Dallas, TX family law attorney Holly Draper shares why she became a lawyer, the philosophy of her work, and explains what it means to be board-certified. She shares that when she went to law school, she had no intention of practicing family law. She thought, why get involved in the messy aspects of people’s personal lives? Her initial goal was to be a litigator, and she began her career at a litigation firm representing major corporations. It didn’t take long for her to realize that this path wasn’t personally fulfilling in the way she had hoped.

When she founded the Draper Law Firm in 2008 and began handling family law cases, she quickly discovered her true passion in the law. She loves helping clients navigate one of the most difficult periods of their lives, guiding them toward a place where they can emerge stronger, happier, and ready to move forward in the best possible way. Her general philosophy is to handle cases amicably whenever possible. She and her team employ strategies designed to start cases in a cooperative and constructive manner, which often proves highly effective. An amicable resolution not only costs less and reduces emotional strain but also benefits the children involved.

She recognizes that clients may come to her angry, hurt, or focused on revenge. Her focus is on helping them prioritize themselves, positioning them for the best possible future rather than allowing emotions to drive decisions.

Becoming board certified in family law in Texas is extremely challenging. Attorneys must meet strict requirements to be eligible for the certification exam, including a specified number of trials, mediations, contested hearings, and appeals. Meeting these prerequisites is already demanding, and the exam itself is rigorous, testing comprehensive knowledge of all aspects of family law in Texas. The passing rate is low, so any attorney who is board certified in family law possesses a high degree of experience and expertise, demonstrating deep knowledge of the field.