I cannot say enough about Becca Kennedy and Jordan Thomas. When this case started, I was facing an…read moreextremely contentious divorce with my relationship with my daughters and much of what I had worked for at stake. As a father going into family court, I was genuinely worried about what the next couple of years would look like and, most importantly, what my relationship with my daughters would look like when it was over. Becca and Jordan were there through all of it. They were honest with me even when the answer wasn't what I wanted to hear, knew when something was worth fighting over, and were incredibly responsive. There were even weekends when I would send something expecting an answer on Monday and hear back that same day. I don't like saying anyone "wins" a family law case because there really aren't winners when a family is being divided. But the results speak for themselves. I came out of the case with 50/50 custody of my daughters, while my house, vehicles, bank accounts, and separate property remained protected. If I could go back to the beginning of this case and read a review from another father who had been through something similar, this is what I would have wanted to know: Becca and Jordan will be honest with you, they will prepare, they will answer your questions, and when something needs to be fought for, they will fight for you. I'm extremely grateful I had them in my corner, and I would recommend them without hesitation.

Attorney Becca Kennedy and her paralegal, Jordan Thomas, have helped me navigate a difficult…read moredivorce with competence, experience and thoughtfulness throughout what can be an overwhelming and complicated process. I especially appreciate Becca's insight and judgment. She takes the time to explain issues, clearly, anticipate questions and concerns, and helps me understand not just what is happening, but why. Becca and Jordan are responsive and considerate and I have always felt that my questions and concerns are taken seriously. I also appreciate how respectful they are of the costs involved in litigation. They are mindful of billing and use their time efficiently, which is particularly important in a divorce case where legal expenses can add up quickly. They have treated me with kindness and respect while remaining professional, practical and focused. Their experience, attention to detail, organization, and steady guidance have given me a great deal of confidence during a very difficult time. I would highly recommend both Becca and Jordan to anyone looking for knowledgeable, capable, and conscientious representation in a family law matter.

It was back in 2014 and he had a cool little location near the St Mary Cathedral off Congress Ave…read morein Austin, so it was handy for the couple meetings Mr. Partney and I had, in order for me to PRAY for a good d-i-v-o-r-c-e outcome. ha ha It was OK I was a nervous lady so I was glad for his help since I was having to go it alone after the DIV, with my aut son. Sure, in hineysight a few things I would have not conceded to the b****rd ex, but aren't we all 20/20 after the fact? All in all, the price was very reasonable when others were charging by the hour yadayada. Keep in mind, none of these legal matters are easy to go through; I'm glad that was 12 years ago now:-) Hi, Jason.

Jason and Katie made an incredible team. From day one, they were realistic with me about…read moreexpectations and outcomes. They didn't sugarcoat anything, which I appreciated. They kept me grounded and prepared while building a strong strategy. They were organized and responsive, and I always felt prepared and supported. Jason knows exactly what he's doing in the courtroom. He's extremely sharp, quick on his feet, and handles situations in real time when they come up. His ability to think fast and stay composed makes a huge difference. The expectations they set were realistic, but in the end they exceeded them in a big way. I walked away with meaningful rights and real involvement in my child's life. He's worth every penny. If you're a father who simply wants to do right by your child and make sure your voice is heard, Jason and Katie will stand with you and guide you through it the right way. My advice: listen and let him work. He knows exactly what he's doing.

John has represented me in a difficult custody battle with my ex-wife for over a year and a half,…read moreand I'm extremely grateful to have had him in my corner throughout the process. Family-law cases can become expensive, especially when they continue for this long, so getting real value from the attorney you hire is incredibly important. I believe the money I've spent on John's representation has been worth it. His knowledge, preparation, communication, and ability to guide me through each stage of the case have made his services a worthwhile investment. John is also very straightforward. He doesn't simply tell me what I want to hear. He gives me his professional opinion, explains the possible outcomes, and helps me make informed decisions rather than unnecessarily complicating the case or wasting time and money. I've also been impressed with his preparation and knowledge in the courtroom. He understands family law, knows how to handle difficult situations, and has consistently advocated for me and the best interests of my children. When you're paying an attorney during a lengthy custody case, you want to know you're getting something meaningful for that investment. With John, I feel that I am. If you're looking for a knowledgeable and dependable family-law attorney who provides excellent representation and genuine value for the money, I highly recommend John. Five stars.

Hello everyone, I would like to take a few moments to give some feedback on my experience with John…read moreand Meridith. First of all, divorce is complicated. Even what should be the simplest of cases can have their own brand of hang ups and issues. Divorce is very straining, in many ways, for anyone dealing with it. What are our perceived timelines do not, in most cases, correlate with the laws' timelines. What should be so simple to us, isn't necessarily the case. So there are those moments of frustration, angst, and confusion that will definitely arise. And this is where John and his team shine. They understood my frustration. They knew where it was coming from. Instead of getting upset with me, they reassured me that everything was under control. Meridith listened to my venting with compassion, John welcomed my thoughts and ideas. It wasn't always easy, especially for them, I'm sure, but it is divorce, and all that goes with it. In the end though, things did work out. Look, the idea of needing an attorney for most things is stressful enough as it is. Then choosing the right attorney, well thats a whole new level of hell. This firm, for me at least, was a solid choice. From start to finish. They did not over promise. They informed me of the processes. They listened when I had concerns. They did what they said they would do and what I needed done. I can not tell you to choose them based off the word of a stranger, what I will do is compel you to at least consult with this group if you are facing divorce. It may just be one of the best decisions you could make. John, thank you to you and Meridth, and the rest of the team, for all you've done.

Working with Ms. Princess Rodarte was like having Patrick Mahomes as my quarterback. I interviewed…read morea few attorneys before deciding to work with her and I'm so glad I was picky. Everyone from the DSS team that I encountered was excellent, but I especially enjoyed working with Bonnie and Kate, too. Not only did I have a good experience, but most importantly a fantastic outcome. There's no gatekeeping when it comes to important lessons that Ms. Rodarte has learned through her experience winning many legal Super Bowls. I didn't feel like our relationship was purely transactional, she genuinely cares. It's not fun to feel like your life is on the line and you don't know what the outcome will be. You might be up against someone who is deflating the ball, doping, or committing field misconduct. She is honest, ethical, and timely. She is equipped to set proper expectations for you about what your best and worst day in court could look like. There are a lot of curve balls thrown in the legal system in Travis County, TX. You don't want a quarterback who doesn't know the playbook, can't make quick decisions, or doesn't have the ability to improvise when needed. There are helpful YouTube videos, podcasts (shoutout to Holly Draper in Dallas!), and websites (https://texaslawhelp.org/), but nothing compares to having the right teammate. If you can work with her, you're already in good field position with a big lead going into the 4th quarter.

My attorney Koren Lewis and her paralegal Rachel Zinsmeyer at Deyerle Silva Smith were very kind…read moreand responsive to needs. The legal team guided me through my divorce to end my very difficult and traumatizing marriage in a well planned and necessary process. My property since separation were proven to be separate by law because of a very thorough BDO forensic accounting report. My net worth remains almost 100% intact after the divorce, including my retirement annuity, inherited securities, 401k, home, and investments acquired before marriage as determined by law. I free now and have been enjoying a peaceful and mostly stress free life throughout this process. No one has abused me, abused my finances, emasculated me, argued, screamed, or disrespected me at all since separation. I am very thankful of the work of Deyerle Silva Smith and to see the end of this marriage.

I hired Michael 7 years ago. I delivered enough "material" to him tied in a pretty red bow that…read moremade the divorce a no brainer. (Yes, I realize Texas is a no fault state.) This was Sept 2013. By Jan. '14 there still were no TO's filed. Michael made it clear to me, "you aren't in CA anymore sweetheart. You need to get spousal support out of your mind." (Really, because 3 of my friends who have divorced over the last 7 years received spousal support. And yes, my ex and I were married well over 10 years.) My ex has his own very successful financial planning company. I had been with him 14 of the 20 years at that point. However, Michael refused to insist on a Forensic Accountant to come and provide a Business Valuation and to look for hidden assets. Hello!!! I am the client and the one paying for these people. Who are you to tell me it will be a waste of time!?!?!?! My ex is extremely financially successful and Michael refused to fight for more child support than the Texas Family Code allowed for. I had quit my job of 20 years to stay home and care for the children 6 years prior to the divorce so to re-enter the mortgage industry post '08 crash in an entirely new state when my client base of 20 years was in another state was not going to provide the income I once had. Not to mention the mortgage underwriting guidelines had dramatically changed so it did not make sense to go back to that field. I trusted Michael to get me and my children the best settlement. In hindsight I am told by many different attorneys that "my attorney most definitely could have gotten me more child support than standard Texas Code when the children have been accustomed to a certain lifestyle and receiving the standard child support would mean they would not be able to continue living in the manner they have become accustomed to." Michael didn't do that for us. He took the easy way out. Michael never fought for me on anything. My new husband's decree and many friend's decrees state the two parties will split extra curriculars 50/50. My ex and I split them 50/50 for a few years until he just decided he didn't want to do that anymore. I have no recourse now. In the Springtime of 2014 we went to mediation. Michael was useless and didn't fight for me at all. Of the EIGHT HOURS we were in mediation, my Ex had the mediator for 6.5 HOURS and I had the mediator for 1.5 HOURS!!! That's it!!!! COMPLETE WASTE OF MONEY!!!! When we were FINALLY go to court in May for our Temporary Orders hearing (WHICH WAS AFTER MEDIATION?!?!), Michael, my ex and my ex's attorney already had a divorce settlement prepared for me to review and sign off on that day. Michael had NO INTENTION that day of having a TO hearing. When Judge McMaster asked how long we would need for the TO hearing, Michael said, "Your Honor, we actually have a settlement prepared for my client to review so if we could have about 3 hours to go over it, I believe we can be finished today?!?!?!" I was in shock, horrified and blindsided! I knew NOTHING about this! Michael did the strongest used car salesman pitch on me for the next 3 hours as to why and how this settlement in front of me was such a great deal. It was a Friday. He never once encouraged me to take it home over the weekend and think about it before I signed it. He just wanted to be done. Then in the fall when my daughter started saying things that indicated she might be being sexually abused by my ex's friend, and my 4th and 2nd grade boys all of a sudden had porn on their kindle's at the same time I FREAKED OUT and called Michael. He told me to "relax, I'm sure all is fine." A report was filed by CPS by one of my family members and I told Michael I was taking my kids to Dallas until this was cleared up. I just was not comfortable returning the children to my ex until there was certainty about what was going on in his home. He said, "I understand. I just don't recommend it." On late Sun night he called me at me at my parents to tell me Judge was requiring me in court at 9am following day. MICHAEL TELLS ME "JUST STAY IN DALLAS WITH THE KIDS. I'll handle this for you." INSTEAD, Judge was INCREDIBLY ANGRY AT ME for not appearing and has been angry ever since! Michael did NOTHING for me except cost me almost $20,000 in attorney and court fees and get me a divorce settlement that I have had to fight and deal with one regret after another for the last 7 years. Do not even think of using Michael Burnett. You will thank me.

I'm so very disappointed in Michael Burnett, the lack of genuine effort he gave my case, his…read moreparticipation in the family law systems' racketeering, and his deceitful techniques. He knew how my case was going to turn out before he even really lifted a finger, which reflects how broken the system is and how little invested he was in helping my son and me. I've met some other parents who had similar experiences with him; hence, me learning that some of his actions were actually common techniques of his. It's so heart-wrenching because these are families in crises and typically one parent gets alienated from the child[ren] and extremely abused by the family law systems. Clients be wary of Mr. Burnett's close connections with Jake Gilbreath (attorney involved in the tragic Kaplan case) and that he and Turner were once partners with Mr. Piper and several other attorneys. All these attorneys are fish swimming in the same pond. The judges swam in that same pond, too; many of them are golf and former drinking buddies. Not only are there paradigm issues, but also loyalty and implicit & explicit bias issues. Parents really need to understand that family law is a complete racket. Just so the readers know, I was able to resume 50/50 JMC once the attorneys got out of the picture and my ex-husband was no longer negatively empowered by the family law systems. So often when a parent posts a negative review, the attorneys will come back with a statement to invalidate the review. I believe the attorneys are in the front lines of accountability for the violence these families in crises are experiencing. If anyone would like additional information regarding what I've shared, please email ATX change agent at gmail dot com.

Josh not only proactively provided exceptional legal advice during the most stressful time in my…read morelife, but he also made himself readily available for my persistent calls and emails throughout the entire process. I'll admit, I was a very needy and demanding client. My son is the most important person in my life, and Josh fought for him like he was family. I wouldn't wish what I went through on any mother, but if you're in the trenches and don't know how to move forward, call Josh and trust your gut. He was consistently realistic, always upfront about the hard truths of the process and the legal system. He didn't always tell me what I wanted to hear, but he told me what I needed to hear. Josh is a highly respected lawyer in the area and will fight for your case without needless aggression. My son's future was forever shaped by Mr. Culp, and I will be eternally grateful.

Unsympathetic. Scheduled a 30 min consultation that cost $100. Consultation only took 7 mins! Felt…read morelike she was rushing me off the phone. She only repeated the answers the admin already gave me before I scheduled consultation. Her demeanor over the phone seemed like I was bothering her and she couldn't offer any more information unless I knew the questions to ask. It was one question, one answer interaction. And the retainer fee is ridiculous. No budging! If I had that much money for a retainer, why would I be pursuing spousal and child support? Needless to say, it seems like she'll only serve those with deep pockets! She's definitely not a "for the people" lawyer.

My life was shattered January 2015. I hired a lawyer and boy did that go terrible....he wanted me…read moreto fold, my family wanted me to fold; I was distraught. I fired THAT lawyer!!! Later to find out that lawyer was disbarred. Thank goodness for my gut feeling. Nobody believed me, not even my own family...Until I hired Mr. Pennigton and his team. He and his team took it from there. Let me tell EVERYONE who is in a divorce, your lawyer is only as good as their client. With the info I provided to the Pennington team they were able to pull a feat nobody could have believed. We did it...I did it...HE DID IT. His knowledge of the law is unquestionable. Shout out to Jesse and Geoff who were also there for me every step of the way. To just make it clear....What Mr. Pennington did for me as a lawyer changed me and my families life for the best. It changed into something I would have never even imagined. This nightmare is finally over...Life is much better now. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND PENNINGTON LAW FIRM!!!! God Bless to him, his family and his team.

Very thankful & impressed by the knowledgeable, professional, understanding, and sharp minds at…read morePennington Law. Pennington Law was referred to me by a family friend who had a divorce and won full custody of his son. Which I thought rare in Fathers cases. Still the news was inspiring. The Team at Pennington law helped defend and win my case. We share joint custody, but I possibly might have lost my son to the petitions of changing locations the other parent could move 6hrs away and would have had to pay thousands more in support. Thanks to Pennington Law and specifically Daniela Ibarra's knowledge of case law, preparation, and stoic presence in the court room; the judge ruled in our favor. So my son gets to stay here and not be moved 6hrs away and my child support doesn't go from $600 a month to $1300 like they wanted. My son and best friend now get to enjoy the entire summer swimming and fishing with Dad as it should be. Thank God and thank you Pennington Law!

Updated review. Jodi has not provided my sister with her final orders for the custody case in over…read more11 months. No excuse for this.

I recently had a consultation with Jodee. She was kind, professional and knowledge. Through the…read moreconsultation, I was able to decide that I do not need to take legal action at this time. If and when I do need legal assistance