O'Hara, Richard L.

Michelle May O'Neil founded the firm based on her desire to provide clients with high-quality representation in a personalized atmosphere. She has over 20 years of experience representing men, women, and children related to family law matters such as divorce, child custody, and complex property division. Described by one lawyer as "a lethal combination of sweet-and-salty", Ms. O'Neil exudes genuine compassion for her client's difficulties, yet she can be relentless when in pursuit of a client's goals.

One judge said of Ms. O'Neil, "She cannot be out-gunned, out-briefed, or out-lawyered!" Ms. O'Neil became a certified family law specialist by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization in 1997 and has maintained her certification since that time. Representing clients in litigation before the trial court is an important part of her practice; also, family law appellate matters are a unique niche of Ms. O'Neil's practice. Lawyers frequently consult with Ms. O'Neil on their litigation cases about specialized legal issues requiring particularized attention both at the trial court and appellate levels.

Ms. O'Neil has been named to the list of Texas SuperLawyers in 2011 and 2012, a peer-voted honor given to only about 5% of the lawyers in the state of Texas. She has also been recognized with an "A-V" peer review rating by Martindale-Hubbell Legal Directories for the highest quality legal ability and ethical standards, and her professionalism was further recognized when she was nominated for membership as a Barrister in the Annette Stewart Inn of Court, an organization devoted to the professionalism of the practice law.

A noted author, Ms. O'Neil released her second book Basics of Texas Divorce in November 2010. Her first book, All About Texas Law and Kids, was published in September 2009 by Texas Lawyers Press. In 2012, Ms. O'Neil co-authored the booklet What You Need to Know About Common Law Marriage In Texas, and has plans to release a third book this year. The State Bar of Texas and other providers of continuing education for attorneys frequently enlist Ms. O'Neil to provide instruction to attorneys on topics of her expertise in the family law arena.

Ms. O'Neil shares with many of her clients the joys of having a blended family, having married her husband John in 2006, who has a 12-year son.