Donna Smiedt
HER FOCUS: She is a board-certified family law specialist and limits her practice to complex family law litigation, including divorce, property division, adoption, child support, paternity and post-divorce modification.
BELIEVER IN MARRIAGE “Most of my clients are surprised to find out that I am happily married and have been so for 15 years. They seem to think that this is somewhat inconsistent with my chosen profession. To the contrary, after being a divorce lawyer for 24 years I have learned a lot about relationships and human nature and believe that I have used this knowledge in my own personal pursuit of happiness. I try to impart this wisdom to my clients by impressing upon them that even if this particular relationship did not work, learn from your mistakes, be the best person that you can be, and don’t be afraid to love again!”
EDUCATION: She moved to the United States from South Africa at age 14, graduated high school a year later, earned an undergraduate degree from SMU at age 19 and graduated from the SMU School of Law as one of the school’s youngest graduates at age 22.
HER PRACTICE: She has been practicing law since 1986. She became Board Certified in Family Law in 1991. She is licensed to practice in Texas State Court and the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas. She also is sworn to practice before the U.S. Supreme Court and she is a member of the Tarrant County Family Bar Association, the Tarrant County Bar Association, Arlington Bar Association, Arlington Professional and Businesswomen’s Club, the Texas Academy of Family Law Specialists, and The College of the State Bar of Texas.
HONORS: She was awarded the Family Law Attorney of the Year in Arlington every year from 1997-2002.
HER MOTTO: Strive to be the best and to compete only with yourself.
GREATEST ACHIEVEMENT: Graduating law school at 22 years of age.
WHY HIRE HER? “I am dedicated to the practice of law because I passionately believe in what I am doing every day and I try to convey that to my clients.” In keeping with her mission, she provides clients with the highest degree of professionalism and legal expertise tempered with an understanding of the traumatic experience at hand. “I make every attempt to accomplish my client’s wishes and goals within the parameters of the law.”