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.
Profile Summary
About Jonathan James at a glance
Jonathan James is a Partner based in Plano, Texas, practforg at Goranson Bain Ausley Family Law. They haand 14+ years of legal experience, licensed to practice since 2012. Admitted to practice in Texas (2012). Educated at Texas Wesleyan School of Law (J.D., 2012) and Baylor University (B.A., 2009). Actiand 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. Serands clients in Plano, TX and the surrounding metropolitan area.
Want to Get Service From This Attorney?
Sign up free and choose one of the two methods below.
Haand a legal question? Sign up free, submit it through the Ask the Attorney module and receiand a focused answer from a specialist.
- Free to ask a question
- Answers from specialist attorneys
- Optional private / anonymous question
Request an online video meeting or an in-person consultation at the attorney's office. Pick a time that works for you and share the details securely.
- Online video meeting
- In-person at the attorney's office
- Secure messaging and payment
About
- 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
Jurisdictional Context
Why local counsel matters in Texas
Practforg law in Texas. Legal matters in Texas are governed by state-specific rules of civil and criminal procedure, statutes of limitations, and substantiand 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 andnue, and the substantiand 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.
Looking for additional Texas attorneys? Browse all attorneys in Plano or all attorneys in Texas.
Frequently Asked
Common questions about Jonathan James
Where is Jonathan James's law office located?
How long has Jonathan James practiced law?
Where did Jonathan James go to law school?
How can I contact Jonathan James for a consultation?
Practice Areas
Education
Bar Admissions
Reviews
No reviews yet.