia 2019 Top Lawyer. Tesha was awarded AVVO’s Client’s Choice award for Child Custody in 2012. 2015-2017, Tesha was selected as one of the “10 Best” Family Law Attorneys for Client Satisfaction for Texas by the American Institute of Family Law Attorneys.. Tesha is a member of the Family Law Section of the State Bar of Texas, the Family Law Section of the Houston Bar Association, and the Montgomery County Bar Association. In 2018, she was appointed to serve a three-year term on the District 4 Grievance Committee of the State Bar of Texas, and is in her second year of service. Additionally, Tesha served on the State Bar of Texas Unauthorized Practice of Law Committee in 2017 and 2018, and the Association of Women Attorneys Judicial Screening Committee from 2012 to 2014.. Tesha graduated from the University of Houston Law Center, where she excelled in advocacy placing in many competitive mock trial and alternative dispute resolution competitions. Tesha was 1 of only 10 students elected to the Order of Barristers, a national honorary organization whose purpose is the encouragement of oral advocacy and brief writing skills through effective law school oral advocacy programs. Tesha also served as the Chief Articles Editor of the Journal of Consumer and Commercial Law.

Rachel's focus in every case is on the client: she listens to determine her client's goals, then devises straight-forward strategies to achieve cleint success.. Rachel's interest in family law began with an internship at the Office of the Attorney General, Child Support Division, while she pursued her undergraduate decree from Trinity University. At South Texas College of Law, Rachel continued to follow her interest in family law.. Rachel added labor and employment law to her legal practice when she began working with Judith Sadler, a partner at Diggs & Sadler where Rachel works. Rachel is Board Certified in Labor & Employment Law. Rachel has represented plaintiffs and defendants in matters involving the Fair Labor Standards Act, the Americans with Disabilties Act, the Age Discrimination Act, Title VII actions, the Family Medical Leave Act, and numerous other labor and employment disputes.. Rachel currently splits her practice between family law and labor and employment law.

Taly Thiessen is a battle-proven Houston family law and Houston criminal defense attorney at Thiessen Law Firm. In addition to being licensed in Texas, she is also licensed in Kansas and Colorado. She was born and raised on a ranch in Plains, Kansas. She attended West Texas A&M University, where she played basketball and soccer and graduated cum laude in 2007 with a B.S. in Mass Communications/Broadcasting. Next, she attended law school at Texas Tech University School of Law.. During law school, Taly clerked for the Law Office of Mark Snodgrass, helping with criminal defense, family law, and litigation. She also had an internship with the Innocence Project of Texas, supporting their initiative in overturning wrongful convictions and securing freedom for men and women wrongfully imprisoned for crimes they did not commit.. After graduating from law school, Taly continued her employment with Mark Snodgrass, as an associate in his firm, for the next 5 years. Since that time, she has expanded her practice to include juvenile law and family law cases such as divorce, child custody cases, and child support issues.. While in Lubbock, Taly was the President of the Lubbock Criminal Defense Lawyer’s Association and served on the board of the Lubbock Bar Association. Taly is regularly and actively involved in several civic and charitable organizations, including The Junior League of Lubbock, Paul’s Project, Big Brothers and Big Sisters, and Food2Kids.. In late 2016, Taly made the move to Houston, Texas, to begin work with the Thiessen Law Firm. She is excited to bring her criminal knowledge to the firm as well as expand their family law client base. She understands that in Houston child custody and divorce cases, every family is unique. Whether you need an aggressive advocate or compassionate attorney, she will take the time to listen and understand your specific needs. Her goal is to give each client an honest appraisal of their situation so they can make informed decisions.. Taly is licensed by the Supreme Court of Texas.