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 over 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 over 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.

Born and raised in Birmingham, Alabama, Caroline received her bachelor’s degree from Auburn University and earned her law degree from SMU Dedman School of Law. She is an associate attorney at Briner Family Law Group, assisting clients with divorce, custody and other family law matters.

Caroline’s passion for nonprofit work, especially helping others with her time and talent, was instilled at a young age. While in law school, Caroline participated in the Judge Elmo B. Hunter Legal Center for Victims of Crimes Against Women Clinic, interned with Genesis Women’s Shelter, and volunteered at Mosaic Family Services. It made sense that she pivoted her legal career from civil litigation to family law where she successfully combines her passion for helping others with her strong understanding of civil procedure.

Outside of work, Caroline enjoys fitness and teaches yoga sculpt classes. She travels frequently, loves sushi, and remains active in nonprofit work as a Genesis Young Leaders member.

Annie manages numerous aspects of clients’ cases including client communications, court filings and communications, document control, file maintenance, and various other critical functions.

Prior to her career in law, Annie held several volunteer leadership positions in charitable organizations including Cattle Baron’s Ball, La Fiesta de las Seis Banderas, The Elisa Project, Heroes for Children/Heroes and Handbags and The Junior League of Dallas where she was a member for ten years. She was a Buyer and Assistant Buyer for Bloomingdale’s in New York City and for J.C. Penney Corporation in Plano, Texas. Annie earned her Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration from Austin College in Sherman, Texas. She grew up in El Paso, Texas and has resided in Dallas for over 25 years. Annie enjoys painting and spending time with her three children and their dog.

Graduating with honors in just three years from Texas A&M University with a bachelor’s degree in psychology and neuroscience, Faith moved to Dallas to start her legal career at a multi-faceted law firm. There she assisted multiple attorneys and hundreds of clients while learning the intricacies of litigation, civil law, and estate planning. Family law was a logical step.

Her background as a student assistant legal secretary, combined with work and volunteer experiences at The Emotional Sciences Lab at Texas A&M and The Innocence Project of Texas, exposed Faith to the emotions and mindsets that often accompany aspects of family law. Since joining Briner Family Law Group, Faith has jumped right in with her compassionate demeanor and sharp organizational skills, and today successfully supports clients as they navigate perhaps the most difficult times of their lives.

Outside of work, the Texas panhandle native enjoys exploring Dallas coffee shops, cycling and Pilates, attending concerts, and hanging out with her doxiepoo, Winston.

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 14th 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 this 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.