Practice areas: Family Law; view more
Licensed in Texas since: 2011
Education: Tulane University Law School
Selected to Super Lawyers: 2025 
Selected to Rising Stars: 2019 - 2021 Call today:
512-807-7437
Phelps Law Firm PLLC
500 N Capital of Texas HwyBuilding 2
Austin, TX 78746 Visit website
Mary Louise Phelps stands as a beacon of support and competence in the realm of family law at Phelps Law Firm in Austin, Texas. With a compassionate heart and a sharp legal mind, she guides her clients through the complexities of family disputes, offering both skilled advocacy and comforting reassurance during their most challenging times. Her dedication to exceptional client service has earned her repeated recognition as one of the 10 Best Attorneys in Texas.
Ms. Phelps' academic journey began at Tulane University, where she earned a Bachelor of Science in management in 2001. She continued her education at Tulane University, obtaining both her Juris Doctor and Master of Business Administration in 2005. During her time in law school, she was actively involved in the Tulane Law School Moot Court Judicial Council and excelled as both a member and coach of the Tulane Moot Court Negotiation Team.
Before embarking on her legal career, Ms. Phelps gained invaluable experience working at Condé Nast Publications in New York and serving in the West Wing of the White House in Washington, D.C. Her role at the White House culminated in an offer to become the deputy director of the president’s personal correspondence, a position she declined to pursue her passion for law. After completing her J.D. and MBA, she ventured into executive recruiting with R. William Funk, the former head of Korn Ferry’s Dallas office, where she focused on recruiting leaders for higher education institutions across the nation.
Ms. Phelps' legal career began at a law firm in Highland Park in Dallas County, Texas, before she moved to another firm in Austin. Her contributions to the legal community include published works on "Family Law Negotiations" and "Examining Experts Effectively," as well as her involvement in the State Bar of Texas continuing legal education courses. She also served as chair of the Alternative Dispute Resolution Section of the Austin Bar Association for two years. Her commitment to excellence is reflected in her "Superb" rating on Avvo, a testament to her unwavering dedication to her clients and her profession.
Practice areas
Family LawFocus areas
Alimony & Spousal Support, Child Support, Custody & Visitation, Dissolution, Divorce, Marital Property, Mediation & Collaborative Law
- 100% Family Law
First Admitted: 2011, Texas
Professional Webpage: https://www.phelpsfirm.com/marylouise
Bar / Professional Activity
- Travis County Bar Association, Member
- Member, Collaborative Divorce Texas, 2025
- Member, Collaborative Divorce Austin, 2025
- Director, Austin Bar Association, Alternative Dispute Resolution Section, 2025
- Member, Austin Bar Association, Family Law Section..., 2025
- Member, Texas Family Law Foundation..., 2025
- Member, Collaborative Divorce Austin, 2024
- Director, Austin Bar Association, Alternative Dispute Resolution Section, 2024
- Member, Austin Bar Association, Family Law Section, 2024
- Member, Texas Family Law Foundation, 2024
- Member, Collaborative Divorce Austin..., 2023
- Vice Chair, Austin Bar Association, Alternative Dispute Resolution Section..., 2023
- Member, Austin Bar Association, Family Law Section, 2023
- Member, Texas Family Law Foundation, 2023
- Member, Collaborative Divorce Austin, 2022
- Chair, Austin Bar Association, Alternative Dispute Resolution Section, 2022
- Member, Austin Bar Association, Family Law Section, 2022
- Member, Texas Family Law Foundation, 2022
- Member, Collaborative Divorce Texas, 2021
- Member, Collaborative Divorce Austin, 2021
- Chair, Austin Bar Association, Alternative Dispute Resolution Section, 2021
- Member, Family Law Section, Austin Bar Association, 2021
- Member, Texas Family Law Foundation, 2021
- Member, Collaborative Divorce Austin, 2020
- Vice Chair, Austin Bar Association, ADR Section, 2020
- Member, Austin Bar Association, Family Law Section..., 2020
- Member, College of the State Bar of Texas, 2019
- Member, Texas Family Law Foundation, 2020
- Member, College of the State Bar of Texas, 2017
- Member, College of the State Bar of Texas, 2018
- Collaborative Divorce Austin, 2019
- Member, Austin Bar Association, Family Law Section, 2019
- Member, Texas Family Law Foundation, 2019
- Vice-Chair, Austin Bar Association, ADR Section, 2019
- Vice Chair, Austin Bar Association, ADR Section, 2018
- Vice Chair, Austin Bar Association, ADR Section, 2017
- Member, Austin Bar Association, Family Law Section, 2017
- Member, Texas Family Law Foundation, 2017
- Member, Texas Family Law Foundation, 2018
- Director, Austin Bar Association, ADR Section, 2015
- Member, Austin Bar Association, Family Law Section, 2016
- Member, Texas Family Law Foundation, 2016
- Member, Texas Family Law Foundation, 2015
- Member, Austin Bar Association, Family Law Section, 2018
- Secretary, Austin Bar Association, ADR Section, 2016
- Member, Austin Bar Association, Family Law Section, 2015
Special Licenses / Certifications
- Collaborative Law Training, 2011
Honors
- Super Lawyers Honoree, 2025
- "Superb" rating on Avvo
- Rising Star, Super Lawyers Honoree, 2021
- Rising Star, Super Lawyers Honoree, 2020
- Rising Star, Super Lawyers Honoree, 2019
- 10 Best Attorneys Exceptional and Outstanding Client Service, 10 Best Attorneys Exceptional and Outstanding Client Service, American Institute of Family Law Attorneys, 2018
- 10 Best Attorneys Exceptional and Outstanding Client Service, American Institute of Family Law Attorneys, 2017
- Top 40 Under 40, The National Advocates, 2016
- 10 Best Attorneys Exceptional and Outstanding Client Service, American Institute of Family Law Attorneys, 2016
- 10 Best Female Attorneys/Client Satisfaction, American Institute of Family Law Attorneys, 2016
Educational Background
- Tulane University, Master of Business Administration, 2005
- Tulane University, Bachelor of Science, Major: Management, 2001
Scholarly Lectures / Writings
- Co-Author with R. Scott Downing, Eileen Costello, and Spenser Reese, “Examining Expert Effectively”, Innovations - Breaking Boundaries in Custody Litigation, State Bar Of Texas, 2014
- Texas State Bar, Family Law Essentials - Giving Back to Your Community, Speaker, "Planning and Preparing Your Temporary Orders Hearing", Family Law Essentials - Giving Back to Your Community, 2018
- Co-Author with Mary JoAnna McCurley, “Family Law Negotiations”, Advanced Family Law, State Bar Of Texas, 2012
- Speaker, "Procedural Tips and Tricks", Family Law Essentials - Giving Back To Your Community, Pro Bono, State Bar Of Texas, 2017
- Speaker, "Drafting Pleadings and Enforceable Orders", Family Law Essentials - Giving Back to Your Community, State Bar Of Texas, Pro Bono, 2016
- Speaker, "Deal or No Deal", Family Law Essentials - Giving Back To Your Community, Pro Bono, State Bar Of Texas, 2015
- Law
Office location for Mary Louise Phelps
500 N Capital of Texas Hwy
Building 2
Austin, TX 78746
Phone: 512-807-7437
Selections
- Super Lawyers: 2025
- Rising Stars: 2019 - 2021
