Autumn McNamara

Autumn  McNamara Autumn is a tenacious litigator who first honed her skills practicing complex civil litigation at a prominent Houston law firm. But her true passion is applying those skills to help our clients in crisis, a passion easily explained by her personal journey. A high-conflict divorce redirected her childhood when she was very young. By age 13, she was a ward of the state. As a partner at Ryan Law PLLC, she is uniquely equipped to relate to clients in need because she has lived those needs. Whether a case involves high-conflict relationships, contentious custody battles, or adult adoptions, Autumn has probably journeyed through, or at least near, the same type of situation. Her journey has not only cultivated empathy, but it has also fueled her ferocity because she knows—actually knows—how much these cases matter.

Throughout law school Autumn received numerous awards, multiple scholarships, and recognition for earning the highest grade in several of her law school courses. She served as Chief Justice of the Board of Advocates and held leadership positions with other law school organizations. Additionally, Autumn competed in multiple competitions and won first place in the client counseling competition. Ultimately, Autumn completed law school in the top of her class and graduated magna cum laude.

Subsequent to completing law school, Autumn continued her legal studies and obtained her Masters of Law in Energy, Environmental and Natural Resources Law at the University of Houston Law Center. Autumn completed her advanced legal studies while working as an attorney at a boutique civil litigation firm in Houston where she worked on numerous high stakes litigation cases. Autumn continued to gain experience at one of the top boutique appellate and civil litigation law firms in Texas.

After moving to Waco, Autumn found an unparalleled love for the practice of family law. Since then, Autumn has joined Ryan Law and dedicated her practice to fiercely representing families in a variety of legal matters including divorce, custody disputes, termination proceedings, and child protection actions.

      Autumn recognizes that family law matters often arise in the midst of emotionally charged and stressful circumstances, prompting clients to seek swift, equitable, and cost-conscious resolutions. Thus, at the onset of each family law case, Autumn dedicates herself to attentively understanding the unique objectives of every client, proffering tailored solutions, and maintaining close collaboration throughout the legal journey to attain optimal outcomes.

While many disputes find resolution through mediation, certain complexities necessitate adjudication by a judge or jury. In such instances, Autumn emerges as an impassioned and resolute advocate, steadfastly championing her clients' causes with unwavering conviction, whether within the courtroom's hallowed halls or amidst the nuanced negotiations of mediation.

 Commitment to Community Service

Autumn understands how a lawyer can change the trajectory of a person’s life. At the University of Texas at Dallas, Autumn found happiness in serving her community, including participating in events to benefit the victims of genocide in Rwanda, regularly donating blood, and volunteering at homeless shelters and food pantries. While pursuing her bachelor’s degree, Autumn served two full terms in AmeriCorps Vista. Autumn’s commitment to service continued through law school, where she spearheaded multiple community service projects and was recognized for leading the largest student-led community service project in the history of Texas Southern University.

Experience

  • Obtained ideal outcome for my client over multiple-day bench trial in a divorce proceeding with complex property issues involving tracing separate property and highly contested custody dispute.

  • Fiercely advocated for a mom in a Final Hearing where the Judge awarded my client as Sole Managing Conservator after the Department of Family Protective Service refused to agree to mediation.

  • Passionately represented multiple clients in temporary order hearings involving complex business issues in divorce proceedings and highly contested custody issues.

  • Worked as part of a team defending hospital, directors and officers accused of RICO, fraud, tortious interference of contracts and others with an amount in controversy over fifty million involving complex discovery issues.

  • Successfully defended numerous small businesses in civil trials including cases involving allegations of fraud, tortious inference with contracts, misappropriation of trade secrets, and breach of contract.

  • Drafted successful 12(b) motion resulting in dismissal of claims against hospital system alleging RICO, FDCPA, TDCPA, fraudulent liens, and civil conspiracy.

  • Worked as part of a team assisting companies in acquiring and divesting real estate in typical deals ranged from one million dollars to twenty million dollars in various states across the country.

  • Formed multiple entities and drafted partnership agreements, LLC agreements, and company resolutions.

  • Drafted appellant and appellee briefs in Texas appellate Courts.

 Awards

  • American Jurisprudence Award: Law of Treaties (2017)

  • American Jurisprudence Award: Oil & Gas Law (2018)

  • Association of Women Attorneys Scholarship Recipient (2019)

  • Client Counseling Competition, Winner (2016)

  • Community Leadership Award Recipient (2009)

  • Hortense Ward Scholarship Recipient (2019)

  • James M. Douglas Board of Advocates Community Service Award (2019)

  • James M. Douglas Board of Advocates Leadership Award (2019)

  • State Bar of Texas ENRLS Buck Wynne Scholarship Recipient (2019)

  • The Oil, Gas and Energy Resources Law Section of the State Bar of Texas Scholarship Recipient (2019)