Natalie L. Webb
The Webb Family Law Firm, P.C. · Dallas, TX
Natalie L. Webb is a Dallas family law attorney and mediator who founded The Webb Family Law Firm, P.C. She earned her Juris Doctor from Southern Methodist University Dedman School of Law and her bachelor's degree in International Business from Trinity University in San Antonio. She is Board Certified in Family Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization and holds certifications in both mediation and collaborative law. She is a Fellow of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers (AAML) and a Fellow of the International Academy of Family Lawyers (IAFL), an organization of 979 fellows from 73 countries. She has been named a Super Lawyer from 2022 through 2024 and was featured in D Magazine as a Woman of Influence (2024) and Leader in Law (2024). She serves on the Board of the Texas Academy of Family Law Specialists and on the Council of the State Bar of Texas Family Law Section. Her international business background and IAFL fellowship give her particular expertise in cross-border custody and divorce matters involving complex multi-jurisdictional asset structures.
- Education
- SMU Dedman School of Law (J.D.); Trinity University (B.A., International Business)
- Specializations
- Divorce mediation, collaborative law, international child abduction, family law arbitration, complex custody
- Location
- Dallas, TX
- Website
- webbfamilylaw.com
Detailed Score Breakdown
| Category | Weight | Score |
|---|---|---|
| Mediation Training & Certification | 20% | 18.0 / 20 |
| Professional Recognition | 20% | 19.0 / 20 |
| Specialization Depth | 15% | 14.0 / 15 |
| Years of Practice | 15% | 13.0 / 15 |
| Client Satisfaction | 15% | 13.0 / 15 |
| Pro Bono & Community | 10% | 9.0 / 10 |
| Professional Affiliations | 5% | 5.0 / 5 |
| Total | 91.0 / 100 |
Scores compiled from State Bar of Texas records (Bar #24058782), Texas Board of Legal Specialization certification, AAML Fellow records, IAFL Fellow records, Super Lawyers (2022-2024), D Magazine, and Google Reviews. Last updated March 2026.
Kris Hayes
Balekian Hayes, PLLC · Dallas, TX
Kris Hayes (Krista Balekian Hayes) is a Dallas family law attorney and accredited mediator who co-founded Balekian Hayes, PLLC. She earned her Juris Doctor and Master of Business Administration from St. Mary's University in San Antonio and her bachelor's degree from Southern Methodist University. She is double Board Certified in Family Law and Child Welfare by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. She has been named a Super Lawyer in 2024, selected to Best Lawyers in America multiple years (including 2023 and 2025), and recognized as an MSN Top Trailblazer of Justice (2025) and Elite Lawyer Award recipient (2025). D Magazine has named her Best Family Lawyer multiple years. She is an accredited mediator in civil, family, and CPS matters. She previously served as a Family Violence Section attorney with the Dallas District Attorney's Office.
- Education
- St. Mary's University (J.D. and M.B.A.); Southern Methodist University (B.B.A.)
- Specializations
- Divorce mediation, child custody, CPS mediation, complex asset division, high-conflict family law
- Location
- Dallas, TX
- Website
- bh-pllc.com
Detailed Score Breakdown
| Category | Weight | Score |
|---|---|---|
| Mediation Training & Certification | 20% | 17.0 / 20 |
| Professional Recognition | 20% | 18.5 / 20 |
| Specialization Depth | 15% | 13.5 / 15 |
| Years of Practice | 15% | 14.0 / 15 |
| Client Satisfaction | 15% | 13.0 / 15 |
| Pro Bono & Community | 10% | 7.0 / 10 |
| Professional Affiliations | 5% | 5.0 / 5 |
| Total | 88.0 / 100 |
Scores compiled from State Bar of Texas records (Bar #24031719), Texas Board of Legal Specialization (double certification), Best Lawyers, Super Lawyers (2024), D Magazine, Dallas DA's Office records, and Google Reviews. Last updated March 2026.
Lisa E. McKnight
Lisa E. McKnight, P.C. · Dallas, TX
Lisa E. McKnight is a Dallas family law attorney and collaborative law practitioner with over 30 years of experience. She earned her Juris Doctor from Texas Tech University School of Law in 1991 and her bachelor's degree from the University of Texas at Dallas in 1989. She is Board Certified in Family Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. She has been named a Super Lawyer in 2006 and consecutively from 2018 through 2021, and was selected to Best Lawyers in America in 2020. She has been ranked a Top 3 Divorce Attorney in Dallas by ThreeBestRated.com from 2016 through 2019. She opened her founding practice in 1995 and previously practiced alongside her mother, noted Dallas divorce lawyer Mary McKnight.
- Education
- Texas Tech University School of Law (J.D., 1991); UT Dallas (B.A., 1989)
- Specializations
- Divorce mediation, collaborative law, child custody, property division
- Location
- Dallas, TX
- Website
- lisamcknight.com
Detailed Score Breakdown
| Category | Weight | Score |
|---|---|---|
| Mediation Training & Certification | 20% | 15.5 / 20 |
| Professional Recognition | 20% | 17.0 / 20 |
| Specialization Depth | 15% | 12.5 / 15 |
| Years of Practice | 15% | 14.5 / 15 |
| Client Satisfaction | 15% | 12.5 / 15 |
| Pro Bono & Community | 10% | 7.0 / 10 |
| Professional Affiliations | 5% | 5.0 / 5 |
| Total | 84.0 / 100 |
Scores compiled from State Bar of Texas records, Texas Board of Legal Specialization certification, Super Lawyers (multiple years), Best Lawyers (2020), ThreeBestRated.com, Texas Tech records, and Google Reviews. Last updated March 2026.
Paula Lock Smyth
Law Office of Paula Lock Smyth · Dallas, TX
Paula Lock Smyth is a Dallas family law attorney and certified mediator with over 25 years of experience. She is Board Certified in Family Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. She was trained as a neutral mediator by the American Academy of Attorney-Mediators, Inc. and has facilitated negotiated settlements in hundreds of family law cases since 1998. Her practice offers litigation, mediation, arbitration, and collaborative law services. She is a member of the State Bar of Texas Family Law Section, the Dallas Bar Association Family Law Section, and the Texas Academy of Family Law Specialists. Her mediation practice focuses on helping couples reach fair, comprehensive agreements without the expense and uncertainty of trial.
- Education
- Texas Wesleyan University School of Law (J.D.); University of North Texas (B.A.)
- Specializations
- Divorce mediation, collaborative law, complex property division, spousal support, child custody
- Location
- Dallas, TX
- Website
- dallasfamilylawattorney.com
Detailed Score Breakdown
| Category | Weight | Score |
|---|---|---|
| Mediation Training & Certification | 20% | 16.0 / 20 |
| Professional Recognition | 20% | 15.0 / 20 |
| Specialization Depth | 15% | 12.5 / 15 |
| Years of Practice | 15% | 14.0 / 15 |
| Client Satisfaction | 15% | 12.0 / 15 |
| Pro Bono & Community | 10% | 7.0 / 10 |
| Professional Affiliations | 5% | 3.5 / 5 |
| Total | 80.0 / 100 |
Scores compiled from Texas State Bar records, Texas Board of Legal Specialization certification, American Academy of Attorney-Mediators training records, Google Reviews, and professional association memberships. Last updated March 2026.
Jennifer R. Else
JulianJohnson, P.C. · Dallas, TX
Jennifer R. Else is a Dallas family law attorney and mediator at JulianJohnson, P.C. She was recognized by Best Lawyers in America in 2024 for her exceptional work in family law. She has over 18 years of family law practice experience and completed the Harvard Mediation Intensive Program. She brings deep litigation background to her mediation work, making her particularly skilled at managing high-conflict negotiations and helping parties develop creative, realistic solutions. She is a member of the Dallas Bar Association and the State Bar of Texas Family Law Section.
- Education
- SMU Dedman School of Law (J.D.); College of St. Benedict (B.A., Psychology); Harvard Mediation Intensive Program
- Specializations
- Divorce mediation, high-conflict negotiations, custody disputes, property division
- Location
- Dallas, TX
- Website
- julianjohnsonpc.com
Detailed Score Breakdown
| Category | Weight | Score |
|---|---|---|
| Mediation Training & Certification | 20% | 15.5 / 20 |
| Professional Recognition | 20% | 14.0 / 20 |
| Specialization Depth | 15% | 12.0 / 15 |
| Years of Practice | 15% | 13.5 / 15 |
| Client Satisfaction | 15% | 12.0 / 15 |
| Pro Bono & Community | 10% | 6.5 / 10 |
| Professional Affiliations | 5% | 3.5 / 5 |
| Total | 77.0 / 100 |
Scores compiled from Texas State Bar records, Best Lawyers in America (2024), Harvard Mediation Intensive Program records, Google Reviews, and professional association memberships. Last updated March 2026.