4615 Bryce Ave. Fort Worth, TX 76107  817-737-4000

Dwayne W. Smith

Attorney at Law

Dwayne is the firm’s managing partner. He regularly guides his clients through the most difficult time in their lives, whether that involves a divorce, the possibility of losing custody of their children, or other family-related issues. While he prepares each case for trial, he is mindful that not every dispute needs to be resolved in the courthouse.

Dwayne received his bachelor’s degree from The University of Texas, and he is a graduate of The University of Texas School of Law. He was a staff editor on The Review of Litigation and graduated as a member of the Order of Barristers. After law school, and while practicing with a large law firm in Austin, Dwayne served as an adjunct faculty member in the advocacy program at The University of Texas School of Law. He regularly is asked to write and make presentations to lawyers’ associations on family-law issues. He is a proud Eagle Scout.

Dwayne and his wife Mary have three young children. When not practicing law or spending time with his family, Dwayne supports his community by serving on the board of directors of CASA of Tarrant County and the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra.

Dwayne W. Smith

Attorney at Law

Dwayne is the firm’s managing partner. He regularly guides his clients through the most difficult time in their lives, whether that involves a divorce, the possibility of losing custody of their children, or other family-related issues. While he prepares each case for trial, he is mindful that not every dispute needs to be resolved in the courthouse.

Dwayne received his bachelor’s degree from The University of Texas, and he is a graduate of The University of Texas School of Law. He was a staff editor on The Review of Litigation and graduated as a member of the Order of Barristers. After law school, and while practicing with a large law firm in Austin, Dwayne served as an adjunct faculty member in the advocacy program at The University of Texas School of Law. He regularly is asked to write and make presentations to lawyers’ associations on family-law issues. He is a proud Eagle Scout.

Dwayne and his wife Mary have three young children. When not practicing law or spending time with his family, Dwayne supports his community by serving on the board of directors of CASA of Tarrant County and the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra.

  • The University of Texas School of Law, J.D. 2008
  • Order of the Barristers
  • The Review of Litigation, Staff Editor
  • Board of Advocates
  • The University of Texas, B.A. 2005
  • Board Certified in Family Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization
  • Texas Academy of Family Law Specialists, Member
  • Fellow, American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers
  • Certified Mediator – American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers
  • Family Law Council of the State Bar of Texas, 2019-2024
  • Council – General Practice, Solo and Small Firm Section of the State Bar of Texas, 2018-2021
  • Texas Bar Journal, Board of Editors, 2018
  • Leadership SBOT, 2016
  • Tarrant County Bar Association, Board of Directors 2015 – 2016
  • Texas Pro Bono College, 2016
  • Texas Bar College, 2015 – 2017
  • Texas Bar Foundation, Life Fellow
  • Texas Bar Foundation, District 7 Nominating Committee, 2019
  • Tarrant County Bar Foundation, Life Fellow
  • Tarrant County Bar Foundation, Nominating Committee, 2019
  • Eldon B. Mahon Inn of Court, Associate
  • Membership Committee, Eldon B. Mahon Inn of Court 2012-2013
  • Tarrant County Family Law Bar Association,
  • Tarrant County Young Lawyers Association, 2008-2018
  • Texas Young Lawyers Association National Mock Trial Committee – 2017, 2019, and 2022
  • Outstanding Young Lawyer Award 2016, Tarrant County Young Lawyers Association
  • Top 100 Super Lawyers in Texas, 2024
  • Named a Super Lawyer by Super Lawyers magazine, 2018 – present
  • Named a Rising Star by Super Lawyers magazine, 2017 and 2018
  • Recognized as a Top Attorney by Fort Worth, Texas magazine, 2013 – present
  • Named a Top Attorney by 360 West Magazine, 2017 – present
  • Be Like Wayne Award, Tarrant County Bar Association, 2022
  • Recipient of the Longhorn 100 award in 2023 and 2024
  • Professionalism Award, Tarrant County Bar Association, 2025
  • President’s Award, Tarrant County Bar Association, 2025
  • Planning Committee Member, Advanced Family Law 2025
  • Planning Committee Member, Marriage Dissolution Institute 2024
  • Course Director, Advanced Evidence and Discover 2025
  • Presumptions: What They Are and How to Overcome Them, Advanced Trial Skills for Family
    Lawyers, 2022
  • Family Law Essentials Pro Bono Seminar, 2022 Amarillo, course director
  • Advanced on a Shoestring; Presenting and Preparing for Hearings and Trial, 2022
  • Drafting Before the Storm: Pre-Trial Motions, Advanced Family Law Drafting, 2021
  • Advanced on a Shoestring, Tarrant County Family Law Bar Association, 2021
  • Solutions to Problems Caused by Trusts, Entities, and Third Parties in Divorce Suits, New Frontiers in Marital Property Law 2021
  • Trying Custody Cases on a Shoestring Budget, Advanced Family Law 2021
  • Family Law Essentials Pro Bono Seminar 2022, Lubbock, course director
  • Initial Client Interviews and Managing Expectations, Marriage Dissolution Institute 2021
  • Dealing with Disruptions to Your Law Practice, Tarrant County Bar Association, 2020
  • iPadding Your Practice, 41st Annual General Practice Institute, April 27, 2018
  • Career Transitions: Key Issues for Opening a Practice, Tarrant County Bar Association, 2017
  • Family, Criminal, and Bankruptcy What Every Lawyer Should Know—Divorce & Modification: Filing, TROs, & Temporary Orders, Tarrant County Bar Association Transition to Practice, 2017
  • Interim Attorney’s Fees: Show Me the Money!, Marriage Dissolution Institute, 2017
  • Appeals from Family Court, Tarrant County Bar Association Appellate Section, 2016
  • Drafting Documents for Successful Default Hearings, Advanced Family Law Drafting, 201
  • Look Beyond the Inventory (and the Family Code) When Assigning Debt, Family Law Section Report, Spring 2020
  • When Friends of Friends Come Calling: Family Law Basics, Tarrant County Young Lawyers Association 2023
  • Procedural Tricks and Traps in Litigation, Marriage Dissolution Institute, 2023
  • Planning Committee Member, Advanced Family Law 2023
  • 20 Silver Bullets: Procedure and Evidence Tools You Need to Know, 2023, Pro Bono Seminar
  • SAPCR: Technology and Privacy Issues, Advanced Family Law 2023
  • Property Considerations in Non-Traditional Relationships, New Frontiers in Marital Property, 2023
  • Advanced on a Shoestring, SAPCR: Technology and Privacy Issues, Tarrant County Family Law Bar Association, 2023
  • Course Director, Advanced Family Law Drafting 2023
  • Planning Committee Member, Advanced Evidence and Discovery 2024
  • Misunderstood and Underused Discovery and Evidentiary Rules, Advanced Evidence and Discovery, 2024
  • Setting Up Your Own Law Practice, Marriage Dissolution Institute 101, 2024
  • Office Technology: Best Tips, Advanced Family Law 2024
  • Planning Committee Member, Handling Your First (or Next) Divorce, Texas Bar Association
  • Winning Your Client’s Case Through Inventories and Financial Information Statements, Marriage Dissolution 101 2025
  • The Mediation Process, Tarrant County Bar Association ADR Seminar 2025
  • The Case for and Against Proposed Equal Parenting Bills – Austin College Law Symposium, 2025
  • ADR Seminar – The Mediation Process and Representing a Client in Mediation, Tarrant County Bar Association, 2025
  • Boy Scouts of America, Eagle Scout, 1999
  • Court Appointed Special Advocates (“CASA”) of Tarrant County, Board of Directors, 2017-present;
  • President of the Board of Directors, 2020.
  • Tarrant County Bar Association, Volunteer Attorney Services mentor for family law cases
  • Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra, Executive Committee Member 2012-2019, Board Member, 2012-2021
  • Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra, Co-Chairman of The Notables, 2012 – 2021
  • Arlington Youth Symphony, Board of Directors, 2015 – 2018
  • Committee Member, Tarrant County Bar Association’s People’s Law School, 2011-2012
  • Extended Faculty Member, Trial Advocacy Program, The University of Texas School of Law,
    2008-2010
  • State Bar of Texas, 2008
  • United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas, 2011
  • United States District Court for the Northern District of Texas, 2014
  • United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas, 2015-2020