Born and raised in The Netherlands, Gratia P. Schoemakers, also known as Grace P. Schoemakers, started her legal career in the Netherlands, before permanently relocating to the United States, where she now owns and runs her Law Firm in the Houston/Galveston area.
Gratia has a broad and through understanding of both Civil and Common Law. She has earned a Doctorate Degree in Dutch and European Law and an LL.M. in International Law from Maastricht University, The Netherlands (2004). Consequently, after migrating to the USA, Gratia obtained her J.D. in US Law (2008), an LL.M. in Business and Contract Law(2005) and an additional LL.M. in Intellectual Property and Technologies Law (2006), from Washington University, School of Law, St. Louis, Missouri.
While still in Law School, Gratia interned at the in-House legal Patent Department of Pfizer Inc. in St. Louis Missouri, as well as U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Missouri, St. Louis, Missouri. She was furthermore admitted to practice by special dispensation in 2008 by the Missouri and Illinois Courts, so that she could effectively represent Non-Profit Clients, such as The Sierra Club, as lead student-attorney of a multi-disciplinary team that focused on issues related to environmental engineering, science and environmental laws.
In 2009 Gratia took off from practicing to start a family, only to resume again in mid 2011, after passing the Texas Bar earlier that year. Since then Gratia has worked on multi-million dollar projects for Big Oil such as BP plc, Hess Corporation, DuPont de Nemours, Inc. and Dutch Royal Shell, she has volunteered as an accredited Family Mediator with the Harris County DRC, Houston, TX in Court mandated Family law Mediations, and started her own law firm.
GP SCHOEMAKERS, PLLC
In May 2011, Gratia established GP Schoemakers, PLLC, a boutique law firm, to provide clients with a high level of legal service, personalized care and attention to detail. Her practice is dedicated to helping families through some of the toughest challenges life will through at us. Whether this is due to the loss of a loved one or due to a major change in life’s circumstances such as divorce.
With more than 15 years of legal experience, Gratia personally ensures that all her clients, no matter what they are going through, are treated with the compassion and respect we all deserve. She will take care of you from beginning to end, with her unique personal touch, compassion, and solid Christian values.
Gratia has helped clients with their Trusts & Estate Plans, she has represented clients through both uncontested and contested Probate cases, and helped clients with their Divorce, Paternity, Visitation, Child Support and Adoption cases. Additionally, Gratia is an experienced, certified mediator in civil, probate, and family law cases.
Gratia is fluent in Dutch, English, and welcomes the chance to speak with prospective clients of all backgrounds.
PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS AND MEMBERSHIPS
• State Bar of Texas
• College of the State Bar of Texas
• State Bar of Texas, Business Law Section
• State Bar of Texas, Real Estate, Probate and Trust Section
• State Bar of Texas, Family Law Section
• Collaborative Divorce Texas
• Collaborative Divorce Houston
