Anita helps parents stay focused on their children and on protecting them from the trauma that contested and prolonged litigation brings with it. “I believe every child deserves the freedom to continue to love both parents even if they don’t live together anymore,” says Anita, “and every parent deserves to maintain a close, loving relationship with their child despite living apart from the other parent.”
As a seasoned litigator, Anita believes her clients benefit most when their divorce or custody matter is resolved by agreement, outside of a courtroom. When that is not possible, however, she’s the first to roll up her shirtsleeves and fight the good fight.
“Sometimes, no matter how much my client hopes to stay out of court, it simply can’t be avoided,’’ Anita explains. “This can happen when the other party refuses to compromise, thinking they will ‘win’ if they go to court. Unfortunately, going to court can be necessary when mental health issues or addiction cause an impasse or a safety concern that requires more protection than the affected party is willing to agree to.”
In and out of the courtroom, Anita pours all of her energy, knowledge and experience into understanding each client’s unique needs. She works hard, advocating with passion and compassion, to help each client achieve the best possible resolution of their case.
Anita began her legal career more than two decades ago, first in Georgia and then in Colorado. In 2003, she limited her practice to family law exclusively when she began working at one of Denver’s most preeminent family law firms. “That is where I found my calling helping families through crisis.” In 2008, Anita began practicing in Texas and she has called Dallas home ever since.
Anita is the immediate past-President of Collaborative Divorce Dallas. She currently serves as Vice-Chair of the State Bar of Texas’s Collaborative Law Section and as Chair of the Dallas Bar Association’s Collaborative Law Section. In 2020, Anita was selected to Lawdragon’s Top 500 Leading Family Lawyers in the United States and has as a Best Lawyer in America for her work in Family Law every year since 2018, and in Collaborative Law since 2019. Texas Monthly consistently lists her as one of the Top Women Attorneys in Texas and she has been recognized as a Texas Super Lawyer every year since 2015. Anita is a Fellow of the Texas Bar Foundation and the Colorado Bar Foundation, which recognize individual attorneys who demonstrate an outstanding commitment to their clients and to the legal system.
HONORS & AWARDS
• Board Certified in Family Law, 2023
• The Best Lawyers in America©, Family Law, Woodward and White Press, 2018-current
• The Best Lawyers in America©, Collaborative Law, Woodward and White Press, 2019-current
• Texas Super Lawyers, Thomson Reuters, 2015-current
• Lawdragon 500 Leading Family Lawyers in the United States
• Top Women Attorneys in Texas, Texas Monthly, 2020-current
PUBLICATIONS
• 15 Tips Divorce Attorneys Use To Strengthen Their Own Marriages, Women’s Health, 2017
• 5 Important Questions to Ask Your Family Law Attorney About Custody & Divorce, Custody X Change, 2017
• Collaborative Divorce in Texas, Avvo, 2009
• How do I calculate child support if living in Texas?, Avvo, 2009
PRESENTATIONS
• “Collaborative Law Practice”, Dallas Area Paralegal Association, Family Law Section, Co-Presenter 2019
ACTIVITIES & AFFILIATIONS
• Collaborative Divorce Dallas, immediate past-President
• Dallas Bar Association, Collaborative Law Section, Chair
• State Bar of Texas, Collaborative Law Section, Vice-Chair
• Dallas Bar Association, Family Law Section, Past Board Member
• The College of the State Bar of Texas, Member
• Annette Stewart American Inn of Court, Barrister Level Member
• Texas Bar Foundation, Life Fellow
• Colorado Bar Foundation, Life Fellow
