Jonathan James

Constructive Solutions for Complex Family Law Matters I represent business owners, professionals, and parents who want to resolve complex family law matters in the least destructive manner possible. While managing all aspects of family law, I have a strong focus on cases involving complicated property and challenging real estate investments, contested custody disputes and modifications, and pre-marital and post-marital agreements. Whether in the courtroom or through out-of-court settlement, my goal is to protect children from the conflict of divorce and preserve financial assets for the future. Heres how: Customize a plan for each client that considers the unique and dynamic factors of their situation, whether that be a contested custody case, a complex property or real estate division, or pre-marital agreement. Serve clients with an unmatched work ethic, integrity, and thorough preparation to achieve the best possible outcome. Use Collaborative Divorce, mediation, negotiation, or litigation, depending on the approach that best meets clients needs. Synthesize and explain complex legal issues to empower clients to make informed decisions throughout their case. Educate and prepare clients for each step of the process, so they feel more in control and secure about their future. Featured Video Professional Credentials Jonathan is a highly skilled litigator and negotiator in high-conflict legal situations who consistently receives praise from clients for his integrity, professionalism, and responsiveness. He has extensive experience handling cases related to Collaborative Divorce, negotiated, and litigated divorce, complex property, and real estate division, contested custody, mental health and addiction issues, and pre- and post-marital agreements. Jonathan is trained in Collaborative Divorce and is Board Certified by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization in family law. He has been named D Magazines Best Lawyers Under 40 in 2023 and 2025, a Best Lawyers in America © by Best Lawyers in 2020, 2021, and 2023 - 2025, and a Super Lawyers Rising Star From 2019 to 2023. Jonathan invests his time doing pro bono work for victims of domestic violence in partnership with Genesis Womens Shelter & Support and Emilys Place. He is a member of the Annette Stewart American Inn of Court and the Dallas Bar Association Family Law Section. Jonathan also frequently writes on family law topics for the Texas Bar Journal, the Dallas Bar Association Headnotes, and the State Bar of Texas Family Law Section. Jonathan James is a Dallas divorce lawyer working out of our Dallas and Plano office locations. Interests Born and raised in Plano, Texas, Jonathan attended Canyon Creek Christian Academy. After completing his undergraduate degree at Baylor University, he attended Texas Wesleyan School of Law (now Texas A&M School of Law) in Fort Worth. Jonathan and his wife Emily are high school sweethearts and have two sons and a daughter. When not consuming content from numerous podcasts, articles, and the news, Jonathan is an active member of his church and enjoys participating in community service projects and trivia nights, playing golf, and playing bass guitar on the worship team. Services Services Family Partner Violence And Divorce Divorce Collaborative Divorce Contested Divorce Negotiated Divorce Property Division Complex Property Child Custody Child Support Modifying Child Support Parenting Schedules Visitation Rights Mental Health and Addiction in Divorce Prenuptial and Postnuptial Agreements LGBT Parenting Rights Grandparent Visitation and Custody Rights in Texas Modification and Enforcement Divorce for Men Divorce for Women Dividing the Marital Home Characterization of Separate and Community Property Business Valuation in Divorce Cohabitation Agreements LGBT Divorce Uncontested Divorce High Net Worth Divorce Paternity Adoption Becoming a Foster Parent Alimony & Spousal Maintenance Divorce for Business Owners Appealing a Texas Divorce Decree or Judgment Pre-Divorce Guidance High-Conflict Divorce Litigated Divorce Amicable Divorce Gray Divorce Honors & Awards Honors & Awards Best Lawyers Under 40, D Magazine, 2023 & 2025 The Best Lawyers in America© in the field of Collaborative Law: Family Law, Best Lawyers, 2024 & 2025 The Best Lawyers in America©, Best Lawyers, 2020-2021, 2023 - 2025 Rising Star, Super Lawyers, Thomson Reuters, 2019-2022 Articles Articles Tips for Effective Communication During a Divorce October 28, 2024 Five Tips for How to Protect Your Separate Property in a Divorce October 11, 2024 What Happens to Debt in a Divorce? October 11, 2024 What Are My Rights if I Leave the Marital Home? Problems With Moving Out Before Divorce April 17, 2024 What Should I Do to Differentiate My Personal Assets from Those of My Business? January 9, 2024 How Can I Protect My Business from Being Considered Marital Property During the Divorce Process? December 19, 2023 What Is a Good Lawyer? June 15, 2023 Who Typically Gets the House in a Texas Divorce and What to do if You Want to Keep the House April 24, 2023 Five Important Tips Before You File for Divorce November 16, 2022 Pre-Marital and Post-Marital Agreements: The Gold Standard for Protecting Assets October 3, 2022 What An Experienced Attorney Brings to Your High Net Worth Divorce July 20, 2022 Who Gets the House in a Divorce? September 29, 2021 Publications & Speeches Publications & Speeches Co-Author, Five Tips to Protect and Maintain Your Separate Property, Dallas Bar Association Headnotes, September 2019. Author, Right of First Refusal in Custody Cases, State Bar of Texas, Family Law Section Report, Volume 2017-6 (Winter). Author, Custody Fight: When Grandparents or Other Relatives Seek Parental Rights, Texas Bar Journal, November 2017 Author, Kid Duty: The Right of First Refusal in Custody Cases and How it Can Backfire, Texas Bar Journal, July 2017. Videos & Podcasts Videos What a Family Law Attorney Wishes Everyone Knew About Divorce How to Get Divorced in the Least Destructive Way Professional Associations Professional Associations Annette Stewart American Inn of Court, Member Collin County Bar Association, Member Dallas Bar Association, Member Dallas Bar Association, Family Law Section, Member State Bar of Texas, Member State Bar of Texas, Family Law Section, Member Education Education Doctor of Jurisprudence/Juris Doctor (J. D.), Texas Wesleyan School of Law, Texas 2012 B. A., Baylor University, Political Science, 2009 Bar Admissions Bar Admissions State Bar of Texas, 2012 Certifications Certifications Board Certified by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization in Family Law, 2020