Cynthia Barela Graham
Top rated Family Law attorney in Amarillo, Texas
Law Office of Cynthia Barela Graham, PLLC
Practice areas: Family Law; view more
Licensed in Texas since: 1990
Education: The University of Texas School of Law
Selected to Super Lawyers: 2008 - 2026 Call today:
806-345-3150
Law Office of Cynthia Barela Graham, PLLC
600 South Tyler, Suite 1814Amarillo, TX 79105
Cindi Graham handles cases throughout the top 26 counties of the Texas, Panhandle involving divorce, property division, child custody, adoption and termination of parental rights. A zealous litigator, Cindi advocates for her clients drawing from her thirty years of experience in both contested cases and negotiated cases. Parties seeking to avoid contested fights often hire her to represent them in Collaborative Divorces since she has been practicing collaboratively for more than ten years and has trained in that method of divorce resolution extensively. Additionally, Cindi has been board-certified in family law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization since 2002.
After completing her undergraduate education at Texas Tech University, she attended and graduated from The University of Texas at Austin School of Law.
Following four years prosecuting for the State of Texas, Cindi opened her own law office in 1994 and since then has committed herself to helping families through some of the most trying situations of their lives. Taking the time to discuss their specific needs and goals, as well as to gain an understanding of their family dynamics, she crafts customized plans to help her clients achieve the best possible outcomes to their legal issues. Whenever possible, Cindi tries to resolve her clients’ cases through amicable means whenever possible to reduce the expense of litigation, yet she is prepared to battle in the courtroom on their behalf when necessary.
Ever a doer, Cindi has been on several statewide boards including the State Bar of Texas Board of Directors, The State Bar of Texas Family Law Section Board of Directors, and the Collaborative Divorce Texas Board of Directors, and the Texas Board of Legal Specialization for which she served as Chair from 2022-2025. Locally, Cindi founded the Amarillo Area Women's Bar Association and has served in every capacity on the Panhandle Family Law Association. She has also been active in the Amarillo Area Bar Association. Additionally, she is a frequent speaker and author of legal papers in continuing legal education courses across Texas. Most recently, in 2024 Cindi was appointed to the Supreme Court of Texas's Advisory Committee serving with 45 lawyers from across the State of Texas.
Locally, Cindi has volunteered with the Eveline Rivers Project, the Downtown Women's Center, The Chamber of Commerce, United Way, the 79107 project through the Amarillo Area Foundation, and the The Amarillo Junior League.
Cindi received the Court Appointed Special Advocates' "Ad Litem of the Year" award for her representation of children in cases involving child abuse and neglect. She has also received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Panhandle Family Lawyers and the President's Award in 2023 from the Texas Academy of Family Law Specialisits. She has been selected by her peers each year since 2008 for the prestigious Super Lawyer designation from Thomson Reuters.
Practice areas
Family LawFocus areas
Adoption, Alimony & Spousal Support, Child Support, Custody & Visitation, Dissolution, Divorce, Domestic Violence, Marital Property, Mediation & Collaborative Law, Name Change, Paternity, Prenuptial Agreements, Same Sex Family Law
- 100% Family Law
First Admitted: 1990, Texas
Professional Webpage: https://cynthiabarelagraham.com/
Bar / Professional Activity
- Texas Young Lawyers Association, Secretary, 1994
- Appointee to the Supreme Court of Texas Advisory Committee.
- Texas Board of Legal Specialization Board of Directors
- Collaborative Divorce Texas, Board of Directors, 2013-2025
- Amarillo Area Bar Association, Liaison to the Bar, 2007
- Texas Family Law Section Council, Board Member, 2011-2020
- State Bar of Texas, District Director, 2005
- Texas Academy of Family Law Specialists, Director, 2008
- Texas Young Lawyers Association, Director, 1994
- Panhandle Family Lawyers Association, President, 2008
Special Licenses / Certifications
- Board Certified in Family Law, Texas Board of Legal Specializations, 2002
Honors
- Lifetime Achievement Award, Panhandle Family Lawyers Association, 2016
- President's Award, Texas Academy of Family Law Specialists, 2023
- Ad Litem of the Year, CASA, 2007
Educational Background
- Texas Tech University, Bachelor of Arts, 1986
- University of Texas School of Law, Doctorate of Jurisprudence, 1989
White Papers
- Article discussing Collaborative Divorce published in October 2024 issue of the Texas Bar Journal., Collaborative Divorce, Legal, 2024
- Published in the State Bar of Texas's February 2025 State Bar Journal, this article discussed the benefits of practicing law in a small town., Low Hanging Fruit: The Benefits of Practicing Law in a Small Town, Legal, 2025
Scholarly Lectures / Writings
- Addressed advanced issues in marital property law., Speaker and Co-Author, Advanced and Unusual Characterization Issues, State Bar of Texas Advanced Family Law Course, Legal, 2019
- Discussed the need to hire lawyers specialized in other areas when handling certain issues in Family Law cases., Speaker and Author, Knowing What You Don't Know, State Bar of Texas Advanced Drafting Course, Legal, 2020
- Presented on Ethics topics., Speaker and Author, From Lawyer's Creed to Lawyer's Greed: Tips on being Ethical and Professional, State Bar of Texas Family Law Basis 101 Course, Legal, 2021
- Entertaining presentation of Ethics, Co-Presenter with Honorable Karl Hayes, Tammy Moon, and Rick Robertson, Ethics Jeopardy, State Bar of Texas Marriage Dissolution Course, Legal, 2021
- Presented to lawyers regarding ethical obligations for and practical tips for working with clients., Speaker and author, Hedging Your Bets: How and Why Good Advocates Manage their Clients, State Bar of Texas Family Law Basics 101 Course, Legal, 2022
- Spoke about and authored article on Civility and Ethics with lessons from Ted Lasso references., Speaker and Author, Mastering the Lasso: Everything I learned about Civility from Ted, State Bar of Texas Collaborative Law Spring Course, Legal, 2023
- Spoke with Camille Milner regarding increasing Collaborative Divorce Cases., Speaker and Author, How to Increase Collaborative Cases, State Bar of Texas Collaborative Course, Legal, 2025
- Spoke with Judge Jack Marr from Victoria, Texas and with attorney Adam Dietrick, Co-Speaker and Co-Author, 50/50 Possession, State Bar of Texas Advanced Family Law Seminar, 2024
- Speaker & Co-Presenter with Ellen Yarrell, Case Law Update: Paternity, Termination and Adoption, Advanced Family Law, 2012
- Speaker & Author, UTCLE The Parent Child Relationship - The Client Makeover, The Client Makeover, 2010
- Speaker & Author, Trying a Custody Case on a Shoestring, SBOT Advanced Family Law CLE, 2010
- Speaker, Enforcement and Modification, SBOT Advanced Family Law - Bootcamp, 2007
- Speaker/Author, Depositions, SBOT Advanced Family Law CLE, 2009
- Speaker/Author, Creative Custody, SBOT CLE - Advanced Family Law Drafting, 2008
- Speaker & Author, Paternity Fraud, SBOT Advanced Family Law, 2011
- Speaker & Author, Depositions, SBOT Advanced Evidence And Discovery, 2011
- Course Director, Sex, Drugs and Surveillance, SBOT CLE, 2013
- Speaker & Author, Case Law Update-SAPCRs, Marriage Dissolution, 2012
- Speaker, Parentage and Paternity Fraud and Forms, Advanced Drafting, 2011
- Course Director, Advanced Family Law Drafting Course, SBOT, 2011
- Speaker & Author, Dealing with a Pro Se, Family Law 101, 2013
- Speaker & Author, Discovery Outside the Box, Marriage Dissolution, 2013
- Speaker/Author, Navigating the Attorney General Maze, UT CLE - Family Law On The Frontlines, 2008
- Speaker, Daubert: Separating the Gem from the Junk, Advanced Family Law, 2013
- Speaker & Author, Making the Most of Limited Resources, SBOT CLE New Lawyer Course, 2007
- Speaker & Author, Article: Making the Most of Limited Resources, Texas Bar Journal, November 2007
- Speaker/Author, Unique Possession Orders, Advanced Family Law, State Bar of Texas, 2015
- Course Co-Director, Trial Institute, Texas Academy of Family Law Specialists, 2013
- Speaker/Author, Valuation of Non-Business Assets, State Bar of Texas, 2014
Other Outstanding Achievements
- Selected as Course Director for the highly specialized Continuing Legal Presentation course New Frontiers in October 2020., 2020
- Family Law
Office location for Cynthia Barela Graham
600 South Tyler, Suite 1814
Amarillo, TX 79105
Phone: 806-345-3150
Selections
- Super Lawyers: 2008 - 2026
