profilePractice Areas
Family Law
Appellate
Selected To
• Texas Super Lawyers 2011
Attorney Profile
Michelle May O'Neil
Michelle O'Neil
Michelle O'Neil
O'Neil & Attorneys Family Law
Lincoln Center, Tower Two, 5420 LBJ Freeway, Suite 500
Dallas, TX 75240
Dallas, TX 75240
Dallas
Texas (TX)
Profile
Michelle May O'Neil is the founder of O'Neil & Attorneys Family Law, a Dallas law firm dedicated to providing Texas clients with strong and effective family law representation. With more than 18 years of experience as an appellate attorney and trial court litigator, she has earned a respected reputation in the legal community.
Ms. O'Neil’s compassion for her clients combined with her relentless determination in court creates what a fellow attorney called a "lethal combination of sweet and salty." One judge said, "She cannot be out-gunned, out-briefed or out-lawyered."
Since 1997, Ms. O'Neil has been board certified as a family law specialist by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. Her peers regularly consult her on matters relating to family law litigation and appeals.
In addition to being an AV-rated* attorney, published author and lecturer, Ms. O’Neil is an active participant in her community. She served for two years as president of Altrusa International Inc., a community service organization for professional women. She also founded D.U.N.K., a program that provides uniform clothes to underprivileged children in Dallas.
*AV Preeminent and BV Distinguished are certification marks of Reed Elsevier Properties Inc., used 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.
About Michelle O'Neil
Law School: Baylor Law School
Admitted: 1992, Texas
Professional Webpage: www.oneilattorneys.com/ONeil.html
Honors and Awards:
- Who's Who in America, Multiple Editions
- Who's Who in American Law, Multiple Editions
- Barrister, Annette Stewart Inns of Court, 2003 - Present
- A-V Peer Review Rating, Lexis-Nexis, Martindale-Hubbell Legal Directories
- Guest Editor, "Case Law Digest", Family Law Section Report, State Bar of Texas, 2008
- Received Best in Law Blogs daily award for November 23, 2009, for blog post at www.dallastxdivorce.com on More Fathers Are Getting Custody in Divorce., Best in Law Blogs November 23, 2009, LexBlog, 2009
- Received Best in Law Blogs daily award for November 18, 2009, for blog post at www.dallastxdivorce.com on Co-Parenting Goes Online., Best In Law Blogs November 18, 2009, Lex Blog, 2009
- Received the daily Best In Law Blogs recognition for November 11, 2009, for a post entitled Parent Coordinator v. Parent Facilitator -- What's the Diff? As the leading publisher of law blogs in the U.S., LexBlog awards recognition to outstanding posts of the day., Best In Law Blog November 11, 2009, LexBlog, 2009
Special Licenses/Certifications:
- Supreme Court of Texas, 1992
- Certified Family Law Specialist by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization, 1997
- United States Supreme Court, 1999
Bar/Professional Activity:
- Director, Bell/Lampasas/Mills Counties Bar Association, 1995 - 1997
- Bell/Lampasas/Mills Counties Bar Association, 1992 - 1997
- Newsletter Editor, Bell County Young Lawyers Association, 1995 - 1996
- President, Bell County Young Lawyers Association, 1995 - 1996
- Director, Bell County Young Lawyers Association, 1993 - 1997
- Member, Bell County Young Lawyers Association, 1992 - 1997
- Continuing Education Committee, Bell County Young Lawyers Association, 1994 - 1997
- Legislative Committee Chair, Dallas Bar Association, 2005 - 2005
- Legislative Committee Chair, Dallas Bar Association, 2003 - 2003
- Director, Dallas Bar Association, 2003-2005
- Member, Dallas Bar Association, Family Law Section and Appellate Law Section, 1998 - Present
- American Bar Association, Family Law Section, 1992 to Present
- Member, State Bar of Texas, Family Law Section, Appellate section, 1992 – Present
- Texas Academy of Family Law Specialists, 1997 to Present
- Membership Committee, Family Law Section, State Bar of Texas, 2004 - Present
- Collin County Bar Association, Family Law Section and Appellate Law Section
- CLE Advisory Committee, Family Law Practice Institute, University of Houston Law Foundation, 2002
- Resource Guide Committee Chair, Dallas Bar Association, 2004
- Planning Committee, Family Law Practice Seminar, University of Houston Law Foundation, 2006
- CLE Course Chair, Collin County Bench Bar Conference, 2006
- Planning Committee, Marriage Dissolution Seminar, State Bar of Texas, 2008
- CLE Course Chair, Collin County Bench Bar Conference, 2008
Pro bono/Community Service:
- Vice-President, Altrusa International Inc. of Dallas, Texas, 2004 - 2005
- President, Altrusa International Inc. of Dallas, Texas, 2005 - 2007
- Assistant Secretary, Altrusa International Inc. of Dallas, Texas, 2003 - 2004
- Membership Development Committee Chair, Altrusa International Inc. of Dallas, Texas, 2003 - 2004
- Member, Altrusa International Inc. of Dallas, Texas, 2002 - Present
- Member, Dallas Republican Career Woman, 1999 - Present
- District Nine Conference Resolutions Committee Chair, Altrusa International Inc. of Dallas, Texas, 2004
- Legislative Committe Chair, Dallas Republican Career Woman, 2005
- Director, Dallas Republican Career Woman, 2005
Scholarly Lectures and Writings:
- Lecturer, "When Custody Is At Issue", Pro Bono Family Law Seminar, Family Law Section, State Bar of Texas, 2001
- Lecturer, "Standards of Review in Family Law Appeals", Family Law Practice Seminar, University of Houston Law Foundation, 2002
- Author, Today's Dallas Woman Magazine, 2002
- Lecturer, "Court Orders and Decrees", Family Law Boot Camp 2003, State Bar of Texas, 2003
- Author, "Challenges and Rewards of Solo Practice", Texas Lawyer, 2003
- Author, "Ground Rules: Annulment", Texas Divorce Magazine, 2003
- Author, "Family Law Appeals Distinguished", Appellate Advocate, 2003
- Author, "Alimony/Maintenance Enforcement By Contempt", Dallas Bar Association HEADNOTES, 2004
- Lecturer, "Enforcement of Court Orders and Decrees", Family Law Practice Seminar, University of Houston Law Foundation, 2006
- Author, "I'm not happy with the outcome of my divorce. Can I appeal it?", Divorce Magazine, 2007
- Author, "Family Law Appeals Distinguished", Family Law Section Report, 2007
- Author, "Do You Know The New Law on AJ Appeals?", Family Law Section Report, 2007
- Lecturer, "We Lost, Now What: perfecting the Appeal", Marriage Dissolution Course, State Bar of Texas, 2008
- Lecturer, "Helping Your Client Deal with Debt in Divorce", 8th Annual Family Law on the Front Lines Conference, University of Texas, 2008
- Co-author of a book covering a wide-ranging area of topics related to the application of Texas law to children., Co-Author, All About Texas Law and Kids, Texas Lawyer Press, 2009
- Lecturer, "Winning Your Case Before You Go To Trial: Pretrial Dispositive Motions and Procedures", Advanced Family Law Conference, State Bar of Texas, 2009
- Lecturer, “Writing the Perfect Country and Western Song: Successful Preparation and Trial of a Texas Temporary Orders Hearing”, Marriage Dissolution Boot Camp, State Bar of Texas, 2009
- Lecturer, “Interesting Appellate Issues”, Collin County Bench Bar Conference, 2009
- Lecturer, “Mandamus and More”, 9th Annual Family Law on the Front Lines Conference, University of Texas, 2009
- Presentation to the Collin County Bar Association, September 2010 meeting, regarding ways to prevail in a family law case before getting to a trial on the merits of the case. Discussed issues such as pretrial jurisdiction, summary judgments, declaratory judgments, and other dispositive pretrial motions., Presenter, Wining Your Case Without Going To Trial, 2010
Verdicts and Settlements:
- Lemley v. Miller, 932 S.W.2d 284 (Tex.App. – Austin 1996, no writ), 1996
- Dickens v. Willis, 957 S.W.2d 657 (Tex.App. – Austin 1997, no writ), 1997
- In Re Aramark Corp., 38 S.W.3d 291 (Tex.App. – Tyler 2001, orig. proceeding), 2001
- Gainesville Mem. Hosp. v. Tomlinson, 48 S.W.3d 511 (Tex.App. – Ft. Worth 2001, pet. denied), 2001
- Saenz v. The Insurance Company for the State of Pennsylvania, 66 S.W.3d 444 (Tex.App. – Waco 2001, no pet.)., 2001
- Valley Forge Insurance Co. v. Austin, 65 S.W.3d 371 (Tex.App. – Dallas 2002), pet. denied, 105 S.W.3d 609 (Tex. 2003), 2003
- Smith v. Smith, 115 S.W.3d 303 (Tex.App. – Corpus Christi 2003, no pet.), 2003
- In Re Dupree, 118 S.W.3d 911 (Tex.App. – Dallas, 2003, pet. denied)(orig. proceeding), 2003
- Harleaux v. Harleaux, 154 S.W.3d 925 (Tex.App. – Dallas 2005, no pet.), 2005
- In re Dettmer, 2005 WL 768406 (Tex.App. – Dallas 2005, orig. proceeding), 2005
- Peck v. Peck, 172 S.W.3d 26 (Tex.App. – Dallas 2005, pet denied), 2005
- In re Rowe, 182 S.W.3d 424 (Tex.App. – Eastland 2005, orig. proceeding), 2005
- Eberstein v. Eberstein, 2007 WL 416491 (Tex.App. – Dallas 2007, no pet.), 2007
- In re M.K.S.-V., 301 S.W.3d 460 (Tex. App. – Dallas 2009, pet. denied)., 2008
- In re Dobbins, 247 S.W.3d 394 (Tex.App. – Dallas 2008), mandamus denied by Texas Supreme Court after briefing but without opinion., 2008
- Wichman v. Wichman, 2008 WL 425830 (Tex.App.– Fort Worth 2008, no pet.), 2008
- In re L.M.M., 247 S.W.3d 809 (Tex.App. – Dallas 2008, pet. denied), 2008
- In re S.C.S., 2008 WL 1973570 (Tex.App. – Dallas 2008, no pet.), 2008
- In re Mantooth, 2008 WL 1867935 (Tex.App. – Fort Worth 2008, orig. proceeding), 2008
- Kemble v. Kemble, 2008 WL 921471 (Tex.App. – Dallas 2008, no pet.), 2008
- In re Barnett, 2008 WL 820201 (Tex.App. – Fort Worth 2008, no pet.), 2008
- Eberstein v. Hunter, 260 S.W.3d 626 (Tex.App.– Dallas 2008, no pet.), 2008
- In re McCray, __ S.W.3d __, 2010 WL 3895689 (Tex. App. -- Dallas 2010, orig. proceeding)., 2010
- In re D.L.S., 2010 WL 1491860 (Tex. App. -- Dallas 2010, no pet.)., 2010
- In re P.L.H., __ s.W.3d __, 2010 WL 636944 (Tex. App. -- El Paso 2010, pet. pending)., 2010
- Kee v. Kee, 307 S.W.3d 812 (Tex. App. -- Dallas 2010, pet. pending)., 2010
Video:
- Senior reporter John Council talks with family lawyer Michelle May O'Neil about a recent Texas Supreme Court ruling involving the filing of a statement of points in a parental termination case and about prospects for jobs for recent law school graduates., Reversed and Remanded Video Blog, 2009
- Michelle May O'Neil appeared on KDTX Joy In Our Town local programming show to discuss Child Support Issues in a Difficult Economy., Joy In Our Town Episode, 2009
Educational Background:
- Baylor University Hankamer School of Business, Bachelor of Business Administration,, 1989
Michelle May O'Neil:
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Blog entries — Michelle May O'Neil
White Papers
The Basics of Texas Divorce Law
Article summarizing the general requirements of a divorce in Texas.
How to Help Clients Deal With Debt in a Texas Divorce
Increasingly, clients are as concerned about the division of their debt in a Texas divorce as they are the division of their assets. It is not uncommon to have a divorcing couple with much more debts than assets. Especially in the current economy, managing debts has become an all-too-real concern for clients and the family law (divorce) lawyers that represent them. This article will review the law applicable to debts and their division in a Texas divorce and give practical ideas for helping clients address their debt issues.
Industry Group(s): Family Law
Mandamus After McAllen: Have the Sands Really Shifted
This article appeared in the June 2009 edition of the State Bar of Texas, Family Law Section Newsletter.
Winning Your Case Before You Go To Court
Presentation to the 2009 Advanced Family Law Course regarding pretrial litigation strategies to prevail in a family law case.
Dallas Court of Appeals Upholds Right to Jury Trial in Texas
The Dallas Court of Appeals yesterday GRANTED two writs of habeas corpus filed on behalf of a Dallas family law client in a contempt/enforcement case on temporary orders. In re McCray, __ S.W.3d __, 2010 WL 3895689 (Tex. App. – Dallas 2010, no pet. history). The Dallas Family Court judge confined the client for alleged violations of several court orders to pay various amounts of money, even after payment was made. The contempt orders failed to run the punishment on each separate count concurrently to all of the other counts, which violated the sacred right to a jury trial. The client's trial lawyer demanded a jury trial and paid the required fee, but the Judge denied him that right.
Industry Group(s): Famly Law
Parenting Over The Miles -- Ten Ways to Bond With Your Child From a Distance
It is easier than ever before to stay in touch with your child, even from a distance. Learn 10 ways to use technology to communicate and bridge the distance when you cannot be in person.
Industry Group(s): Family Law
How To Find a Good Lawyer When You Need One
Most people do not have a clue how to find a good lawyer when they need one. In fact, statistics show that 68% of consumers spend two hours or fewer gathering information before selecting a lawyer. The vast majority of consumers report feeling they “can trust” their lawyer is the most important factor in the selection process. Dallas Family Lawyer Michelle May O'Neil reviews the best way to find a good lawyer when you need one. This advice provided by Michelle May O'Neil is particularly useful when searching for a good divorce lawyer or family lawyer in Dallas Texas, including a divorce lawyer that handles child custody or division of business interests in a divorce. Michelle May O'Neil has over 18 years of experience representing men, women, and children related to family law matters such as divorce, child custody, and complex property division. Described by one lawyer as "a lethal combination of sweet-and-salty", Ms. O'Neil exudes genuine compassion for her client's difficulties, yet she can be relentless when in pursuit of a client's goals. O'Neil maintains her divorce law firm in Dallas, Texas. You can learn more about her at www.oneilattorneys.com or read her blog at www.dallastxdivorce.com.
Industry Group(s): Family Law
Although it is highly unlikely anyone enters into a marriage with the thought that divorce will be the inevitable end to the union, the unfortunate reality is that many people will have to endure the pain of divorce. Statistics tell us that about half of all first marriages will end in divorce. However, in Dallas area divorces alone, the divorce rate has been closer to 60 percent for first marriages and climbs to 75 percent for second marriages! A divorce is a lawsuit to dissolve the legal marriage relationship. A divorce encompasses many different issues including the division of property and debts, and what legal rights each parent will have to the children. Keep in mind that a divorce generally only dissolves the legal relationship. Many religions also have requirements about how to dissolve a marriage from a religious standpoint. For those that have reached the point where divorce is the last remaining option, questions are likely more prevalent than answers. This article helps answer the question about How To Get A Texas Divorce.
Industry Group(s): Family Law
Internet Parenting -- Skype Style
Skype, Facebook, Twitter, You Tube, whiteboard, Flickr, e-mail, texting, instant messaging – these are only a few of the ways that people stay in touch via the internet. It seems like the telephone has become old-fashioned and outdated. In long distance parenting relationships, it is easier than ever before to stay involved in the day-to-day activity of the child. Electronic communication gives parents and children a way to creatively structure parenting time when face-to-face meetings will not work. It allows for flexibility in accounting for busy schedules. Using Skype, a long-distance parent can see a child’s condition in real time. Using whiteboard or instant messaging, a parent can help with homework. You Tube, Flickr, and Facebook allow for almost instant exchange of pictures or video of a child’s activities. Teenagers might post frequent short updates as to their activities or feelings via Twitter. Michelle May O'Neil, Board Certified Family Law Specialist with O'Neil Attorneys in Dallas, Texas, explores Texas new electronic parenting law.
Industry Group(s): Family Law
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