Sally Pretorius

Overview Sally Pretorius was born and raised in San Antonio, Texas. A cum laude and Honors Program graduate of St. Marys University, with a degree in political science, she went on to earn her Juris Doctor degree in May of 2009 from the SMU Dedman School of Law, in Dallas. Sally is certified in Family Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization and is a Fellow of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers (both memberships attained in her first year of eligibility) and has made the Texas Rising Stars and Texas Super Lawyer lists on a consistent basis. Attorneys many years her senior would be delighted to have her resume. Ive been lucky to have opportunities to work on a number of complex cases, divorces involving high-net-worth individuals and challenging custody matters, she says. Sally has a remarkably seasoned and reasonable approach to how she manages her cases. Clear communication and managing expectations are critical in any family law matter. I really enjoy my time in the courtroom and advocating for my clients, but I know that mediation and settlements out of court may be the better solution depending on the circumstances. I always want to do whats best for my clients. I tell clients, we have two options: We can be amicable, or we can be litigious. I explain the merits of each and, together, we decide the proper course, she says. Sally has polished her impressive communication skills and developed valuable relationships as an active member of many professional organizations. She practices law in Tarrant, Collin, Dallas, Travis and Denton counties. Sally met her husband Adam, an investment strategist, while living in Austin after law school and they have three-year old daughter- Hannah and two rescued German Short Hair Pointers- Molly and Scout. Sally is an adjunct professor at SMU Dedman School of Law during the Spring semesters. Away from work, Sally enjoys exercise, which, according to her, includes long runs and extreme shoe shopping; and enjoys playing mahjong and also is taking classes to be a DJ. Education & Admissions Southern Methodist University Dedman School of Law, J. D., 2009 St. Marys University, B. A. in Political Science, cum laude, 2006 Licensed in Texas Google AI Essentials - Certified Accreditations Board Certified, Family Law, Texas Board of Legal Specialization Honors & Awards The Best Lawyers in America®, Family Law, 2018-2024 Texas Super Lawyers, Thomson Reuters, 2014-2023 Top 50 Women in Texas, Thomson Reuters, 2018-2022 Top 100 DFW Super Lawyers, Thomson Reuters, 2003-2022 Texas Rising Stars, Thomson Reuters, 2014 Best Lawyers in Dallas, D Magazine, 2021-2025 Best Lawyers Under 40, D Magazine, 2017-2023 Elite Lawyer, 201820 Under 40, People Newspaper, 2020 Publications & Presentations Speaker, Power Act- Pro Bono Representation of Survivors of Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault- Basics of Family Law for Pro Bono Attorneys, 2020 Speaker, A 360-degree View of Virtual Arbitration, Virtual Arbitration Institute: American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, 2020 Speaker, Boomer to Zoomer: A Basic Zoom Guide for Lawyers., Collin County Bar Association and Houston Bar Association, April 22, 2020 Speaker, Navigating COVID-19 Issues in Family Law, Dallas Bar Association, April 13, 2020. Speaker, Pro Bono, Presentation at the Dallas Volunteer Attorney Program CLE, April 23, 2019. Author, Between Two Homes: Tips for Co-Parenting and Exchanges During a Pandemic Texas Lawyer, June 8, 2020. Author, INSIGHT: Tips for Honing Tele-Advocacy Online Skills Bloomberg Law, April 3, 2020. Author, INSIGHT: Attorneys Need Tele-Advocacy Tools as Courts Adapt to Coronavirus Bloomberg Law, April 2, 2020. Author, Zooming into a new era, Texas Bar, March 19, 2020. Author, Navigating Silver Foxes and Vixen Through Divorce Bloomberg Law, October 2, 2019. Author, Amazons Bezos Divorce To Be Exposed in SEC Filings Bloomberg Law, January 29, 2019. Author, In Splitting Assets, the Bezos Divorce Reveals Biases Against Stay-at-Home Partners Texas Lawyer, January 30, 2019. Author, Family Law Lessons in Reality TV, Austin Young Lawyers Association March 2013 Author, Temporary Orders, Volunteer Legal Services, December 2012 and December 2013 Co-Author, Family Law Toolkit, Texas Young Lawyers Association, April 2013 Author, Case Phase Two: 45 Days from Filing to 30 Days Before Trial: Discovery, Motions, Mediations and Trial Preparations, Advanced Family Law, 2014 Presenter, Kids Say the Darndest Things: An Academic and Demonstrative Look at the In Chambers Conference, Advanced Family Law, 2015 Author, The Elusive Family Law Jury Trial, Advanced Family Law, 2016 Author, Can I Un-See That? How to Manage Offensive Evidence, Family Justice Conference, 2017 Professional & Community Involvement American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, Fellow Dallas County Advocacy Center Board of Directors, 2019-Present Chair of the Board, 2022-2024 The Family Place Partners Card Co-Chair, 2020 Auxiliary President Southern Methodist Dedman School of Law- Emerging Leader Board, 2018-2023 Texas Minority Counsel Program, Steering Committee, 2019-2022 Commission for Lawyer Discipline, 2020-2023 State Bar of Texas Board of Directors Director, 2016-2019 Executive Committee, 2016-2019 Computer and Technology Section- Circuits Editor, 2022-2023 Texas Young Lawyers Association President, 2017-2018 Vice-President, 2016-2017 Secretary, 2015-2016 Big City Minority Director, 2014-2016 Austin Director, 2012-2014 Director of the Year Award, 2014 New Director of the Year Award, 2013 Junior League of Dallas Luncheon Chair- 2024 Board of Directors, VP of Training, 2019-2020 Leadership Council, Provisional Chair, 2017-2018 Dallas Association of Young Lawyers, 2009-2010, 2014-2019 Leadership Class, 2014 Austin Bar/Austin Young Lawyers - Leadership Academy Member, 2012 Co-Chair, 2013-2014 Austin Young Lawyers Association Director of the Year, 2012 Board of Directors, 2011-2013 Womens Resource Fair, 2011-2014 Coordinator of social services Austin Bar Gala- AYLA Auction Chair, 2010-2014 Leadership Austin - Emerge Program, 2012 University of Texas Law School Advocacy Program Litigation Institute Instructor, 2012 and 2013 Mock Trial Coach, 2012 and 2013 Dallas Museum of Art, Junior Associates Steering Committee, 2015-2017 Genesis Young Leaders