During the past 16 years, I’ve become a wife, a mother, a Baylor Law graduate, a partner at one of Waco’s best law firm, a Board Certified Family Law specialist, an award-winning Pro Bono lawyer, the President of the Midway ISD Council of PTAs, and so much more. It seems surprising (even to me sometimes) that I’ve decided to go solo, give up my law-firm partnership, and focus on fewer cases. But that’s not the way I see it. Given my background below, I think you’ll understand.

I’m a lifelong Texan, but that’s about the consistency from my childhood. My parents divorced during my formative years and, without oversharing, it’s probably impossible to imagine more strife, drama, and pain. I then worked my way through high school, junior college, Texas State University, and then Baylor Law.

So even though now I’m a lawyer with lots of plaques, a loving, picket-fence-type family, and three wonderful (and rotten) boys, I’m still shaped as much by my past as my current.

Only now, as a Board-Certified lawyer, I’m in a position to help. And I wanted to work solo so that I can take fewer clients, be more cost-effective, and be more accessible. Because I understand the emotions, changes, pains, and yes, even the panic that comes with family law cases.

While at Dunnam & Dunnam, (whose people will always be my family), I tried many jury trials and had hundreds of hearings. Since founding Ryan Law in 2019, I’ve continued doing the same. And it’s my sole focus: helping those who need help in the family law arena.

Sometimes, unfortunately, you need someone to fight for you in the courtroom. I consider the courtroom my second home. But other times, cooperation, mediation, or other creative solutions can reduce the pain, reduce the costs, and help all involved. I’m dedicated to helping you get the best results for you based on your needs.

I can’t guarantee I’ll take your case because my mission is to stay small enough and accessible enough that you get the best representation without all the formalities and costs of a bigger law firm. But I certainly welcome you to call or message me. If I can’t help you, I’ll point you to someone who can.

Education:

- Juris Doctor (JD), Baylor University School of Law, 2008

- Bachelor of Arts in History (Minor in Philosophy), Texas State University, 2005

Bar Admission and Legal Specialization:

- State Bar of Texas, November 2009

- Texas Board of Legal Specialization - Family Law, 2016

Community Involvement:

- Greater Waco Legal Clinic – Volunteer Attorney, 2012-2016

- Baylor University School of Law Veterans’ Clinic – Volunteer, 2015-Present

- Advocate of the Year Award -Baylor University School of Law Veterens’ Clinic, 2017

- Midway ISD PTA – Fundraiser Chair, Board Member, President, 2016-2020

- Baylor University School of Law People’s Law School – Volunteer, 2018-Present

- McLennan County Bar Association – Member, 2009 to present

Legal Experience

- Successfully litigated numerous family law cases, including over 100 final bench trials and 6 family law jury trials, focusing on high conflict custody cases, parental alienation, and transgender rights.

- Conducted over 100 family law mediations and served as a mediator in high-conflict divorce cases.

- Achieved notable successes in appellate practice, including briefing and arguing multiple appeals before the Tenth Court of Appeals and Fifth Court of Appeals

- Demonstrated expertise in family law litigation, handling over 300 temporary order hearings and obtaining emergency protective orders.

Appellate Experience

- In re Steinbeck, No. 10-08-00435-CV, 2009 Tex. App. LEXIS 709 (Tex. App.—Waco Jan. 21, 2009, no pet.)

- Baker v. City of Robinson, 305 S.W.3d 783 (Tex. App.—Waco 2009, pet. denied)

- Hoppenstein Props. v. McLennan Cty. Appraisal Dist., 341 S.W.3d 16 (Tex. App.—Waco 2010, pet. denied)

- McLennan Cty. v. Veazey, 314 S.W.3d 456 (Tex. App.—Waco 2010, pet. denied)

- Ross v. Hendrix, No. 10-10-00272-CV, 2011 Tex. App. LEXIS 7206 (Tex. App.—Waco Aug. 31, 2011, no pet.)

- Robertson v. Hix, 383 S.W.3d 170 (Tex. App.—Waco 2012, no pet.)

- In the Interest of Baby Girl S., 407 S.W.3d 904 (Tex. App.—Dallas 2013, pet. denied)