Marie Briner’s combination of multiple years as lead counsel in jury trials as a Dallas County assistant district attorney, along with her 19 years representing family law clients, make her an unmatched powerhouse. After leaving the criminal courts in 2004 with the trial skills, case analysis and negotiation expertise reserved exclusively for the few lawyers who have actually worked daily in the trenches of a courtroom, Marie immediately rose in the ranks of family law’s most elite attorneys – being named one of D Magazine’s Best Attorneys under 40. Within a mere three years, Marie was elevated to partner status at her boutique family law firm, placing her in the ranks of family law attorneys who had been practicing that discipline for years. Marie’s wisdom, strategic thinking, and expertise both inside and outside a courtroom give Briner Family Law Group the edge when empowering clients to progress to a better future.

Marie is one of a handful of attorneys in all of Dallas who hold the unique honor of being board certified in both family law and criminal law. Less than 8% of all attorneys in the entire state of Texas have met the stringent qualifications to become Board Certified by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization in even a single area of specialty. And even fewer have completed the specialized financial training offered by the American Academy of Certified Financial Litigators – a complement to Marie’s business degree, both of which make her especially proficient at handling the most complex property and business matters of divorce litigation.

Marie earned her law degree from Southern Methodist University in 1998, where she was inducted into the national honorary Order of the Barristers and received the highly coveted honor of being named SMU’s Excellence in Advocacy recipient of her graduating class. By the time she completed her tenure at the Dallas County District Attorney’s office, she was promoted to Deputy Chief of the Child Abuse Division, which allowed her to help families through criminal and family situations. She was lead counsel in several complex and high-profile cases, including capital murder and other felonies. Marie made Dallas County history when one of her criminal defendants stood and announced to the jurors immediately following Marie’s opening statement that he was “guilty.”

While Marie has touched in some capacity thousands of cases, it’s the more than 100 cases she has tried to final verdicts that make all the difference for her clients. Briner states: “Trying a case to final verdict means actually trying a case from beginning to end and all that that encompasses. It’s also of great importance to have tried jury trials. While most family law cases are tried before a judge, it’s the extensive and exceptional jury trial experience I’ve had that truly trained me for the courtroom and for understanding how to properly evaluate and handle the facts, good or bad, in a client’s case. There is no lawyering experience better than multiple years of being lead counsel in jury trials.”

Marie now owns and practices at Briner Family Law Group, a firm of highly experienced and dynamic attorneys who guide clients through all aspects of family law litigation, offering calm in a sea of chaos. While she negotiates settlements in virtually all of her cases, she is ready and able to vigorously represent her clients in the courtroom should that be the best course of resolution. She has been recognized as one of the top family law professionals in North Texas and across the state by satisfying rigorous standards and gaining the support of her peers. In addition to being selected as one of the Top Lawyers in Dallas under 40 and featured in D Magazine, Ms. Briner was honored on the list of Texas Rising Stars, was one of only 2.5% of Texas attorneys to be featured in Texas Monthly magazine, and most recently was again designated a Super Lawyer, an award given to top-rated practicing attorneys selected through extensive evaluation.

Michelle offers more than 20 years of legal experience to the clients of Briner Family Law Group. Throughout the course of her legal career she has created a long and respected track record of being a level-headed and tough litigator with a thorough approach to her cases that results in ensuring the best possible outcome for her clients.

Michelle provides clients with sensible legal direction and tenacious lawyering that serves her clients well. Her experience as an assistant district attorney in Dallas County, including as the lawyer for CPS investigators, combined with more than 15 years practicing family law exclusively for mid- to large-sized family law firms, gives clients at Briner Family Law Group, the especially unique combination of a family law attorney who has exceptional trial experience with the judgment of a well-seasoned family law lawyer.

As a solutions-oriented attorney, entrepreneur, and community leader, Ashlie Thomas Vieira is dedicated to empowering others to leverage their strengths and resources to work smarter and accomplish more. With more than 20 years of experience in family law and appellate law, Ashlie believes that innovation, creativity, and collaboration are the keys to successful outcomes. She achieves results through relationship building and problem solving, utilizing her strengths of original thinking and novel strategies. Through these methods, Ashlie has thrice earned the honor of Super Lawyers Rising Star.

Born and raised in Alabama, Ashlie received her B.A. in History from Vanderbilt University, and her JD from SMU Dedman School of Law. When not empowering clients at the negotiation table or in court, Ashlie immerses herself in abstract art and her sons’ school PTA. Ashlie, her patient Brazilian husband and two sons live in Dallas.

Dallas native Catherine Lux started working in family law at age 19 while attending The University of Texas at Austin where she received her B.A. in History. She returned to law after several years as the owner and operator of a successful business that took her around the country. Now, Catherine is in her last year of law school at the UNT Dallas College of Law and serves as Senior Editor of UNT Dallas Law Review, On the Cusp.

In addition to law school and her paralegal work at Briner Family Law Group, Catherine volunteers with CASA, the Dallas Volunteer Attorney Program and is training to become a certified mediator. Her love for family law shines through as she assists with case strategy, drafts complex documents, and connects with clients.

As a paralegal, Catherine has also worked in insurance defense, personal injury, data privacy, special needs guardianships and estate planning. She has served as a mock trial judge for Texas High School Mock Trial competitions and YMCA’s high school state competitions. Today she is an active member of the Dallas Area Paralegal Association, Dallas Area Young Lawyers, and Dallas Bar Association.

When her nose is not deep in a book, Catherine enjoys hitting the trails around the DFW area, cooking up a storm for family and friends, and finding her Zen with yoga.

Rachel Willard’s love for helping others, meeting new people and providing excellent customer service is what drew her to family law.

Returning to Dallas in 2023 after earning her bachelor’s degree in Spanish language and literature from the University of Oklahoma, Rachel seamlessly transitioned from an administrative role in a Fortune 500 financial advising office to paralegal in a boutique family law office, working hand-in-hand with clients and attorneys. Her attention to detail when organizing and analyzing case materials, and communicating with clients and court personnel are unmatched. Rachel provides calm in the storm of family law.

When not working, Rachel enjoys spending time with her family and friends, trying new restaurants, supporting her OU sports teams and hanging out with her pet rabbit, Saroo.

A native Texan, Tracy earned her law degree from SMU and began a career in legal research with West Publishing Company (now Thompson Reuters) prior to founding her own company, Litigation Support Strategies, providing contract attorneys to clients with litigation needs.

She paused her legal career to raise three daughters, yet kept busy and focused as PTA president, school volunteer and parent coordinator at three different schools. Tracy is in her 15th year as a volunteer for the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation, during which time she also held part-time office manager, retail and bookkeeper positions, and became a residential Realtor. She returned to her legal roots last year, and is working directly with clients and the Briner Family Law Group legal team to ensure seamless communication and coordination of legal documents and client files.

In her spare time, Tracy enjoys travelling with family and friends, fitness, playing pickleball and listening to country music. Tracy and her husband Kevin, both foodies, always look forward to time with their grown daughters.