With more than 4 decades practicing law, 10 of which were spent as a Family Court District Judge in Dallas County, Craig Fowler is one of the most respected and feared lawyers practicing family law in North Texas. He is an experienced and aggressive family lawyer who is passionate about protecting the rights of his clients. He handles complex family law matters, often involving millions of dollars in property.

Craig has been Board Certified in family law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization since 1975. He has represented hundreds of family law clients. His background includes jury trials, and appearances in the Court of Appeals and before the Texas Supreme Court.

Craig was a founding attorney in the area of alternative dispute resolution. He was one of the very first attorneys to become a mediator, and has taught mediation classes to other lawyers and professionals since the early 1990′s.

Craig’s depth of experience in the adversary system gives him a unique insight into the impact of this system on children and families and equips him with unique versatility which enables him to handle any particular case according to the desires of the client, whether it is by trial, negotiated settlement, mediation or the collaborative process.

Craig has the knowledge and experience to handle the most complex issues in family law today and offer creative alternatives to the uncertainty of a courtroom resolution. He believes in thorough preparation of each case which gives the client the best chance for a favorable outcome whether it is by settlement and early resolution or by a contested trial.

Craig is committed to the principles of civility, professionalism, ethics and legal excellence. He was the founding President of the Annette Stewart American Inn of Court and in 2004 received its highest honor of selection to the Serjeants Inn. He has lectured frequently on various family law matters to a variety of professional organizations. Craig received his bachelors degree in Business Administration from Texas Christian University and his Law Degree from the University of Houston.

Education:
Texas Christian University, BBA
University of Houston, J.D.

Licensed:
Texas 1965

Specializations:
Board Certified in Family Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization since 1975
Trained Mediator and Collaborative Law Attorney
Public Service: 255th District Court Judge, 1998 – 2007

Memberships:
State Bar Family Law Council (1979-1983);
Fellow- American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers (1993 – 2007)
Fellow- State Bar Foundation
Member – Dallas Family Violence Prevention Council
Member – Dallas County Task Force on Domestic Violence
Member – Target: Kids in Court, Government & Procedure Committee
Member – State Bar Committee on Legal Assistants
Member – South Texas College of Law, Judicial Advisory Board
Chairman – ADR Section of Dallas Bar Association, 1996
Member – Family Place Planning Committee – 2000
Member – Wm. M. “Mac” Taylor Inn of Court; 1997-2001
President – Annette Stewart Inn of Court, 2003-2005
Member – Dallas County Juvenile Board and Charter School Board; 2005-2007

Awards:
Outstanding Judicial Pro Bono Service, DBA, 2001,
Distinguished Judicial Pro Bono Service, DBA, 2003
Meritorious Pro Bono Service Award, DBA, 1986
Member, Serjeant’s Inn of American Inns of Court

Mediation •
1989 – acquired 40 hour basic mediation training with Leviton & Greenstone
• 1990 – received 40 hour training in court annexed mediation from Dallas Bar Association.
• 1991 – served as trainer for Dallas Bar Association with focus on family law mediation.
• 1992 – 1996 developed and delivered 24 hour family mediation training for AM Institute.
• 1994-1995- co-developed and delivered family mediation training for the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers.
• Certified Mediator by American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers
• 1990 – 1998 – mediated over 400 civil and family law cases.
• 1998 – 2003 – served as family mediation trainer for J & L Human Systems Development.
• 2009 – received Collaborative Law training (Basic Course)

CLE Activities
Dallas Bar Association Mediation Trainer, (1991,1992); Attorney Mediator’s Institute Basic & Family Law Mediation Trainer, (1991-1996); Author, “Attorney’s Fees and How to Avoid the Big Fee.” Advanced Family Law Course, 1978; “Handling Pre-judgment Custody, Attachment, Abuse and Threats to Child,” 1979 Legal Assistants Family Law Seminar; “Mediation in the Family Courts,” DBA Mediation Training (1991); “Identifying Wants and Needs of Clients in Family Law & Exploring Possible Reconciliation,” National Business Institute on Effective Family Law Practice, (1993); “Bankruptcy & Family Law, Legal Assistants Family Law Seminar, 1996; “View From the Bench,” Advanced Family Law Course, 1998; Valuing “goodwill” of Closely Held Business, American Society of Appraisers, 2005.

For a consultation with a lawyer at Hammerle Finley, please contact us online or call one of our offices:

Dallas 214 363-9300
Lewisville 972-436-9300
Denton 940-383-9300
Corinth 972-434-4500
Plano 972 -423-3000