Call Us

Esther R. Donald

“Divorces don’t settle out of weakness. The strongest advocates use compassion, skill, and strategy to help their clients solve family law disputes outside the courtroom.”

Phone 214-373-7676 Dallas | Plano

Request A Consultation

Get Started Online

Save time and costs. Before your consultation, use our confidential online questionnaire to receive a personalized information pack in minutes.

Begin the Process

Schedule a Consultation

Schedule an in-person or remote consultation with one of our experienced family lawyers by calling us or filling out the “contact us” form.

Contact Us

Maximizing Results by Minimizing Conflict in Divorce

As a parent and stepparent who understands the realities of divorce, I know that lawyers can do more harm than good. My clients appreciate that I blend my life experiences and collaborative training with logic, patience, and persuasion to move even the most emotional family law cases toward a positive and peaceful future. Clients and their families deserve a lawyer who listens closely, asks the right questions, and works tirelessly to exceed expectations. My focus is on collaborative and cooperative divorces, premarital agreements, and marital property agreements because the high road is the best place to respectfully resolve family law matters; it is my privilege to guide clients who want to walk this path.

Collaborative Divorce results in creativity and customized solutions for families. I often help parents create unique parenting plans that balance the needs of their children with both parents’ schedules. I also help couples navigate the challenges of a “gray divorce,” providing guidance in addressing the unique needs of their grown children and the complexities of their high-net-worth marital estates.  The goal is always to achieve a mutually acceptable resolution in an atmosphere of privacy and respect.

How We Do It:

  • My clients and I set realistic goals. Clients provide their history and the facts of their current situation. I apply my understanding of the law and years of experience to help identify an achievable outcome. Together, we move past the conflict to create a better future.
  • We use restraint and good judgment. We focus on interests rather than positions, considering all of the options before moving forward.
  • We use the collaborative process whenever possible. The collaborative law process allows for customized co-parenting plans, transparent identification and valuation of assets, creative property division and support, and an atmosphere of confidentiality and respect. I urge my clients to utilize this process for divorce, modification, and premarital agreements.
  • We keep our eyes on the prize. Even if the collaborative process is not the right fit for a particular situation, my experience as a credentialed collaborative lawyer provides tools to resolve family law disputes outside of the courtroom. Negotiated settlements produce the most favorable financial outcomes with minimal collateral damage to children.
  • We partner with litigators when there are no other options. Despite my strong commitment to the philosophy and practice of collaborative law, there are rare cases in which agreement is not possible. In these instances, I join forces with the firm’s talented family law litigators.

Featured Video

Professional Experience and Credentials

Esther R. Donald has immersed herself in the collaborative law model and has been distinguished as a credentialed Collaborative Divorce lawyer, one of a select few in Texas. Her practice is solely focused on out-of-court family law solutions. She is President of Collaborative Divorce Collin County, Vice-Chair of the State Bar of Texas Collaborative Law Council, and former chair of the Dallas Bar Association’s Collaborative Law Section.  She is also a charter board member and the current secretary of the Collin County Bar Association’s Alternative Dispute Resolution Section.

Esther further served the State Bar of Texas as the Course Director for the Annual Collaborative Law Course in March 2022 and as the Assistant Course Director in 2021. She continues on the Planning Committee and was a speaker at the state-wide Collaborative Course in 2020, 2023, 2024 and 2025. Her emphasis on cooperative and collaborative family law solutions has led to her recognition as a “Best Lawyer” by the U.S. News Best Lawyers in America© in the field of family law in 2017-2025 and as a Texas Super Lawyer by Thomson Reuters in 2016-2024. She was also named to the 2022 “Top 100: Dallas/Fort Worth Super Lawyers” and “Top 50 Women Texas Super Lawyers” lists by Thomson Reuters.

Esther Donald is a top-tier Collaborative Divorce lawyer in Dallas, Texas, working out of our Dallas and Plano office locations.

She earned her undergraduate and law degrees from the University of Texas, where she served as associate editor of the Texas Law Review. Esther cheers for the Longhorns and the Tulane Green Wave, is a longtime member of Temple Emanu-El, and remains a passionate advocate for helping clients divorce differently, with compassion and dignity.

Client Reviews

I knew I wanted Esther Donald to handle my divorce at the initial consult. She guided me through this difficult process with professionalism, empathy, and always with an eye to what was in the best interest of me and my children in the long term. – B.F.
If you ever find yourself needing a family law attorney, there is no one better in Dallas to support you from a legal and human perspective than Esther Donald. Esther’s super-power is her ability to diffuse the most aggressive approaches of opposing counsel and de-escalate tensions. She saw me through the toughest time of my life and I was grateful every day for her steady hand. – Claudia G.
It is hard to think that going through any legal action would be pleasant, but Esther and her paralegals made a long and complicated process very personable. I was hoping to follow the “collaborative” process and although we were not able to manage fully in a collaborative manner, Esther’s expertise kept our case out of court. I could not have asked for a better outcome. If you need legal assistance, this is the team you need to call. – Allison C.
I highly recommend Esther Donald and her firm for any divorce or family law needs. She has shepherded me through this long and emotional process, making it go as smoothly and efficiently as possible. I am very grateful to Esther and her team for their professionalism and expertise. I was definitely in very capable and caring hands, every step of the way. – Meredith Z.
Going through a divorce is an emotional and complex thing to endure. Having the support of a positive, thoughtful, and caring lawyer is key. Esther and Jill made a very tough situation manageable. They were extremely organized and their support was unwavering. They turned an emotional process into a manageable endeavor. Esther’s empathy and understanding helped me in more ways that just what a typical lawyer would do. My divorce was finalized in a few months because of the constant support of Esther and Jill. – Nikki D.
I recently had the good fortune of working with Esther Donald on my collaborative divorce. Esther came highly recommended to me and she lived up to the billing. The divorce process was much more challenging than I had anticipated. Esther was instrumental in getting the divorce done collaboratively, thus preventing litigation. Her advice was always spot on and she was always willing to lend an empathetic ear. Her ability to get my case across the finish line, working with multiple lawyers, was truly impressive. It was clear to me that Esther was invested in me as a client, as I am sure she is with all of her clients. Should you need a collaborative divorce attorney, I strongly recommend Esther. – Steven

Contact Our Team

ic-mail

Send Us An Email

Facing divorce or family law issues? Don’t navigate alone. Email us to schedule a consultation.

Email Us

ic-call

Give Us A Call

When you need to speak to a top divorce lawyer, call us to schedule a consultation.

877-805-8672

ic-online-started

Get Started Online

Save time and costs. Before your consultation, complete our confidential online questionnaire to receive a personalized information pack in minutes.

Get Started

OSZAR »