Being a lawyer was always on the horizon for Liz as a natural outgrowth of her zeal for fairness and justice. Liz is committed to helping clients achieve their goals, whether it’s protecting themselves or their loved ones or tailoring a solution to a unique set of legal needs. Liz focuses on problem solving that addresses the client’s needs without compromising on the right solution. She has successfully navigated clients through complex conflicts involving large trusts and estates. Above all else, her clients reap the benefits of her skill, personal investment, and dedication.
Prior to joining BAJB, Liz’s practice focused primarily on public policy and public interest. She has maintained a commitment to public service throughout her career, whether clerking for public interest organizations in law school, providing pro bono legal services as a licensed attorney, or serving on boards and commissions. Prior to law school, Liz dedicated a year to public service as an Americorp VISTA. In law school, Liz served as the Editor-in-Chief of a law journal, the Texas Journal of Civil Liberties and Civil Rights.
Liz has appeared in a variety of media outlets including CNN, the Texas Observer, and KVUE news.
Awards
- Austin LGBT Bar Association’s Annual Award of Excellence
- Austin’s Top Attorney 2020, Austin Monthly
Education
- University of Texas School of Law (J.D.), 2003
- University of Texas (B.A. in Government), 1996
Licenses & Certifications:
- United States Supreme Court, 2019
- State Bar of Texas, 2003
- Attorney ad Litem (Guardianship)
Professional Associations:
- State Bar of Texas
- Texas Bar Journal, Board of Editors
- Annual Award of Excellence by the Austin LGBT Bar.
- Estate Planning and Probate Section – Austin Bar Association
- Barbara Jordan Inn of Court
- Austin LGBT Bar Association, President – 2014-15
- Austin Bar/Austin Young Lawyers Leadership Academy – 2014
- College of the State Bar of Texas
- Austin Young Lawyers Trial Academy – 2013
- Pro Bono College of Texas – 2013
- Texas Bar Foundation, Fellow
Publications, speaking engagements, etc.:
Author, Navigating the Minefield of Estate Administration with a Surviving Spouse, Texas Bar Journal, January 2024.
Author, Estate Planning and Probate for Same Sex Couples, Texas Bar Journal, February 2023.
Speaker, “Estate Planning Remotely in a Pandemic,” Austin Bar Association, September 4, 2020.
Author, How Do Lawyers Help Solve the Pandemic Crisis of 2020 (Hint: Use Your Skills), Texas Bar Journal, September 2020.
Speaker, “Common Law Marriage in Litigation,” Volunteer Legal Services, August 7, 2020.
Author, Love (of the Constitution) and Liberty in the Time of COVID 19, Texas Bar Journal, July 2020.
Speaker, “Wills, Probate, and Common Law Marriage,” TADC Winter Seminar, February 8, 2020.
Author, “Basic Tips for Civil Litigators from the Probate World,” TADC Winter Seminar, February 8, 2020.
Co-Author, “Tips and Tools for Practitioners Handling Common Law Marriage Cases Involving LGBT Clients,” LGBT Law Section of the State Bar of Texas, December 5, 2019.
Speaker, “Probate and Common Law Marriage,” LGBT Law Section of the State Bar of Texas, December 5, 2019.
Speaker, “Family Protections in Probate,” Estate Planning and Probate Section of the Austin Bar Association,” September 20, 2019.
Speaker, “Probate and Estate Planning for LGBT Clients,” Austin Bar Association – LGBT Section, August 30, 2019.
Speaker, “Common Law Marriage in Litigation,” Courtroom Skills Series, June 28, 2019.
Speaker, “Practicing with Civility and Professionalism,” Barbara Jordan Inn of Court, April 2, 2019.
Author, “Defining a Marital Relationship,” Texas Lawyer, February 13, 2019.
Author, “Family Protections in Probate” Texas Bar Journal, March 2018.
Speaker, “What Family Law Attorneys Should Know About Probate,” LGBT Legal Issues in Changing Times, Dec. 13, 2017.
Co-Author, “Family Law: LGBT Parentage and Adoption Update, Probate Issues for LGBT clients,” State Bar of Texas.
Speaker/Moderator, “Freedom of Expression and Hate Speech,” September 29, 2017.
Speaker, Austin Bar Association, Austin Bench Bar Conference, “Battle Lines in a Post-Obergefell World,” May 12, 2017.
Speaker, “Probate Basics,” Volunteer Legal Services of Central Texas, November 2016.
Speaker, Texas Association of Legal Professionals Fall Educational Conference, September 19, 2015.
Author, “Marriage for All: The Legal Impact of Obergefell v. Hodges,” Texas Bar Journal, September 2015; Republished by N.Y.U. Journal of Legislation & Public Policy for its Fall 2015 Symposium.
Mentioned, “More People Denied Vital Records Join Ken Paxton Contempt Hearing,” Texas Observer, John Wright, August 7, 2015.
Quoted, “Same-sex couples fight for birth, death certificate rights” KVUE, Shannon Murray, Tuesday, July 28, 2015.
Quoted, “She lost her wife to cancer and $1,224 a month to Social Security” CNN Money, Katie Lobosco, Friday, June 26, 2015.
Guest Lecturer, Texas State University, Fiduciary Law, February 17, 2015.
Speaker, Life After Marriage, William Wayne Justice Center for Public Interest Law, Texas Journal on Civil Liberties and Civil Rights, and OUTLaw, February 13, 2015.
Moderator, The Future of LGBT Equality and Diversity, Austin LGBT Bar Association, October 27, 2014.
Moderator, State of Denial: Where Marriage Equality Stands in Texas, Texas Observer, July 29, 2014.
Author, “How Texas Conservatives Keep Gay Couples Locked in Marriage,” Texas Observer, Nov. 5, 2013.
Volunteer:
- Downtown Austin Community Court Advisory Committee (2015 – 2017)
- Austin Human Rights Commission, City Commissioner (2008 – 2015)
- Volunteer Legal Services of Central Texas, Board of Directors (2013 – 2017)