About Us
- Experience
- Expertise
- Respect
The Summit at Preston Trails
17103 Preston Road,
Suite 150
Dallas, Texas 75248
Phone: (214) 438–1100
Jonathan J. Bates was the 2024 recipient of the prestigious Texas Academy of Family Law Specialists’ Sam Emison Memorial Award, which 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.” He was also the 2024 co-recipient of the State Bar of Texas Family Law Section’s Chair’s Award for “timeless service and dedication.”
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 Immediate Past President of the Texas Chapter of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers. He previously served as the AAML National Treasurer (2020-2022) and on the 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. She is Course Director for the 2025 Advanced Family Law Course.
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, 2022-2024). She is also the 2023-2025 Vice-Chair for the AAML’s Institute for Family Law Associates.