Kinser & Bates, LLP

09/17/2025

Jonathan Bates was the 2025 recipient of the Dan Price Award from the Family Law Section of the State Bar of Texas recognizing significant impact on the Family Law Section for the past year. He was also the co-recipient of the President’s Award for 2025 from the Texas Chapter of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers.

08/26/2025

Earlier this month, Kinser & Bates partners, Lauren Melhart and Jonathan Bates, took part in the State Bar’s 51st Annual Advanced Family Law course — Lauren as Co-Course Director and Jonathan as a headlining presenter on professionalism. “Advanced” is a four day conference focused on Texas family law and is one of the largest CLE seminars in the country.

08/04/2025

Last month, Kinser & Bates partner Lauren Melhart spent 8 days in Kansas City, Missouri teaching at the ABA’s Family Law Advocacy Institute. The program teaches lawyers from around the country how to try a family law case from opening statements to closing arguments and is taught by some of the premier lawyers in family law across the country. Ms. Melhart has been on the faculty for this program since 2018.

06/27/2025

06/26/2025

Partner Lauren Melhart was a Course Director and presenter at the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers' Institute for Family Law Associates this week in Chicago.

06/03/2025

Last month, partner Lauren Melhart spoke at the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers National Family Law Conference held in Dallas, TX. Ms. Melhart spoke about mastering the art of evidence in family law cases.

03/17/2025

12/18/2024

Last week, the State Bar’s Advanced Trial Skills for Family Lawyers conference took place in New Orleans. Kinser & Bates partner Lauren Melhart attended the sold out event and spoke to attendees about Neutralizing the Amicus at Trial (without feeling like The Grinch).

10/01/2024

This past weekend we were honored to participate with the first class at the SBOT Family Law Section's Leadership Class Retreat. Pictured here are the members of the inaugural class, their mentors and those who put on this great working weekend for these future family law leaders.

08/14/2024

It was a busy and great week for the firm at the 50th anniversary of the Advanced Family Law Course. Lauren Melhart presented on the subject of post-divorce property enforcement and Jonathan Bates presented on the subject of premarital and postmarital agreements. Jonathan was named the 2024 recipient of the prestigious Sam Emison Memorial Award for meritorious contributions to family law. Thanks to Doug Fejer for all the great photos of the event once again this year.

08/01/2024

Last week, partner Lauren Melhart served on the faculty for the American Bar Association's 36th Annual Family Law Trial Advocacy Institute in Kansas City, Missouri. The 8-day program offers the nation’s preeminent family law trial skills experience and is taught by a diverse faculty, including some of the most distinguished lawyers, judges, academics, psychologists, and business valuation experts in the country.