Practice areas: Family Law, Alternative Dispute Resolution; view more
Licensed in Texas since: 1987
Education: The University of Texas School of Law
Selected to Super Lawyers: 2020 - 2025 Call today:
737-292-3092
Law Offices of Sara E. Saltmarsh
11782 Jollyville RdSuite 202
Austin, TX 78759 Visit website
Sara E. Saltmarsh is an attorney, mediator, and arbitrator at the Law Offices of Sara Saltmarsh, Austin, Texas. With more than 38 years of experience as an attorney, she helps clients who are going through a difficult time dealing with their family law matters. Focusing her practice on all areas of family law and collaborative law and mediation, she serves clients throughout the Austin area, practicing in Travis, Williamson, Hays, and Bastrop counties.
Compassionate, empathetic and understanding, Ms. Saltmarsh is a tenacious, tireless and zealous advocate for the rights and interests of her clients. She goes the extra mile for them, keeping communication lines open and her clients informed of every step in the legal process. She works zealously for her clients both inside and outside the courtroom and has an excellent track record of settling cases amicably.
Graduating magna cum laude, Ms. Saltmarsh has a Bachelor of Arts degree with honors in English from Florida State University. She obtained her Juris Doctor degree from The University of Texas School of Law. While in law school, she was the recipient of multiple awards, including the Highest Grades Awards in wills and estates and marital relations and divorce and the Teaching Quizmaster Best Brief Award.
Ms. Saltmarsh has been mediating cases for more than 27 years and has been a trained collaborative lawyer for over 23 years. She is the current Chairperson of the Collaborative Law Section of the State Bar of Texas, Chairperson of the Collaborative Law Council of the State Bar of Texas, and President of Collaborative Divorce Austin. She is also an Adjunct Professor at the University of Texas School of Law and an ABA-trained arbitrator.
Board-certified in Family Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization, Ms. Saltmarsh is admitted to practice in the states of Texas and Florida. In addition to her law practice, she serves as an adjunct professor at The University of Texas School of Law. She frequently presents as a speaker and writer on family law, mediation, and other alternative dispute resolution methods at prominent legal organizations.
Actively involved with the legal community, Ms. Saltmarsh has memberships in the following legal associations. She is:
- Chair, Collaborative Law Section of the State Bar of Texas
- Chair, Collaborative Law Council of the State Bar of Texas
- President of Collaborative Divorce Austin
- Former Chair and current Treasurer of the Austin Bar Association ADR Section
- Member of Global Collaborative Law Council (GCLC)
- Member of the International Association of Collaborative Professionals (IACP)
- Member of Collaborative Divorce Texas
- Member of American Bar Association Mediation, Arbitration, Women in Dispute Resolution, and Educators in Dispute Resolution Committees
- Chair of the Austin Bar Association’s Preservation Committee
- Member of the Texas Academy of Family Law Specialists
- Member of the Travis County Family Law Advocates
- Member of the State Bar of Texas’s Family Law, ADR, and Collaborative Law Sections
- Member of The Florida Bar's Family Law and ADR Sections
- Member of the Austin Bar Association’s Alternative Dispute Resolution, Entertainment Law, Civil Litigation, LBGTQ, and Family Law Sections
- Member of Williamson County, Hays County, and Travis County Bar Associations
Ms. Saltmarsh also served as the former chair for the Williamson County Bar Association’s Women Lawyers’ Section and the Austin Bar Association’s Family Law Section and Alternative Dispute Resolution Sections. She is a firm believer in helping those in need and has volunteered much of her time, actively participating in pro bono and other community service activities.
Ms. Saltmarsh serves as a volunteer attorney at the Volunteer Legal Services of Central Texas and is a member of the Travis County Women Lawyers Association and Foundation. She was awarded the Pro Bono Award by the Travis County Women Lawyers’ Association. Honored for her remarkable contributions and work in the field of family law, she is AV Preeminent peer-review rated* through Martindale-Hubbell, which is the highest rating. She also has a 10 out of 10 rating on Avvo.
*AV®, AV Preeminent®, Martindale-Hubbell Distinguished and Martindale-Hubbell Notable are certification marks used under license in accordance with the Martindale-Hubbell certification procedures, standards and policies. Martindale-Hubbell® is the facilitator of a peer review rating process. Ratings reflect the anonymous opinions of members of the bar and the judiciary. Martindale-Hubbell® Peer Review Ratings™ fall into two categories – legal ability and general ethical standards.
Practice areas
Family Law, Alternative Dispute ResolutionFocus areas
Alimony & Spousal Support, Arbitration, Child Support, Custody & Visitation, Dissolution, Divorce, Domestic Violence, Father's Rights, Marital Property, Mediation, Mediation & Collaborative Law, Name Change, Paternity, Prenuptial Agreements, Same Sex Family Law
- 80% Family Law
- 20% Alternative Dispute Resolution
First Admitted: 1987, Texas
Professional Webpage: https://saltmarshlaw.com
Bar / Professional Activity
- Director, State Bar of Texas Collaborative Law Council, 2024
- Admitted to State Bar of Texas, May 1987
- Pioneer Farms Foundation, 2009-Present
- Collaborative Divorce Austin, 2016-Present
- Williamson County Women Lawyers Section, 2015-Present
- Austin Bar ADR Section, 2014-Present
- Faith Home for Children with AIDS, 1997-98
- Austin Bar Association, 2017-Present
- Travis County Bar Association (now Austin Bar Association), 1991-92
- Member, Courthouse Security Committee, Travis County Commissioners’ Court, 1991-92
- Travis County Bar Association/Austin Young Lawyers Association, Mentor Program Committee, Member, 1990-94 and 1996-98, Chairperson1993-94 and 1996-98
- Travis County Bar Association Legal Services to the Indigent Committee, Member, 1991-93, Co-Chairperson 1992-93
- Travis County Women Lawyers Association
- Co-Chairperson, It's the Law Committee, Austin Young Lawyers Association, 1990-92
- College of the State Bar of Texas
- Travis County Bar Association Judicial Affairs Committee, 1992-93 and 1996-98
- Williamson County Women Lawyers Section Vice President, 2015-16
- Member, Williamson County Bar Association; Williamson County Women Lawyers Section President, 2016-17
- Co-Chair, Austin Bar Preservation Committee, 2021-Present
- President, Austin Bar Family Law Section, 1991-92
- Vice President, Austin Bar Family Law Section, 1990-91
- Secretary-Treasurer, Austin Bar Family Law Section, 1989-90
- President, Collaborative Divorce Austin, Member, Collaborative Divorce Texas, 2023
- Vice President, Collaborative Divorce Austin, 2021-Present
- Secretary, Austin Bar ADR Section, 2021-Present
- Vice-President, Austin Bar ADR Section, 2015-17
- Member, Austin, Williamson, and Hays County Bar Associations, President, Austin Bar ADR Section, 2017-21
- Admitted to The Florida Bar, May 2004
- Chair, Family Law Section of Austin Bar Association (formerly, Travis County Bar Association)
- Board Certified, Texas Board of Legal Specialization
- President, Women's Law Section of Williamson County Bar Association
- Life Member, Texas Bar Foundation
- Chair, ADR Section of Austin Bar Association
- Board of Directors, Austin Bar Association
Verdicts / Settlements (Case Results)
- Redus v. Redus, 794 S.W.2d 418 (Tx. App.--Austin 1990, writ denied); 852 S.W.2d 94 (Tx. App.--Austin 1993, writ denied)
Special Licenses / Certifications
- ABA Annual Arbitration Training, NYC, March 2023, 2023
- Annual Collaborative Law Course, State Bar of Texas, March 2010, 2010
- Annual Alternative Dispute Resolution Course, State Bar of Texas, January 2017, 2017
- Annual Collaborative Law Course, State Bar of Texas, March 2020, 2020
- Annual Collaborative Law Course, State Bar of Texas, March 2017, 2017
- Advanced Collaborative Law Interdisciplinary Training, Collaborative Law Institute, June 2018, 2018
- AFCC Annual Conference, Washington, DC, June 2018, 2018
- Annual Alternative Dispute Resolution Course, State Bar of Texas, January 2023, 2023
- Marriage Dissolution Seminar, State Bar of Texas, May 2024, 2024
- Advanced Family Law Conference, State Bar of Texas, August 2023, 2023
- Annual Collaborative Law Seminar, State Bar of Texas, March 2023, 2023
- Annual Alternative Dispute Resolution Course, State Bar of Texas, January 2024, 2024
- Annual Collaborative Law Seminar, State Bar of Texas, Dallas, TX, March 2024, 2024
- Advanced Collaborative Law Training, Collaborative Divorce Texas, Dallas, TX, June 2024, 2024
- ABA Annual Arbitration Training, Atlanta, Georgia, June 2024, 2024
- Board Certified in Family Law, Texas Board of Legal Specialization, 1992; re-certified 1997, 2002, 2007, 2012, 2017
- New Ways for Families Update Training, High Conflict Institute, 2015
- New Ways for Families Training, High Conflict Institute, 2013
- Basic and Advanced Collaborative Law Training, Nova Southeastern University, 2017
- Family Law Mediation Training, 23.5 hrs, South Texas College of Law, 1998
- Interdisciplinary Collaborative Law Training, Collaborative Law Institute of Texas, 2010
- Board certification in Family Law, Texas Board of Legal Specialization
- 40-hr Mediation Training, Texas A&M University and the Texas Senate, 1998
- Member in Good Standing, State Bar of Texas
- Member in Good Standing, The Florida Bar
Pro bono / Community Service
- Coach, University of Texas School of Law Dispute Resolution Team, FINRA Dispute Resolution Triathlon, 2017-2022, 2017
- Coach, ABA Student Negotiation Team, University of Texas School of Law, 2023-2024, 2023
- Williamson County Inns of Court, 2022
- Sierra Club, Randolph-Macon Women’s College Alumnae Association, Austin YMCA, Eanes Education Foundation (EEF), Texas Exes (Life Member), Florida State University Alumni Association (Life Member), and Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center
- Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida: Volunteer, St. Paul’s Church, 2003-04; Volunteer, Our Lady Star of the Sea Church, 2005-08; CCD Teacher Assistant, Our Lady Star of the Sea, 2007-08; Dancer/volunteer, First Coast Nutcracker, 2006 and 2007 seasons
- Additional Community Volunteerism (Non-Legal) Austin, Texas: Costumed Interpreter/Volunteer, Pioneer Farms, 2009-Present; Board of Directors (Outreach Chair, Prairie Christmas Chair), Pioneer Farms Foundation, 2009-Present; Ballet Austin Guild, 2011-13; Nutcracker Docent, Ballet Austin Guild, 2012; Volunteer, St. John Neumann Church, 1999-2003; CCD Co-Teacher, St. John Neumann Church, 2001-03
- Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida: Rawlings Elementary School, Landrum Middle School, and Ocean Palms Elementary School. Highlights: Homeroom Mom, Rawlings Elementary School, 2004-05; Entertainment Chairperson, Carnival Committee, Rawlings Elementary School, 2004-05; Homeroom Mom, Ocean Palms Elementary School, 2007-08; Homeroom Class Liaison, Landrum Middle School, 2005-08; Picture Lady (CAAP), Rawlings Elementary School, 2003-05; CAAP Coordinator, Rawlings Elementary School, 2004-05; Scholastic Book Fair Co-Chair, Landrum Middle School, 2005-08; Concessions Coordinator, various functions, Landrum Middle School, 2005-08
- Volunteer, Austin, Texas: Eanes Elementary School, Cedar Creek Elementary School, Hill Country Middle School, and Westlake High School. Highlights: Hill Country Middle School Pie Swap Chairperson 2013; First Grade, Second Grade, Third Grade, and Fifth Grade Coordinator, Cedar Creek Elementary School, 2009-13; Sally Foster Gift Wrap/Cookie Dough Chairperson, Cedar Creek Elementary School Booster Club, 2009 and 2010; Square One Art Chairperson, Cedar Creek Elementary School Booster Club, 2012-13; Homeroom Mom and Photographer, Cedar Creek Elementary School, 2009-13; Gallery Greats (Picture Lady) volunteer, Cedar Creek Elementary School, 2008-13, and Eanes Elementary School 1999-2003; Staff Appreciation Committee, Westlake High School, 2010-12, 2016-Present; Pavers Chairperson, Westlake High School, 2011-12; Homeroom Mom and Photographer, Eanes Elementary School, 1999-2003; Carnival Committee, Eanes Elementary School and Cedar Creek Elementary School
- Member of Collaborative Law Section of the State Bar of Texas
- Member of Alternative Dispute Resolution and Family Law Sections of the Austin Bar Association and the State Bar of Texas
- Past President, Alternative Dispute Resolution Section of the Austin Bar Association, 2018 - 2021
- Member of Collaborative Law Section of the State Bar of Texas, 2010-Present
- Member of Collaborative Divorce Austin, 2016-Present
- Member of Collaborative Law Institute of Texas (now Collaborative Divorce Texas), 2010-Present
- Member of Central Texas Collaborative Law Group, 2001-2002, 2008-10
- Barrister, Robert Calvert American Inn of Court, 1996-99
- Volunteer Attorney, Volunteer Legal Services of Central Texas
- Board Member, Pioneer Farms Foundation
- Pro Bono College, State Bar of Texas, 2020
- Preservation Committee, Austin Bar Association
- Pro Bono Committee, Austin Bar Association
- Pro Bono Award, Travis County Women Lawyers' Association, 2009
Honors
- AV-Rated, Martindale-Hubbell Directory
- American Jurisprudence Award (Sunflower Award) in Wills and Estates, U.T. School of Law, 1986
- American Jurisprudence Awards (Sunflower Award) in Marital Relations and Divorce, U.T. School of Law, 1986
- Teaching Quizmasters Best Brief Award, U.T. School of Law, 1984
- Lyndon Baines Johnson Memorial Scholar, U.S. Congress, 1976
- Givens Distinguished Scholar, 1974-75
- Recipient, Who's Who in American Law
- Pro Bono Award, Travis County Women Lawyers Association, 2009
- Fellow, Texas Bar Foundation
- Recipient, Texas Super Lawyers
- Recipient, Avvo online rating of 10
- Phi Beta Kappa, Florida State University, 1978
- English Literature Honorary Society, Lambda Iota Tau, Florida State University, 1978
Educational Background
- Randolph-Macon Woman's College, 1974-76
- Iowa State University, Graduate Program (Teaching Assistant in English), 1980-81
- Florida State University, B.A., Magna Cum Laude, Honors in English, 1978
Scholarly Lectures / Writings
- Adjunct Professor, University of Texas School of Law, Fall 2017 - Present
- Speaker/Author, Mediated Settlement Agreements and Arbitration Awards: Case Law Update, Austin Bar Family Law Section, April 13, 2022
- Speaker/Author, “Drafting the Mediated Settlement Agreement, Including Case Law Update and Pandemic Considerations”, Austin Mediators Association, April 30, 2021
- Speaker/Author, “Qualified Domestic Relations Orders”, Divorce Cases from Start to Finish; Institute for Paralegal Education (IPE), Austin, Texas, May 20, 2014
- Speaker/Author, “Keys to Managing Financial Information”, Divorce Cases from Start to Finish, Institute for Paralegal Education (IPE), Austin, Texas, May 20, 2014
- Speaker/Author, “Commencing a Divorce Action”, Divorce Litigation from Start to Finish; National Business Institute (NBI); Austin, Texas, September 10, 2013
- Speaker/Author, “Dividing Marital Assets and Debts Equitably”, Handling Divorce Cases from Start to Finish; National Business Institute (NBI), Austin, Texas; October 17, 2011
- Speaker/Author, “Divorce Procedure,” Divorce Basics Seminar, Volunteer Legal Services of Central Texas/Travis County Bar Association, December 13, 2002
- Speaker/Author, “Divorce Procedure,” Divorce Basics Seminar, Volunteer Legal Services of Central Texas/Travis County Bar Association, December 2001
- Speaker/Author, “Divorce Procedure,” Divorce Basics Seminar, Volunteer Legal Services of Central Texas/Travis County Bar Association, December 7, 2000
- Speaker/Author, "Divorce Procedure," Divorce Basics Seminar, Volunteer Legal Services of Central Texas/Travis County Bar Association, December 10, 1999
- Speaker/Panelist, “Post-Divorce Enforcement Panel,” What Every Lawyer Should Know About Domestic Violence, Texas Lawyers Care/SafePlace, September 17, 1999
- Speaker, "Marriage and Divorce," People's Law School, U.T. School of Law, February 27, 1999
- Speaker/Author, "Divorce Procedure," Divorce Basics Seminar, Volunteer Legal Services of Central Texas/Travis County Bar Association, December 11, 1998
- Speaker/Author, "Retirement Basics and Not-So-Basics," Travis County Bar Association Family Law Grab Bag Seminar, March 27, 1998
- Speaker, "Recent Developments in Family Law," Williamson County Bar Association Meeting, March 17, 1998
- Speaker, "Marriage and Divorce," People's Law School, U.T. School of Law, February 28, 1998
- Speaker/Author, "Drafting Divorce Decrees," 1998 Poverty Law Update Conference, Texas Lawyers Care, February 27, 1998
- Speaker/Author, "Divorce Procedure," Divorce Basics Seminar, Volunteer Legal Services of Central Texas/Travis County Bar Association, November 14, 1997
- Speaker, "Adoptions," Capital Area Paralegal Association Luncheon, September 24, 1997
- Speaker/Author, "Avoiding Malpractice in Family Law Cases," 1997 Poverty Law Update Conference, Texas Lawyers Care, May 6, 1997
- Speaker, "Mentor Programs in Travis County, Texas," Solo/Small Firm Section of the Travis County Bar Association, February 24, 1997
- Speaker, "A Layperson's Guide to Divorce," People's Law School, U.T. School of Law, February 22, 1997
- Speaker, "Taping, Tapping, and Other Surveillance Issues in Divorce Cases," Family Law Section of the Travis County Bar Association, November 6, 1996
- Speaker/Author, "Divorce Procedure," Divorce Basics Seminar, Volunteer Legal Services of Central Texas/Travis County Bar Association, November 1, 1996
- Speaker/Author, "Divorce Procedure," Divorce Basics Seminar, Volunteer Legal Services of Central Texas/Travis County Bar Association, October 6, 1995
- Guest Speaker, "Child Custody," "Ask an Attorney," Austin Access (Cable) Television Program, May 22, 1995
- Speaker/Author, "Divorce Procedures and Time Frames," Family Law Basics Seminar, Texas Legal Services Center, March 31, 1995
- Speaker, "Divorce Procedure," Capital Area Paralegal Association Brown Bag Seminar, March 7, 1995
- Speaker/Author, "Divorce Procedure," Divorce Basics Seminar, Travis County Bar Association, October 28, 1994
- Speaker/Author, "Divorce Procedure," Divorce Basics Seminar, Travis County Bar Association, March 26, 1993
- Speaker, Human Impact Seminar, St. David’s Pavilion/U.T. at Austin, April 19-20, 1991
- Origin and description of Courthouse Mediation Project, sponsored by the ADR Section of the Austin Bar Association, Author, Courthouse Mediation Project, Austin Bar Journal, Legal, 2019
- Author and teacher for training seminar for paralegals, "Divorce Cases from Start to Finish", Author/Speaker, Keys to Managing Financial Information, Institute for Paralegal Education, Paralegal, Legal, 2014
- Author and teacher for legal training seminar, "Divorce Litigation from Start to Finish", Author/Speaker, Commencing a Divorce Action, National Business Institute, Legal, 2013
- Article and teaching seminar for paralegal course, "Divorce Cases from Start to Finish", Author/Speaker, Qualified Domestic Relations Orders, Institute for Paralegal Education, Paralegal, Legal, 2014
Other Outstanding Achievements
- Life-Time Sustaining Fellow, Texas Family Law Foundation, 2020
- Life Fellow, Travis County Women Lawyers' Association Foundation, 2024
- Legal
Office location for Sara E. Saltmarsh
11782 Jollyville Rd
Suite 202
Austin, TX 78759
Phone: 737-292-3092
Selections
- Super Lawyers: 2020 - 2025
Certificates and credentials
Family Law
