The Royalls - A Professional Corporation -- Adoptions
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     The Royalls, A Professional Corporation is a Texas professional corporation engaged in the private practice of law. The firm concentrates its practice in the field of Family Law with special emphasis on Adoptions and the resolution of family issues through Collaborative Law Procedures and other forms of Alternative Dispute Resolution

     The firm enjoys Martindale-Hubbell Legal Directory's highest rating of AV which "indicates very high to preeminent legal ability and very high ethical standards as established by confidential opinions from members of the Bar". Donald R. Royall has been selected for inclusion in all editions of the book The Best Lawyers in America since 1983.

     Both members of the firm, Donald R. Royall and Melody B. Royall are Board Certified in Family Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization.

Donald R. Royall     Donald R. Royall was licensed to practice law in 1961, and has been in private practice ever since. He entered the adoption arena representing a licensed child placing agency in 1965, and has been actively engaged in that practice, and a leader in that field for over 35 years.

     Mr. Royall was one of the principal drafters of the termination and adoption statutes that first appeared in the Texas Family Code in 1974, and continued to play an active role in the development of that legislation for many years.

     Mr. Royall was elected to the leadership of the Family Law Section of The State Bar of Texas in 1972, and served as Chairman of the Family Law Council from 1978 through 1980. He is currently a member of the Council of Past Chairs, as well as an active member of several standing committees of the Council.

     As Chairman of the Family Law Advisory Commission of the Texas Board of Legal Specialization from 1975 to 1980, he was directly involved in the establishment of criteria for certification of attorneys in the field of family law. As Chairman of the Board of Family Law Examiners he drafted, as well as graded, all or major portions of the Family Law Specialization Exam each year from 1975 through 1981. He has been a frequent author and lecturer throughout his legal career, freely sharing his experience and knowledge with his colleagues. A sampling of his continuing contributions to the profession can be viewed by referring to the Articles page.

     Mr. Royall is a member of The American Academy of Adoption Attorneys; a Fellow of The American Academy Of Matrimonial Lawyers; a Master Emeritus, Houston Chapter of The American Inns Of Court, Family Law Inns; member of the Texas Association of Family Law Specialists; member and past president of the Gulf Coast Family Law Specialists. He is also a founding member and Chairman of Collaborative Family Lawyers of Houston.

     Mr. Royall was honored to be the recipient of the Sam S. Emison Award for meritorious contributions to Family Law, conferred by the Texas Academy of Family Law specialists in 1991, as well as the David Gibson Award for professionalism and excellence in the practice of Family Law presented by the Gulf Coast Family Law Specialists in 1994, and the Frank G. Evans Family Law Mediator of the Year Award presented at South Texas College of Law in 1999. Few Texas lawyers have ever been so honored in this field.

Melody Royall      Melody Royall joined her father's firm in November 1984. From the very beginning her practice has been confined to the area of family law. After five short years of practicing law, she had enough experience in the area of family law to sit for the specialization exam. In 1990 Melody was Board Certified in Family Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. In December, 1994 she became a trained mediator and as such has helped others resolve their cases without the necessity of a trial.

     Melody's contributions to family law have been numerous. She is a frequent lecturer for the State Bar of Texas. While most of her teaching is in the area or adoption, she has also lectured on various procedural and evidentiary topics. In addition to writing and presenting papers to help others learn how to be better lawyers, Melody has been an active member of the Form Book Committee. This committee drafts the forms used by most family lawyers in their practices. Every time the legislature meets and changes the laws, then these forms must be revised to comply with the new law.

     In 1994 Melody was the Editor of the Family Law Forum, which was a monthly newsletter for the members of the Texas Academy of Family Law Specialists. She is also a member of the Gulf Coast Family Law Specialists. Currently Melody is a Member of the Family Law Council, which is the governing body of the Family Law Section of the State Bar of Texas. In 1993 Melody became a member of the prestigious American Academy of Adoption Attorneys.


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