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Barbara Nunneley Photo

Barbara D. Nunneley

Founder, Managing Partner
  • Profile
  • Credentials
  • NFL
  • Notable Work
Bio

As the founder of Nunneley | Family Law, Barbara D. Nunneley dedicates herself to helping our clients protect their future and their children. Attorney Nunneley also works as a Special Counsel for Sullivan & Cook, LLC. With over 40 years of experience practicing law in North Texas, she has been repeatedly included on the Super Lawyers® list (2003-2021) by the Thomson Reuters service printed in Texas Monthly and as a “Top Attorney” (2001-2020) by Fort Worth, Texas – The City’s Magazine and was recognized as one of the "Best Lawyers in America" by U.S. News & World Report (2019-2023) and was honored with the "lawyer of The Year" (2020-2023) award in family law Dallas/Fort Worth by best Lawyers in America.

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PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITIES & HONORS:

  • Certified Specialist in Family Law
  • Texas Board of Legal Specialization
  • Fellow of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, Member [Ret.]
  • American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, Texas Chapter, Member & Past President [Ret.]
  • Texas Academy of Family Law Specialists, Member & Past President
  •  Family Law Council - State Bar of Texas 1996-2006 (Membership Committee Former Chair)
  •  Family Law Advisory Commission for the Texas Board of Legal Specialization (Former Member)
  • State Bar Form Book Committee, Family Law (Former Member)
  • Tarrant County Family Law Bar Association, Member & Past President
  • Texas Woman’s University Foundation, Past Chair
  • Texas Super Lawyer 2003 through 2021, Texas Monthly Magazine & Thomson Reuters
  • Top 50 Women, Texas Super Lawyer 2004, 2005, 2013 and 2014, Texas Monthly Magazine and Thomson Reuters – Top Attorney 2001-2020, Fort Worth, Texas - The City’s Magazine
  • Texas Woman’s University Distinguished Alumna
  • Recipient of the Eva Barnes Award of the Tarrant County Family Law Bar Association
  • Martindale-Hubbell Bar Register of Preeminent Women Lawyers
  • AV Preeminent-Top Rated Lawyer by Matindale-Hubbell
  • Selected “The Best Lawyers in America - Family Law” 2019-2023
  • Selected “Lawyer of the Year” Best Lawyers in America 2022-2023 [DFW; Family Law]

RECENT LAW RELATED PUBLICATIONS AND SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS:

  • "It’s a Dog eat Dog World: Enhancing Enforcement & Chapter 9 Litigation” 27th Annual New Frontiers in Marital Property, October 2022, Lake Tahoe, California.
  • “Green Acres: Rural vs. Big City Divorces” Nunneley, Barbara D., Co-Author Beane, Greg, 43rd Annual Marriage Dissolution Institute, State Bar of Texas, April 2021, Webcast.
  • “Can you enforce that? Best Practices for Filing and Defending Enforcement Suits” 46th Annual Advanced Family Law Course, State Bar of Texas, August 2020, Webcast.
  • “Property Valuation on a Shoestring” 45th Annual Advanced Family Law Course, State Bar of Texas, August 2019, San Antonio, Texas.
  • “The Amicus Attorney: Friend or Foe?” Panel Moderator, 42nd Annual Marriage Dissolution Institute, State Bar of Texas, April 2019, Galveston, Texas.
Education
  • Thurgood Marshall School of Law, Texas Southern University Doctor of Jurisprudence - Graduate School Houston, TX 1979
  • Southern Methodist University Master of Arts, Political Science - Graduate School Dallas, TX 1976
  • Texas Woman’s University Bachelor of Arts, Political Science - College Denton, TX 1975
Memberships
  • Certified Specialist in Family Law, Texas Board of Legal Specialization
    Certified Specialist in Family Law, Texas Board of Legal Specialization
  • Fellow of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, Member
    Fellow of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, Member
  • American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, Texas Chapter, Member & Past President
    American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, Texas Chapter, Member & Past President
  • Texas Academy of Family Law Specialists, Member & Past President
    Texas Academy of Family Law Specialists, Member & Past President
  • District 7 Grievance Committee, State Bar of Texas, Member
    District 7 Grievance Committee, State Bar of Texas, Member
  • Family Law Council, State Bar of Texas 1996-2006, Membership Committee Former Chair
    Family Law Council, State Bar of Texas 1996-2006, Membership Committee Former Chair
  • Family Law Advisory Commission for the Texas Board of Legal Specialization, Former Member
    Family Law Advisory Commission for the Texas Board of Legal Specialization, Former Member
  • State Bar Form Book Committee, Family Law, Former Member
    State Bar Form Book Committee, Family Law, Former Member
  • Child Advocates of Tarrant County, Founding Member
    Child Advocates of Tarrant County, Founding Member
  • Tarrant County Bar Association, Member
    Tarrant County Bar Association, Member
  • Tarrant County Family Law Bar Association, Member & Past President
    Tarrant County Family Law Bar Association, Member & Past President
  • Texas Woman’s University Foundation, Past Chair
    Texas Woman’s University Foundation, Past Chair
  • Texas Super Lawyer 2003-2018, a Thomson Reuters service printed in Texas Monthly Magazine
    Texas Super Lawyer 2003-2018, a Thomson Reuters service printed in Texas Monthly Magazine
  • Top 50 Women, Texas Super Lawyers 2004, 2005, 2013, 2014, a Thomson Reuters service printed in Texas Monthly Magazine
    Top 50 Women, Texas Super Lawyers 2004, 2005, 2013, 2014, a Thomson Reuters service printed in Texas Monthly Magazine
  • Top Attorneys 2001 – 2019, Fort Worth, Texas – The City’s Magazine
    Top Attorneys 2001 – 2019, Fort Worth, Texas – The City’s Magazine
  • Texas Woman’s University Distinguished Alumna
    Texas Woman’s University Distinguished Alumna
  • Eva Barnes Award of the Tarrant County Family Law Bar Association, Recipient
    Eva Barnes Award of the Tarrant County Family Law Bar Association, Recipient
  • Martindale-Hubbell Bar Register of Preeminent Women Lawyers
    Martindale-Hubbell Bar Register of Preeminent Women Lawyers
  • AV Preeminent Rated Lawyer, LexisNexis Martindale-Hubbell
    AV Preeminent Rated Lawyer, LexisNexis Martindale-Hubbell
Publications
  • “Presenting Your Case: Protective Orders and Family Violence” Nunneley, Barbara D. and Gooden, Hon. Angelina, Texas Bar College, 20th Annual Summer School, State Bar of Texas, July 2018, Galveston Island, Texas.
  • “After the Award: Property Enforcement” Nunneley, Barbara D., 41st Annual Marriage Dissolution Institute, State Bar of Texas, April 2018, Dallas Texas.
  • “2018 TAFLS Presentation” Nunneley, Barbara D., 33rd Annual Texas Academy of Family Law Specialists Trial Institute, February 2018, Las Vegas, Nevada.
  • “Family Violence & Protective Orders” Nunneley, Barbara D., Co-Author Carrillo, Sonya, 43rd Annual Advanced Family Law Course, State Bar of Texas, August 2017, San Antonio, Texas.
  • “Drafting Pleadings and Enforceable Orders and Judgments” Nunneley, Barbara D., Co-Author Carrillo, Sonya, 40th Annual Marriage Dissolution Institute, State Bar of Texas, April 2017, Austin, Texas.
  • What if I don’t have an Expert?” Nunneley, Barbara D., Family Law Technology, State Bar of Texas, December 2016, Austin, Texas.
  • “Same Sex Issues" “Same Sex Issues: Marriage, Divorce, Property Division and Property Agreements” Nunneley, Barbara D., 42nd Annual Advanced Family Law Course, State Bar of Texas, August 2016, San Antonio, Texas.
  • “Same Sex Issues" “Same Sex Issues: SAPCR, Paternity, and Adoption” Nunneley, Barbara D., 42nd Annual Advanced Family Law Course, State Bar of Texas, August 2016, San Antonio, Texas.
  • “Lay Witness and Expert Witness Testimony” Nunneley, Barbara D., 39th Annual Marriage Dissolution Institute, State Bar of Texas, April 2016, Galveston, Texas.
  • “2016 TAFLS Presentation” Nunneley Barbara D., 32nd Annual Texas Academy of Family Law Specialists Trial Institute (TAFLS), January 2016, Charleston, South Carolina.
  • “Same Sex Issues" “Same Sex Issues: Where Are We Today?” Nunneley, Barbara D., 41st Annual Advanced Family Law Course, State Bar of Texas, August 2015, San Antonio, Texas.
  • “Drafting Pleadings and Enforceable Orders and Judgments” Nunneley, Barbara D., 38th Annual Marriage Dissolution Institute, State Bar of Texas, April 2015, Dallas, Texas.
  • “Evidence, A Master Class” Nunneley, Barbara D., (Presentation), 19th Annual New Frontiers in Marital Property Law, State Bar of Texas, October 2014, Incline Village, Nevada.
  • “Valuation Testimony Through Clients and Lay Witnesses” Nunneley, Barbara D., 40th Annual Advanced Family Law Course, State Bar of Texas, August 2014, San Antonio, Texas.
  • “You’re So Vain – What To Do With the Wreckomendations” Nunneley, Barbara D., Murphy, Katherine J., Gould, Jonathan W. and Zervopoulos, John A.; Innovations – Breaking Boundaries in Custody Litigation, The University of Texas School of Law & American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, June 2014, Dallas, Texas.
  • “DOMA” Nunneley, Barbara D. and Carrillo, Sonya R., Tarrant County Bar Association – Bench Bar Conference XXI, April 2014, Montgomery, Texas.
  • “Discovery – Children (including Third Parties)” Nunneley, Barbara D. and Farrar, Stephen C., 37th Annual Marriage Dissolution Institute, State Bar of Texas, April 2014, Austin, Texas.
  • “Obtaining and Modifying Above Guideline Child Support” Nunneley, Barbara D., Friedman, Diana S. and Mapes, Jane H., 39th Annual Advanced Family Law Course, State Bar of Texas, August 2013, San Antonio, Texas.
  • “Rights, Powers and Duties – Creative Solutions” Nunneley, Barbara D., 38th Annual Advanced Family Law Course, State Bar of Texas, August 2012, Houston, Texas.
  • “Recognizing and Understanding Inventory and Appraisements” Nunneley, Barbara D., Fort Worth Paralegal Seminar, June 2012, Fort Worth, Texas.
  • “Premarital and Postmarital Agreement” Nunneley, Barbara D., 37th Annual Advanced Family Law Course, State Bar of Texas, August 2011, San Antonio, Texas.
  • “SAPCRs for Same Sex Partners” Nunneley, Barbara D., Farrar, Stephen C. and Langsley, Karen, 36th Annual Advanced Family Law Course, State Bar of Texas, August 2010, San Antonio, Texas.
  • “Where Criminal Law and Divorce Law Collide” Nunneley, Barbara D. and Mapes, Jane H., 33rd Annual Marriage Dissolution Institute, State Bar of Texas, May 2010, San Antonio, Texas.
  • “The Extended Family“ “The Extended Family: Rights and Duties of Nonparents“ Nunneley, Barbara D. and Farrar, Stephen C., 2010 Parent-Child Relationships, University of Texas School of Law, January 2010, Austin, Texas.
  • “Protecting Your Characterization and Valuation Claims" “Protecting Your Characterization and Valuation Claims: Avoiding Waiver or Admission in Inventories, Discovery Responses, and Testimony“ Nunneley, Barbara D. and Farrar, Stephen C., 35th Advanced Family Law Course, State Bar of Texas, August 2009, Dallas, Texas.
  • “Prescription Drug Abuse" Nunneley, Barbara D. and Robinson, Laurie D., R.N., 34th Advanced Family Law Court, State Bar of Texas, August 2008, San Antonio, Texas.
  • “The Closing Argument” Nunneley, Barbara D., The Trial of a Family Law Jury Case, State Bar of Texas, Family Law Section, January 2008, Dallas, Texas.
  • “Drug Testing in Family Law” Nunneley, Barbara D. and Robinson, Laurie D., American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, November 2007, Chicago, Illinois.
  • “Oil and Gas Issues in Family Law” Nunneley, Barbara, 33rd Advanced Family Law Course, State Bar of Texas, August 2007, San Antonio, Texas.
  • “Top Evidentiary Problems in Family Law” Nunneley, Barbara, Family Law on the Front Lines, University of Texas School of Law, June 2007, Galveston, Texas.
  • “Prescription for Divorce” Drug and Disorder Issues in Family Law, Nunneley, Barbara and Robinson, Laurie, 30th Annual Marriage Dissolution Institute, State Bar of Texas, May 2007, El Paso, Texas.
  • “Practical Custody Litigation Strategies” Nunneley, Barbara, Family Law Practice Seminar, University of Houston, November 2006, Dallas, Texas.
  • “32nd Annual Advanced Family Law Course” Course Director, “32nd Annual Advanced Family Law Course”, State Bar of Texas, August 2006, San Antonio, Texas.
  • “Legislative Changes and Case Law Update” Nunneley, Barbara, Texas Center for the Judiciary, Associate Judges Conference, July 2006, Austin, Texas.
  • “Child Custody” Nunneley, Barbara, State Bar College Summer School 2006, State Bar of Texas, July 2006, Galveston, Texas.
  • “Discovery” Nunneley, Barbara, Family Law on the Front Lines, University of Texas School of Law, June 2006, Galveston, Texas.
  • “Handling the Custody Case on a Shoestring” Nunneley, Barbara, Texas Bar Journal, Vol. 69, No. 5, May 2006.
  • “Family Law Update” Nunneley, Barbara and Emerson, Sally, Texas Center for the Judiciary, 2006 Winter Regional Conference, February 2006, Horseshoe Bay, Texas.
  • “Pretrial Preparation” Nunneley, Barbara, 20th Annual Texas Academy of Family Law Specialists Trial Institute (TAFLS), January 2006, Reno, Nevada.
  • “Unique Possession Schedules and Parenting Plans” Nunneley, Barbara, Advanced Family Law Drafting Course, State Bar of Texas, December 2005, San Antonio, Texas.
  • “Custody on a Shoestring” Nunneley, Barbara, 31st Annual Advanced Family Law Course, State Bar of Texas, August 2005, Dallas, Texas.
  • “Starting Gate to Finish Line” Nunneley, Barbara, Family Law on the Front Lines, University of Texas School of Law, June 2005, Galveston, Texas.
  • “Educating Parents, Before, During and After the Divorce” Nunneley, Barbara, 2005 Marriage Dissolution, State Bar of Texas, Galveston, Texas.
  • “Enforcement of Property Awards in Family Law Cases” Nunneley, Barbara, 2005 Poverty Law Conference, State Bar of Texas, Austin, Texas.
  • “Litigation Skills for Economic Contribution” Nunneley, Barbara, 19th Annual Texas Academy of Family Law Specialists Trial Institute (TAFLS), January 2005, New Orleans, Louisiana.
  • “The Ultimate Trial Notebook: Family Law” Course Director, “The Ultimate Trial Notebook: Family Law”, State Bar of Texas, December 2004, Dallas, Texas.
  • “Developing and Managing a Solo Practice” Nunneley, Barbara, 30th Annual Advanced Family Law Course, State Bar of Texas, August 2004, San Antonio, Texas.
  • “Relocation” “Relocation: Long Distance Families” Nunneley, Barbara, State Bar College, State Bar of Texas, July 2004, Galveston, Texas.
  • “Relocation” “Relocation: Long Distance Families” Nunneley, Barbara, Family Law on the Front Lines, University of Texas School of Law, June 2004, Galveston, Texas.
  • “To Move or Not to Move” Nunneley, Barbara, 27th Annual Marriage Dissolution Institute, April 2004, Fort Worth, Texas, State Bar of Texas.
  • “Managing a Small Practice” Nunneley, Barbara, American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, March 2004, Kaanapali Beach (Lahaina) Maui, Hawaii.
  • “Effective Presentation of the Truth” Nunneley, Barbara, Advanced Drafting, December 2003, Austin, Texas, State Bar of Texas.
  • “Practicing Law for Fun and Profit” Nunneley, Barbara, Nickelson, Gary, King, Heather and Loveless, James, 29th Annual Advanced Family Law Course, August 2003, San Antonio, Texas, State Bar of Texas.
  • “Horses and Divorces” Nunneley, Barbara D. & Ball, J. C., 29th Annual Advanced Family Law Course, August 2003, San Antonio, Texas, State Bar of Texas.
  • “Homestead” “Homestead: What You Need to Know in the 21st Century” 26th Annual Marriage Dissolution Institute, May 2003, Houston, Texas, State Bar of Texas.
  • “The Closer” Houston Bar Association, April 4, 2003, Houston, Texas.
  • Course Director Course Director, 17th Annual Texas Academy of Family Law Specialists Trial Institute (TAFLS), Cancun, Mexico, January 2003.
  • “Criminal Law and The Family Practice” Nunneley, Barbara D. & Ball, J. C., 28th Annual Advanced Family Law Course, August 2002, Dallas, Texas, State Bar of Texas.
  • “Demystifying Economic Contribution" 25th Annual Marriage Dissolution Institute, May 2002, State Bar of Texas.
  • Assistant Course Director Assistant Course Director, 16th Annual Texas Academy of Family Law Specialists Trial Institute (TAFLS), Cancun, Mexico, January 2002.
  • Course Director Course Director, New Frontiers – In Marital Property Law, Santa Fe, New Mexico, State Bar of Texas, October 2001.
  • “Exceeding or Varying from Possession Guidelines” 27th Annual Advanced Family Law Course, San Antonio, Texas, August 2001.
  • “Sex, Lies & Psychologists” 27th Annual Advanced Family Law Course, San Antonio, Texas, August 2001.
  • “Parental Alienation Syndrome” “Parental Alienation Syndrome: War and Peace” DeLipsey, J. M. and Nunneley, B. D., 24th Annual Marriage Dissolution Course, 2001, Corpus Christi, Texas, May 2001, State Bar of Texas.
  • “Closing the File” “Closing the File: Family Law on the Front Lines" University of Texas School of Law, Galveston, Texas, April 2001.
  • “The Motley Fool School" “The Motley Fool School – Components/Consequences of the Stock Market” 26th Annual Advanced Family Law Course 2000, San Antonio, Texas, August 2000.
  • “Family Limited Partnership” TAFLS Trial Institute, Las Vegas Nevada, February 2000.
  • “Drafting Real Estate Documents” Advanced Family Law Drafting Course, December 1999.
  • “UIFSA” 25th Annual Advanced Family Law Course, Dallas, Texas, August 1999.
  • “Representing the Non-Protecting Parent” State Bar of Texas Annual Meeting, June 1999.
  • “Invasion of Privacy and Illegally Gathered Evidence" “Invasion of Privacy and Illegally Gathered Evidence; Wiretapping, Recording Devices, Including Criminal Law Aspects” Moderator, 22nd Annual Marriage Dissolution Institute, 1999, State Bar of Texas.
  • “Daubert Challenge of C.P.A” TAFLS Trial Institute, Las Vegas, Nevada, February 1999.
  • “Preparation, Preparation, Preparation” Winning Techniques in Family Law Litigation, State Bar of Texas, December, 1998.
  • “Tips for Trying the Low Budget Custody Case” 24th Annual Advanced Family Law Course, San Antonio, Texas, State Bar of Texas, August, 1998.
  • "Definition of a Protective Order" “Definition of a Protective Order and a Temporary Restraining Order” 1998 Family Law and Domestic Violence Seminar, Fort Worth, Texas, May 15-16, 1998.
  • “Contempt and Enforcement of Court Orders” 8th Annual Family Law Conference for the General Practitioner and Legal Assistant, Houston, February 1998.
  • “Characterization of Assets" “Characterization of Assets and Tracing-All You Ever Needed to Know” 6th Annual Dallas Chapter TSCPA Divorce Conference, Dallas, Texas, September 25, 1997.
  • “Interesting Cases” 23rd Annual Advanced Family Law Course, San Antonio, State Bar of Texas, August, 1997.
  • “Closing the Case” Family Law Trial Skills Seminar, Fort Worth, Lawyers Against Domestic Violence, May 31, 1997.
  • “Avoiding Pitfalls with Closing Documents” 7th Annual Family Law for General Practitioners Conference, April, 1997.
  • “Interviewing Children. The Child as a Witness” Attorney Ad Litem Training Seminar, April, 1997.
  • “Direct Examination of Mother in Relocation Case” 10th Annual Trial Institute 1996, Texas Academy of Family Law Specialists.
  • “Interesting Cases” 22nd Annual Advanced Family Law Course, San Antonio, August 1996. State Bar of Texas.
  • “Enforcement” 19th Annual Marriage Dissolution Institute, 1996, State Bar of Texas.
  • “Real Estate Transfer Documents” Advanced Family Law Drafting Seminar 1995, State Bar of Texas.
  • “Direct Examination of Mother in Child Custody” Ninth annual Trial Institute 1995, Texas Academy of Family Law Specialists.
  • “Discovery Ethics and Sanctionable Behavior” The Ultimate Trial Notebook, 1994.
  • "Valuation on a Shoestring" 45 Annual Advanced Family Law Course, State Bar of Texas, August 2019, San Antonio, Texas.
  • “The Amicus Attorney: Friend or Foe?” Panel Moderator, 42 Annual Marriage Dissolution Institute, State Bar of Texas, April 2019, Galveston, Texas.
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