Katherine A. Kinser and Jonathan J. Bates were named co-recipients of 2020 Fellow of the Year award by the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers.

Jonathan J. Bates is the 2023-2024 President of the Texas Chapter of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers. He previously served as the AAML National Treasurer (2020-2022) and AAML National Board of Governors for 2018-2020.

Jonathan J. Bates served as the Chair of the Family Law Section of the State Bar of Texas for 2021-2022. Lauren E. Melhart currently serves on the Council for the Family Law Section of the State Bar of Texas.

Katherine A. Kinser was the 2014 recipient of the prestigious Sam Emison Award bestowed by the Texas Academy of Family Law Specialists. The award recognizes significant commitment and contributions to the practice of family law in the state of Texas. Kathy is pictured here with former Sam Emison recipients: Hon. Jack W. Marr, Donn C. Fullenweider, Thomas L. Ausley, Gary L. Nickelson, Warren Cole, J. Lindsey Short, Cheryl L. Wilson, Ike Vanden Eykel, Justice Ann Crawford McClure, Larry H. Schwartz, Richard Orsinger, Brian L. Webb, Harry L. Tindall, David R. McClure, and James M. Loveless.

Lauren E. Melhart currently serves in her second term on the TAFLS Board of Directors (2019-2025) and was a 2021 Course Director for the annual Trial Institute. Jonathan J. Bates was President of the Texas Academy of Family Law Specialists for 2016-2017.

Lauren E. Melhart serves as a faculty member for the ABA Family Law Trial Institute in Kansas City (2018, 2019, 2022-2023). She is also the 2023-2025 Vice-Chair for the AAML’s Institute for Family Law Associates.