Deanna L. Whitley | San Antonio Lawyer | The Whitley Law Firm, P.C.

deanna whitley san antonio divorce attorney

Education and Licensure

In 1989, Ms. Whitley earned a Bachelor of Arts in History from Texas A&M University. In 1992, she graduated from St. Mary’s University School of Law as the outstanding criminal law student in her class winning the prestigious Woodley Award. At St. Mary’s School of Law, she was selected to the National Dean’s List, St. Mary’s School of Law Dean’s List, won American Jurisprudence Awards, and was a research and teaching assistant in Constitutional and Criminal Law.

Experience

Ms. Whitley began her legal career in 1992 as a criminal defense attorney at the firm of Nicholas and Barrera in San Antonio, Texas. There, she worked on high profile, complex criminal law cases including appeals. She also represented clients facing the death penalty. Thereafter, Ms. Whitley transitioned to the practice of family law. In 2011, the Fourth Court of Appeals chose a case argued by Ms. Whitley as one of the twelve (12) most significant cases of the year.

In 2013, Ms. Whitley established her own family law firm in San Antonio, Texas. Ms. Whitley was selected by Martindale-Hubbell for the Bar Register of Preeminent Lawyers in the United States. SA Scene Magazine selected Ms. Whitley as Best Lawyers in San Antonio: Family Law. Ms. Whitley also won the AVVO Client Choice Award and Top Contributor Award for 2013.

In 2014, the Whitley Law Firm filed two cases of first impression. Deanna L. Whitley filed the first same-sex divorce in state court in Bexar County, Texas. This landmark case is receiving national attention because it asserts issues of first impression in the United States. The second case is a suit to adjudicate the paternity of a transgender father. Oral argument was presented in this case to the Fourth Court of Appeals in February 2015, and is currently being litigated.

American Inns of Court, Member
Texas Bar Foundation, Fellow
State Bar College, Member
San Antonio Chapter of the Federal Bar Association, Member
International Academy of Collaborative Professionals
Pro Bono College, Member
St. Mary’s University School of Law Alumni Association
Texas A&M University Former Students Association
2011: Fourth Court of Appeals selected case argued by Ms. Whitley one of the twelve most significant cases of the year.
2014: Argued First Same-Sex Divorce in Bexar County District Court
2015: Argued Paternity Suit of First Impression chosen as noteworthy cases in 2016-2017
Associate: Nicholas & Barrera
State Bar of Texas
- Appellate Practice & Advocacy Section
- Family Law Section
- LGBT Section
- Individual Rights and Responsibilities Section
- Alternative Dispute Resolution
- Criminal Justice

Awards and Recognition

deanna whitley best family lawyer
In 2015, Ms. Whitley was selected as a fellow of the Texas Bar Foundation.

Each year fellowship in the Texas Bar Foundation is limited to 1/3 of 1% of licensed attorneys. Election to the Fellows of the Texas Bar Foundation is one of the highest honors that can be bestowed upon a member of the State Bar of Texas. Nomination is based on your outstanding contributions to the legal profession as well as your commitment to your community.

- Martindale-Hubbell,The Bar Register of Preeminent Lawyers,2009,2010
- S.A. Scene Magazine-Best Lawyers in San Antonio, Family Law, every year since 2008

san antonio top family lawyer 2022

Super Lawyer 2016

Deanna L. Whitley

Memberships and Affiliations

Fellow, State Bar Foundation
State Bar of Texas

Appellate Practice & Advocacy Section
Family Law Section
LGBT Section
Individual Rights and Responsibilities Section
Alternative Dispute Resolution
Criminal Justice
Juvenile Law
School Law
San Antonio Bar Association, Member
St. Mary’s University School of Law Alumni Association
Texas A&M University Former Students Association
Human Rights Campaign
American Civil Liberties Union
Collaborative Professionals of San Antonio
International Academy of Collaborative Professionals

Community

Y.M.C.A. Basketball Coach

If you would like to schedule a consultation with Deanna Whitley, please contact us.

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This web site is designed for general information only. The information presented on this site should not be construed as legal advice nor the formation of an attorney-client relationship.

cait womack

21:40 14 Mar 18

Top tier law firm. Small firm that does BIG work. Smart, and innovative. I needed help organizing the assets of a family farm. Wanting to expand farm business but not open the business up to liability now or family disputes down the road. The team came up with strategies and ideas I had never considered. Also pointed out areas I was leaving wide open for future problems.Couldn't be happier with the work. Good team effort. Great outcome.

james dohford

03:12 19 Mar 18

The Whitley Law Firm represented us in a particularly lengthy custody battle. They represented us through some dramatic twists and turns but were able to come up with legal strategies to make the best of a bad situation. Their personal commitment along with some great legal maneuvering was truly remarkable.

Donna Major

21:37 11 Oct 17

I finally found the light at the end of the tunnel with the help of Deanna! She is a GOD SEND. My divorce took me 2 years of ups and downs. I was so devastated and so lost in the beginning, unsure, not knowing where to turn. I am so grateful to have Deanna and her legal team represent me in my case. My case was not a simple divorce case. She was able to maneuver confidently in the courtroom while giving me peace. She comes up with creative strategies that helped me. I know she made some suggestions to me pertaining to my case that I didn’t understand at the time why she was recommending it, but boy am I glad I listened to her.Before I decided to hire Deanna, I have gone through a vigorous process of interviewing a dozen of attorneys. None of the attorneys that I have interviewed could give me the assurance that I would get the best representation. It wasn’t until I made a consultation with Deanna to discuss my case that I knew I made the right choice. I listened to my heart and I knew she was the right attorney to represent my children and I. The divorce itself was so painful; Deanna is a well-seasoned attorney who has practice family law for a very long time. I honestly took a leap of faith with her. One thing I can say is that Deanna and her legal team really does care for their clients on a personal level. I was treated with dignity and respect even when I was an emotional wreck. In fact, I got everything I wanted in my divorce with the help of Deanna. I am so grateful for this! I will say that yes the firm gets really busy so some of the steps that I took to help my case:- Get organized!!!!- I put all documents in a document protectors and in a binder- I also put sticky notes of events to explain documents- I made 2 copies. One for me, the other for attorney to ensure we both had corresponding documents- I had a character list of all parties involved. I.e.: Karol=my mom etc.- I had a timeline of all the significant events that occurred & typed it out on word DOC. If new situations occurred I revised word doc and resubmitted. Timeline is ex: Summer 2017… Spring 2017. This happened… I am very happy with my decision. If you need a strong attorney who will go above and beyond for you and actually cares about you, call the Whitley Law Firm. You will not regret it! This firm is awesome, I feel like they are family!!! Thank you Mrs. Whitley and the whole legal team from the bottom of my heart.. May God bless you all and your future endeavors.-

randi hooper

19:28 01 Mar 17

I would like to thank everyone at this firm! I have had the best care going threw a divorce is hard and everyone here at the firm is always there to answer questions or get me what I need! I have recommended the Whitley law firm to several friends and will continue to recommend them to who ever is in need when needing the best on your side there it!! Thank you once again for all you do!

Diane Ramirez

14:01 23 May 18

They were very good and so nice and very very helpful. That's the first time I've ever seen lawers and paralegal be so understanding and human.

Mylene Mackey

00:28 24 May 18

This firm was exactly what I needed at this point in my life. The staff is incredibly attentive and thoughtful, and they are well prepared and thorough. Have had previous bad experiences with lawyers, and this place has cured my reluctance completely. They are professional, prepared, and compassionate. Highly recommend!

22:36 10 Sep 18

Top tier law firm. Small firm that does BIG work.

Joshua Perales

23:31 26 Mar 19

Great people. Very helpful and honest. Costs more than other places but so far just their help and understanding has been worth it. Thank you Whitley law firm!

Veronica Baldwin

16:03 05 Aug 19

Mr. Whitney is very honest&does what he is paid to do.

Blake Tatsch

20:09 22 Aug 19

Great and honest people!

18:22 03 Sep 19

I finally found the light at the end of the tunnel with the help of Deanna! She is a GOD SEND. My divorce took me 2 years of ups and downs. I was so devastated and so lost in the beginning, unsure, not knowing where to turn. I am so grateful to have Deanna and her legal team represent me in my case. My case was not a simple divorce case. She was able to maneuver confidently in the courtroom while giving me peace. She came up with creative strategies that helped me. I know she made some suggestions to me pertaining to my case that I didn’t understand at the time why she was recommending it, but boy am I glad I listened to her.Before I decided to hire Deanna, I have gone through a vigorous process of interviewing a dozen of attorneys. None of the attorneys that I have interviewed could give me the assurance that I would get the best representation. It wasn’t until I made a consultation with Deanna to discuss my case that I knew I made the right choice. I listened to my heart and I knew she was the right attorney to represent my children and I. The divorce itself was so painful; Deanna is a well-seasoned attorney who has practiced family law for a very long time. I honestly took a leap of faith with her. One thing I can say is that Deanna and her legal team really does care for their clients on a personal level. I was treated with dignity and respect even when I was an emotional wreck. In fact, I got everything I wanted in my divorce with the help of Deanna. I am so grateful for this! I will say that yes the firm gets really busy so some of the steps that I took to help my case:- Get organized!!!!- I put all documents in a document protectors and in a binder- I also put sticky notes of events to explain documents- I made 2 copies. One for myself, and the other for attorney to ensure we both had corresponding documents- I had a character list of all parties involved. I.e.: Karol=my mom etc.- I had a timeline of all the significant events that occurred & typed it out on word DOC. If new situations occurred I revised word doc and resubmitted. Timeline is ex: Summer 2017… Spring 2017. This happened… I am very happy with my decision. If you need a strong attorney who will go above and beyond for you and actually cares about you, call The Whitley Law Firm. You will not regret it! This firm is awesome, I feel like they are family!!! Thank you Mrs. Whitley and the whole legal team from the bottom of my heart.. May God bless you all and your future endeavors.-

Carolina Esparza

18:44 08 Sep 19

Great service and acts quickly!

Maxim Skoromnov

01:52 15 Sep 19

I want to thank The Whitley Law Firm for the service provided.I was searching among numerous divorce firms and selected this one based on the other people’s positive reviews; and it appeared was the right choice. The Whitley Law Firm implemented its job in a professional manner. They represented me in the court. Once they started leading my case, I was constantly receiving the updated on the status of my divorce process and I got my final divorce decree in a short period of time.Having had a positive experience with The Whitley Law Firm, I would highly recommend this legal firm if you need a qualified service.

Kenneth Foster

01:29 11 Jan 20

First of all, I would like to say that I have been represented by Ms. Whitley, and her associates, for over 7 years now. They have always been professional and very caring. They all poured their hearts into my case, and for that I thank every one of them. Ms. Whitley is an amazing family lawyer, and is very knowledgeable in her field. She navigated the courtroom with the grace of a ballroom dancer, and the tenacity of an Olympian going for the win. When I saw her work for the first time, I knew she was the best! She took into account every bit of evidence that we had and presented everything that was necessary based on the situation.Now, for this matter involving my ex-wife posting this bogus review. She has a habit of harassing whomever she doesn't like. Especially if they go against what she wants. In the last week, she has filed 2 false child protective services complaints against me, and has had the police at my house only to find that everything is perfectly fine. These actions ended up interrupting my son's school day twice, and causing him undue stress. She has called people in my chain of command making outrageous allegations, and has even made fake profiles to message my wife and family. This is just a small part of what we have had to deal with over the years.I don't think that there is anyone that would have fought for my child the way Ms. Whitley has. I would absolutely recommend her to anyone who would want a lawyer that will fight for your child as if they were their own.

Tricia Chisholm

17:09 27 Jan 20

My mom originally hired The Whitley Law Firm in 2018 and I attended court with her. Mrs. Whitley was incredible. She is not only kind and compassionate, but she is confident, competent and a woman of her word. I have since hired her for my own case and look forward to moving on to the next chapter with her by my side!The ladies on her staff are nothing short of incredible. They keep in contact and make everything less stressful than it already is. I am so thankful I found this Practice and will recommend them to everyone I can!Keep up the great work team!

Heather Barragan

13:48 27 Feb 20

Great advice, but pricey, I would strongly recommend if you have the money

James Warner

20:03 28 Jul 20

Deanna L. Whitley and Dallas E. Olsen are exceptionally talented litigators, as well as ethical and compassionate professionals, who zealously represented me in a divorce proceeding. They are very responsive to client questions and concerns. Given their diligence, persistence and skill, they obtained an expedited setting to finalize my divorce, despite the time restrictions imposed by COVID-19. Their deft, experienced staff frequently updated me on my divorce progress, even during after hours and weekends. Divorce is traumatic. It is deeply troubling. However, when represented by wise and bright lawyers, like Deanna and Dallas, the client is confident that his or her rights will be aggressively promoted. I was always prepared, by the attorneys and staff. My concerns were allayed, because I received prompt learned counsel. Altogether, I hold The Whitley Law Firm, PC in the highest regard, recommending them as the most skilled, proficient and knowledgeable family law attorneys in San Antonio, Texas and surrounding areas.

Jessica Gomez

17:09 28 Jul 20

I would recommend Deanna & the entire Whitley Law Firm staff thousands of times over if I could. In February 2020, I received an offer for my dream job - which was out of state. I attempted to compromise with my daughter's father, but my attempts failed & ended in him telling me if I wanted to take the job and keep my daughter, we'd have to go to court. After a decade of the bullying, manipulation & using my daughter as a pawn & a means to control, I had enough. This was an opportunity that would change the trajectory of my career and the quality of my daughter's life, as well as future opportunities. So, I began my search for a lawyer. I prayed that God would guide me in my search & that I would know who to hire. After dozens of phone calls to multiple offices, I called The Whitley Law Firm & a beautiful soul named Cait picked up the phone. After dozens of calls to people who were clearly uninterested in my life changing event, when Cait answered the phone - there was finally someone on the other end of the line who cared enough to listen. She then went a step further, telling me to take a deep breath, explaining that she herself is a mom & she knew what I was going through. And then proceeding to tell me that - although she couldn't guarantee anything, she'd been doing this a long time & thought I was in a good spot & a conversation with Ms. Whitley and her team would confirm that. So, I scheduled the call & hired the firm.BEST. Decision. EVER.Lonie worked with me on the day to day correspondence, but Deanna was involved every step of the way.Ultimately, we were able to settle out of court the day we were scheduled for our hearing & I got everything I requested in my counter offer.Our lives are forever changed by Deanna, Loni, Cait & the expertise & professionalism of the entire Whitley Law Firm staff.I hope I never have to hire another family law attorney, but there isn't anyone else that I would hire to represent me & fight for my family.If you are still on the fence about hiring Deanna after seeing these reviews, here is what I can tell you is absolute TRUTH... You may not be sure that this is the right firm for you, but you can be 100% ABSOLUTELY SURE that you do NOT want her representing the person on the other side of the court room.

Jennifer Lammers

17:59 22 Feb 21

They have done an excellent and professional job handling my divorce case. I have felt supported and that my concerns were heard and understood. Ms. Whitley and her staff have been honest with me about things worth the costs of pursuing vs those that were not financially in my best interest, which I appreciate, and have been zealous advocates on my behalf when the need has arisen. If you want professional, supportive, and honest representation, I can’t recommend them enough.

Celeste Ott

18:35 22 Feb 21

The Whitley Law Firm has been thorough and responsive from the beginning of my divorce a few years ago up to presently needing a modification. I didn’t hesitate to request their assistance a second time when the need arose. Their office is staffed by detail oriented professionals who diligently took care to make a difficult process as smooth as possible; I highly recommend them.

Andrea Lanzen

15:30 25 Mar 21

Miss Whitley dug me out of hole and was able to get a previously horrible lawyer off of the case. She acted quickly to reverse what was turning into a very bad outcome. In the end the truth was revealed, and my ex realized he would not get away with lying in court with my current lawyer.

Matthew Gray

12:13 05 May 21

I recently worked with Lopez and his team and couldn't be happier with my services! Professional and helpful in so many ways. Lopez and team took the time to make me feel comfortable and at ease. He was able to walk me through the process in a way that helped me understand all my options. A very positive outcome overall for all involved.

Julia Stemley

06:59 24 Aug 21

I really didn’t know what to expect, when I walked into the office of “ The Womack Law Firm “, Mrs. Cait was engaging, attentive and very knowledgeable. She spoke and wore confidence, self assurance and professionalism as a badge of honor. Those ladies are a “ Power house “ !

Maryn Young

23:28 04 Oct 21

Wow, these attorneys and advocates are compassionate and know their craft. Would reccomend to my friends and family

shabbychic45 Michele Cobb

16:58 15 Jun 22

I called the law firm to see if they would be able to help with my sister's divorce proceedings as their website mentioned pro bono. The lady I spoke to (I wish I remembered her name) was upfront with their pricing and explained to me that pro bono is only for criminal and not civil. However, she gave me some great resources and great advice about how to ask for a continuance and how to ask the judge if I can speak on my sister's behalf. She spent at least 10 minutes with me on the phone and I could tell she really cared. She didn't have to do that, but I'm so very grateful for her help. Even though I wasn't able to use this firm, I could tell from my short conversation that this firm is truly about the best interest of their client and they go the extra mile. They are a bit pricier than other firms. However, if my conversation was any example of the service you would receive, and you want the best to represent you, I believe they're worth every penny!

Donna M

01:26 08 Jun 22

I finally found the light at the end of the tunnel with the help of Deanna! She is a GOD SEND! My divorce took me 2 years of ups and downs. I was so devastated and so lost in the beginning. I was unsure, not knowing where to turn. I am so grateful to have Deanna and her legal team represent me in my case. My case was not a simple divorce case. She was able to maneuver confidently in the courtroom while giving me reassurance and peace. She came up with creative strategies that helped me. I know she made some suggestions to me pertaining to my case that I didn’t understand at the time why she was recommending it, but I am so glad I listened to her.Before I decided to hire Deanna, I have gone through a vigorous process of interviewing a dozen of attorneys. None of the attorneys that I have interviewed could give me the assurance that I would get the best representation. It wasn’t until I made a consultation with Deanna to discuss my case that I knew I made the right choice. I listened to my heart and I knew she was the right attorney to represent my children and I. The divorce itself was so painful; Deanna is a well-seasoned attorney who has practiced family law for a very long time. I honestly took a leap of faith with her. One thing I can say is that Deanna and her legal team, they really do care for their clients on a personal level. I was treated with dignity and respect even when I was an emotional wreck.I am so grateful for Deanna and her whole legal team! I will say that yes the firm gets really busy. So, some of the steps that I took to help my case:- Get organized!!!!- I put all documents in document protectors and in a binder- I also put sticky notes of events to explain the documents- I made 2 copies. One for myself, and the other for the attorney. This was to ensure we both had corresponding documents- I had a character list of all parties involved. I.e.: Karol=my mom etc.- I had a timeline of all the significant events that occurred & typed it out on word DOC. If new situations occurred I revised the word doc and resubmitted it.-Timeline is ex: Summer 2017… Spring 2017. This happened…I am very happy with my decision. If you need a strong attorney who will go above and beyond for you and actually cares about you, call The Whitley Law Firm. You will not regret it! This firm is awesome, I feel like they are family!!! Thank you Mrs. Whitley and the whole legal team from the bottom of my heart! May God bless you all and your future endeavors.-

Kimberly Madrid

03:33 10 May 23

1000% the best lawyers in South Texas! I cannot even begin to express the amount of gratitude my children and I have for these ladies and the entire staff. From the secretary, the billing coordinator, the paralegals, to the lawyers themselves answered all of my questions to my confusion when I was going through an ugly divorce. They gave me the strength and the fire I needed to get through this devastating time in our lives because I was so lost, broken and weak, but not anymore. They answered my phone calls on the weekends, returned my emails, and answered my personal text messages when I needed them. They represented me with class, and the intelligence that most would not understand. All of these ladies made me feel comfortable, safe, and let me know that I was no longer alone anymore. They took half of my money down upfront and let me pay the rest in payments because I am a single mother now. Whitley Law Firm is hands down the place to go if you want to win your case!Sincerely,Kimberly Madrid

Monica ybanez

13:51 10 May 23

I cannot express how happy I am with this law firm. The immediate action taken. Very responsive theses ladies handle business. Everyone Ive spoken to are soo helpful within law firm.

Lyka Shane Gongora

16:26 20 Jul 24

After struggling with my case for nearly two years, I had the good fortune of having Ms. Deanna take over. She is the most exceptional attorney I have ever encountered. Her extensive knowledge and unwavering ethical standards, along with those of her entire legal team, Ms. Sandy, Ms. Cait, & Ms. April, are truly impressive. Ms. Deanna handled my case with the utmost respect and made me feel like part of her family. From our very first meeting, I knew she was the only attorney I could trust with my case. Although I regret not hiring her sooner, I am immensely thankful for the positive outcome she achieved. I highly recommend The Whitley Law Firm—don't hesitate to seek their assistance.

Steve Martinez JR

16:54 14 Aug 23

Amazing team!! I am very please by their timely manner in handling my Divorce case.The Whitley Law Firm is the true definition of professionalism. Thank you so much for being on my side and treating me like family.High recommend! You will be more then satisfied.