Kristal Thomson is a partner in Goranson Bain Ausley’s San Antonio office and one of the most credentialed family law attorneys in Texas. She is Board Certified in Family Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization — a distinction held by fewer than three percent of Texas attorneys — and a Diplomate of the American College of Family Trial Lawyers, an invitation-only honor limited to 100 of the top family law trial lawyers in the United States. With more than 20 years of experience, she advises business owners, executives, and professionals through divorce involving significant estates, complex financial structures, and sensitive family dynamics.
Her practice is built around the financial complexity that defines high-asset cases: trust characterization, separate and community property tracing, business valuation disputes, reimbursement claims, and above-guideline child support. She develops strategy from the outset, whether the path is negotiation, Collaborative Divorce, or full litigation — and brings the local court knowledge that comes from more than two decades of practice in San Antonio’s courts.
Kristal’s approach is deliberately measured. Her goal is strategic: identifying where strong advocacy is genuinely necessary, preserving leverage for the moments that matter most, and preparing fully for trial when the case calls for it. For clients navigating consequential decisions under pressure, she provides candid, grounded guidance that leads to better long-term outcomes.
Kristal is one of San Antonio’s most-recognized family law attorneys — Board Certified, named “Lawyer of the Year” for Family Law in San Antonio by Best Lawyers in America (2021 and 2023), continuously listed in The Best Lawyers in America since 2020, repeatedly selected to Texas Super Lawyers, a recipient of the Brian Webb Legislative Award from the Texas Family Law Foundation, and holding an AV® Preeminent Rating from Martindale-Hubbell.
Beyond her recognition, Kristal has held leadership roles across Texas family law: Past President of the Texas Academy of Family Law Specialists, Past Chair of the Family Law Section of the State Bar of Texas, and Past President of the Texas Chapter of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers.
Kristal also considers the legal education of her clients and colleagues a cornerstone of strong advocacy. She has delivered over 100 continuing legal education speeches around the country, covering nearly every topic in family law.
Honors & Awards
Best Lawyers in America© in the field of Family Law, Best Lawyers,
2020-2026
Inclusion in Texas Super Lawyers, Thomson
Reuters, 2018 – 2025
Best Lawyers in America© Family Law Lawyer of the Year in San
Antonio, 2021 & 2023
Brian Webb Legislative Award, Texas Family Law
Foundation, 2023
Super Lawyer, Family Law Texas Monthly
Magazine, 2018-2024
Best Lawyer, Family Law, San Antonio Scene,
2006-2009, & 2011-2024
Leadership San Antonio, Steering Committee,
Class 46, 2022
Leadership San Antonio, Class #300 (43), 2018
Standing Ovation Outstanding Volunteer Award,
TexasBarCLE, 2018
50 Up-And-Coming Women Lawyers, Texas Monthly,
2017
40 Under 40, San Antonio Business Journal,
2017
Rising Star, Texas Monthly, 2006-2017
Top 30 Family Lawyers, San Antonio Scene, 2014
Belva Lockwood Outstanding Young Lawyer, Bexar
County Women’s Bar Association, 2007
San Antonio Outstanding Young Lawyer, San
Antonio Young Lawyers Association, 2006
Rising Star, San Antonio Scene, 2005-2006
AV® Preeminent Rating, Martindale-Hubbell
Articles
Why a Prenup for a Second Marriage Is More Essential Than
You Think October 2, 2025
Publications & Speeches
Panelist & Author (with K. Munsinger): Family
Law Fact or Fable: Truisms that Aren’t Actually True, Advanced Family
Law, TexasBarCLE, 2025
Panelist (with J. Shutz & B.
Stevens): Ethically Integrating Technology Into Your Practice,
American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, Costa Rica, 2025
Speaker (with Hon. Alvarado): Common
Evidentiary Mistakes, San Antonio Bar Association, San Antonio, 2025
Panelist (with L. Datz, K. Rubin, P. Wright
& R. McAngus): AI in Family Law, American Academy of
Matrimonial Lawyers, Webinar, 2025
Speaker: “Valuing Reimbursement
Claims” | Marriage Dissolution (Galveston) 2025
Speaker: Caselaw Update, Judicial Education
Conference, Georgetown, January 2025
Speaker: “Brief Focus
Child Custody Evaluations” | Advanced Family Law (San Antonio) 2024
Speaker & Author: Jury Charge,
Advanced Trial Skills for Family Lawyers, New Orleans, December 2024
Speaker and Author (with Hon. Ferguson, J.
Bashara & Hon. Graves-Harrington): Relocation Issues,
Innovations: Breaking Boundaries in Child Custody Litigation, Boerne, May 2024
Speaker: Becoming a Family Law Trial
Lawyer, Fort Worth, March 2024
Speaker: Reimbursement: It’s Easy
Again!, Family Law Essentials, Family Law Bar Association San Antonio, San
Antonio, February 2024
Speaker: Show Me the Love ‐ Legislative Update, MABA San Antonio, Membership Meeting, San
Antonio, February 2024
Speaker: “Reimbursement” |
Handling Your First Divorce (Austin) 2023
Speaker: “Unusual Child
Support Issues” | Advanced Family Law (San Antonio) 2023
Speaker: Legislative Update,
Advanced Family Law Drafting, Ft. Worth, December 2023
Speaker: Legislative Update,
Family Law Bar Association San Antonio, Membership Meeting, San Antonio, July
2023
Panelist (with J. Warne, W. Cole & G.
Beane): Legislative Update, TexasBarCLE, Austin, June 2023
Speaker & Author: Characterization,
Marriage Dissolution, Austin, April 2023
Presenter: Trial Institute Property
Day, Texas Academy of Family Law Specialists, New Orleans, February 2023
Speaker: “Trial
Technology” | Advanced Trial Skills (New Orleans) 2022
Speaker: “Reimbursement Deep
Dive” | Advanced Family Law (San Antonio) 2022
Presented (with Hon. Ferguson): Child
Support: Beyond Basics and Presumptions, 2022 Annual Judicial Education
Conference, Dallas 2022
Speaker & Author: Child Support:
Beyond the Basics, Summer School, Galveston, July 2022
Speaker: Child Support: Be Creative,
HBA Family Law Section Membership Meeting, Houston, May 2022
Panelist & Co-Author (with C. Tisdale, C.
Fritch, & S. Naylor): Marriage Dissolution, Fort Worth, April 2022
Speaker: Marital Property: Frequent
& Emerging Issues, Family Justice Conference, Texas Center for the
Judiciary, January 2022
Speaker & Author: Want to Get a
Charge: How to Get the Most Out of the Texas Pattern Jury Charges, Advanced
Family Law Drafting, San Antonio, December 2021
Panelist (with S. Pretorius, D. Morgan, B.
Vertz, J. Jackson, S. Galamba, K. Rubin, J. Lounsberry, L. Datz, P. Wright
& T. Tuft): Technology Built to Last, Webinar, American Academy
of Matrimonial Lawyers, October 2021
Panelist & Author (with Judge Kaitcer
& J. Nickelson): School Law, Marriage Dissolution, TexasBarCLE
Speaker & Author: Rights &
Duties, Handling Your First or Next Divorce, TexasBarCLE, Webinar, 2021
Speaker: Legislative Update,
Webinar, Family Law Bar San Antonio, 2021
Panelist (with M. O’Neil & M.
Unger): New Discovery Rules, Webinar, Family Law Bar San Antonio,
2021
Speaker & Author: Third‐Party Standing, Annual Judicial Education Conference, Texas
Center for the Judiciary, 2020
Panelist: (with C. Hopper, Judge Cox, & D.
Jefferson): Tips, Traps and Tricks that Help “Win” Your Case Before
Trial, Fiduciary Litigation, Converted to Webinar, 2020
Speaker & Author (with J. Bashara & J.
Gould): Cross‐Examining the Trusted Psychologist, Advanced Trial Skill for Family Lawyers, Converted
to Webinar, 2020
Speaker & Author (with Judge Marr): Pre‐School Issues, Advanced Family Law, Converted to
Webinar, 2020
Panelist (with S. Galamba, C. Haston, B. Vertz
& K. Raggio): Practice & Technology, American Academy of
Matrimonial Lawyers Webinar, May 2020
Moderator: (with S. Chiscano): SABA
Townhall District Court Operating Plan Update, San Antonio Bar Association,
July 2020
Panelist (with S. Chiscano & Judges
Alvarado, Alvarez & Diaz): Civil District Courts Virtual Hearings –
Most Common Mistakes to Avoid, San Antonio Bar Association, April 2020
Panelist (with Judges Miskel &
Ferguson): Zoom Training for Lawyers, Webinar, Family Law Section,
March 2020
Author & Speaker: Case Law Update,
Family Justice Conference, Texas Center for the Judiciary, 2020
Author & Panelist (with L. Hirsch, H. Levy
& C. Nickelson): Entities & Marital Property Law: Interrelated
Claims and Issues, Savannah, Georgia, 2019
Speaker: Ten Family Law Questions
Every In‐House Counsel Needs
Answered, Association of
Corporate Counsel Monthly Luncheon, San Antonio, 2019
Speaker (with C. Hodge), Fiduciary
& Tracing Issues in Probate & Family Law, State Bar of Texas Annual
Meeting, Austin, 2019
Panelist (with Judge Ferguson & R.
Theis), When a Lie Isn’t a Lie: Dealing with False Testimony During
Trial, Marriage Dissolution, Galveston, 2019 (Repeated as a TexasBarCLE
Live Web Cast, August 2019)
Author & Speaker (with J. Monnig), Professionalism
201, Advanced Family Law, San Antonio, 2018
Author & Panelist (with H. Levey & D.
Fejer): Difficult Valuations, Marriage Dissolution, Dallas, 2018
Author & Speaker: Case Law Update,
Family Justice Conference, Texas Center for the Judiciary, 2018
Author & Panelist (with K. Hufstetler, K.
Gilliland, and B. Jefferies): Addiction in Custody Battles,
Innovations in Child Custody, New Orleans, 2018
Author & Speaker: Drafting Rights
& Duties, Advanced Family Law Drafting, Fort Worth, 2017
Speaker: Technology for Lawyers Panel,
American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers Annual Meeting, Chicago, 2017
Author & Speaker: Rethinking
Rights & Duties, Advanced Family Law, San Antonio, 2017
Speaker: How to Love Networking Again,
Bexar County Women’s Bar Association Retreat, Boerne, 2017
Author & Speaker: Child Support: Coloring
Outside the Lines, Marriage Dissolution, Austin, 2017
Author & Speaker: Top 20 Cases in
Family Law and How They Changed the Practice, Extreme Family Law Makeover,
San Antonio Bar Association Family Law Section, San Antonio, 2017
Author & Speaker (with Judge Miskel, M.
Unger & R. Robertson): Peeping Toms in the New Millennium: Digital
Dos and Don’ts, New Frontiers in Marital Property, Louisville, Kentucky,
2016
Author & Speaker: The Top 20 Cases
in Family Law and How They Changed the Practice, Advanced Family Law, San
Antonio, 2016
Author & Speaker: What They Didn’t
Teach You in Law School – How to Run a Solo or Small Law Firm, Marriage
Dissolution 101, Galveston, 2016
Speaker (with L. McLaughlin): Where
Probate & Family Law Collide, Docket Call, San Antonio, 2016
Speaker: Mobile Lawyering,
American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers Annual Meeting, Chicago, 2015
Panelist: The Role of MHPs in Divorce,
Kids First Parents Second Seminar, San Antonio, 2015
Author & Speaker: Legislative
Update, San Antonio Family Lawyers Association, San Antonio, 2015
Author & Speaker: Ethical Traps
for Family Lawyers, Annual Meeting, San Antonio, 2015
Speaker: Third Party Actions and
Joinder, Marriage Dissolution, Dallas, 2015
Speaker: Mission Statements &
Strategic Planning, LeaderBOARD, Junior League of San Antonio, 2015
Author & Speaker: Case Law Update,
Extreme Family Makeover, San Antonio Bar Association Family Law Section, 2015
Attorney Participant: Texas Academy of Family
Law Specialists Trial Institute, New Orleans, 2015
Author & Speaker: The Mobile Law
Office, Family Law Technology 360, Austin, 2014
Speaker (with S. Bandoske): Spousal
Maintenance & the Reconstituted Estate, San Antonio Bar Association
Family Law Section CLE, 2014
Author & Speaker (with K. Raggio): The
Pleasures & Pitfalls of Social Media, Advanced Family Law, San Antonio,
2014
Author & Speaker: Ethical Traps
for Family Lawyers, Marriage Dissolution, Austin, 2014
Author & Speaker: Legislative
Update, Extreme Family Law Makeover, San Antonio Bar Association Family Law
Section, 2014
Witness Participant, Texas Academy of Family
Law Specialists Trial Institute, Witness, New Orleans, 2014
Speaker: Child Support Enforcement,
Family Law Essentials Pro Bono Seminar, San Marcos, 2013
Speaker: Office Management, Bexar
County Women’s Bar Association Annual Retreat, Fredericksburg, 2013
Speaker: Legislative Update, San
Antonio Bar Association Family Law Section, 2013
Author & Panelist (with J. Gould, L.
Kamin, and C. Schmidt): Custody Evaluations and the New Law, Marriage
Dissolution, Galveston, 2013
Speaker: Legislative Update, San
Antonio Family Lawyer’s Association, Luncheon, San Antonio, 2013
Author & Speaker: Social Media
& Your Custody Case, Advanced Family Law, Houston, 2012
Speaker: Family Law, Certification
& Mentoring, SABA Mentor/Mentee Luncheon, San Antonio, 2012
Author & Speaker (with M. Unger): The
Best Apps for Your Practice, Advanced Family Law Drafting, Dallas, 2011
Author & Speaker: Discovery Traps
& How to Get Out of Them, Advanced Family Law, San Antonio, 2011
Author & Speaker: Electronic
Discovery in the Age of Honza & Weekly, Marriage Dissolution, San
Antonio, 2010
Author & Speaker: Narrowing the
Issues, Ultimate Trial Notebook, San Antonio, 2009
Speaker: Jurisdiction, Family Law
Essentials Pro Bono CLE, Eagle Pass, 2009
Author & Speaker: Interim Orders,
Advanced Family Law Drafting, Austin, 2008
Speaker: Economic Contribution and
Reimbursement, Texas Academy of Paralegal Specialists, San Antonio, 2008
Author & Speaker: Attorney’s Fees
and Billing, State Bar College Summer School, Galveston, 2008
Panelist (with H. Mendez & J.
Monnig): Jury in a Box, Marriage Dissolution, Galveston, 2008
Author (with H. Mendez): Ten Things
You Should Know About a Jury Trial, Marriage Dissolution, 2008
Panelist: Current Trends and Problems
in Family & Civil Litigation, San Antonio Bar Association, San Antonio,
2005
Author (with C. Wilson): Characterizing
& Tracing: Follow the Yellow Brick Road, Advanced Family Law, 2004
Author (with C. Negem): Identifying,
Characterizing and Valuing the Marital Estate, Legal Assistants University,
2003
Professional Associations
The American College of Family Trial Lawyers,
2026 – Present
Diplomate
American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, 2014
– Present
National Involvement:
Practice & Technology Committee,
2014-2024
*Committee Co-Chair, 2023-2025
Web Site Committee, 2018-2022
*Committee Co-Chair, 2022-2023
Speaker for Mid-Year Meeting, 2025
Membership Committee, 2020-2022
Speaker for Tech Webinar, 2021
Rebranding Committee, 2020
Speaker for Tech Webinar, 2020
Speaker for Annual Meeting, Chicago, 2017
Speaker for Annual Meeting, Chicago, 2015
Legislative Committee, 2014-2015
Texas Chapter Involvement:
Board of Examiners, 2019 – 2026
Immediate Past President, Texas Chapter ,
2023-2024
President, Texas Chapter, 2022‐2023
President-Elect, Texas Chapter, 2021-2022
Vice-President, Texas Chapter, 2020-2021
Secretary, Texas Chapter, 2019 – 2020
Treasurer, Texas Chapter, 2018 – 2019
Course Director, Innovations in Child Custody
Law, (Chicago), 2022
American Bar Association, 2002 ‐ 2012
Young Lawyer’s Division Conference Attendee,
Miami, 2005
Member of the Family Law Section, since 2002
Bexar County Women’s Bar Association, 2002 –
Present
Belva Lockwood Selection Committee, 2025
Speaker, 2017 Retreat
Vice-President, 2009
Secretary, 2008
Elected, Director, 2005-2007
Auction Committee Advisor, Autumn Affair, 2010
Financial Chair, Bench Brunch Goes Prime Time,
2009
Financial Chair, Bench Brunch Goes Prime Time,
2008
Printing Chair, Bench Brunch, 2007
Bench Brunch Chair, 2006
Auction Chair, Bench Brunch, 2005
Auction Chair, Bench Brunch, 2004
Auction Committee, Bench Brunch, 2003
Children’s Commission Standards of
Representation Committee
Collaborative Professionals of San Antonio,
2013 – Present
College of the State Bar of Texas, 2003 –
Present
St. Mary’s Law Alumni Association, 2002 –
Present
Director, 2005–2017
Bylaws Committee, 2015-2016
Distinguished Graduate Dinner, Committee, 2015
& 2016
Distinguished Graduate Dinner, Table Sales
Co-Chair, 2014
Awards Committee, 2011-2015
Finance Committee, 2010-2013
Distinguished Young Alumni Committee, 2010
Secretary, 2008-2009
Treasurer, 2006-2008
San Antonio Bar Association, 2002 – Present
Board of Directors, 2024-2026 & 2008-2010
Law Day Chair, 2025
SABA Gala Committee, 2017
Bylaws Committee Chair, 2009
Nominating Committee, 2007
District Courts Committee, 2003-2012
Installation Gala Committee, 2008 & 2005
Unauthorized Practice of Law Committee,
2006-2007
Ex-Officio Member of the Board of Directors,
2005-2006
Courting Justice Committee, 2005
Law Day Committee, 2005
Member of Family Law Section, since 2002
San Antonio Bar Association, Community Justice
Program
Volunteer Mentor, 2007-2017
CJP Committee, 2009-2011
Volunteer Attorney, 5 Cases
San Antonio Bar Foundation Fellow, 2006 –
Present
San Antonio Family Lawyers Association, 2010 –
Present
Past President, 2019-2020
Elected, President, 2018‐2019
Elected, Treasurer, 2010-2018
San Antonio Young Lawyers Association, 2002 –
2013
Immediate Past President, 2006-2007
Elected, President, 2005‐2006
Elected, President-Elect, 2004-2005
Appointed, Chair Counselors & Cocktails,
2004
Appointed, Committee Member, First Annual
Counselors & Cocktails, 2003
State Bar of Texas, Generally, 2002 – Present
Annual Meeting Co-Chair, 2025
Chair of Chairs, 2024-2025
Annual Meeting Planning Committee, 2011
Bar Leader Conference Attendee, 2005 Dallas
Bar Leader Conference Attendee, 2004 The
Woodlands
Member, Women and the Law Section
Member, Litigation Section
Member, Technology Section
Member, Family Law Section
State Bar of Texas, Family Law Council, 2009 –
Present
Immediate Past Chair, 2021-2022
Elected, Chair, 2020‐2021
Elected, Chair-Elect, 2019-2020
Elected, Vice-Chair, 2018-2019
Elected, Treasurer, 2017-2018
Elected, Secretary, 2016-2017
Re-Elected Board Member, Class of 2016 (2-year
Term)
Elected Board Member, Class of 2014 (5-year
Term)
CLE Committee, 2023-2024
Web Site Chair, 2010-2024
Legislative Committee, 2009-2019
Awards & Scholarship Committee, Assistant
Chair, 2015-2019
Section History & Archives Committee,
2013-2017
Membership & Member Services Committee,
2013-2016
State Bar of Texas, Grievance Committee,
District 10, Panel 1, 2014 – 2020
Panel 1 Chair, 2018-2020
State Bar of Texas, Pattern Jury Charge
Committee, Estates & Family Law, 2015 – Present
Texas Bar Foundation, 2012 – Present
Texas Bar Foundation Trustee, 2023 – 2026
2025 Chair Dan Rugley Price Selection
Committee
2025 Finance and Investment Committee
2024 Samuel Pessarra Selection Committee
2024 Best Law Review Selection Committee
2024 Dan Rugley Price Selection Committee
District 10 Nominating Committee, 2013 &
2016
Sustaining Life Fellow
Texas Board of Legal Specialization – Board of
Directors, 2017 – 2023
Member Services and Public Awareness
Committee, 2018-2019
Family Law Standards Revision Committee, 2017
Texas Board of Legal Specialization – Judicial
Administration Task Force, 2024
Texas Academy of Family Law Specialists, 2010
– Present
Elected, President‐Elect, 2024
Elected, Vice-President, 2023
Elected, Secretary, 2022
Elected, Treasurer, 2021
Elected, Board of Directors, 2015–2020
Trial Institute Co-Director, Charleston, South
Carolina, 2016
Texas Family Law Foundation, 2008 – Present
Board of Directors, 2021-2025
Co-Chair, Legislative Committee, 88th &
89th Legislative Sessions
Appointed, Bill Oversight Committee, 82 -89th
Legislative Sessions
Lobbyist Volunteer, 82 -89th Legislative
Sessions
Website Committee, 2021-2024
Auction Committee, 2013-2016
Contributing Author: Predicates Manual Update,
2012
Sustaining Fellow, since 2014
American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, Texas Family Law Foundation; San Antonio Bar Foundation; Texas Bar Foundation
(Board Certified, Family Law, Texas Board of Legal Specialization)
