In Memoriam
Diana S. Friedman
We are deeply saddened by the passing of our friend and colleague, Diana S. Friedman.
Diana was an extraordinary lawyer, leader, mentor, and friend whose influence on the practice of family law in Texas will be felt for generations. Throughout her distinguished career, she was known for her exceptional legal skill, unwavering professionalism, integrity, compassion, and generosity toward others.
A respected leader in the Texas family law community, Diana dedicated her career to serving families, advancing the profession, and mentoring countless lawyers. She served as President of the Texas Family Law Foundation, Chair of the State Bar of Texas Family Law Council, President of the Texas Academy of Family Law Specialists, and Co-Chair of the Legislative Committee. Her contributions were recognized through numerous honors, including the Sam Emison Award, the Dan R. Price Award, Dallas 500 recognition, and multiple Lawyer of the Year distinctions.
In recognition of the values she embodied, the Diana Friedman Innovations Award was established to honor lawyers who demonstrate the integrity, professionalism, compassion, and commitment to excellence that defined her career.
Diana believed deeply in elevating the practice of family law through education, mentorship, collaboration, and advocacy. She authored numerous articles, taught and spoke throughout Texas and the nation, and generously shared her knowledge with generations of family lawyers.
Yet those accomplishments tell only part of Diana’s story. To those who knew her, she will be remembered for her warmth, wisdom, wit, exceptional judgment, and unwavering friendship. She was a trusted mentor, a thoughtful colleague, and a gifted storyteller who made every conversation richer.
Our heartfelt condolences are with her husband, Joe, her family, and all those whose lives she touched. We are grateful for the legacy she leaves behind and the example she set for our profession.
She will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered.
Honors & Awards
Honors & Awards
- Sam Emison Award, Texas Academy of Family Law Specialists, 2016
- Dallas 500 – The Most Powerful Business Leaders in Dallas Fort-Worth, 2016
- Lawyer of the Year in Family Law, Dallas/Ft. Worth, The Best Lawyers in America, 2016
- Dan R. Price Award Recipient, Texas Bar Foundation, Family Law Section, 2014
- Inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America© in the field of Family Law, Best Lawyers, 2010 – 2021, 2024 – 2026
- “A Standing Ovation” Award, Texas Bar CLE, 2015
- Selected to the “Best Lawyers in Dallas: Family Law”, D Magazine, 2013, 2015 – 2017
- Selected to the “Best Lawyers Under 40″, D Magazine, 2004
- Selected to the Texas Super Lawyer, Thomson Reuters, 2003 – 2025
- Selected to the “Top 50: Women Texas Super Lawyers”, Thomson Reuters – 2004- 2007, 2010 – 2015, and 2018 – 2020
- Selected to the “Top 100: Dallas/Fort Worth Region Super Lawyer”, Thomson Reuters – 2011 – 2015, 2017
- Selected to the “Top 100: Texas Super Lawyers”, Thomson Reuters, 2011, 2013, 2017
- Named to the 500 Leading Family Lawyers List, LawDragon, 2024
- “AV” Preeminent® rating, Martindale-Hubbell Legal Directory
Publications & Speeches
Publications & Speeches
- “Premarital Agreements: Making Your Own Rules!”, Advanced Family Law Course, State Bar of Texas, 2019
- Panel Discussion, Legislative Update, State Bar of Texas, Panelist, 2019
- “Defending the Accused”, Innovations: Breaking Boundaries in Custody Litigation, State Bar of Texas, Panelist, 2019
- “Parental Alienation and Childhood Trauma”, Advanced Family Law Course, State Bar of Texas, 2018
- Different Strokes for Different Folks, Innovations: Breaking Boundaries in Custody Litigation, State Bar of Texas, Moderator, 2017
- Pick a Number, Any Number: Valuing Business, Marriage Dissolution Institute, State Bar of Texas, Moderator, 2017
- Direct & Cross of a Tracing Expert, Advanced Family Law Course, State Bar of Texas, 2016
- 2015 Legislative Update: Family Law, Advanced Family Law Course, State Bar of Texas, 2015
- Legislative Update, Legislative Update 2015, Family Law
- The Witness You Don’t Want and How to Deal With Them, Innovations, 2015
- Contempt Trial Demonstration, Advanced Family Law Course, State Bar of Texas, 2014
- You Don’t Own Me – Alienation and Reunification, Innovations, 2014
- Obtaining and Modifying Above Guidelines Child Support, Advanced Family Law Course, State Bar of Texas, 2013
- Legislative Update – Current Issues, Marriage Dissolution, 2013
- Who Are You and What Do You Do, Innovations, 2013
- Attachment Issues/Visitation Under Three, Marriage Dissolution, 2012
- Social Studies, Psychological Evaluations, Child Custody Evaluations – What’s in a Name, Marriage Dissolution, 2012
- If you don’t know where you’re going, you will probably end up someplace else: Legal and psychological principles and methodologies applied to successful complex custody litigation, Innovations, 2012
- Possession and Access for Children Under Three, Advanced Family Law Course, 2011
- Plutoed Parents: Preventing and Overcoming Parental Alienation, Family Law on the Front Lines, 2011
- The 2 Steps to the 12 Steps: How to Determine if a Parent is a Druggie, a Drunk, or Just Dry, 2010 Parent Child Relationships Conference, 2010
- The New Parent Coordination/Facilitation Statute: What’s In, What’s Out, Marriage Dissolution, 2010
- Application of Child Development Research to Crafting Age appropriate Possession Orders for Children Under Three, Family Law on the Front Lines, 2010
- Premarital and Post marital Agreements with Ethical Considerations, Advanced Family Law Drafting, 2010
- The Sixth Sense: I Hear Voices, But Is The Child Being Heard? (Which Perspective Really Matters to the Court?), Parenting Child Relationships: Critical Thinking for Critical Issues, 2009
- Family Law Contracts: Pre and Post Marital Agreements; Divorce Decrees; AID’s; Application of Transactional Contract and Related Law; Enforcement Breach and Contractual Defenses, 2009
- Finding Solutions for Dividing Property in a Troubled Economy, 2009
- Characterization Challenges, 2008
- Making the Most of Social Studies and Psychological Evaluations, Family Law on the Front Lines, The University of Texas School of Law, 2008
- Sex, Lies & The Internet: Internet Behavior,” Family Law on the Front Lines, The University of Texas School of Law, 2007
- Who Gets the Debts, or Worse, I’m Gonna File for Bankruptcy, Advanced Family Law Course, State Bar of Texas, 2006
- Ethical Dilemmas, Family Law on the Front Lines, The University of Texas School of Law, 2005
- Ka-ching, Ka-ching, Kachina? The Modern Day Cash Register, 2005
- Hoping for the Best and Planning for the Worst: Creative Pre- and Post- Marital agreements, Advanced Family Law Course, State Bar of Texas, 2004
- Experts Where Are We Now, Marriage Dissolution Institute, State Bar of Texas, 2003
- Marital Property and Estate Planning Issues: Characterization and Attacking Trusts, Family Limited Partnerships (FLPs), etc., Advanced Family Law Course, State Bar of Texas, 2003
- Complex Trust Issues, Advanced Family Law Course, State Bar of Texas, 2003
- Bankruptcy and Family Law, Advanced Family Law Course, State Bar of Texas, 2000
- Sex, Lies & Liabilities: Bankruptcy and Family Law, Advanced Family Law Course, State Bar of Texas, 1998
Professional Associations
Professional Associations
- American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers
- Fellow
- Dallas Bar Association, Family Law Section
- Member
- Dallas Association of Young Lawyers
- Chair, CLE Committee, 1995 – 1997
- District 6-A Grievance Committee
- Member, 1996 – 2002
- State Bar of Texas, Family Law Section
- Member
- Chair
- Family Law Council
- Member, 2002 – Present
- Chair, 2013 – 2014
- Co-Chair, Legislative Committee, 2007 to present
- Co-Course Director, Advanced Family Law Course, 2012
- Planning Committee – Advanced Family Law Course , 2016
- Co-Course Director, New Frontiers in Marital Property Law, 2006
- Family Law Practice Manual Committee, 1993 – 1994
- State Bar Mentoring Program
- Texas Academy of Family Law Specialist
- Member
- Past President
- Texas Association of Family Law Specialists Trial Institute
- Course Director, 2007
- Texas Family Law Foundation
- Member
- Past President, 2013-2015
- The College of Master Advocates and Barristers
- Member, 2001
- Dedman School of Law at SMU
- Alumnae Steering Committee
- Southern Methodist University
- ATLA Mock Trial Team, Coach, 1993
Education
Education
- Southern Methodist University School of Law, 1991
- J.D. (Cum Laude), Law
- Order of the Coif
- Louisiana State University , 1984
- B.S.
Bar Admissions
Bar Admissions
- Texas, 1991
Certifications
Certifications
Board Certified in Family Law, Texas Board of Legal Specialization, 1996
