Bill Neal’s main priority is – and always has been – to protect his clients at every turn. Whether that means negotiating a settlement to reach the best possible outcome or litigating a difficult battle in court, Bill’s there to provide his clients with unwavering support. The reason he practices law is simple: He loves to solve difficult problems and make his clients’ lives easier.

Even as a young child, Bill knew he wanted to be a lawyer. Today, he focuses on divorce cases involving large estates, family owned businesses and complicated custody arrangements, and he takes a special interest in protecting children from a convoluted legal process. He also handles contested probate and complicated estate litigation cases.

For Bill, the practice of family law is all worthwhile when he hears a client say, “I feel so much better now. I’m not so scared anymore.” To relieve someone’s panic and anxiety is what any true professional wants to accomplish, above all else, and that’s what motivates Bill to get his clients the best possible outcomes.

Bill knows that divorce can be a nightmare – and he strives to be a lifeline for his clients. Using the wisdom he’s acquired over the last five decades, he knows how to separate what will and won’t work in a family law case; he focuses on what’s right for his clients every step of the way. Bill and the other attorneys with North Texas Family Lawyers provide people with the tools they need to start a new life.

Although he grew up in Prairie Village, Kansas, Bill is a Texan at heart – and has been since he attended Southern Methodist University School of Law in Dallas. While earning his degree, Bill was selected for service on the Southwestern Law Journal and served as its Research Editor. He was also among the first to serve in the SMU Legal Clinic as a law student, providing free legal services to the local community. With an illustrious background – which includes being the quarterback for the University of Arizona football team, president of his senior class, and a member of Sophos, Chain Gang and Bobcats Men’s honoraries – Bill also served two terms as president of his chapter of the Sigma Chi men’s fraternity and was listed in the Who’s Who in American Colleges and Universities before graduating with honors.

Bill has been board certified in family law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization for nearly 30 years, and he’s a member of the Texas Academy of Family Law Specialists, the Annette Stewart Inns of Court and the Denton County Collaborative Lawyers Association.

When he’s not pursuing continuing legal education, working on cases or fighting for what his clients deserve, Bill rejuvenates himself by spending time with his wife, two sons and grandchild – and you might even find him on the golf course trying to perfect his swing, which he compares to real life: perfection isn’t possible, but striving for the best is always worthwhile.

Education:

Southern Methodist University, Dedman School of Law, JD, 1973

• Honors: Graduated in top 10 percent of class
• Law Journal: Southwestern Law Journal, Research Editor, 1972 – 1973

University of Arizona, BA

• President of Senior class
• Member of Sophos, Chain Gang, and Bobcats Men’s honoraries
• Listed in Who’s Who in American Colleges and Universities
• Two time President of his chapter of the Sigma Chi men’s fraternity
• Graduated with honors

Bar Admissions

• Texas

Court Admissions

• U.S. District Court, Northern, Texas
• U.S. District Court, Southern, Texas
• U.S. District Court, Western, Texas

Honors and Awards

• AV Preeminent, Martindale Hubbell
• Best Lawyers, Family Law, 2019 - present
• Texas Super Lawyers, Thomson Reuters, 2009 – present
• Texas Board of Legal Specialization, Family Law, 1993

Associations

• Dallas Bar Association, Member
• Denton Bar Association, Member
• Denton County Collaborative Lawyers Association, Member
• State Bar of Texas, Family Law Section, Member
• Texas Academy of Family Law Specialists, Member

Presentations

• Discovering And Valuing Concealed Property and Income (With Michael Gregory), UT Family On The Front Lines Conference, Galveston, Texas, 2002
• “Health Issues in Family Law: health insurance, COBRA, life insurance”, Advanced Family Law Seminar, Co-Author and Lecturer, 2003

Memberships

• U.S. District Court, Northern Texas
• State Bar of Texas, Family Law Section