Atty. Jonathan James
Jonathan is a highly skilled litigator and negotiator in high-conflict legal situations who consistently receives praise from clients for his integrity, professionalism, and responsiveness. He has extensive experience handling cases related to Collaborative Divorce, negotiated, and litigated divorce, complex property, and real estate division, contested custody, mental health and addiction issues, and pre- and post-marital agreements.
Collaborative Divorce & More Attorney · Serving Plano, TX · 14+ Years Experience
Profile Summary
About Jonathan James at a Glance
Jonathan James is a Partner based in Plano, Texas, practicing at Goranson Bain Ausley Family Law. They have 14+ years of legal experience, licensed to practice since 2012. Their practice focuses on divorce, child custody, family law, real estate, and child support. Admitted to practice in Texas (2012). Educated at Texas Wesleyan School of Law (J.D., 2012) and Baylor University (B.A., 2009). Active member of Annette Stewart American Inn of Court, Member Collin County Bar Association, Member Dallas Bar Association, Member Dallas Bar Association, Family Law Section, Member State Bar of Texas, Member State Bar of Texas, Family Law Section, Member. Serves clients in Plano, TX and the surrounding metropolitan area.
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About Jonathan James
- Jonathan is a highly skilled litigator and negotiator in high-conflict legal situations who consistently receives praise from clients for his integrity, professionalism, and responsiveness
- He has extensive experience handling cases related to Collaborative Divorce, negotiated, and litigated divorce, complex property, and real estate division, contested custody, mental health and addiction issues, and pre- and post-marital agreements
- Jonathan is trained in Collaborative Divorce and is Board Certified by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization in family law
- He has been named D Magazine’s Best Lawyers Under 40 in 2023, 2025 and 2026, a Best Lawyers in America © by Best Lawyers in 2020, 2021, and 2023 – 2026, and a Super Lawyers Rising Star From 2019 – 2022 & 2025
- Jonathan invests his time doing pro bono work for victims of domestic violence in partnership with Genesis Women’s Shelter & Support and Emily’s Place
- He is a member of the Annette Stewart American Inn of Court and the Dallas Bar Association Family Law Section
- Jonathan also frequently writes on family law topics for the Texas Bar Journal, the Dallas Bar Association Headnotes, and the State Bar of Texas Family Law Section
- Jonathan James is a Dallas divorce lawyer working out of our Dallas and Plano office locations
- Honors & Awards Best Lawyers Under 40, D Magazine, 2023, 2025, & 2026 The Best Lawyers in America© in the field of Collaborative Law: Family Law, Best Lawyers, 2024 – 2026 The Best Lawyers in America©, Best Lawyers, 2020-2021, 2023 – 2026 Rising Star, Super Lawyers, Thomson Reuters, 2019-2022 & 2025 Articles What Makes a Good Family Lawyer?
- September 18, 2025 Deeds, Mortgages, and Property Division: Getting a Divorce With the House in Both Names or Just One July 15, 2025 Buying a House During a Divorce in Texas: What You Need to Know July 3, 2025 Post-Marital and Premarital Agreements: The Gold Standard for Protecting Assets May 13, 2025 Tips for Effective Communication During a Divorce October 28, 2024 Five Tips for How to Protect Your Separate Property in a Divorce October 11, 2024 What Happens to Debt in a Divorce?
- October 11, 2024 What Are My Rights if I Leave the Marital Home?
- Problems With Moving Out Before Divorce April 17, 2024 What Should I Do to Differentiate My Personal Assets from Those of My Business?
- January 9, 2024 How Can I Protect My Business from Being Considered Marital Property During the Divorce Process?
- December 19, 2023 Who Typically Gets the House in a Texas Divorce and What to do if You Want to Keep the House April 24, 2023 Five Important Tips Before You File for Divorce November 16, 2022 What An Experienced Attorney Brings to Your High Net Worth Divorce July 20, 2022 Who Gets the House in a Divorce?
- September 29, 2021 Publications & Speeches Co-Author, “Five Tips to Protect and Maintain Your Separate Property”, Dallas Bar Association Headnotes, September 2019
- Author, “Right of First Refusal in Custody Cases”, State Bar of Texas, Family Law Section Report, Volume 2017-6 (Winter)
- Author, “Custody Fight: When Grandparents or Other Relatives Seek Parental Rights”, Texas Bar Journal, November 2017 Author, “Kid Duty: The Right of First Refusal in Custody Cases and How it Can Backfire”, Texas Bar Journal, July 2017
Practice Areas Explained
Jonathan James's Areas of Legal Practice
Each practice area below reflects the types of cases Jonathan James handles, with a practical overview of what that area of law involves and how it may apply to your situation in Plano.
Divorce in Plano
A divorce attorney guides you through property division, spousal support, custody, and the final decree — contested or uncontested.
Jonathan James is one of 50,071 divorce attorneys indexed nationally. Browse divorce attorneys in Texas →
Child Custody & Visitation in Plano
Jonathan James is one of 30,982 child custody attorneys indexed nationally. Browse child custody attorneys in Texas →
Family Law in Plano
Family law attorneys handle divorce, child custody, child support, adoption, prenups, and protective orders. Find verified family lawyers near you.
Jonathan James is one of 185,688 family law attorneys indexed nationally. Browse family law attorneys in Texas →
Real Estate Law in Plano
Real estate attorneys handle home purchases, sales, commercial transactions, title disputes, and landlord-tenant matters.
Jonathan James is one of 313,729 real estate attorneys indexed nationally. Browse real estate attorneys in Texas →
Child Support in Plano
Jonathan James is one of 24,443 child support attorneys indexed nationally. Browse child support attorneys in Texas →
Jurisdictional Context
Why Local Counsel Matters in Plano
Practicing law in Texas. Legal matters in Texas are governed by state-specific rules of civil and criminal procedure, statutes of limitations, and substantive law. Cases originating in Plano are typically filed in the local municipal court or the appropriate Texas state district court, depending on subject matter and amount in controversy. An attorney licensed in Texas brings working knowledge of local procedural deadlines, judicial practices in this venue, and the substantive law that applies to cases brought here. Out-of-state attorneys generally cannot represent clients in Texas courts without local counsel or pro hac vice admission.
Plano Courts and Legal Process
Choosing a Plano-based attorney means your counsel already knows the local docketing timelines, preferred filing formats, and how individual judges typically rule on procedural motions — details that only come from practicing in this jurisdiction day after day. That local familiarity can translate to better strategy, faster filings, and fewer costly surprises.
Looking for additional Texas attorneys? Browse all attorneys in Plano or all attorneys in Texas.
Frequently Asked
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Professional Profile
Why Clients in Plano Choose Jonathan James
Selecting an attorney is one of the most consequential decisions you can make when a legal matter arises. Below are the core qualities that distinguish Jonathan James's practice in the field of divorce, child custody, family law, real estate, and child support.
Decade-Tested Legal Experience
Jonathan James brings 14+ years of hands-on legal practice — enough to have navigated the recurring fact patterns, procedural traps, and negotiation dynamics that shape case outcomes.
Broad Practice Area Coverage
Covering divorce, child custody, and family law, Jonathan James can address the full spectrum of a client's legal needs without requiring referrals to separate specialists for each issue.
Local Presence in Plano
A Plano-based practice means Jonathan James attends hearings in the same courthouses, knows the local clerks, and understands the unwritten scheduling norms that affect every case filed here.
Case Types
Common Legal Issues Jonathan James Handles in Plano
Below is a representative sample of the types of matters Jonathan James has experience with under Texas law. If your situation involves one of these case categories, this attorney may be well positioned to help you understand your options.
This list is illustrative, not exhaustive. Contact Jonathan James directly to discuss the specifics of your situation.
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How People Find Jonathan James Online
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Jonathan James's Practice Areas & Specializations
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