Richard Orsinger

Meet Richard R. Orsinger

Richard R. Orsinger has practiced family law and appellate law in Texas for over 47 years. Richard has served as a legal counselor, trial lawyer, appellate lawyer, and expert witness in many family law matters. Richard has written and presented over 275 continuing legal education articles on family law, the rules of evidence and the rules of procedure, contract law, business law, fiduciary law, trust law, appellate procedure, and many other subjects. Richard also authored a treatise on Texas appellate practice, served as editor-in-chief of the State Bar of Texas Family Law Section’s Texas Expert Witness Manual, and served as editor-in-chief of the State Bar of Texas’ Manual on Practice in the Texas Supreme Court.

He can be reached at 210.225.5567.

 

 

Credentials

  • More than 47 years of experience in practicing family law, trial and appeal

  • Admitted to practice law in Texas since 1975

  • Board Certified in Family Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization since 1980

  • Board Certified in Civil Appellate Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization since 1987

  • Admitted to practice before the U.S. District Court, Western District of Texas in 1992-1997; 2000 - present

  • Admitted to practice before the U.S. District Court, Southern District of Texas, since 1979

  • Admitted to practice before the U.S. Court of Appeals, 5th Circuit, since 1979

  • Admitted to practice before the U.S. Supreme Court since 1981

  • Doctor of Jurisprudence, University of Texas School of Law, Austin, Texas, 1975

  • Bachelor of Arts with Honors (Economics), University of Texas, Austin, Texas, 1972

  • Washington & Lee University, Lexington, Virginia, 1968-70

 

Recognition

  • Family Law Hall of Legends, State Bar of Texas, Family Law Section, 2021

  • Top 100 Lawyers in Texas, Super Lawyers, 2003-2021, Thomson Reuters

  • Top Family Lawyer in San Antonio, S.A. Scene Magazine, 2021

  • Best Non-Judicial Speaker, Texas Center for the Judiciary, for “Same-Sex Marriage and Gender Identity Issues,” 2014

  • Dan Rugeley Price Memorial Award for dedication to the legal profession, Texas Bar Foundation, 2014 [Richard’s Dedication for Dan Price]

  • Top 10 Texas Attorneys, Texas Super Lawyers, 2009, 2010, 2012, 2013, and 2014, Thomson Reuters

  • Franklin Jones Best Continuing Legal Education Article Award, College of the State Bar of Texas, 2009 and 2013 [Richard doubly honored]

  • Lawyer of the Year in Family Law, Dallas 2011 and 2012, by Best Lawyers in America, Best Lawyers, LLC

  • Best Family Law CLE Article of the Year Award, State Bar of Texas, Family Law Section, 2008

  • Texas’s Top Family Lawyer, Texas Lawyer Newspaper, 2007

  • Sam Emison Award, Texas Academy of Family Law Specialists, 2003

  • Presidential Citation for innovative leadership and relentless pursuit of excellence for continuing legal education, State Bar of Texas, 2001

  • Association for Continuing Legal Education’s Award for Best Program (Enron, The Legal Issues) (Co-director, March 2002)

  • Dan R. Price Award for outstanding contributions to family law, State Bar of Texas Family Law Section 2001

  • Gene Cavin Award for Excellence in Continuing Legal Education, State Bar of Texas, 1996

  • Best Lawyers in America, Family Law since 1987, Best Lawyers, LLC

  • Best Lawyers in America, Civil Appellate Law, 2007-2023, Best Lawyers, LLC

  • Received 4 State Bar Certificates of Merit, 1995, 1996, 1997 & 2004

Continuing Legal Education (Administration)

Mr. Orsinger helped direct the following CLE courses: View Richard R. Orsinger’s Continuing Legal Education Courses.

 

Publications

Mr. Orsinger has written over 275 continuing legal education topics, authored or co-authored 5 law review articles, and has edited or co-authored 3 books. View Richard R. Orsinger’s publications.

 

Board Membership and Professional Activities

  • Member, San Antonio Bar Association

  • Associate, American Board of Trial Advocates

  • Fellow, American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers

  • Fellow, Texas Bar Foundation

  • Member, Supreme Court of Texas Advisory Committee on Rules of Procedure, Rules of Appellate Procedure, and Rules of Evidence (1994-2022; Chairman, Subcommittee on Rules 15-165a, 1999-2022; 2024-2026)

  • Member, Texas Supreme Court Task Force on House Bill 7 (Parent-Child Terminations (2017)

  • Member, Texas Supreme Court Task Force for Post-Trial Rules in Cases Involving Termination of the Parental Relationship (2011)

  • Founder, Texas Family Law Foundation (2001)

  • Member, Texas Bar Journal Committee (2001)

  • Member, Continuing Legal Education Committee of the State Bar of Texas (1990-2003; Chair, 2000-2002)

  • Supreme Court Liaison, Texas Judicial Committee on Information Technology (2001-2005) [2001, 2003, 2004, 2005]

  • Member, Family Law Advisory Commission to the Texas Board of Legal Specialization (1987-93)

  • Member, Texas Board of Legal Specialization’s, Civil Appellate Law Exam Committee (1990-2006; Chairman 1991-1995)

  • Member, Texas Board of Legal Specialization’s, Civil Appellate Law Advisory Commission (1994-2001)

  • Member, Texas Pattern Jury Charge Committee (Family Law), State Bar of Texas (1987-2002; Chairman, Marital Property Subcommittee, 1995)

  • Chair, Family Law Section of the State Bar of Texas (1999-2000)

  • Member, Supreme Court of Texas Advisory Committee on Child Support and Visitation Guidelines (1989-1998; Co-Chair, 1992-93; Chair 1994-97)

  • Director, San Antonio Bar Association (1997-98)

  • Member, State Bar of Texas Ad Hoc Committee to Study Bar-Section Relations (1997-98)

  • Certificate of Merit, State Bar of Texas for “having rendered trial outstanding service to the legal profession” (1995, 1996, 1997)

  • Member, State Bar of Texas Section Representative to the Board Committee (1999- 2001)

  • Chair, Appellate Practice and Advocacy Section of the State Bar of Texas (1996-97)

  • Member, Supreme Court of Texas Task Force on the Jury Charge (1992-93)

  • Member, State Bar of Texas Ad Hoc Committee to Study PDP Finances (1992-93)

  • Member, Supreme Court of Texas Task Force on the Jury Charge (1991)

  • Member, Board of Directors, Texas Legal Resource Center on Child Abuse & Neglect (1991-93)

  • Associate Editor, State Bar of Texas Appellate Section’s Appellate Advocate (1988-92)

  • Member, Texas Academy of Family Law Specialists (President, 1990-1991)

  • Member, San Antonio Family Lawyers Association (President, 1989-90)

  • Author, Texas Academy of Family Law Specialists’ Family Law Forum (1988-1989)