WIXLIB

Authorand Speaker:Texas Academy of Family Law SpecialistsFamily Law Section, State Bar of TexasFamily Law Section, Dallas Bar AssociationTexas Family Law FoundationCollege of the State Bar of Texas, Legal Assistants Division - Charter MemberDallas Area Paralegal AssociationMesquite Citizen Police Academy Alumni Association“The Paralegal’s Role in the Family Law Jury Trial”, with panel: Dr. Jan Delipsey, JohnT. Eck, Hon. Mary Ellen Hicks, Janet McCullar Vavra, Mike McCurley, and Glenn A.Perry, 35th Annual Advanced Family Law Course, August 2009“You and Your Shadow Paralegal” with Brian L. Webb, Jim Loveless, Pam Farris,Advanced Family Law Drafting Course, December 2008“The Team Approach in a Family Law Practice” with Brian L. Webb, 30th AnnualMarriage Dissolution Bootcamp, May, 2007“Protecting your Attorney/Professionalism from the Paralegal Standpoint” 32nd AnnualAdvanced Family Law Boot Camp, August 2006Co-Course Director with Heather King, “Practical Aspects of Enhancing your LegalPractice” 29th Annual Marriage Dissolution Institute Boot Camp, April 2006Co-Course Director with Brian L. Webb, “The Attorney and Legal Assistant Team: YouCan’t Do It Alone!” 28th Annual Marriage Dissolution Institute Boot Camp, April 2005“Pathway to Your Future - Family Law”, Dallas Area Paralegal Association Career Day,2005“Ethics and the Paralegal”, Legal Assisting in Texas, November, 2004“Ethics for the Paralegal” , Paralegal Career Symposium, Charting your Course, DallasArea Paralegal Association, Fort Worth Paralegal Association, State Bar of Texas LegalAssistants Division, September 11, 2004“Use and Abuse of Legal Assistants in a Family Law Practice” , with Charles Hodges,Heather King, Julie Pruett Crawford and Melissa Johnston, 28th Annual Advanced FamilyLaw Course, August, 2002“The Utilization of Legal Assistants in a Law Office and Legal Assistant Ethics”, CollinCounty Legal Association, April, 2002“Custody Issues and Grandparent Access”, with Miriam L. Ackels, Legal AssistantUniversity, September, 2001“Effective Use of Legal Assistants in a Family Law Practice”, with Brian L. Webb, GaryNickelson and Coye Conner, Jr., 27th Annual Advanced Family Law Course, August, 2001“Taking the Case to Trial”, with Brian L. Webb, Texas Family Law Practice forParalegals, March, 2001“Organizing the Trial Notebook”, with Brian L. Webb, James Loveless, Kimberly Naylorand Sherri Evans, The Ultimate Trial Notebook: Family Law, December, 2000“Economics of Running a Law Practice”, with James Loveless, Dennis Brewer, DouglasHarrison, Curtis Loveless and Roy Moore, 25th Annual Advanced Family Law Course,August, 1999“Handling Custody Disputes”, with Brian L. Webb, Texas Family Law Practice for

Paralegals, April, 1999“Effective Utilization of Legal Assistant and Staff”, with Brian L. Webb, Coye Conner, Jr.,and Barbara Calcote; 24th Annual Advanced Family Law Course, August, 1998“Utilization of the Legal Assistant”, with Brian L. Webb, Tarrant County Family Law BarAssociation Meeting, June 1998“Ethics in Your Practice”, Advanced Civil Trial Seminar, Legal Assistants Division, StateBar of Texas, April 1998“Basic Malpractice Prevention”, Nuts and Bolts General Practice Skills Course, LegalAssistants Division, State Bar of Texas and Dallas Association of Young Lawyers,October 1996“Practical(ly) Legal Tips for Making Money with Your Legal Assistant”, Dallas BarAssociation Family Law Section Meeting (with Brian L. Webb), September 1996“Effective Use of Legal Assistants - How to Make Time and Money”, Advanced FamilyLaw Course, Dallas, Texas (co-authored with Barbara Calcote, Brian L. Webb and CoyeConner, Jr.) August 1995“Scruples”, quarterly column on ethics in Texas Paralegal Journal, (1995-1996)“Texas Family Law Practice for Paralegals”, Clearwater Information Systems, Inc., Dallas,1995 - Ethics - What is it and Why Should You Care? and How to Recognize and Deal withthe Battered Wife (article by Christine Albano)“Texas Family Law Practice for Paralegals”, Clearwater Information Systems, Inc.,Arlington, 1994 - Overview of the Texas Disciplinary Rules of Professional Conduct(article written with Mike McCurley)“The Trial Notebook”, co-authored with Mike McCurley, Family Law Handbook for theParalegal, Professional Education Systems, Inc., Dallas/Houston, 1992“Child Support Cases - How to Turn Lead into Gold”, co-authored with Charles H.Robertson, Family Law - The Team Approach for the Legal Assistant and the Lawyer,State Bar of Texas, Austin, Texas, 1990; and Family Law Handbook for the Paralegal,Professional Education Systems, Inc., Dallas/Houston, 1992“Communication - the Key to Gaining and Maintaining the Confidence of the Client andthe Opposition”, co-authored with Harry Tindall, Scott Cook, Luanne Riley-Thomas andN. Roberts, Family Law for Legal Assistants and Attorneys, State Bar of Texas, CorpusChristi, Texas, 1987

NATALIE L. WEBB!"# %#&& '()* , -(. '*/)0 1232456 72 892 1(: 89/##90 8:*9# ;;6 ( ( 0 !#?( @65 A!# #B"CD#E F5A;G H@AI5@4 '(J *)* #E F5A;G H@AIK44KL)(* E D(9( *#M.#&&N()* , (.2JC)EDUCATION AND LICENSURE8C:9"#/D O#9"CP* 9 QD*R#/ *9, #P)(D 8J"CC CN -(.0 S2 20 5 H0 Cum LaudeT CJ*(9# O(D(U*DU LP*9C/0 VD9#/D(9*CD( -(. W#R*#.3"*#N S: 9*J#0 %2%2 3(/:9" 3"* P TPRCJ(J, 3 *D*J!/*D*9, QD*R#/ *9,0 X2820 VD9#/D(9*CD( X: *D# 0 5 ;TP)*99#P 9C 9"# 89(9# X(/ CN !#?( 5 HEXPERIENCEO(, 5 H 9C 9"# B/# #D98:))#/ 5 6 Y 5 ZThe Webb Family Law Firm, P.C. ( ( 0 !#?( Texas Court of Appeals, 8th District0 L 1( C0 !#?( PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS89(9# X(/ CN !#?( ( ( X(/ T CJ*(9*CD ( ( X(/ T CJ*(9*CD I '()* , -(. 8#J9*CD ( ( T CJ*(9*CD CN [C:DU -(.,#/ !#?( '()* , -(. 'C:DP(9*CDO#)&#/0 'C/)&CC\ 3C))*99##0 !#?( '()* , -(. 1/(J9*J# O(D:( O#)&#/0 3C #U# CN 9"# 89(9# X(/ CN !#?( T/ *DU9CD ]( (DP -## 1(/\ S:D*C/ 3CD #/R(9C/,AUTHOR AND SPEAKERLegislative Update: Family Law Section Perspective0 3CIT:9"C/ .*9" 2 7*JC # C, # 0 TPR(DJ#P'()* , -(. 3C:/ #0 8(D TD9CD*C0 !#?( 0 T:U: 9 AAIA;0 5 H2Parenting Across State Lines: Navigating Through the HC, UCCJEA, PKPA, and UIFSA, 3CIT:9"C/ .*9" 2 7*JC # C, # 0 1(/#D9I3"* P W# (9*CD "*B 0 T: 9*D0 ! S(D:(/, 5KI4 0 5 K2Paternity Fraud in Texas - The Great Debate0 3CIT:9"C/ .*9" 3"#9())*( ]C )# 0 Q!3-L '()* ,-(. CD 9"# '/CD9 -*D# 0 8(D TD9CD*C0 !#?( 0 S:D# AHIAK0 5 K2Changes in Property and Trends for the Future0 8B#(\#/ (DP 3CIT:9"C/ .*9" 3"#9())*( ]C )# 05 K TPR(DJ#P '()* , -(. 3C:/ #0 ( ( 0 !#?( 0 T:U: 9 4 I Z0 5 K2

Top Ten Ways to Show the Client You Care and Avoid a GrievanceTABLE OF CONTENTSTOP TEN WAYS TO SHOW THE CLIENT YOU CARE AND AVOID A GRIEVANCE . 1RULE 1.03 COMMUNICATION . 31.04 FEES (EFFECTIVE MARCH 1, 2005) . 4AFFIDAVIT. 5i

Top Ten Ways to Show the Client You Care and Avoid a GrievanceTOP TEN WAYS TO SHOW THECLIENT YOU CARE AND AVOID AGRIEVANCE “I don’t care how much it costs.” “I didn’t have any confidence in my fourprior attorneys.”10. Don’t lie to them about anything. Honesty maybe painful, but it IS the best policy. “The trial starts next week.ready, right?”9. “I just know he’s hiding money somewhere” “I want my kids half the time so I don’t haveto pay any child support” “What countries are not signatories to theHague Convention on International ChildAbduction?”8.Make sure client’s expectations are realistic.Don’t promise what you can’t deliver. And don’tsuccumb to their unrealistic expectations.Don’t get emotionally involved in their case.Maintain your professional detachment (which iswhy it’s called “professional”).7.Give them something for free every once in awhile. A “no charge” phone call for example cango a long way toward keeping clients happy. Andmake sure you know they know you’re doing it.A big “NO CHARGE” on their bill is alwayswelcome by clients.6.Be up front (and do it in writing) about fees andcosts.5.A busy client is a happy client. Give them workto do. Remind them that whatever they can do tohelp saves them money (and you time).4.Copy the client in everything that comes in orgoes out on their case. Everything.3.Return client calls.2.Return client calls.1.Most importantly: RETURN CLIENT CALLS.The “failure to keep the client informed”, Rule103(a) is the most frequent violation by attorneys ofthe Texas Disciplinary Rules of Professional Conduct.And if you show the client you care but still can’tavoid a grievance:1.If it didn’t happen in writing, IT DIDN’THAPPEN. Document everything. Keep copies.2.If they won’t follow your advice, get them to sign“I’m a Dumbass” Affidavit.3.Put reminders about client’s duty to supplementdiscovery in each monthly billing statement.4.Watch for red flags before taking a case.Examples:1You can be

!"# !%& '()* " ,-". -% /01%& 2"3 /(4% (&5 67"15 ( 841%7(&9%take protective steps) such as initiating the appointment of a guardian. The lav,ryer should !""# tosuch appointment or take othe.r protecth'e steps \:o.'hen it reasonably appears advisable to do soin order to serve the client's best interests. See Rule 1.05 (c)(4), dO) and (d)(2)(i) in regard tothe lav')1er's right to re\'eal to the court the facts reasonably necessary to secure the guardianshipor other protective order.Rule 1.03 COl1ullunication(a) A lawyer shall keep a client reasonably informed about the status of a matter and promptlycomply with reasonable requests for information.(b) A lawyer shall explain a matter to the extent reasonably necessary to permit the clientmake informed decisions regarding the representation.!"#COtnlnent: %# The client should have sufficient information to participate intelligently in decisionsconcerning the objectives of the representation and the means by which they are to be pursued)to the extent the client is \villing and able to do so. For example) a lawyer negotiating on behalfof a client should provide the client with facts relevant to the matter! inform the client ofcommunications from another party and take other reasonable steps to permit the client tomake a decision regarding a serious offer from another party. A lawyer who receives fromopposing counsel either an offer of settlement in a civil controversy or a proffered plea bargainin a criminal case should promptly inform the client of its substance unless prior discussionswith the client ha\'e left it clear that the proposal will be unacceptable. See Comment 2 to Rule1.02.2. Adequacy of comrnunication depends in part on the kind of advice or assistance involved.For exarnple! in negotiations ",.'here there is tirne to explain a proposal the lawyer should reviewall irnportant provisions with the client before proceeding to an agreement. In litigation alawyer should explain the general strategy and prospects of success and ordinarily shouldconsult the client on tactics that might injure or coerce others. On the other hand! a lavlryerordinarily cannot be expected to describe trial or negotiation strategy in detail. Moreover! incertain situations practical exigency may require a lmvyer to act for a client without priorconsultation. The guiding principle is that the lawyet should reasonably fulfill clientexpectations for information consistent v,lith the duty to act in the clienes best interests) andthe client.s overall requirements as to the character of representation.3. ()rdinarily, the information to be provided is that appropriate for a client who is acomprehending and responsible adult. Howe\'cr, fully informing the client according to thisstandard may be impractical, as for eX llnple, where the client is a child or suffers from mentaldisability; see paragraph 5. When the client is an organization or group! it is often impossible orinappropriate to inform cn:ry one of its tnembers about its legal affairs; ordinarily! the lawyershould address communications to the appropriate officials of the organization. See Rule 1.13.4

!"# !%& '()* " ,-". -% /01%& 2"3 /(4% (&5 67"15 ( 841%7(&9%Where many routine matters are involved, a system oflimited or occasional reporting may bearranged with the client.Withholding Information4. In some circumstances, a 1 1.\\'yer may be justified in delaying transmission of informationwhen the lawyer reasonably believes the client would be likely to react imprudently to animmediate communication. Thus, a lawyer might withhold a psychiatric diagnosis of a clientwhen the examining psychiatrist indicates that disclosure would harm the client. Similarly, rulesor court orders go\'erning litigation may provide that infonnation supplied to a la\vyer &' (')#notbe disclosed to the client. Rule 3.04(d) sets forth the lawyer's obligations with respect to suchrules or orders. A lawyer may not, however, v;ithhold infonnation to serve the lav\ryer's owninterest or cOlwenience.Client Under a Disability!"# In addition to comrnunicHting \\'ith any legal representative, a lawyer should seek to maintainreasonable communication with a client under a disability, insofar as possible. When a lawyerreasonably believes a client suffers a mental disability or is not legally competent, it may not bepossible to maintain the usual attorncy clicnt relationship. Nevertheless, the client may ha\'e theability to understand, deliberate upon, and reach conclusions about some matters affecting theclient's O\:\ln well being. Furthermore, to an increasing extent the law recognizes intermediatedegrees of competence. For example, childrens' opinions regarding their own custody are gh'ensome weight. The fact that a client suffers a disability docs not diminish the desirability oftreating the client with attention and respect. See also Rule 1.02(e) and Rule 1.05, Comment17.1.04 Fees %&&"'()*"# ,-'.# 1, /0012#(a) A lawyer shall not enter into an arrangement for, charge, or collect an illegal fcc orunconscionable %%"# A fcc is unconscionable if a competent lawyer could not form a reasonablebelief that the fee is reasonable.(b) Factors that rnay be considered in determining the reasonableness of a fcc include, but notto the exclusion of other rele\'ant factors, the following:(l) the time and labor required, the novelty and difficulty of the questions involved,and the skill requisite to perform the legal service properly;(2) the likelihood, if apparent to the client, that the acceptance of the particularemployment will preclude other employrnent by the lawyer;(3) the &&# customarily charged in the locality for similar legal ser"ices;(4) the amount in\"Ol\'ed and the results obtained;;

!"# !%& '()* " ,-". -% /01%& 2"3 /(4% (&5 67"15 ( 841%7(&9%AFFIDAVITTHE STATE OF TEXAS)COUNTY OF DALLAS)BEFORE ME, the undersigned authority, on this day personally appearedwho, being by me duly sworn, upon oath stated:"I, , am the Petitioner in Cause # in the DistrictCourt in and for Dallas County, Texas. I have consulted with ,a duly licensed attorney practicing at .He has advised me regarding discovery and its relationship to any agreement that I may want toenter into as a settlement of this Divorce action. I understand and acknowledge that he has advisedme not to enter into any agreement and further, not to settle the divorce now pending in this causewithout following his advice. He has advised me that he does not feel that I am sufficiently awareof my husband's income or the value and extent of the community estate and has advised me thatI should go forward with discovery measures to fully determine the extent and value of thecommunity estate. He has advised me that he does not feel I am aware of any of my husband’sseparate property assets against which I or the community estate may have an equitable interest orreimbursement claim. He has further advised me that due to the lack of knowledge concerning thecomplete assets and liabilities, including tax liability, of the community estate or my husband’sseparate property estate in which I may have an interest, he cannot adequately advise me regardingthe terms set forth in any agreement. I hereby acknowledge and state that I have instructed myattorney, against his advice, not to obtain the appropriate information necessary to ascertain theextent and value of the community estate or my husband’s separate estate in which I may have anAFFIDAVIT - Page 1 of 5:

!"# !%& '()* " ,-". -% /01%& 2"3 /(4% (&5 67"15 ( 841%7(&9%interest, including liabilities. My attorney has advised me that only through full discovery duringthe pendency of this litigation can these matters be determined with any accuracy. I have advisedhim that I do not want to contest this matter in any way and that, despite his advice to the contrary,it is my desire to enter into an agreement.He has advised me that depositions, requests for disclosure, requests for production, requestsfor admissions, subpoenas duces tecum, interrogatories, appraisals and other discovery measures areavailable through which we could determine the actual value and extent of the community estate andmy husband’s separate estate in which I may have an interest, including all liabilities as well asassets. He has further advised me that the Court, upon hearing all of the evidence regarding myhusband's income and the assets and liabilities of the community, might award me adisproportionately larger share of the community estate than would be awarded to my husband.Further, he has advised me that the Court, upon hearing all the evidence regarding the reduction ofboth secured and unsecured liabilities of the community and my husband’s separate property estatethrough contributions from the community and my separate estate, might award the community ormy separate estate a claim of equitable interest or reimbursement against the benefitted estate. Hehas further advised me that once I have settled this case and a Decree of Divorce has been enteredbased upon an agreement, I will not have an opportunity to avail myself of discovery measuresthereafter, nor will I be able to renegotiate the terms of the agreement or in any way

“best family lawyers in dallas”, d magazine 2009 charter diplomate, american college of family trial lawyers (limited to 100 members nationally) board certified, family law, texas board of legal . for lawyer discipline past member, fee di