Paula Larsen 8150 North Central Expressway Suite 1850 Dallas, Texas 75206 | ![]() |
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With her unique ability to minimize conflict in critical situations, Paula Larsen helps clients navigate the divorce process in the least acrimonious way. Having more than thirty years of experience in family law, including eleven years as a judge in the family courts, Paula offers clients an invaluable perspective on obtaining the best possible outcome. Paula is committed to using the collaborative process, an innovative approach for the amicable resolution of divorce without litigation. In her experience, collaborative divorce expands the range of creative solutions in keeping with her clients’ best interests.
A partner in the firm, Paula handles significant property cases, divorces involving children, and premarital and post-marital agreements. She has seen the impact of divorce on children and their future, and partners with clients to craft settlements that are attainable and durable.
Respected by her peers for her ability, professionalism and integrity, Paula was named as the Dallas Collaborative Family Lawyer of the Year in 2011 by The Best Lawyers in America. Board Certified in family law since 1985 and consistently featured in The Best Lawyers In America since 1997, Paula was selected by Thomson Reuters for Inclusion in the list of "Top 50 Women Attorneys in Texas", printed in Texas Monthly for Years, 2003-2010.
- Year Joined Organization:
- 1995
- Certification/Specialties:
- Board Certified in Family Law, Texas Board of Legal Specialization, 1985
- Bar Admissions:
- Texas, 1979
- U.S. District Court Northern District of Texas, 1980
- U.S. Federal Court, 1980
- Education:
- Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey School of Law - Camden, Camden, New Jersey,
1979
J.D. - University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio,
1976
B.A.
Honors: Magna Cum Laude
Major: Political Science
- Classes/Seminars Taught:
- Speaker, Asserting Community Property Claims/Complex Trust Issues, Advanced Family Law Course, State Bar of Texas, 2002
- Speaker, Tax Traps/Tax Tricks and the Complex Property Case, New Frontiers in Marital Property Law, State Bars of Texas, 2000
- Speaker, The Child as a Witness, Advanced Family Law Course, State Bar of Texas, 2000
- Speaker, Stock Options Where Are We Now?, Advanced Family Law Course, State Bar of Texas, 1999
- Panelist, Impact of the New Rules of Discovery, State Bar of Texas, 1998
- Panelist, Handling the Big Money Case, Advanced Family Law Course, State Bar of Texas, 1998
- Speaker, The Art of Persuading the Judge, 18th Annual Marriage Dissolution Institute, State Bar of Texas, 1995
- Panelist, Persuading the Judge, Marriage Dissolution Course, State Bar of Texas, 1995
- Speaker, The Estate Planning/Divorce Interface, 18th Annual Advanced Estate Planning and Probate Course, State Bar of Texas, 1994
- Speaker, Making the Judge's Job Easier: Practical Suggestions for Improving Your Performance in the Preparation and Trial of a Family Law Case, Solo Firm Section, Dallas Bar Association, 1994
- Speaker, Appearing in a Family Court Proceeding as an Expert Witness: Meeting the Judges Expectations, Divorce Conference, Texas Society of Certified Public Accountants, 1994
- Speaker, Discovery Workshop, Advanced Family Law Course, State Bar of Texas, 1991 - 1993
- Speaker, The New Rules of Disciplinary Procedure, Advanced Family Law Course, State Bar of Texas, 1993
- Speaker and Author, Effective Use of Experts in the Collaborative Law Process, Advanced Family Law Course, State Bar of Texas, 2008
- Speaker, Death after Divorce, 32nd Annual Advanced Estate Planning and Probate Course, State Bar of Texas, 2008
- Honors and Awards:
- "The Best Lawyers in America" Woodward and White Press, 1997 - 2012
- "Best Female Lawyers in Dallas" D Magazine, 2010
- Selected for inclusion in the list of "Top 50 Female Super Lawyers" Thomson Reuters, 2003 - 2011
- Selected for inclusion in the list of "Top 100 Texas Super Lawyers" Thomson Reuters, 2004, 2005, 2009, 2010 & 2011
- Selected for inclusion in the list of "Top 100 Dallas/Fort Worth Region Super Lawyers" Thomson Reuters, 2003 - 2011
- Selected for inclusion in "Texas Super Lawyer" in the area of Family Law, Thomson Reuters, 2003 - 2011
- "Best Lawyers in Dallas" D Magazine, 2001, 2003, 2005, 2007, 2008 and 2011
- "Most Ethical Family Law Attorney" D Magazine, 1995
- Professional Associations and Memberships:
- Fellow American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers
- State Bar of Texas
- Dallas Bar Association
- The Collaborative Alliance
- Pattern Jury Charge Committee
- Texas Bar Foundation
- Dallas Bar Foundation
- State Bar of Texas, 1999 - 2008
- Family Law Council
- State Bar of Texas, 2003 - 2005
- Chair, Public Information Committee
- State Bar of Texas
- Chair, Webcast & CLE committee, 2006
- State Bar of Texas, 1989 - 1993
- Judicial Liaison, Family Law Council
- State Bar of Texas, 1991 - 1995
- District 6 Grievance Committee
- State Bar of Texas, 1995 - 1996
- Director, District 6
- Dallas Bar, 1995 - 1998
- Board Member, Family Law Section
- Past Employment Positions:
- 303rd Family District Court, District Judge, 1994
- 302nd Family District Court, Associate Judge, 1983 - 1993









