A partner of the firm, Kathryn J. Murphy was named 2019 “Lawyer of the Year” in Dallas by Best Lawyers in America in family law. Only a single lawyer in each practice area within a community is honored with this distinction. Kathryn also received the “Lawyer of the Year” title in 2015 and 2017.
In 2021, Kathryn was the recipient of one of the most coveted awards in Texas family law, the Sam Emison Award. Each year, this award is bestowed upon one exceptionally distinguished family law practitioner or judge who has demonstrated significant commitment and made important contributions to the practice of family law in the state of Texas.
Kathryn also received the Dan Price Award from the State Bar of Texas in 2018. This award is presented to the attorney who has had a major impact on the Family Law Section for the past year. And in 2013, Kathryn was the recipient of the Annette Stewart Inn of Court Serjeant of the Inn Award, an award presented to an attorney who has made meaningful contributions to the profession and the community throughout their career. Kathryn was also the recipient of the University of Texas at Tyler Alumni Association Distinguished Alumni Award in 2016.
A highly goal-oriented family attorney, Kathryn is skilled in answering one of the most important concerns clients have about divorce: seeing an efficient, satisfactory end to the process. Kathryn initially helps clients establish their priorities and then outlines their options for achieving resolution. Her years of experience and attention to detail make her an ideal attorney to help walk clients through challenging situations like complex property division involving closely-held business interests and business valuations. Drawing on her extensive trial experience as a family lawyer, Kathryn helps clients anticipate the likely impact of their decisions so they can choose a path wisely, whether that is mediation, negotiated divorce, Collaborative Divorce, or litigation.
Clients value Kathryn’s thoroughness, especially in high-net-worth divorce cases that often involve issues such as complex property division and child custody. Her experience includes cases involving the valuation of a business, closely-held business interests, relocation, characterization of property, and pre- and post-marital agreements. Kathryn embraces collaborative law when it is the right fit for clients, and she brings considerable skills to the courtroom when litigation is deemed necessary. Above all, Kathryn’s goal is to negotiate a top-notch settlement for her clients and create child custody agreements that both parties can work with. She is known for establishing a close connection with her clients and working together with them as a team to support the best interests of them and their children.
Kathryn is Board Certified in Family Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. She is a fellow of the prestigious American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers (serving a three-year term on the Board of Governors), the International Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, and the Texas Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers (past president). She is also a past chair of the Family Law Council of the State Bar of Texas and a past member of the State Bar of Texas Board of Directors.
Kathryn is a diplomate of the American College of Family Trial Lawyers, a group of the top 100 family law attorneys in the United States. Membership is extended by invitation only to those experienced trial lawyers who have mastered the art of advocacy and whose professional careers have been marked by the highest standards of ethical conduct, professionalism, civility, and collegiality.
Kathryn has extensive trial experience in family law, and she is the author of numerous family law publications and a frequent speaker on family law issues at legal profession continuing education conferences. Working out of our Dallas and Plano office locations, Kathryn is a top-tier Dallas divorce attorney and litigator who advocates tirelessly for her clients.
Honors & Awards
Diplomate of the American College of Family Trial Lawyers since 2020 – The organization consists of 100 of the top family law attorneys in the United States . Fellowship is extended by invitation only to those experienced trial lawyers who have mastered the art of advocacy and whose professional careers have been marked by the highest standards of ethical conduct, professionalism, civility, and collegiality.
Martindale-Hubbell “AV Preeminent” Peer Review Rating earned by Martindale-Hubbell, which is the highest peer rating standard. This is given to attorneys who are ranked at the highest level of professional excellence for their legal expertise, communication skills, and ethical standards by their peers.
Recipient of the Sam Emison Award, 2021
Each year, this award is bestowed upon one exceptionally distinguished family law practitioner or judge who has demonstrated a significant commitment and made significant contributions to the practice of family law in the State of Texas. The Sam Emison Award is one of the most coveted awards in Texas family law.
Recipient of the State Bar of Texas Dan Price Award, 2018
This award is presented to a lawyer who has had a significant impact on the Family Law Section- teaching, writing and advancing the practice of family law.
Named the Best Lawyers© Family Law “Lawyer of the Year” in Dallas, Best Lawyers, 2015, 2017, and 2019
Only a single lawyer in each practice area within a community is honored with this distinction
2016 honoree of UT Tyler’s Distinguished Alumni Award
Best Family Law CLE article, State Bar of Texas, 2004 (Relocation)
Annette Stewart Inn of Court, Serjeant of the Inn Award, 2013- awarded to an attorney who has significantly contributed to the profession and the community throughout their career.
Selected to the “Best Lawyers in Dallas: Family Law”, D Magazine, 2001, 2005- 2010, 2017 – 2020, 2023, 2024 & 2026
Selected to the “Best Women Lawyers in Dallas: Family Law”, D Magazine, 2010
Selected to the “Best Personal Lawyers in Dallas: Family Law”, D Magazine, 2009
Inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America© in the field of Family Law, Best Lawyers, 2003 – 2026
Selected to the Texas Super Lawyers list, Thomson Reuters, 2003 – 2025
Selected to the “Top 50: Women Texas Super Lawyers”, Thomson Reuters, 2003 – 2025
Selected to the “Top 100: Dallas/ Fort Worth Super Lawyers”, Thomson Reuters, 2004 – 2009, and 2011 – 2025
Selected to the “Top 100: Texas Super Lawyers”, Thomson Reuters, 2004 – 2006, 2008-2009, 2011, and 2013- 2025
Inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America© in the field of Collaborative Law: Family Law, Best Lawyers, 2024 – 2026
Inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America© in the field of Family Law Mediation, Best Lawyers, 2024 – 2026
Named to the 500 Leading Family Lawyers List, LawDragon, 2024 – 2026
Recipient of the Bismarck State College, Alumna of the Year Award, 2025
Articles
Changes to Discovery Rules August 30, 2024
Negotiation Principles, Techniques, and Strategies August 9, 2024
Post-Divorce Division of Property in Texas August 9, 2024
The Gray Divorce: Baby Boomers Are Ending Marriages Later in Life June 10, 2021
How To Tell Your Children You Are Getting Divorced: 5 Tips April 14, 2021
The Kids Are All Right: Be Prepared and Protect Children’s Best Interest February 14, 2021
Complex Property and Divorce: What You Need to Know January 26, 2021
Marital Property Agreements January 14, 2014
Publications & Speeches
“Professionalism,” Dallas Bar Association Family Law Section Bench Bar, 2026
“Unique and Uncommon Assets (including Private Equity and Business Interests),” Advanced Family Law Course, State Bar of Texas, 2025
Family Law at Your Fingertips – Property, Family Law Section, State Bar of Texas, 2025
Family Law at Your Fingertips – Children, Family Law Section, State Bar of Texas, 2025
Family Law at Your Fingertips – Evidence, Family Law Section, State Bar of Texas, 2025
“Changes to Discovery Rules,” Dallas Bar Association Headnotes, Co-Author, 2024
“Negotiation Strategies and Techniques,” AAML Journal, Author, 2024
“Dueling for Domicile,” Advanced Family Law Course, State Bar of Texas, 2024
“Evidence and Discovery Update,” Advanced Evidence and Discovery Course, State Bar of Texas, Dallas, 2024
“Evidence and Discovery Update,” Advanced Evidence and Discovery Course, State Bar of Texas, San Antonio, 2024
“Becoming a Family Law Trial Lawyer,” State Bar of Texas, 2024
Family Law at Your Fingertips – Property, Family Law Section, State Bar of Texas, 2024
Family Law at Your Fingertips – Children, Family Law Section, State Bar of Texas, 2024
Family Law at Your Fingertips – Evidence, Family Law Section, State Bar of Texas, 2024
“Negotiation Strategies,” Advanced Family Law Course, State Bar of Texas, 2023
“Trial Presentation, Including Complex Characterization and Tracing Matters,” Texas Academy of Family Law Specialists Annual Trial Institute, 2023
“Marital Property Agreements,” Advanced Family Law Course, State Bar of Texas, August 2022
“Maintaining Separate Property When a Marital Property Agreement Is Not an Option,” Dallas/Fort Worth Financial Planning Symposium, 2022
Family Law at Your Fingertips – Property, Family Law Section, State Bar of Texas, 2022
Family Law at Your Fingertips – Children, Family Law Section, State Bar of Texas, 2022
Family Law at Your Fingertips – Evidence, Family Law Section, State Bar of Texas, 2022
“Protective Orders,” Advanced Family Law Course, State Bar of Texas, 2021
Judges Panel Moderator and Course Director, Innovations in Child Custody Litigation, State Bar of Texas, 2021
“Maintaining Separate Property Without a Marital Property Agreement,” Estate Planning Council of North Texas, 2021
“Noteworthy Evidentiary Issues in Divorce Cases,” Headnotes, 2021
“Negotiation Principles, Techniques, and Strategies,” 2020
“Fraud on the Community and the Reconstituted Estate,” 2020
“Noteworthy Evidentiary Issues in Divorce Cases,” Dallas Bar Association Article, 2020
“Characterizing and Valuing Assets to Create an Inventory and Appraisement That Works for Your Client,” Advanced Family Law Course, State Bar of Texas, 2020
“Reimbursement, Fraud, Waste, and the Reconstituted Estate,” Marriage Dissolution Institute, State Bar of Texas, 2019
“Direct and Cross of Tracing Experts,” Advanced Family Law Course, State Bar of Texas, 2019
“Tracing and Characterization of Property,” 2019
“How to Draw Clients to the Collaborative Model and Keep Them Satisfied,” Collaborative Law: Avoid Breaking Bad When Breaking Up, State Bar of Texas, 2019
“Trial of a Custody Case,” Innovations: Breaking Boundaries in Custody Litigation, State Bar of Texas, Panelist, 2019
Family Law at Your Fingertips – Property, Family Law Section, State Bar of Texas, 2019
Family Law at Your Fingertips – Children, Family Law Section, State Bar of Texas, 2019
Family Law at Your Fingertips – Evidence, Family Law Section, State Bar of Texas, 2019
“Drafting: Are Your Pleadings and Discovery Ready for Trial?” Advanced Trial Skills for Family Lawyers, Speaker, 2018
“Marital Agreements,” New Frontiers in Marital Property Law, State Bar of Texas, Panelist, 2018
“Premarital and Postmarital Agreements,” Advanced Family Law Course, State Bar of Texas, 2018
“Trial Presentation of a Custody Case,” TAFLS Trial Institute, Texas Academy of Family Law Specialists, 2018
“Ask the Expert – Divorce: Complex Property,” D Magazine, 2018
Family Law at Your Fingertips – Children, Family Law Section, State Bar of Texas, 2018
“Marital Property Agreements,” Advanced Family Law Course, State Bar of Texas, 2017
“Property Case Law Update,” Marriage Dissolution Institute, State Bar of Texas, 2017
“Characterization,” Advanced Family Law Course, State Bar of Texas, 2016
Family Law at Your Fingertips – Property, Family Law Section, State Bar of Texas, 2016
“Negotiation Techniques and Strategies,” Advanced Family Law Course, State Bar of Texas, 2015
Judges Panel, Innovations – Breaking Boundaries in Child Custody Litigation, State Bar of Texas, 2015
Family Law at Your Fingertips, Family Law Section, State Bar of Texas, 2015
“Protective Orders and Family Violence,” Southern Methodist University School of Law, 2014
“Negotiation Techniques and Strategies,” Advanced Family Law Course, State Bar of Texas, 2014
“Experts, Examination and Ethics: A Guide to Mental Health Experts,” Innovations – Breaking Boundaries in Child Custody Litigation, University of Texas School of Law, 2014
Advanced Family Law Course, State Bar of Texas, Co-Course Director, 2013
“Using a Computer Forensic Expert,” Family Law Technology Course, State Bar of Texas, 2012
“Property Update,” Advanced Family Law Course, State Bar of Texas, 2012
“Turbo Charge Your Collaborative Practice,” Advanced Family Law Course, State Bar of Texas, 2012
Innovations – Breaking Boundaries in Custody Litigation, University of Texas School of Law, Co-Course Director, 2012
“Attorneys’ Fees Agreements,” Advanced Family Law Course, State Bar of Texas, 2011
“Characterization of Property,” Family Law on the Front Lines, University of Texas School of Law, 2011
Collaborative Law Institute of Texas Course, State Bar of Texas, Course Director, 2011
Collaborative Law Institute of Texas Course, State Bar of Texas, Assistant Course Director, 2010
New Frontiers in Marital Property Course, State Bar of Texas, Co-Course Director, 2010
“Electronic Evidence Workshop,” Advanced Family Law Course, State Bar of Texas, 2009
“The Electronic Evidence Bible,” University of Texas School of Law, 2009
“Characterization,” Marriage Dissolution Institute, State Bar of Texas, 2009
“Premarital Agreements,” Collin County Bar Association, 2009
“Electronic Evidence – Civil and Ethical Implications,” University of Texas School of Law, 2009
“Premarital Agreements,” Collin County Bar Association, Estate Planning Section, 2008
“Relocation,” Advanced Family Law Course, State Bar of Texas, 2006
“Temporary Support, Maintenance and Alimony,” Marriage Dissolution Institute, State Bar of Texas, 2006
“Child Support Update: Within and Outside the Guidelines,” Marriage Dissolution Institute, 2006
“Relocation,” American Bar Association, Section of Family Law, Spring CLE Conference, Washington, D.C., 2006
“Collaborative Law,” Panel of Texas Authors on Texas Collaborative Law, 2006
“Marital Property 101,” State Bar College Spring Training, 2006
“High Tech Evidence,” Collin County Bar Association, Family Law Section, 2006
“High Tech Evidence: Websites, Hard Drives, E-Mails, Etc.,” Advanced Family Law Drafting Course, 2006
“Protecting Children from Incompetent Forensic Evaluations and Expert Testimony,” Journal of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, Co-Author, 2006
“Child Support,” 31st Annual Advanced Family Law Course, State Bar of Texas, 2005
“Psychological Testing,” American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, 2005
“Relocation,” Dallas Volunteer Attorney Program and Family Law Section, Nuts and Bolts Training, 2005
“Protecting Your Assets from a Texas Divorce,” Professional Solutions Group, Co-Author, 2005
“Opening Statements and Closing Arguments,” Ultimate Trial Notebook – Family Law, State Bar of Texas, 2004
“High Tech Evidence: Websites, Hard Drives, E-Mails, Etc.,” Williamson County, 2004
“Relocation Debate,” 30th Annual Advanced Family Law Course, State Bar of Texas, 2004
Collaborative Law Panel, Collaborative Law Spring Retreat, 2004
“High Tech Evidence: Websites, Hard Drives, E-Mails, Etc.,” 29th Annual Advanced Family Law Course, State Bar of Texas, 2003
“Family Law Evidence,” Collin County Bench/Bar Conference, 2003
“Family Law Evidentiary Issues,” 16th Annual Advanced Evidence and Discovery Course, State Bar of Texas, 2003
“Parentage: Establishing, Attacking and Undoing,” Texas Academy of Family Law Specialists, 2003
“Parentage: Current Issues,” University of Houston Law Center, 2002
“Objections at Trial,” American Bar Association, Section of Family Law, CLE Conference, Orlando, Florida, 2002
“Division of Property and Dividing Specific Assets,” University of Houston Law Foundation, 2002
“Family Law for the Non-Specialist,” J. Reuben Clark Law Society, 2002
“Division of Property on Divorce,” University of Houston Law Foundation, 2002
“Division of Property on Divorce,” University of Houston Law Foundation, 2001
“Family Law Update,” Ten Hot Topics in Family Law, Collin County Bench/Bar Conference, 2000
Moderator, Collin County Bench/Bar Conference, 2000
“Family Law Update,” J. Reuben Clark Law Society, 2000
“Division of Property on Divorce,” University of Houston Law Foundation, 2000
Texas Family Law Practice Guide, West Publishing Company, Co-Author, March 2000–present
“Family Law Discussion,” J. Reuben Clark Law Society, 1999
“Business Valuations in Divorce and Cross-Examination of a Valuation Expert,” American Bar Association, Family Law Section, 1999
“Opening Statement – Jury or Non-Jury,” 25th Annual Advanced Family Law Course, State Bar of Texas, 1999
“Opening and Closing the File,” South Texas College of Law, 1999
“Update on Family Law,” Dallas Women’s Lawyers Association, 1998
“Family Law for the Non-Specialist,” Dallas Bar Association, 1998
“Obtaining Records from Non-Parties,” 24th Annual Advanced Family Law Course, State Bar of Texas, 1998
“Discovery Update,” Dallas Bar Association Friday Clinic, 1998
“Business Valuation in Divorce,” Texas Society of Certified Public Accountants, 1998
“Discovery Update,” 23rd Annual Advanced Family Law Course, State Bar of Texas, 1997
“Discovery Update,” 22nd Annual Advanced Family Law Course, State Bar of Texas, 1996
“Discovery,” Dallas Bar Association Family Law Training Seminar, 1996
“Business Valuation in Divorce,” Texas Society of Certified Public Accountants, 1996
“Attorney’s Fees,” Family Law Practice Institute, University of Houston, 1996
Professional Associations
American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, Fellow, 2004- Present, Board of Governors, 2015 – 2017, Texas Chapter, Fellow, Executive Committee, 2006 – 2010, President, 2010
American Bar Association, Family Law Section, Member
American College of Trial Lawyers
State Bar of Texas, Board of Directors, 3-year elected term beginning 2019
State Bar of Texas, Family Law Section, Member, Chair, 2016, Family Law Council, Member, 2005- Present
Texas Academy of Family Law Specialists, Member, 1995 – present
Annette Stewart Inn of Court, Member, Board Member, 2005 – 2012
CASA of Collin County Advisory Board, Board Member
Collaborative Divorce Texas (f/k/a Collaborative Law Institute of Texas), Member
College of the State Bar of Texas, Member
Collin County Bar Association, Family Law Section, Member
Collin County Bench Bar Conference, Co-Chair, 2001, Program Committee, 2000
Collin County Bench Bar Foundation, Fellow
Dallas Bar Association, Family Law and Collaborative Law Section, Member, Fee Dispute Committee, Member, 1998 – 2000
DAYL People’s Law School, Co-Chair, 1995 – 1996
Denton County Bar Association, Family Law Section, Member
Diplomate of the American College of Family Trial Lawyers since 2020, Grievance Committee, District 1A, Chair, 2006 – 2007, Member, 2002 – 2007
International Academy of Family Lawyers, Member, 2015- Present
Martindale-Hubbell “AV Preeminent” Peer Review Rating earned by Martindale-Hubbell, which is the highest peer rating standard. This is given to attorneys who are ranked at the highest level of professional excellence for their legal expertise, communication skills, and ethical standards by their peers.
Plano Bar Association, Member
Southeastern Paralegal Institute, Instructor, 1993 – 1996
Texas Bar Foundation, Fellow, Nominating Committee
Texas Family Law Foundation, Lifetime Fellow
