Carol A. Wilson provides expertise, focus and compassion in times of family turmoil, having skillfully litigated and tried complex divorce, property division, and child custody cases for more than 35 years. Since 1992, she has been Board Certified in Family Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization, a rigorous designation with additional experience, education, and testing requirements. She also completed the intensive National Family Law Trial Institute in 2017.
Carol believes that quality representation means using the lawyer’s version of the Golden Rule: treat your clients as you would want to be treated. Thorough preparation is one of the keys to Carol’s success, and she knows that the most effective way to settle is to prepare so thoroughly that she is ready to go to trial — and the other side knows it.
Carol has been recognized by her peers for her work in family law, including honors from The Best Lawyers in America®, Best Law Firms, Super Lawyers, D Magazine’s Best Lawyers in Dallas, and Martindale-Hubbell.
Carol earned her law degree from Southern Methodist University School of Law in 1985 and her bachelor’s degree, cum laude, in 1981 from Greenville University, which named her its Outstanding Alumnus of 2019. She is admitted to practice before the U.S. Supreme Court, the U.S. District Courts for the Northern and Eastern Districts of Texas, and all Texas State Courts. A leader in her legal community, she is classed as a Master in the Annette Stewart Inns of Court and is a fellow of the Dallas Bar Foundation.
Honors & Awards:
- D Magazine Best Lawyers in Dallas, 2018-present
- Texas Super Lawyers, 2003-2004, 2012-present, selected by Thomson Reuters, published in Texas Monthly, (Top 5% of Lawyers in Texas); Top 100 Dallas/Fort Worth, 2017, 2019-2020, 2023; Top 50 Women Texas, 2017-present
- The Best Lawyers in America, 2019-2024
- Best Law Firms (published by Best Lawyers and U.S. News and World Report), 2020-present
- Distinguished Alumnus Greenville University, 2019
- Dallas County Dispute Resolution Center Sprint Award, 2017
- Martindale-Hubbell AV Rated since 1999
- Women to Watch, Today’s Dallas Woman Magazine, 1998
Special Licenses/Certifications:
- Board Certified Family Law, Texas Board of Legal Specialization, 1992
Bar/Professional Activity:
- Supreme Court of the United States Bar, 2016-present
- Dallas Bar Association Equality Committee, 2021
- State Bar of Texas, American Bar Association, Dallas Bar Association
- Dallas Women Lawyers Association, President, 1992; Advisory Board, 2019-2021
- Grievance Committee District 1A, State Bar of Texas, 1993-1999
- Annette Stewart Inns of Court, Member, 2008-2011, 2014-2017
- Dallas Bar Family Law Section Board of Directors, 2012-2018
- Dallas Bar Foundation Fellows Class of 2016
- National Family Law Trial Institute, 2017
- Texas Family Law Foundation Lobbyist Volunteer, 2017, 2019
- Dallas Bar Association, 2020 100th Anniversary of the 19th Amendment Committee
Pro bono/Community Service:
- DBA Equality Committee, 2021
- Attorneys Serving the Community, 2011-present; Charity Selection Committee, 2012-2013; Meeting locations, 2014-2015; Speaker Selection Committee, 2016; Chair Networking Committee, 2018-current.
- Tex Protects Public Policy Committee, 2011-2019
- Scurry-Rosser Independent School District, School Board, 2011-2014
- ABC Circle of Influence, 2010-2018
- North Texas Council of Child Welfare Boards, Secretary, 2005-2006
- Dallas Women's Foundation, Board 2005-2008; Endowment Fundraising Committee, 2002; Corporate Fundraising Committee, 2003-2007; Advocacy Committee, 2006; Grants Committee, 2008
- Kaufman County Child Welfare Board 1999- 2006, President - 2002-2005, Vice President 2006
Scholarly Lectures/Writings:
- Panel Discussion of the intersection of Immigration and Family Law, panel speaker, April 13, 2021, Dallas Bar Association - Immigration Law Section, 2021
- "Before You Crunch the Numbers, Know the Difference Between Separate and Community Property," Dallas Bar Association - North Dallas Section, July 9,2010, Texas Society of CPA's, CPE Expo 2012, San Antonio, Houston and Arlington, and various other locations, 2013
- "Pillow Talk Negotiations a/k/a Marital Agreements," Dallas Bar Association, Friday Clinic, July 2012, and Northern Trust, 2013
- "Pets or Competitors, Horses in Family Law", with Larry Sullivant, Judge 235th Ret. and Paul French, III, CPA, Dallas Bar Family Law Section, June 2004, Kaufman Bar Association, May 2004, and Denton County Bar Association, August 2004
- “Court for our Kids: A Study in Direct and Cross Examination of Fact and Expert Witnesses.” Kaufman County Bar Association, April 2003, Course Director
- “Protecting the Interests of Our Children, Mock Trial,” Kaufman County Bar Association, January 2002, Course Director
- "Ethics in Family Law," Kaufman County Bar Association, September 2001
- Texas Tech Law Review. VOL 27, No. 2, 1996, "Evidence, 1995"
Other Outstanding Achievements:
- Outstanding Alumna 2019, Greenville University
Newsletters:
A Guide to Pre-Marital vs. Post-Marital Agreements in Texas, April 2024
Why Divorcing Couples in Texas Should Never Share the Same Lawyer, March 2024
Our Top Three Family Law FAQs: Answered, February 2024
7 Things Texas Business Owners Should Consider Before Marriage, November 2023
How to Keep Family Property in the Family, October 2023
10 Things the Judge Probably Won't Order in a Divorce, September 2023
Buying a House Together Before Marriage, August 2023
Important Changes to Texas Child Support Laws, July 2023
Refinancing A Separate Property Home During Marriage, June 2023
Divorce Closing Documents: Ensuring a Smooth Transition, May 2023
What You Need to Know About Common Law Marriage in Texas, April 2023
How to Make the Most of Mediation, March 2023
What's A Buy/Sell Agreement?, February 2023
How does owning a business affect a property division? January 2023
I was Board Certified in Family Law 30 years ago. These are the three most important lessons I've learned. November 2022
Marital Agreements Must Be Followed to Be Enforced, October 2022
10 Things to Consider Before Moving Out of Your Marital Residence, September 2022
How Does Social Media Affect Your Divorce? August 2022
What to Do When You Think Your Spouse Is Hiding Money, July 2022
How Are Retirement Plans Divided in Divorce? June 2022
Keeping Separate Property Separate, May 2022
Educational Background:
- Southern Methodist University School of Law, J.D., 1985
- Greenville University, Greenville, Illinois, B.A., Cum Laude, 1981
