Lené Alley DeRudder - Family & Divorce Law

05/11/2026

Welcome Tavia and Mary Jo!

ICYMI: We recently welcomed two new attorneys to our Insurance Litigation and Tort Litigation practice teams:

Associate Tavia J. Williams, Esq. - A 2025 graduate of Texas A&M University School of Law, where she was active in Mock Trial and the SMU Science and Technology Law Review. View her bio here: https://www.cowlesthompson.com/attorneys/tavia-williams/

Senior Counsel Mary Jo Betzen - A 2015 cm laude graduate of Southern Methodist University Dedman School of Law, where she was also part of the SMU Science and Technology Review, plus a member of the Phi Delta Phi International Legal Society. View her bio here:

https://www.cowlesthompson.com/attorneys/mary-jo-betzen/

05/07/2026

Maintaining a child-centered focus means prioritizing emotional well-being over conflict. By utilizing specialists and choosing a path that emphasizes privacy and precision, parents can protect their children’s mental health and build a stable foundation for the future.

Focusing on the long-term well-being of the family is the most effective way to navigate a complex transition.

& Thompson, P.C.teGloveDivorceCounsel

04/28/2026

Every matrimonial, divorce, and family law attorney—and every judge—should watch Split and Split Up by Ellen Bruno

These films are a powerful reminder that, as professionals, we have the ability to profoundly shape how children experience the transition of their families from one structure to another. Their voices are not peripheral—they are essential.

You can access the Split and Split Up films at https://splitfilm.org. Thank you to Ellen Bruno for doing this incredibly important and impactful work. And thank you to International Academy of Collaborative Professionals and New York Association of Collaborative Professionals for educating matrimonial and family law professionals on these films.




Cowles & Thompson, P.C.

The SPLIT Outreach Project, founded in 2014, supports the best outcomes for children of divorce and their parents, by making the voices of kids heard and encouraging cooperation between co-parents. Our work brings together media, education, and divorce professionals together to change the culture of...

04/24/2026

What a gift this evening to join the New York Association of Collaborative Professionals for a screening of "Split" (https://splitfilm.org/ellen-bruno/) by Ellen Bruno- and to have the genuine privilege of hearing her speak about the film and its impact! I’m truly grateful for the warm, welcoming kindness of the NYACP members and incredibly excited to collaborate with such an exceptional group of professionals.





Cowles & Thompson, P.C.

04/22/2026

In divorces, disputes over cryptocurrency and other digital assets are rising rapidly.

These assets are different—portable, volatile, and often difficult to trace. They are transferred instantly across jurisdictions with limited visibility. Ownership is obscured through layered wallets, entities, or third parties. And valuations shift dramatically over time. Thus, traditional discovery methods often fall short

Most critically, many underestimate their obligation to disclose them.

Courts are evolving. Forensic tools are advancing. But the risk exposure for failing to properly identify, trace, and value digital assets is significant.

For complex estates, the approach must be proactive, discreet, and strategic. Getting it right early can materially impact the In divorces, disputes over cryptocurrency and other digital assets are rising rapidly.

These assets are different—portable, volatile, and often difficult to trace. They are transferred instantly across jurisdictions with limited visibility. Ownership is obscured through layered wallets, entities, or third parties. And valuations shift dramatically over time. Thus, traditional discovery methods often fall short

Most critically, many underestimate their obligation to disclose them.

Courts are evolving. Forensic tools are advancing. But the risk exposure for failing to properly identify, trace, and value digital assets is significant.

For complex estates, the approach must be proactive, discreet, and strategic. Getting it right early can materially impact the outcome.

04/18/2026

Busy morning on Monday, April 20th at Collin County Courthouse!