Sondra Kaighen

Houston General Law Attorney

Founder of the firm Sondra Kaighen is well respected in the legal community as a skilled attorney and tireless litigator.  She commands a courtroom and is known for being even-handed and gracious in her dealings.  She has been in business for herself in the Clear Lake area for the many years, practicing in Harris, Galveston, and Brazoria Counties.  In 1994, Sondra received her Board Certification in Family Law from the Texas Board of Legal Specialization.

Outside her professional life, Sondra is a wife and mother with many interests and talents.  She believes in staying fit and focused both in her personal and professional lives.  Away from the office you will catch her participating in a variety of sports--from martial arts to kayaking, but when cornered about her favorite pastime it will more than likely involve surfing on a white sandy beach.

Admissions

• Colorado State Bar, 1993
• State Bar of Texas, 1986

Preparatory and Legal Education:

• South Texas College of Law, J.D. - 1986; South Texas College of Law Review, Assistant Managing Editor, 1986;
  • Board of Advocates, Assistant Director of Spurgeon Bell Moot Court Competition, 1985; Annotations, Staff Writer, 1985; Delta Theta Phi, Member, 1985; Who's Who Among American Law Students, 1985
• University of Houston at Clear Lake, B.A. - 1983

Professional Certificates:

• Board Certified, Family Law, Texas Board of Legal Specialization, 1994
• Basic Mediation Training; Advanced Training, Divorce and Child Custody, A.A. White Dispute Resolution Institute, 1994

Professional Associations:

• Member, American Bar Association
• Fellow, American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers
• Member, Texas Academy of Family Law Specialists
• Fellow, Houston Bar Foundation
• Fellow, Royal Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers
• Member, Gulf Coast Family Law Specialists
• Member, Houston World Affairs Council
• Member, Galveston County Bar Association
• Member, College of the State Bar of Texas
• Secretary, Bay Area Bar Association, 2005
• Member, Lawyers for Literacy Committee, 2001-2002
• Member, Fun Run Committee, 2001-2002
• Member, Planning Committee, Marriage Dissolution Seminar - 2000
• Member, Grievance Committee, District 4(J), State Bar of Texas, Terms 1993-1999
• Director, Houston Bar Association, Family Law Division, 1993-1995
• Investigator, Supreme Court of Texas, Unauthorized Practice of Law Committee, 1993
• Past-Chair, Houston Bar Association, QDRO Book Committee

Law Related Publications, Professional Activities & Lectures:

• Family Law, Adjunct Professor, Southwestern Paralegal Institute, 1988
• Family Law, Adjunct Professor, Clear Lake Paralegal Institute 1988
• Strategies For Obtaining Child Support Above, Below or Outside The Traditional Child Support Guidelines, 1994, Co-Author, State Bar of Texas Advanced Family Law Course
• Family Law, Brown Bag Career Series, 1994, Speaker, South Texas College of Law
• Child Support & Modification: The Current Problems, "Family Law Practice Seminar," October 1994,Speaker, University of  Houston Law Center
• Child Support & Modification:  The Current Problems, "Family Law Practice After September, 1995," September 1995, Speaker, University of Houston Law Center
• Child Support & Modification: The Current Problems Including The Interaction With Alimony, "Family Law Practice After The New Legislation," February 1996, Speaker, University of Houston Law Center "Domestic Law In Texas," 1996
• Ethics As It Relates To Domestic Law:  Child Support & Modification; The Alimony Primer; Parentage & Custody, Speaker, National Business Institute Seminar
• QDRO Quandaries, 7th Annual Family Law For The General Practitioner And Legal Assistant Conference, April  10, 1997, Speaker, South Texas College of Law
• Working With Divorce Clients & Opposing Counsel, Texas Family Law Practice For Paralegals, August 7, 1997,  Speaker, Half/Moon, L.L.C.
• Child Support & Modification: Current Issues, "Family Law Practice Institute," August, 1997, Speaker, University of Houston Law Center
• The Law Office Support Staff:  Know your Team, 23rd Annual Advanced Family Law Course, San Antonio, August, 1997, Author
• Marital Liabilities:  The Wolf's at the Door, 24th Annual Advanced Family Law Course, San Antonio, August, 1998, Speaker
• Trial of Joint Managing Conservatorship vs. Sole Managing Conservatorship:  Disputed Allocation of Rights and Duties,  24th Annual Advanced Family Law Course, San Antonio, August 1998, Speaker
• Pre-Marital, Post-Marital & Marital Agreements, Marriage Dissolution Seminar, Fort Worth, May 2000, Speaker
• Pre-Marital, Post-Marital & Marital Agreements, Galveston County Family Law Bar Association, June 2000, Speaker
• Summary Judgments & Stipulations, The Ultimate Trial Notebook:  Family Law, New Orleans, December 2000, Speaker
• A Comparison Discussion of Family Law in Texas and Denmark, Women's Month Family Law Panel, March 2001, Speaker
• "She Got the Goldmine, I Got the Shaft!" Marital Liability Between Spouses, Including Responsibility for Child's Liability," 27th Annual Advanced Family Law Course, San Antonio, August 2001, Speaker
• Working With Divorce Clients and Opposing Counsel, Texas Family Law Practice for Paralegals, Houston, September 2001, Speaker
• Family Law Boot Camp, 27th Annual Advanced Family Law Course, San Antonio, August 2001, Co-Director
• Initial Pleadings and Temporary Orders, Family Law Boot Camp, 28th Annual Advanced Family Law Course, Dallas August 2002, Speaker
• Modification in SAPCR's, 28th  Annual Advanced Family Law Course, Dallas, August 2002, Speaker
• Screening Clients & The Initial Client Interview, Family Law Boot Camp, 29th Annual Advanced Family Law Course, San Antonio, August 2003, Speaker
• Collaborative Law, Galveston County Family Law Luncheon, June, 2006, Speaker