Becky Beaver
Ms. Beaver first became intrigued with family law as a law clerk, when she worked with the lawyer who prevailed before the Texas Supreme Court in Holley v. Adams, 544 S.W.2d 367 (Tex. 1976). The factors delineated in this precedent setting case still guide courts today in determining conservatorship of a child. Ms. Beaver has been fortunate since early in her practice to be involved in some of the most complex property and conservatorship cases in Texas, and during the course of her career she has successfully argued or negotiated to settlement myriad cases involving complex contested issues. Although her practice is based primarily in Central Texas, she continues to litigate and negotiate throughout Texas and consults on cases nationally and internationally.
A Texas native, Ms. Beaver holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Texas Tech University and a Juris Doctor from the University of Texas School of Law. She is board certified in family law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization, a distinction held only by the top few percent of lawyers. She is also trained in collaborative law. Her professional activities and awards are extensive, including being named a Texas Super Lawyer eight consecutive years. Ms. Beaver is a frequent author, lecturer and presenter on family law issues.
Ms. Beaver is passionate about giving back to the community, and she is active in many local, regional and national non-profit organizations, giving both her time and talent to further their missions. Ms. Beaver is married, with children and a granddaughter. She is an avid traveler and basketball player.
Texas Monthly Magazine, Super Lawyer Award, 2007 through 2015
Texas Lawyer Magazine, “One of the Best Boutique Firms in Texas”, 2004
Austin Business Journal – Profiles in Power Award, Nominee, 2007
Austin Business Journal – Profiles in Power Award, Recipient, 2008
Judge Suzanne Covington Pro Bono Service Award, Volunteer Legal Services, Honoree 2007, 2010, 2011 and 2012
AV Preeminent-Top Rated Lawyer – Texas’ Top Rated Lawyers
College of the State Bar of the State Bar of Texas, 2008 to present
Texas Bar Foundation, 1977 to present
Texas Family Law Foundation, 2008 to present
American Bar Association; Family Law Section, Child Custody Committee, 1980s
Texas Association of Family Law Specialists, 1983 to present
Texas Supreme Court Advisory Committee on Child Support and Visitation, Member, 1994-1995
Texas Family Code Revision Legislative Advisory Committee 1994-1997
Texas Marital Property Revision Legislative Advisory Committee, 1999-2001
Travis County Family Law Advocates, Ad Hoc Docket Committee, 2012-2013
Texas Center for Legal Ethics and Professionalism
Texas Board of Legal Specialization, Family Law Advisory Committee, 2000-2003
Travis County Family PAC, Steering Committee Member, 2000-2006
Travis County Committee on Possession Guidelines for Children Under Three, 1995
CASA of Travis County, Founding Board Member, 1985-1988
Travis County Bar Association; Chair, Family Law Section, 1986; Vice President, 1987-1988
Travis County Women Lawyers Association, Vice-President, 1984
Collaborative Law Institute of Texas, 2009 through 2014
Dispute Resolution Center of Travis County, Founding Board Member, 1982-1984
Travis County Bench Bar Conference, Facilitator for the Planning Committee, 1992-1993, Speaker, 2013
Travis County Committee on Local Rules of Procedure and Decorum, 1984-1990
Travis County Committee on Courthouse Security, 1991-1992
Travis County Family Law Docket Committee, 1998-2004
Travis County Domestic Relations Office Advisory Committee, 1999-2000
City of Austin Affirmative Action Advisory Committee, Chair, 1980-1981
State Bar of Texas- Family Law Section; Women and the Law Section; Individual Rights and Responsibilities Section, 1977 to present
Author, Lecturer and Presenter; State Bar of Texas, Advanced Family Law Course, New Frontiers in Family Law, Travis County Bar Association, Texas Trial Lawyers Association, CLE Options Network, American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers/American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, University of Texas Continuing Legal Education Programs, including:
“Drafting Tip for Decrees and Transfer Documents”, State Bar of Texas, Family Law for the Lawyer and Paralegal, San Antonio, Texas, 1984
“Whose Got the Q? QDRO’s, QPSA’s, and QJSA’s”, Family Law Section, Austin Bar Association, 1985
“Effective Discovery Strategies”, Austin Bar Association, Family Law Section, Austin, Texas, 1987
“Family Law: Pitfalls for the Personal Injury Lawyer”, Texas Trial Lawyers Association, Sun Valley, Idaho, 1998
“Marital Property Characterization of Personal Injury Proceeds”, State Bar of Texas, Advanced Personal Injury Law, Houston, Texas, 1998
“Things Worse than Paying the IRS – Estate and Business Planning Instruments and the Problems They Create for Divorcing Clients”, CLE Options, Dallas, Texas, 2007
“Clash of Tax and Divorce Planning”, American Institute of Certified Public Accounting (American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers), Las Vegas, Nevada, 2008
“Valuation: The Impact of Buy Sell Agreements”, State Bar of Texas, Advanced Family Law Course, Dallas, Texas, 2009
“Revamping Your Approach to Divorce Settlements: Valuation, Risk Assessment, Discount Rates, Interest Rates and Inflation Rates in the New Economic Environment”, Panelist, New Frontiers in Marital Property Law, New Orleans, Louisiana, 2009
“Family Law, Austin Style – Attorney’s Fees”, Family Law Section, Austin Bar Association, 2011
“Attorneys’ Fees in Family Law Proceedings”, State Bar of Texas, Advanced Family Law Course, Houston, TX, 2012
“Cheating on Your Spouse Financially”, Austin Bar Association and AYLA Foundation Bench Bar Conference, Austin, Texas, April 4, 2014
“There’s No Business Like Family Law Business”, State Bar of Texas, New Frontiers in Marital Property Law, Incline Village, Nevada, October 24, 2014
non-profit organizations links to: Community tab
Ms. Beaver’s community and civic activities
Ann Richards School for Young Women Leaders – Governor’s Council member, 2009-2013; Gala Committee Member, 2011-2012
Annie’s List – Steering Committee 2003-2014
Austin American Statesman – Fortunate 500, Top Pick, Faith, Education, Charity, 2008; Fortunate 500 All Star 2009; Out and About All Star 2010, 2011
Austin Children’s Museum – Board of Directors; Chair, Governance Committee; Executive Committee; Finance Committee; Chair, Annual Appeal, 1988-1994, 1996-1999
Austin Community Foundation – Co-Chair, 2010 Celebration of Giving; Power of the Purse member; Power of the Purse Annual Luncheon Committee; Women’s Grant Fund Committee, 2005 through 2013
Austin Museum of Art – Board of Advisors; Enhancement and Vision Committee, 2009-2011
Austin Theatre Alliance (The Paramount & State Theaters) – Advisory Council, 2008-2013
Austin Visual Arts Association – Art Patron of the Year, 2009
Austin Women’s Center – President; Board of Directors 1982-1983
Aware Alzheimer’s Association – Gala Committee, 2011-2012
Ballet Austin Board of Directors – 2003-2014, Committee Member, Ballet Fete 2008, 2010-2011; Chair, Ballet Fete 2009; Outstanding New Board Member, 2003; Nominating Committee, Management Committee
Center for Child Protection, Dancing with the Stars “Celebrity Dancer”, 2013
Girl Scouts of Central Texas – 2011 Women of Distinction Honoree
Hospice Austin’s “Beauty of Life” Glossy 8 Honoree, 2010
I Live Here, I Give Here – 2013 Big Giver Award nominee
KLRU-TV – Gala Committee, 1999
KUT FM – Leadership Council; Co-chair, 1985-2013; 50th Anniversary Gala Committee, 2011
Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center – Art Auction Committee Chair, 2006-2010; Co-Chair, Gala Committee, 2008; Gala Art Auction Committee member, 2006-2013
Long Center for the Performing Arts – Women’s Leadership Council, 2008-2010
Mexic-Arte Museum – Board of Directors, 2011-2012; Gala Committee Member, 2011
National Senior Olympic Games – Qualifier, Basketball, 2005, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2013, 2015; Championship Bracket, 2005, 2007
National Women’s Political Caucus – National Steering Committee; National Legislative Committee; State Vice-President; State Membership Chair; State Legislative Chair; local offices, 1979-1988
People’s Community Clinic – Board of Directors, Development Committee; Chair, Gala Luncheon Committee, 2011; Gala Luncheon Committee, 2009-2015
People’s Community Clinic Foundation – Board of Directors, 2011-2014
Planned Parenthood of Austin – Board of Directors, former Chair, Clinic Committee; Executive Committee; Personnel Committee, 1982-1988
Seton Breast Cancer Center – Co-Chair, 2012 Tournament for Hope
Texas Democracy Foundation – Gala Committee, 2009-2013; Gala Chair, 2014, 2015
Texas State University – Wittliff Collection, Spirit of Place Gala Committee, 2012
Texas Tech Chancellor’s Council, 2013-2015
University of Texas Chancellor’s Council, 2009-2015
University of Texas Jody Conradt Scholarship Committee, 2010-2013
University United Methodist Church Foundation – Former Board member
Women & Their Work – Art Diva, 2010-2013; Presenter, Collectors Forum, 2012
Women Vote – Steering Committee, 2003-2014
Zachary Scott Theatre – Great Scott, 2010-2014
Supporting Member – A Legacy of Giving, Austin Film Society, Austin Library Foundation, Austin Lyric Opera, Blanton Museum of Art, Breast Cancer Resource Center, The Contemporary, Hospice Austin, LiveStrong Foundation, Longhorn Foundation, Metropolitan Museum of Art, Museum of Modern Art, The Nobelity Project, SafePlace, Smithsonian Institution, Texas Book Festival, Texas Exes, Women’s Advocacy Project