Practice areas: Family Law; view more
Licensed in Texas since: 1985
Education: Southern Methodist University Dedman School of Law
Selected to Super Lawyers: 2006, 2021 - 2025 Call today:
214-699-5624
Calabrese Budner LLP
5944 Luther LaneSuite 875
Dallas, TX 75225 Visit website
Details
Elisa Reiter is a seasoned attorney at the law firm Calabrese Budner, serving the residents of Dallas, Texas. She is board-certified in family law and child welfare law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization and is admitted to practice before the United States Supreme Court, the United States Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit and the United States District Court for the Northern District of Texas.
Ms. Reiter majorly handles family law cases involving LGBTQIA+ issues, grandparent rights, pre- and postnuptial agreements, cohabitation agreements, contested custody, elder law matters, foster parent interventions, child support and custody modifications, simple, gray and complex divorce, and cases of parental alienation and reunification.
Over her career spanning two decades, Ms. Reiter has received many accolades. She was honored with the 2016 Spirit of Compassion Award by Family Compass for her years of service to children and families in need. In addition to being a member at the Texas Bar College, she was inducted into the Who's Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges publication. She is also peer-review rated as AV Preeminent* through Martindale-Hubbell.
With a double bachelor’s degree in political science and English, Ms. Reiter graduated cum laude from the Southern Methodist University (SMU) in 1980. She completed her law studies at SMU Dedman School of Law, earning her J.D. in 1983. Besides being a skilled attorney, she has taught mediation and family law at her law school for its Dispute Resolution Program and the Continuing Education Program and was also an adjunct professor for family law. Apart from her lectures and speaking engagements, she is also an established writer, authoring many articles from diverse publications such as Daily Business Review, The Imprint, the National Law Journal, Texas Lawyer and the New York Law Journal.
Ms. Reiter upholds memberships in many prominent legal associations such as, the American Bar Association, the Dallas Bar Association, the State Bar of Texas (Family Law Section), the Texas Academy of Family Law Specialists, The District of Columbia Bar, the Massachusetts Bar Association, Texas Family Law Exam Commission and the New York Bar Association. She was also a member of the board of directors in the Texas Board of Legal Specialization and is a life fellow of the Texas Bar Foundation.
*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 LawFocus areas
Adoption, Alimony & Spousal Support, Child Support, Custody & Visitation, Dissolution, Divorce, Domestic Violence, Father's Rights, Juvenile Law, Marital Property, Mediation & Collaborative Law, Name Change, Paternity, Prenuptial Agreements, Same Sex Family Law
- 100% Family Law
First Admitted: 1985, Texas
Professional Webpage: https://calabresebudner.com/attorney/elisa-reiter/
Bar/Professional Activity:
- United States Supreme Court
- State of New York Bar Association
- Massachusetts Bar Association
- District of Columbia Bar Association
- Texas Association of Family Law Specialists
- State Bar of Texas, Family Law Section
- Dallas Bar Association
- American Bar Association
- State of New York Bar
- District of Columbia Bar
- Commonwealth of Massachusetts Bar
- United States District Court, Northern District of Texas
- United States Court of Appeals, Fifth Circuit
Verdicts/Settlements (Case Results):
- Obtained modification of custody in Johnson County, Texas following a bench trial, obtaining primary custody for maternal grandparent of child., 2022
Special Licenses/Certifications:
- Certified by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization in Family Law and Child Welfare Law
Pro bono/Community Service:
- Mrs. Reiter served as a member of the Board of Directors of FAMILY COMPASS (formerly known as Child Abuse Prevention Center of Dallas, Texas "CAP CENTER") from approximately 2000 through September, 2015. Family Compass's mission is to break the generational cycle of child abuse., 2015
- Member, Board of Directors, Suicide & Crises Center, North Texas., 2022
- Undertook cases through Dallas Volunteer Attorney Program., 2021
- Service Award Recipient, Family Compass. After 15 years on the Board of Directors of Family Compass, which seeks to serve families in need and to give every child the right to live their childhood free of family violence, and raising in excess of $350,000 for the agency, Mrs. Reiter was honored for her service to the agency, 2016
- Member, Board of Directors, Jewish Family Service of Greater Dallas, 1988-1992. Helped launch the Professional Resource Organizers/Guardianship program for JFS created by Mark Werbner and Joni Cohan., 1992
Honors/Awards:
- For years of service to children and families in need, Mrs. Reiter was honored with the 2016 Family Compass Spirit of Compassion Award., Spirit of Compassion Winner, Family Compass, 2016
- Peer-Review Rated as Av Preeminent* Through Martindale-Hubbell
- Following fourteen years on Family Compass' Board of Directors, and fund raising in excess of $350,000 in that time, Mrs. Reiter was honored at their Legends and Lights Gala by serving as Honorary Chairperson of the event., Honorary Chair, Family Compass, Legends and Lights Gala, 2017
Educational Background:
- Southern Methodist University (SMU),Double Bachelor’s Degree, Major- Political Science and English, Cum Laude, 1980
Scholarly Lectures/Writings:
- The governor vetoed 21 bills that had been passed during this year’s legislative session—the fewest vetoes since 2005. There were 1,073 bills passed by the Texas Legislature this year. The vetoes set aside 13 bills written by Democrats and seven bills written by Republicans (12) (PDF) Governor Abbott Vetoes Bill Requiring Standardization of Protective Order Applications, and Other Bills. Available from: [accessed Mar 14 2022]., Co-author, Gov. Abbott Vetoes Bill Requiring Standardization of Protective Orders Applications and Other Bills, Texas Lawyer, Law, Juvenile Delinquency, Family Law, CPS, Criminal Law, Divorce, 2021
- Family Law as an Adjunct Professor at SMU
- The case of 'Moody v. Moody raises a number of interesting issues, but most importantly, it reminds us that standing is the foundation of a justiciable claim., Co-author, There is a marital property legislative gap that needs some sealant, Texas Lawyer, Law, Avoiding Elder Abuse, Family Law, Divorce, Grey Divorce, 2022
- Sometimes children need not only to care for their parents, they also need to know when to take them to a doctor for a neurological assessment., Co-author, Does having dementia mean your loved one is incompetent, Texas Lawyer, Law, Avoiding Elder Abuse, Family Law, Divorce, Grey Divorce, 2022
- Good judgment comes from experience; experience comes from bad judgment.” This astute observation, attributed to Dr. Kerr L. White, has daily application when supervising children in a residential treatment setting. While we should expect staff to make occasional bad decisions, they can, even though well-intentioned, still be legally defined as “child abuse.", Co-author, Questionable Judgment by Child Residential Treatment Staff Can Constitute Child Abuse, Texas Lawyer, Law, Family Law, CPS, Workplace Disputes, Criminal Law, Divorce, Social Workers, Grey Divorce, LGBTQ, 2022
- Ifyou are going to complain about a defect in jurisdiction, do so early and properly., Co-author, How to Serve Process in a Guardianship Proceeding, Texas Lawyer, Law, Avoiding Elder Abuse, Family Law, Divorce, Grey Divorce, 2022
- Attorney-client privilege attaches after a legal services agreement is signed by both the attorney and the (prospective) client, and the retainer has been remitted., Co-author, Exactly when does the attorney-client privilege attach?, Texas Lawyer, Law, Family Law, Criminal Law, Mental Health Professionals, 2022
- Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton disputes the American Medical Association, the American Psychiatric Association, the American Academy of Pediatrics, and the position that those respective organizations have taken in support of individualized care of children who experience gender dysphoria. Does Paxton have more in mind than slowing the clock? Only time will tell., Co-author, Might Gender Affirming Support for Transgender Youth Constitute Child Abuse?, Texas Lawyer, Law, Family Law, CPS, Workplace Disputes, Criminal Law, Divorce, Social Workers, LGBTQ, 2022
- After centuries of neglect, the voices of the deaf-blind population need to be heard. Society in general, and the legal profession in particular, must be committed to empowering persons who are deaf-blind. It’s time to make room at the legal table. Pull up a chair., Co-author, Persons who are Deaf-blind need a seat at the legal table, Texas Lawyer, Law, Family Law, CPS, Workplace Disputes, Criminal Law, Divorce, Social Workers, Deaf-blind, Visually Impaired, Hearing Impaired, 2022
- Establishing clear and convincing evidence that a parent has been neglectful—leaving the children in potentially dangerous circumstances—could be a ground for termination regardless of whether or not physical abuse occurred. There is not necessarily a requirement to show that a child suffered actual injury., Co-author, Intent is Key in The Legal Definition of Abandonment, Texas Lawyer, Law, Family Law, CPS, Criminal Law, Divorce, Social Workers, 2022
- If you want judicial notice to be taken, do not count on luck. Make the request on the record., Co-author, How do the rules of evidence treat a custody evaluation report?, Texas Lawyer, Law, Family Law, CPS, Workplace Disputes, Criminal Law, Divorce, Social Workers, Grey Divorce, LGBTQ, 2022
- A recent Texas Court of Appeals case illustrates the series of considerations and “balancing acts” that ultimately lead a court to sever parental rights. One of those considerations is the child’s expressed desire., Co-author, Terminating parental rights: How much does a child's voice matter?, Texas Lawyer, Law, Juvenile Delinquency, Family Law, CPS, Criminal Law, Divorce, Mental Health Professionals, 2022
- The No Surprises Act dictates that the arbiter chooses the offer closest to the median in network rate, unless there is additional information that shows that the in-network rate is inappropriate., Co-author, The No Surprises Act: Practical implications for health and mental health professionals, Texas Lawyer, Law, Medicine, Mental Health Professionals, 2022
- Attorneys must be zealous advocates, but that does not mean accepting every word our clients say. Keep that psychological grain of salt handy -- and warn clients that they may sometimes be affronted by our questions and skepticism., Co-author, Take New Clients with a Psychological Grain of Salt, Family Lawyer Magazine, Law, Family Law, Courts, Mental Health Professionals, 2022
- What’s ‘fair’ for a juvenile offender who is over the age of 14 and who may be required to register as a sexual offender? The juvenile court wields great power in such cases, and a juvenile offender may carry the onus of being a predator long into adulthood, when warranted., Co-author, Juvenile Sex Offender Registration: Applying the 'learned treatise' exception to the hearsay rule, Texas Lawyer, Law, Family Law, Family Courts, 2022
- Numerous states have set legal precedents regarding child custody disputes where the non-biological parent is determined to be a “psychological parent” and is therefore able to retain custody. In an era where it takes a village to raise a child, should Congress and State legislators take further action to assure that psychological parents also have legal rights?, Co-author, State Courts are refining the concept of psychological parent, Texas Lawyer, Law, Family Law, Social Work, Courts, 2022
- Whether or not hiding income results in formal child neglect charges, parents need to support their children by providing them with financial support, or face the consequences., Co-author, Could hiding income to avoid paying child support constitute child neglect?, Texas Lawyer, Law, Family Law, Child Support Enforcement, 2021
- Your client, a divorced parent, is planning their first holiday season under new co-parenting arrangements. As an attorney, the single best piece of advice you can give your client is this: If the client anticipates a legal dispute or disagreement with their former partner, try to iron it out now., Co-author, Smoothing out legal co-parenting pitfalls during holidays, Texas Lawyer, Law, Family Law, Custody, Access, 2021
- When your family law client is denying the reality of their situation, use these strategies to help keep the process – and your client – on track., Co-author, 10 Tips to Keep a Client from Derailing Their Case, Family Lawyer Magazine, Law, Family Law, CPS, Workplace Disputes, Criminal Law, Divorce, Social Workers, Grey Divorce, LGBTQ, 2021
- When a nursing resident is alleged to have been sexually abused and a lawsuit follows, a key person for plaintiff attorneys to retain is a competent expert witness. Naturally, that person must be properly credentialed and have the requisite experience. But there’s more., Co-author, Opining on Sexual Abuse in a Nursing Home, Texas Lawyer, Law, Avoiding Elder Abuse, Family Law, Divorce, Grey Divorce, 2021
- Because sexual abuse may often involve only the two people who know what really happened, numerous legal issues will be at the heart of formal judicial proceedings. Credibility and clarity are paramount. Society, the justice system, and attorneys rightly view a nonconsensual sexual assault as a serious criminal offense. Proving the offense in court can involve proper application of case law and Federal Rules of Evidence. The responsibility of every court is to ensure that subtlety and clarity are not lost in the shadows of procedure., Co-author, Applying Federal Rules of Evidence to sexual abuse cases can be a nuanced undertaking, Texas Lawyer, Law, Family Law, CPS, Workplace Disputes, Criminal Law, Divorce, Social Workers, Grey Divorce, LGBTQ, 2021
- Children referred for reunification therapy can be described as feeling divided, torn between their parents, with polarized feelings about parents such that the children may refuse to see, visit, talk with or enjoy a real relationship with a rejected parent. Effective models for children and families in need of reunification therapy do exist. As gatekeepers, courts should implement tightly crafted orders that assure compliance by parents and children alike., Co-author, Reunification therapy: What's a court and a therapist to do?, Texas Lawyer, Law, Avoiding Elder Abuse, Family Law, Divorce, Grey Divorce, 2021
- It seems to happen more often than not that a potential new client seeking a divorce alludes to cruel treatment by their spouse. Tennessee Williams wrote: "All cruel people describe themselves as paragons of frankness." Cruel treatment has long been a "fault" ground for divorce-but a fault ground that has had little momentum recently. On the heels of two recent cases, cruel treatment allegations may find their way into many new divorce cases., Co-author, Can 'cruel treatment' impact property division in divorce?, Texas Lawyer, 2021
- When building an elder law case, and/or a case involving abuse of a disabled person, a multi-disciplinary team should be considered. Develop an effective case. Help those who cannot help themselves., Co-author, Building an Elder Law Case, DBA Headnotes, Law, Avoiding Elder Abuse, Family Law, Divorce, Grey Divorce, 2021
- Few areas of family law are as bristling with risk and the potential for appeal as a petition to terminate parental rights. When the child involved has special needs, the child may be particularly imperiled if proper parental supervision is missing, Co-author, Terminating Parental Rights When a Child has Special Needs, Texas Lawyer, Law, Juvenile Delinquency, Family Law, CPS, Criminal Law, Divorce, 2021
- Social workers are often overworked and underpaid. Nonetheless, they must make time to practice to be prepared for court., Co-author, How Much Weight Does a Social Worker's Opinion Carry in Court?, Texas Lawyer, Law, Juvenile Delinquency, Family Law, CPS, Criminal Law, Divorce, Social Workers, Medical, 2021
- In today’s COVID-19 environment, under what circumstances can the state preempt the parent or guardian’s medical decision-making authority regarding children regarding getting vaccinated?, Co-author, Vaccinating Children in State Care: What Happens to the Rights of Biological Parents?, Texas Lawyer, Law, Juvenile Delinquency, Family Law, CPS, Criminal Law, Divorce, Social Workers, 2021
- For it to function properly, an independent judiciary and justice system must resist being a politicized one., Co-author, Dealing with doomsday justice system colleagues and officials, Texas Lawyer, Law, Juvenile Delinquency, Family Law, CPS, Criminal Law, Divorce, 2021
- The recent opinion issued by U.S. Judge District Linda V. Parker of the Eastern District of Michigan, Southern Division, in King v. Whitmer is a study in what a court can do to an attorney who has signed off on a pleading that appears to the court to have violated Rule 11., Co-author, The Lesson of Rule 11 Sanctions: Practice Professionally, Texas Lawyer, Law, Juvenile Delinquency, Family Law, CPS, Criminal Law, Divorce, Social Workers, Medical, 2021
- With so many COVID-related deaths, should the aim of our judiciary–particularly in the domestic relations and criminal courts–be, in part, to require COVID vaccines to preserve life and liberty?, Co-author, Afraid to immunize? Judges may view your reluctance sternly., Texas Lawyer, Law, Juvenile Delinquency, Family Law, CPS, Criminal Law, Divorce, Social Workers, Medical, 2021
- All attorneys know that they are obliged to zealously represent their clients at all times. What does that mean in practice? It means they must be ardently active, devoted, and diligent in representing their client. When attorneys know each other well—maybe they’re even close friends—does their tenacity on behalf of their client inadvertently wane? Especially in family law, where things can get truly nasty, do attorneys unconsciously become a bit less determined than they otherwise should be if they oppose an attorney who also happens to be a longtime friend?, Co-author, Family Lawyers: You can be friendly with colleagues while fiercely representing your clients, Texas Lawyer, Law, Family Law, CPS, Workplace Disputes, Criminal Law, Divorce, Social Workers, Grey Divorce, LGBTQ, 2021
- The definition of “pattern of domestic violence” has a great deal of elasticity to it and the phrase implicitly considers many relevant facts and circumstances, not just one, Co-author, What is the legal definition of a 'pattern of family violence'?, Texas Lawyer, Law, Juvenile Delinquency, Family Law, CPS, Criminal Law, Divorce, Social Workers, 2021
- There are almost 30,000 Texas children in foster care, many of whom attend school. Many of these children will need an Individual Education Program (IEP), a plan tailored to meet the needs of students with physical or learning disabilities, Co-author, New Laws Impact Educators Regarding Students in Foster Care. How can attorneys help?, Texas Lawyer, Law, Juvenile Delinquency, Family Law, CPS, Criminal Law, Divorce, 2021
- Approximately 15 percent of adults in the United States meet the criteria for a personality disorder, according to the DSM-5. Page 2 Divorce cases today are complicated by more individuals with borderline and narcissistic personalities. Cases involving a party with a personality disorder can easily morph into lifetime cases., Co-author, Protecting Clients Who are Divorcing Someone with Narcissistic or Borderline Personality Disorder, Texas Lawyer, Law, Mental Health Professionals, 2021
- There are many changes to the Texas Family Code and other laws impacting parents, grandparents, children and families beginning Sept. 1, 2021., Co-Author with Daniel Pollack, Revisions to the Texas Family Code that Every Lawyer Should Know, Texas Lawyer, Lawyers, In House Counsel, Child Protective Services Social Workers, Mental Health Professionals, 2021
- In the world of child welfare law, three of the best-known child welfare law buzzword culprits are “best interest of the child,” “neglect,” and “Post-Traumatic Stress Syndrome (PTSD)., Co-Author with Daniel Pollack, Let's Confront Child Welfare Law Buzzwords, New York Law Journal, Lawyers, In House Counsel, Child Protective Services Social Workers, Mental Health Professionals, 2021
- In a divorce there may be a child custody dispute, but whatever objections may arise, hopefully, there should be no question concerning the evaluator’s ethics or objectivity., Co-Author with Daniel Pollack, Ethical Child Custody Evaluations, Texas Lawyer, Lawyers, In House Counsel, Child Protective Services Social Workers, Mental Health Professionals, 2021
- Seniors need not adhere to Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick’s survival of the fittest rhetoric. Seniors have hope, there are resources in Texas that provide services to the elderly., Co-author, Still Thrashing: Is the Thrash Case a Bleak Commentary on Incapacity?, Texas Lawyer, Law, Avoiding Elder Abuse, Family Law, Divorce, Grey Divorce, 2021
- Bill Eddy and his co-author, Michael Lomax, in their new book, "Mediating High Conflict Disputes," remind us that a mediator must be willing to cur off reflections about who pushed whom first, and instead, focus on how to play nicely/, Co-author, 'I'm right.' 'No, I'm right.' New Techniques for Mediating High Conflict Disputes, Texas Lawyer, Law, Family Law, CPS, Workplace Disputes, Criminal Law, Divorce, Social Workers, Grey Divorce, LGBTQ, 2021
- A faulty medical determination of child abuse or neglect can destroy the life of a child and its family. “Measure twice, cut once,” is a great rule for carpenters; it’s also an important lesson for Child Protective Services., Co-author, Children, Parents, CPS and Second Medical Opinions, Texas Lawyer, Law, Juvenile Delinquency, Family Law, CPS, Criminal Law, Divorce, Social Workers, Medical, 2021
- It is imperative that we join together as one Nation to combat child abuse in all of its forms — through neglect, mistreatment, or physical, emotional, or sexual abuse, Co-author, April is Child Abuse Awareness Month -- so is May, June ..., Texas Lawyer, Law, Juvenile Delinquency, Family Law, CPS, Criminal Law, Divorce, Social Workers, 2021
- Social workers must have a basic knowledge of how legal proceedings work, especially if they are called to be an outcry witness., Co-author, Where Does An Outcry Witness Fit in the Child Abuse Arena?, Texas Lawyer, Law, Juvenile Delinquency, Family Law, CPS, Criminal Law, Divorce, 2021
- The legal landscape and complex challenges facing today’s child welfare attorney are daunting. Simply because children are involved, difficult legal situations demand the guidance of a highly qualified attorney., Co-author, What Constitutes Malpractice by a Child Welfare Attorney?, Texas Lawyer, Law, Juvenile Delinquency, Family Law, CPS, Criminal Law, 2021
- What does "draft" mean to you? Can you avoid production pursuant to a Freedom of Information Act Request simply by marking it a "draft"? Justice Barrett explores these questions in her first opinion for SCOTUS., Author, “Does This Seem Fishy to You? Justice Barrett's First Opinion for the US Supreme Court”, Texas Lawyer, Lawyers, In House Counsel, Child Protective Services Social Workers, Mental Health Professionals, 2021
- People seeking to age in place with dignity may need the assistance of lawyers. This article explores ways that attorneys can help the elderly and disabled avoid exploitation, neglect and abuse., Co-Author with Daniel Pollack, The Right Response to Elder Abuse, Texas Lawyer, Lawyers, Social Workers, Mental Health Professionals, 2021
- Attorneys need to know the various signs, symptoms and treatment modalities associated with trauma to properly represent their clients., Co-author With Daniel Pollack, Professor, Wurzweiler School of Social Work, Yeshiva University, Fraught with Fright: Legal Perspectives of Trauma, Texas Lawyer ALM, Family Lawyers, Personal Injury Lawyers, Mental Health Professionals, Social Workers, 2020
- How does one counter hindsight bias? Assure that there is truly an independent investigation. Courts need to grant court-appointed counsel the resources to assure independent investigation takes place. Continuous training for agencies, mandated reporters, and others to ensure that investigations with an open mind., Co-author With Daniel Pollack, Professor, Wurzweiler School of Social Work, Yeshiva University, “Hindsight Bias In the Context of Child Protection Services Cases”, Texas Lawyer, Lawyers, Social Workers, Mental Health Professionals, 2021
- Divorces can be unpredictable, messy and confounding for family law attorneys; moreover, some clients may also need a religious divorce. For such clients, in order to marry again within their house of worship, they may need to obtain a religious divorce document., Co-author With Daniel Pollack, Professor, Wurzweiler School of Social Work, Yeshiva University, “Religious Divorce in the Context of Civil Law”, Texas Lawyer, Lawyers, Clergy, 2021
- Use of tape recordings as evidence in family law cases., Author, “But I Gotcha On Tape”, Dallas Bar Association Family Law Section Newsletter, Family Lawyers, Mental Health Professionals, 2019
- Almost 10 years ago, nine children who had been in the Texas foster care system filed a class action lawsuit alleging that the system failed to protect them from an unreasonable risk of harm. In 2015, U.S. District Court Judge Janis Jack took the state to task for operating a system where “rape, abuse, psychotropic medication and instability are the norm,” and children “almost uniformly leave state custody more damaged than when they entered.” Many of those children were placed in rural foster homes. What do to correct this state of affairs following Microsoft Word - MD v Perry Opinion Final (childrensrights.org)., Co-author With Daniel Pollack, Professor, Wurzweiler School of Social Work, Yeshiva University, Legal Issues Regarding Children in Rural Foster Care, Texas Lawyer, Family Lawyers, Mental Health Professionals, Social Workers, 2020
- This article queries whether Texas, or any other state, might want to consider embracing, in statute, some of the 27 non-statutory mitigating circumstances articulated by the Florida trial court in Tina Lasonya Brown v. State of Florida & Tina Lasonya Brown v. Mark S. Inch, etc. – CourtListener.com. , Co-author With Daniel Pollack, Professor, Wurzweiler School of Social Work, Yeshiva University, How Mitigating Are These Mitigating Circumstances?, Texas Lawyer, Defense Lawyers, Mental Health Professionals, 2020
- We previously asserted that trauma “refers to an overwhelming and intense experience that often involves significant loss or harm to a person’s physical, emotional, and/or or psychological safety. Without such rudimentary knowledge, police review board members are not able to see youth in their true, three-dimensional context., Co-author With Daniel Pollack, Professor, Wurzweiler School of Social Work, Yeshiva University, Providing Youth Trauma Training for Police Review Boards, Texas Lawyer, Family Lawyers, Mental Health Professionals, Police, City Government, 2020
- Judges have a responsibility to recuse themselves from any cases in which they cannot act impartially. Today, ironically, in the very name of justice, there are people who want Justitia’s blindfold not to be tightened, but to be loosened., Co-author With Daniel Pollack, Professor, Wurzweiler School of Social Work, Yeshiva University, No Peeking Allowed, Texas Lawyer, Family Lawyers, Mental Health Professionals, 2020
- Discussion of what can lead to the need for reunification therapy., Co-author With Daniel Pollack, Professor, Wurzweiler School of Social Work, Yeshiva University, “Reunification Therapy: The Legal Angles", Texas Lawyer, Family Lawyers, Mental Health Professionals, 2020
- Stories about my mother, Lea Felts (z"l - of blessed memory), my paralegal for many years., Author, “My Yiddishe Mama: Paralegal Extraordinaire”, Jewess Magazine, Family Lawyers, Mental Health Professionals, General, 2018
- A discussion of how technology and some patients may be able to suck in the unwary mental health professional., Author/Presenter, "Can You Rely on Tape Recordings?", TCA Guidelines, TCA, Volume 43, Number 3, November 1994, Mental Health Professionals, Lawyers, 1994
- Lessons learned in thirty years of practice, with a primer augmented by my son's Primer teachers, Author, Reflections After 30 Years, Family Law Section Newsletter, Dallas Bar Association Family Law Newsletter, April, 2014, Mental Health Professionals, Lawyers, 2014
- A compilation and analysis of pertinent law impacting on confidentiality and AIDS., Author/Presenter, "The Power of Privilege" The Mental Health Professional's Obligation to Juggle Confidentiality and Protection in the Era of AIDS", Monograph, TMHCA, Mental Health Professionals, Lawyers, 1993
- An all new look to help all lawyers -- from grasshoppers to seasoned litigators-- understand the impact of psychological testing and how the testimony of mental health professionals can impact custody litigation., Co Author with Mary Johanna McCurley, "Psychological Testing: An Update", Marriage Dissolution Course, Irving, Texas, Family Lawyers, 1989
- An analysis of the new family law pattern jury charge manual., Co Author with M. J. "Ike" Vanden Eykel, "Life after Pattern Jury Charge V", Marriage Dissolution Course, Irving, Texas, Family Lawyers, 1989
- Tips for trying a successful custody case., Co Author with M. J. "Ike" Vanden Eykel, "Conservatorship: Case Strategies", Advanced Family Law Course, Irving, Texas, Family Lawyers, 1989
- Tips for testifying in family law matters for mental health professionals., Author, "What to do When You Are Served With a Subpoena", Progress Notes, TMHCA, Volume 1, Fall, 1991, Mental Health Professionals, 1991
- Exploring the fine art of balancing the need for preserving confidentiality and maintaining sufficient records to satisfy insurance carrier requirements., Author/Presenter, "The Counselor as Journalist", Progress Notes, TMHCA, Volume 1, Winter, 1991, Mental Health Professionals, 1991
- Tips for testifying and better practice presentations for family litigation for mental health professionals., Author/Presenter, "And Where Did You Matriculate? How to Present Testimony on Your Credentials as an Expert", Progress Notes, TMHCA, Volume 2, Fall, 1992, Mental Health Professionals, 1992
- An exploration of the sometimes conflicting perspectives of mental health professionals and lawyers., Author/Presenter, "Legal Consultation: Know the Facts and the French", Progress Notes, TMHCA, Volume 9, Number 3, Spring, 1994, Mental Health Professionals, Lawyers, 1994
- Discussion of pertinent case law updates impacting on mental health professionals providing forensic work in family law cases., Author/Presenter, "Psychologist = '1' Disgruntled Dad = '0'", TCA Guidelines, TCA, Volume 42, Number 10, June/July 1994, 1994
- Discussion of pertinent precedents regarding forensic counselors in family litigation., Author/Presenter, "Is Texas Law Chomping, Stomping and Chewing Up Mental Health Professionals?", TCA GUIDELINES, TCA, Volume 43, Number 6, June 1994, Mental Health Professionals, Lawyers, 1994
- Discussion of updates to contempt cases, and how such holdings impact on the advice given by mental health professionals who may find themselves caught up in custody litigation., Author/Presenter, "But MOM, I Don't Have to Go, Do I?", TCA Guidelines, TCA, Volume 43, Number 5, January, 1995, Mental Health Professionals, Lawyers, 1995
- Dealing with bureaucracy in the context of family litigation, with focus on CPS and ICPC cases, special attention to impact of legislation pertaining to American Indians., Co Author with Brenda Garrett Green, et al, "Dealing with Governmental Entities, or, The D.A.'s on First, C.P.S. is on Second, and I.C.P.C. is on Third, 21st Advanced Family Law Course, Section KK, Dallas, Texas 1995, Lawyers, Mental Health Professionals, 1995
- Helping mental health professionals and lawyers align their differing perspectives to better aid the family law litigant., Author/Presenter, "The Law, A Hypothetical, and the Importance of Perspective as it Relates to the Practicalities of Daily Practice", TCA JOURNAL, TCA, Volume 23, Number 2, Fall, 1995, Lawyers, Mental Health Professionals, 1995
- Helping lawyers better serve in cases involving child abuse allegations., Author/Presenter, "Nuts and Bolts: Roles and Responsibilities of the Participants in a Child Abuse Case", 1995 Guardian Ad Litem Series: First Session, Taking an Active Role, Co-Sponsored by the 304th and 305th Judicial District Courts of Dallas County, Texas, Family Lawyers, 1995
- Practical advice for mental health professionals to help them adhere to pertinent Texas and Federal law impacting on their practice., Author/Presenter, "Avoiding the Pitfalls of Practice: Some Legal, Ethical and Practical Guidelines for the Prudent Mental Health Professional", TCA Journal, TCA, Volume 23, Number 1, Spring, 1995, Mental Health Professionals, Lawyers, 1995
- A look at pertinent case law and statutes as they relate to mental health professionals and family law., Author/Presenter, "Have Patience: Your Patients May Have More Privacy Rights Than You", TCA Journal, TCA, Volume 24, Number 1, Spring, 1996, Mental Health Professionals, Lawyers, 1996
- Judges are becoming gatekeepers as to pertinent, reliable evidence and testimony -- pointers to help mental health professionals couch their testimony in ways that will insure that the judge will not bar the gate to them or what they have to offer in family litigation., Author/Presenter, "Empowering Effective Testimony: How to Avoid the Exclusion of Your Testimony", TCA Journal, TCA 25, Number 2, Fall, 1997, Mental Health Professionals, Lawyers, 1997
- An outline of the changes to applicable statutes governing those attorneys appointed to serve as amicus attorneys in family litigation., Author/Presenter, "Practicing Practically As An Amicus Attorney", Dallas Bar Headnotes, Volume 31, Number 3, March, 2007, 2007
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