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 three grandchildren. She is an avid traveler, art collector, and basketball and pickleball player.
American Bar Foundation Fellow, 2021 to present
Austin Chronicle-Best of Austin, Best Lawyer, 2019
Austin 40 Under 40, Nominee, Mentor of the Year, 2019, 2022
AV Preeminent-Top Rated Lawyer – Texas’ Top Rated Lawyers Martindale Hubbell
SuperLawyers 2007-2024; Top Women Attorneys in Texas, 2019-2022; Top 50 Central/West Texas Attorneys, 2020, 2021, 2022,2023, 2024
University of Texas School of Law, Excellence in Public Interest Award 2017; 2017 and 2022 Reunion Committee; 1977 Class Committee; Mentor, Alumni 1L, Mentoring Program, 2015 to present
Best Attorneys of America, 2016 to present
National Association of Women Judges, San Antonio Conference Friends Committee, 2018
Collaborative Law Institute of Texas, 2009 to present
College of the State Bar of Texas, Fellow 2008 to present; Society of Legal Scholars Fellow
Texas Family Law Foundation, 2008 to present
Travis County Women Lawyers’ Association, 1984 to present, Vice-President, 1987
Travis County Women Lawyers’ Foundation, Life Fellow Member
Texas Association of Family Law Specialists, 1983 to present
Texas Bar Foundation, Sustaining Life Fellow, 1993 to present
American Bar Association; Family Law Section, 1977 to present; Child Custody Committee, 1986-1987
American Bar Association Equal Access to Justice Conference Organizing Committee, 2015
Austin Bar Association, Board of Directors 1985-1987; Chair, Family Law Section1986; Treasurer 1987-1988; Secretary, 1988-1989; Sustaining Fellow 2004 to present
Austin Bar Foundation, 2005 to present
State Bar of Texas – Annual Meeting Committee, 2018
State Bar of Texas- Family Law Section; Women and the Law Section; IndividualRights and Responsibilities Section, 1977 to present
State Bar of Texas – Pattern Jury Charge Committee – Family and Probate Committee Member, 2018-2023; Fiduciary Issues & Privacy Subcommittees
Volunteer Legal Services, Judge Suzanne Covington Pro Bono Service Award,Honoree 2007, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2014, 2015, and 2018
Travis County New Courts for Families, Steering Committee, 2015
Travis County Bench Bar Conference, Facilitator for the Planning Committee,1992-1993, Speaker, 2013
Travis County Family Law Advocates, 2000 to present, Ad Hoc Docket Committee, 2012-2013
Austin Business Journal – Profiles in Power Award, Recipient, 2008; Profiles in PowerAward, Nominee, 2007
Travis County Family PAC, Steering Committee Member, 2000-2006
Texas Center for Legal Ethics and Professionalism, 1994-1995, 1997-1999, 2004-2005
Texas Lawyer Magazine, “Top Three Family Law Firms – Austin”, Best of 2020; Best of 2023; “One of the Best Boutique Firms in Texas”, 2004
Travis County Family Law Docket Committee, 1998-2004
Texas Board of Legal Specialization, Family Law Advisory Committee, 2000-2003
Texas Marital Property Revision Legislative Advisory Committee, 1999-2001
Travis County Domestic Relations Office Advisory Committee, 1999-2000
Texas Supreme Court Advisory Committee on Child Support and Visitation, Member, 1994-1995
Texas Family Code Revision Legislative Advisory Committee 1994-1997
Travis County Committee on Possession Guidelines for Children Under Three, 1995
Travis County Committee on Courthouse Security, 1991-1992
Travis County Committee on Local Rules of Procedure and Decorum, 1984-1990
CASA of Travis County, Founding Board Member, 1985-1988
Dispute Resolution Center of Travis County, Founding Board Member, 1982-1984
City of Austin Affirmative Action Advisory Committee, Chair, 1980-1981
Author, Lecturer and Presenter; State Bar of Texas, Fiduciary Litigation, AdvancedFamily Law Course, New Frontiers in Family Law, Travis County Bar Association, Texas Trial Lawyers Association, CLE Options Network, AmericanAcademy of Matrimonial Lawyers/American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, University of Texas Continuing Legal Education Programs,including:
“What Family Lawyers and Estate Planners Need To Know About Each Other”, 35th Annual Estate Planning and Probate Drafting Course, November, 2024
“Bringing Your Expert to Court”, State Bar of Texas, Fiduciary Litigation, December 14, 2023
“The Use of Pre-Trial Motions and Procedural Devices in Property Cases”, State Bar of Texas, New Frontiers in Marital Property Law, October 5, 2023
“Strange Bedfellows: Fiduciary Relationships at the End of a Marriage”, November 30, 2022
“There’s No Business Like Family Law Business”, State Bar of Texas, New Frontiers in Marital Property Law, Incline Village, Nevada, October 24, 2014
“Cheating on Your Spouse Financially”, Austin Bar Association and AYLA Foundation Bench Bar Conference, Austin, Texas, April 4, 2014
“Attorney’s Fees in Family Law Proceedings”, State Bar of Texas, Advanced Family Law Course, Houston, Texas, 2012
“Family Law, Austin Style – Attorney’s Fees”, Family Law Section, Austin Bar Association, 2011
“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
“Valuation: The Impact of Buy Sell Agreements”, State Bar of Texas, Advanced Family Law Course, Dallas, Texas, 2009
“Clash of Tax and Divorce Planning”, American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, Las Vegas, Nevada, May, 2008
“Things Worse than Paying the IRS – Estate and Business Planning Instruments and the Problems They Create for Divorcing Clients”, CLE Options, Dallas,Texas, 2007
“Marital Property Characterization of Personal Injury Proceeds”, State Bar of Texas, Advanced Personal Injury Law Course, Houston, Texas, 1998
“Family Law: Pitfalls for the Personal Injury Lawyer”, Texas Trial Lawyers Association, Sun Valley, Idaho, 1998
“Effective Discovery Strategies”, Austin Bar Association, Family Law Section, Austin, Texas, 1987
“Whose Got the Q? QDRO’s, QPSA’s and QJSA’s”, Family Law Section, Austin Bar Association, 1985
“Drafting Tips for Decrees and Transfer Documents”, State Bar of Texas, Family Law for the Lawyer and Paralegal, San Antonio, Texas, 1984
All ATX Leadership Music – Class of 2019
Alzheimer’s Texas – Caregiver of the Year 2017
Ann Richards School Foundation – Board Member 2020 to present; Governance Committee Chair, 2022 to present; Governor’s Council Member, 2009-2019; Gala Committee Member, 2011-2012
Annie’s List – Steering Committee, 2003 to present; Gala Luncheon Committee, 2015-2019
Anti-Defamation League Austin Torch Dinner Steering Committee, 2015-2016
Association for Corporate Growth – Speaker, Sheroes Conference, November 2024
Austin ISD PALS – Advisory Council, 2021 to 2023
Austin American Statesman – Fortunate 500, Top Pick, Faith, Education, Charity, 2008; Fortunate 500 All Star 2009; Out and About All Star 2010, 2011
Austin Community Foundation – Co-Chair, 2010 Celebration of Giving; Member, Power of the Purse; Power of the Purse Annual Luncheon Committee; Women’s Grant Fund Committee, 2005-2013
Austin Independent Business Alliance – Nominee, Armadillo Award for Community Champion, 2018
Austin Independent School District, Adopter, Lively Junior High School, Zavala Elementary Circle of Friends
Austin Museum of Art – Board of Advisors; Enhancement and Vision Committee, 2009-2011
Austin Music Awards – Host Committee, 2017-2019, 2021
Austin PBS, Committee, Austin City Limits 50th Anniversary Celebration, 2024; Gala Committee 1999
Austin Theatre Alliance (The Paramount & State Theaters) – Paramount Theatre Centennial Committee 2015; Advisory Council, 2008 to present, Century Club, 2021 to present
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 to present, Committee Member, Ballet Fete 2008, 2010, 2015, 2022; Chair, Ballet Fete 2009; Outstanding New Board Member, 2003; Nominating Committee, Management Committee
Center for Child Protection, Dancing with the Stars “Celebrity Dancer”, 2013
Electing Women Austin (formerly Invest to Elect) – 2018 to present
Girl Scouts of Central Texas – 2011 Woman of Distinction
Hospice Austin’s “Beauty of Life” Glossy 8 Honoree, 2010
I Live Here, I Give Here – 2013 Big Giver Award nominee
Long Center for the Performing Arts – Women’s Leadership Council, 2008-2010
Mexic-Arte Museum – Board of Directors, 2011-2012; Gala CommitteeMember, 2011; Arts Patron of the Year Award, 2016
National Senior Games – Basketball, 2005, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2013, 2015, 2017, 2019, 2022; Championship Bracket, 2005, 2007, 2019
National Women’s Political Caucus – Keeper of the Flame, 2017, National Steering Committee; National Legislative Committee; State Vice-President; State Membership Chair; State Legislative Chair; local offices, 1979-1988
People’s Community Clinic Health Care Champion, 2023, Board of Directors, 2009-2011, Development Committee; Chair, Gala Luncheon Committee, 2011
People’s Community Clinic Foundation – Board of Directors, 2011 to present; Co-Chair Gala Luncheon Committee 2018, 2020; Gala Luncheon Committee, 2009-2022; Capital Campaign Committee 2015 to present
Planned Parenthood of Austin – Board of Directors, former Chair, Clinic Committee; Executive Committee; Personnel Committee, 1982-1988; Gala Dinner Committee, 2023, 2024
SafePlace Celebration Luncheon Committee – 2016
Seton Breast Cancer Center – Co-Chair, 2012 Tournament for Hope
Texas Democracy Foundation – Gala Committee, 2009-2017; Gala Chair, 2014-2016
Texas State University – Wittliff Collection, Spirit of Place Gala Committee, 2012
Texas Tech University, Chancellor’s Council, 2013 to present
Texas Women Vote, Blue Ribbon Member, 2020
The Thinkery (formerly Austin Children’s Museum) – Board of Directors 1988-1994,1996-1999; Chair, Governance Committee; Executive Committee; Finance Committee; Chair, Annual Appeal, University of Texas at Austin
Blanton Museum of Art, Director’s Circle, 2010 to present; Art Club 2018-2023
Chancellor’s Council, 2009 to present
Dell School of Medicine – Dell Medical Society – Women and Health, Business and Medicine – 2018 to 2022
Jody Conradt Scholarship Committee, 2010-2013
KUT FM – Leadership Circle, 1985 to present; Co-chair; 50th Anniversary Gala, 2011
Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center – Gala Art Auction Committee Chair, 2006-2010; Co-Chair, Gala Committee, 2008; Gala Art Auction Committee Member, 2006-2013
LLILAS/Benson Library – Co-host Centennial Kickoff Dinner; Centennial Celebration Committee, 2019-2022
Longhorn Foundation – 1992 to present
School of Law – 1977 Class Committee, Scholarship Committee, 1L Mentor2017 to present
Texas Exes – Alumni Association, Flying Longhorns
Texas Performing Arts Center Director’s Council – 2015-2022
Texas Women’s Basketball – Ambassador – 2016 to present
Women’s Athletics Hall of Honor Nominating Committee, 2015 to present
University United Methodist Church Foundation – Former Board Member, 2005
Women & Their Work – Art Diva, 2010 to present; Presenter, Collectors Forum, 2012
Women Vote – Steering Committee, 2003 to present
Zach Theatre – Great Scott, 2010 to present
Supporting Member – All ATX, American Artists Project, Austin Film Society, Austin Library Foundation, Austin Lyric Opera, Breast Cancer Resource Center, Conspirare, The Contemporary Austin, Crystal Bridges Museum of Art, DKR Foundation, Emily’s List, Harry Ransom Center, Health Alliance for Austin Musicians, Hospice Austin, House of Songs, LBJ Library Foundation, Metropolitan Museum of Art, Museum of Modern Art, Musician Treatment Foundation, The Nobelity Project, SIMS Foundation, Sonic Guild, Texas BookFestival, The Trail Conservancy, Vivant Health, Women’s Advocacy Project
Hobbies and Interests
Basketball, Travel, Philanthropy, Art, Live Music, Pickleball