Atty. Richard R. Orsinger
Richard Orsinger is well-regarded as one of Texas’ top family law and appellate lawyers. He offers clients unparalleled experience gained over the course of an esteemed career that has lasted for more than 40 years.
Profile Summary
About Richard R. Orsinger at a glance
Richard R. Orsinger is a family law and appellate attorney based in San Antonio, Texas, practicing at Orsinger, Nelson, Downing & Anderson LLP. Admitted to practice in Texas, State Bar of Texas. Educated at The University of Texas (J.D., 1975) and The University of Texas (B.A., 1972). Recognitions include Best Lawyers in America — Appellate Practice (2026), Best Lawyers in America — Family Law (2026), and Best Lawyers in America — Special Focus: (2026). Serands clients in San Antonio, TX and the surrounding metropolitan area.
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About
- Richard Orsinger is well-regarded as one of Texas’ top family law and appellate lawyers
- He offers clients unparalleled experience gained over the course of an esteemed career that has lasted for more than 40 years
- In that time, his peers have repeatedly recognized him for his legal acumen, dedication to hard work, and to the integrity of his profession
- The list of awards bestowed upon him from a variety of legal organizations and publications is impressive
- Richard has been named to The Best Lawyers in America in Family Law listing each year since 1987 and in Appellate Law since 2007
- In 1996, Richard was honored with the Gene Cavin Award for Excellence in Continuing Legal Education from the State Bar of Texas and has garnered four State Bar Certificates of Merit
- He received a State Bar of Texas Presidential Citation in 2001 for “innovative leadership and relentless pursuit of excellence for continuing legal education.” The same year, Richard earned the State Bar of Texas Family Law Section’s Dan R. Price Award for outstanding contributions to family law
- In 2003, Richard was awarded the prestigious Sam Emison Award by the Texas Academy of Family Law Specialists for his accomplishments in family law
- In 2007, Richard was honored as the state’s top Family Lawyer in Texas Lawyer newspaper’s Go-To Guide, which is published every five years
- He is also one of just two attorneys to have earned the College of the State Bar of Texas’ Franklin Jones Best Continuing Legal Education Article Award twice (2009 and 2013) and was the 2008 recipient of the State Bar of Texas’ Best Family Law CLE Article of the Year Award
- Richard was recognized in 2011 and again in 2012 as Lawyer of the Year in Family Law, Dallas
- He also was included in the listing of the Top 10 attorneys in the state by Texas Super Lawyers five times: 2009-2010, 2012-2014
- He was named among Super Lawyers’ Top 100 Lawyers in Texas from 2003 to 2021
- In 2014, Richard received the prestigious Dan Rugeley Price Memorial Award from the Texas Bar Foundation in recognition of his dedication to the legal profession
- He also recently received the Best Non-Judicial Speaker at the Texas Center for the Judiciary award and presented a paper on “Same-Sex Marriage and Gender Identity Issues.” In 2021, Richard was inducted into the State Bar of Texas Family Law Hall of Legends, an honor recognizing those attorneys practicing for a minimum of 40 years and who have had an important impact on Family Law in Texas
- He is only the 22nd lawyer to receive the honor
- Richard is Board Certified in Family Law and Civil Appellate Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization, demonstrating his ongoing commitment to excellence in both of these areas of law
- Board Certification in Family Law requires continuing education and involvement in issues including marriage, adoption, divorce, custody, support, and ownership of property acquired before and during marriage
- Similarly, Board Certification in Civil Appellate Law requires continuing education and involvement in issues such as the review by appellate courts of final decisions from civil county and district courts (non-criminal)
- With so many accolades and recognitions, it comes as no surprise that his colleagues and peers consider him a thought leader and innovator
- As such, he often mentors other attorneys and has written over 250 CLE articles
- Richard also serves on several boards and chairs numerous organizations for the betterment of the legal community and to better serve his clients
- One reason Richard Orsinger has been so highly regarded and honored throughout his career is that he understands that, no matter how agreeable a divorce may seem, the process still causes a massive imbalance
- There are always uncertainties and they can be very destabilizing, both financially and psychologically
- The process of breaking a tie that’s been so close, usually for so long, has its consequences
- Awards and accolades aside, when all is said and done, Richard’s goal is for his clients to come out from under the dark cloud of yesterday and look forward to the silver lining of tomorrow
Practice Areas Explained
Richard R. Orsinger's Areas of Practice
Each practice area below reflects the types of cases Richard R. Orsinger handles, with a brief overview of what that area of law covers.
Family law attorneys handle divorce, child custody, child support, adoption, prenups, and protective orders. Find verified family lawyers near you.
Richard R. Orsinger is one of 187,066 family law attorneys indexed nationally. Browse family law attorneys in Texas →
Appellate attorneys for civil and criminal appeals at state and federal court.
Richard R. Orsinger is one of 86,319 appellate attorneys indexed nationally. Browse appellate attorneys in Texas →
Jurisdictional Context
Why local counsel matters in Texas
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 San Antonio 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 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.
Looking for additional Texas attorneys? Browse all attorneys in San Antonio or all attorneys in Texas.
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