Scott D. Allen is the founder of The Allen Firm. He is the Senior Attorney and a member of the Business Legal Group. Scott has a passion for guiding people through the challenges of their legal situations and helping people come to a good resolution. He enjoys watching the change in a client who was previously struggling with a decision being able to confidently make a wise and well-informed decision. Scott graduated from Texas Tech University with a bachelor’s degree in 1966. He earned his law degree from The University of Texas School of Law in 1970. Prior to founding The Allen Firm in 1972, he practiced law in McKinney a few years until he returned to Stephenville to be help his family after the loss of his father. He opened Scott D. Allen, PC (now known as The Allen Firm, PC) shortly after his return to Stephenville.

Yolanda Cortes Mares is an experienced attorney proudly serving the legal needs of Temple, Belton, Salado, Harker Heights, and the greater Killeen-Ft. Hood area, in Bell County. She handles a variety of family law matters, all forms of misdemeanor criminal offenses, and some civil matters, with professionalism and diligence. The Cortes Mares law office handles a variety of family law matters and all forms of misdemeanor criminal offenses with professionalism and diligence. Yolanda Cortes Mares will work hard to ensure the best possible outcome for you. I truly believe that justice is the most important aspect of any case and this is something I will always fight for. If you have a current legal issue or wish to know what options you have regarding a potential case, please contact my office. Yolanda Cortes Mares speaks fluent Spanish. I look forward to helping you resolve all your legal issues.

Jessica Horace is an experienced family law attorney who values kindness and compassion as a cornerstone of her practice. Her clients and opponents alike have learned to respect her abilities and appreciate the personal touch she brings to her practice of the law. Jessica is a native of Lufkin, Texas. She attended Lamar University where she earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Political Science. While attending South Texas College of Law, Jessica clerked for the 312th Family District Court. She also participated in the law school’s family and domestic violence clinics. Jessica has been a member of the Texas State Bar since 2011 and is also a proud member of the Legal Fraternity Phi Alpha Delta. Like many family law attorneys, Jessica entered the legal field to help others. She has a passion for supporting families throughout each step of the adoption process. Jessica builds relationships with her clients, and she cares about providing them with the best legal representation possible. A deep believer in social justice, she is engaged in community outreach throughout Texas. In her spare time, Jessica can be found instructing a Zumba class, focusing on personal health, and speaking to youth at career days.

This independent mother of one is working her dream job of being an attorney. Her experience is mainly in family and criminal law. However, Haley has a passion for helping children and families who might need extra guidance with their legal matters. Her mother is the inspiration behind Haley pursuing her dreams. She taught Haley about strength, courage, independence and how to go after what truly matters in our lives. When Haley is not out there helping others, she enjoys spending time with her son, swimming, playing games and listening to country music. She hopes to travel to Jamacia someday soon, as well as learn how to skydive!

Mark S. Cochran exclusively practices Family Law, which includes divorce, visitation establishment and enforcement, child support establishment and enforcement, modification, custody, paternity, contempt, pre-marital agreements, step-parent adoption, and other child and family-related matters. Mr. Cochran has extensive litigation experience, and is qualified and capable of the trial of complex or large estates. We believe it is essential that a client be fully informed of his or her options and the progress of the case. We zealously represent our clients' interests while frankly advising as to the reality of the clients' expectations, given the specific circumstances of the case. Although Mr. Cochran is a trial attorney, we acknowledge that most family law matters are best settled and resolved prior to trial. Settlement, when fairly done, can save a client significant time and money. Settlement also allows the parties to have total control over the decision-making involving their children and property. Each attorney, therefore, has extensive experience in alternate dispute resolution, including mediation, settlement conferences, access facilitation and old-fashioned negotiation between lawyers. While encouraging alternate dispute resolution, we recognized that certain cases and issues must be tried by a Judge or jury, and are prepared to do so. Most importantly, we believe that an effective family law attorney must work to resolve problems, not create conflict and escalate hostilities.

Mark S. Cochran exclusively practices Family Law, which includes divorce, visitation establishment and enforcement, child support establishment and enforcement, modification, custody, paternity, contempt, pre-marital agreements, step-parent adoption, and other child and family-related matters. Mr. Cochran has extensive litigation experience, and is qualified and capable of the trial of complex or large estates. We believe it is essential that a client be fully informed of his or her options and the progress of the case. We zealously represent our clients' interests while frankly advising as to the reality of the clients' expectations, given the specific circumstances of the case. Although Mr. Cochran is a trial attorney, we acknowledge that most family law matters are best settled and resolved prior to trial. Settlement, when fairly done, can save a client significant time and money. Settlement also allows the parties to have total control over the decision-making involving their children and property. Each attorney, therefore, has extensive experience in alternate dispute resolution, including mediation, settlement conferences, access facilitation and old-fashioned negotiation between lawyers. While encouraging alternate dispute resolution, we recognized that certain cases and issues must be tried by a Judge or jury, and are prepared to do so. Most importantly, we believe that an effective family law attorney must work to resolve problems, not create conflict and escalate hostilities.

Carl Ritter is a senior attorney at Bryan Fagan, PLLC, representing clients in family law and estate planning matters. HIs focus areas are contested divorces, child custody disputes, guardianships, and contested wills. Carl doesn’t shy away from the cases involving parties with difficult pasts, or cases involving Child Protective Services (CPS). He is a fierce advocate for clients that are attempting to keep or regain custody of their children, and he also provides assistance to grandparents who are fighting for their grandchildren. He understands that the best interest of the child is always the most important factor in any case. Carl’s representation extends to clients that are interested in estate planning as well as clients that need help with issues of guardianship. Carl has substantial experience in contested probate cases that must proceed through litigation. Litigation and the courtroom have always been Carl’s favorite part of being an attorney. With over 35 years as a practicing attorney, Carl has an extensive background, including serving as a Judge Advocate General (JAG) officer in the United States Air Force. His understanding of the nuances of military law, as well as the intricacies involved in military life, combine to make Carl an astute choice for military personnel and their families. He has also spent 10 years as an attorney with the Office of the Attorney General in Texas. Carl and his wife of 25 years recently relocated to Houston to be near their two children who attend school at Texas A&M and Houston Baptist University. Carl enjoys time spent with his family at the beach and in the mountains, where you can find him golfing, swimming, relaxing in lazy rivers, eating fantastic foods, and enjoying the great outdoors.

If you ask her, Connie-Ann will tell you, “Family Law found me” and she took to it just like a duck to water. Originally from Johannesburg, South Africa, Connie-Ann came to Texas in 1977. When she graduated Cum Laude from Stratford High School, she still had every intention of following in her father’s footsteps and becoming a surgeon. As a result, Connie-Ann was “pre-med” when she arrived at Brandeis University. She spent much time there on the Charles River and became the stroke of the varsity 4+ and eventually the coach of their novice women’s crew team for a semester. Connie-Ann also sang at the coffee house, played guitar, trumpet and piano in various bands, chamber groups and pit orchestras and trained to be an EMT. After graduation, she returned to Houston and began her legal journey by going to the Center for Advanced Legal Studies, graduating with a 4.0 GPA and finding her home in the legal field. Following graduation from South Texas College of Law, Connie-Ann clerked at Purdue and Clore and then got her first job as an associate, doing family law at Racusin and Wagner. During this time, she also taught at the Center for Advanced Legal Studies. All of this combined with her skill in court, her experienced perception, her sense of humor and way of making people feel seen, understood, heard and at home, makes Connie-Ann a fierce advocate and an authentic perfect match for Family Law.

Going through a divorce or family law matter can be an emotional time. You may feel betrayed, lost, or overwhelmed. Having an attorney that can relate to you, and who focuses on divorce and family law, can make the process easier. Since our founding in 2007, we have dedicated our firm to the practice of divorce and family law because of the tremendous need for lawyers who focus on this area. We have since continued to grow and have over 25 offices throughout the United States. If you need help with a family law or divorce-related matter, our legal team can help guide you through the process. We have many offices in many local jurisdictions, which puts our firm close to you and your family. We have been ranked as one of the fastest-growing law firms in the United States by Law Firm 500. To schedule a consultation, you can contact us online today.

With 36 years of legal experience, Jane Mapes has dedicated the past 26 years to Family Law in Texas. After starting her career in real estate and personal injury law in Florida, she moved to Texas in 1996 and quickly became well-versed in the courts of Tarrant and Dallas Counties. Since joining Bailey & Galyen in 1999, she has focused exclusively on helping families navigate complex legal matters.