$ 1000-1500 per hour
Michelle May O'Neil
About Michelle
Biography
Michelle May O’Neil brings the clarity of a courtroom strategist to the boardroom, with 34 years of experience as a trial lawyer and appellate advocate. She has tried 37+ jury trials and handled 165+ appellate cases, including 55 before the Texas Supreme Court and a case filed in the United States Supreme Court. One judge described her as “unable to be out-gunned, out-briefed, or out-lawyered.”
Michelle built her reputation handling complex litigation and appeals at O’Neil Wysocki, P.C. (OWLawyers.com), the firm she co-founded and led for two decades. That discipline now forms the backbone of her work through Concierra Business and Concierra Legal, where she serves as strategic architect for founders, executives, and professional athletes navigating high-stakes personal and business decisions. Her three-tier advisory model — Atlas Load Reset™ for founders under pressure, Concierra Elite™ for ongoing strategic counsel, and Concierra Sovereign™ for full-spectrum quarterbacking — is built on the premise that the time to get strategic is before the stakes get expensive.
Her thought leadership extends well beyond the courtroom. At SXSW 2026, she introduced the Identity Stack™ framework, addressing the battles emerging around identity, AI, and ownership in the creator economy. She debuted her Atlas Load Reset™ framework and the Concierra Business Scaling Framework from the Aspire Tour stage in Phoenix, where she shared the stage with David Meltzer alongside a lineup that included Gary Vaynerchuk and Robert Herjavec. She is a national commentator on Fox Business and NewsNation, a guest on leading podcasts including Success Story and The Determined Society, and her forthcoming book, The Fifth Move, examines business strategy through a litigator’s lens. Her second book, The Queen’s Mindset, is forthcoming in 2027. She has previously published What You Need to Know About Divorce in Texas, Basics of Texas Divorce Law, and All About Texas Law and Kids.
Michelle has been named a finalist for the national Women of Influence award by Success Magazine (2024), a Forbes Top 10 Divorce Lawyer in Dallas, and is recognized among the Best Lawyers in America (Family Law and Appellate Practice), Top 50 Women Lawyers in Texas (13 consecutive years), Top 100 Lawyers in Dallas/Fort Worth (13 consecutive years), and Texas Super Lawyers (16 consecutive years). She holds Board Certification from the Texas Board of Legal Specialization and maintains AV Preeminent and Judicial AV ratings from Martindale-Hubbell. Additional recognitions include D Magazine Best Lawyers in Dallas, D Magazine Leaders in Law, D Magazine Women of Influence, Living Magazine Best Lawyer, Avvo 10.0 Superb rating, and listings in Who’s Who in America and Who’s Who in American Law. Her podcast was nominated for a Webby Award (2026).
A graduate of Baylor University School of Law and Baylor University’s Hankamer School of Business, Michelle holds a post-doctoral certification in Women’s Leadership from Harvard Law School. She is a Certified Arbitrator through the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers and a Certified Mediator through the University of North Texas. She designed and taught the Family Law Trial Skills Bootcamp at Baylor Law as adjunct faculty, co-founded Hell on Heels — a 1,800+ member women lawyers leadership group — and serves on the Thought Leader Press editorial board alongside Tim Storey and David Meltzer. She is a member of the National Speakers Association, the Annette Stewart Inn of Court, and the Texas Academy of Family Law Specialists.
Through Concierra Business and Concierra Legal, Michelle serves founders, executives, and professional athletes whose problems are too complex, too consequential, or too personal to be handled like a commodity. She quarterbacks across legal, financial, and reputational risk before it becomes a crisis. Her work is built on a single premise: the time to get strategic is before the stakes get expensive.
Practice Areas
4
Practice Areas
Business
50%
35 years | 1,000 cases
Appeals
25%
35 years | 200 cases
Marriage and Prenuptials
20%
35 years | 100 cases
Divorce and Separation
5%
35 years | 1,000 cases
Fees and Rates
Cost
Hourly Rates
Payment Methods
- Cash
- Check
- Credit Card
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Chat withLicenses
Licensed in Texas for 33 years
State: Texas
Acquired: 1992
No misconduct found
Location
Concierra Legal
5 Cowboys Way, Suite 300, Frisco, TX, 75034
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Michelle May O'Neil's Reviews
Avvo Review Score
9 Client Reviews
Filter Avvo Reviews (9)
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Practice Areas
What Clients Mention
Showing 1 - 5 of 9 reviews | Advocacy
Posted by Lynette | June 25, 2018 | Hired Attorney | Family
Money very, very well spent on this lawyer!
I met Michelle O'Neil, during a time when I needed a family law appellate lawyer. Within a few short mins of my first meeting with her, I realized that not only was this lawyer a knowledgeable appellate lawyer, but I should have hired her from the beginning (hind-sight)! My particular family law c...
Posted by Perry K Purcell | February 09, 2017 | Hired Attorney | Family
By far the Best!
I first me Michelle O’Neil in 2015, She was recommended by a friend that is an attorney, but not in family law. Choosing Michelle and her firm was the best decision I could have made. When I first met her in a moment of crisis, Michelle gave me a moment of clarity and helped me see how important to m...
Posted by Krystle | January 26, 2017 | Hired Attorney | Domestic Violence
Simple divorce turned ugly
Love this firm. When I walked in all disheveled and scared. They first gave me a plan of action "to get out and get safe" before they even had me sign papers. They were very deligent with my case. Answered all my questions & met me with compassion at a very difficult time in my life. It was suppose t...
Posted by Carroline | January 07, 2016 | Hired Attorney | Child Custody
The absolute best!
Michelle O'Neil was able to accomplish in a few short months what multiple other attorneys couldn't in over 2 years! After spending tens of thousands of dollars and countless hours in court, Nick was running out of hope and resources. Ms. O'Neil, after hearing his story, thanked Nick for his service ...
Posted by Brad | April 02, 2014
Excellent Laywer
Michelle O'Neill is a great lawyer. I know her to be ethical and smart. She has a lot of skill analyzing legal problems and coming to solutions. She works hard for her clients and she is a top notch lawyer.
Michelle May O'Neil's Lawyer Endorsements
"Michelle is intelligent, prepared and a joy to work with as opposing counsel or otherwise."
"Michelle has incredible passion for the law and for taking care of her clients, which are backed up by her talent and experience."
"Michelle is the best of the best. She is knowledgeable about family law and a zealous advocate for her client in the courtroom. I would recommend her to anyone needing a tough family law attorney!"
"I can't say enough about how impressed I am with Michelle. She is absolutely incredible. Rarely is a person such an phenomenal mix of dedication to her profession and doggedness to achieve outstanding results--and it shows! Her knowledge and skill have been invaluable to me and I confidently recommend her to anyone in need of representation."
"Michelle has the knowledge and experience to handle any family law case. I highly recommend her."
"Michelle O'Neil is incredibly knowledgeable and ethical--a true gem and an asset to our profession."
"Michelle is as good as they get for lawyers. She has incredible insight, knowledge and experience for family law cases and appeals. If you've got a tough case and you want the best, Michelle is the litigator you want in your corner. I endorse Michelle."
"Michelle provides thie finest Family Law representation for the DFW Area. I endorse her work."
"I highly endorse Michelle May O'Niel. We have had a case opposite each other, and she worked hard to resolve tough issues. Michelle is a great negotiator who puts her client’s interests first."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"I endorse this lawyer. Ms. O'Neil has been extremely efficient and diligent in her handling of a Texas divorce matter. She is responsive and appropriately aggressive. I would certainly recommend her."
"I endorse this lawyer. Michelle is a tireless advocate for her clients, and a feared opponent. She is a true professional."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"I endorse this lawyer. Michelle is an excellent attorney. Aggressive yet fair and reasonable at the same time. She does a great job representing her clients."
"I endorse this lawyer. Michelle is a great adversary. She fights very hard for her clients, she is well prepared, she is ethical, and she knows the law. I have a lot of respect for Michelle and gladly endorse her legal skills."
"I endorse this lawyer -- Michelle is a great attorney – no more needs to be said."
"It is a pleasure to endorse Michelle. When it comes to her job no one out works her in preparing for trial. When it comes to her clients no one cares more than she does. She should be the first lawyer you tell a loved one to call."
"Michelle is one of the Metroplex's premier experts in complex property and asset divisions. Her expertise with children's issues and custody is second to none. I highly endorse this lawyer. Her ethics, work product, and character are unparalleled."
"Michelle is a fantastic lawyer, engaging speaker, and tireless advocate. She's not afraid to take the tough cases and has a thorough working knowledge of family law especially those cases involving alternative families."
"It was my pleasure to meet with Michelle at the Rainmaker retreat in Las Vegas a couple of weeks ago. We talked for a period of time and I was impressed of her knowledge and understanding of family law, her area of expertise. We later shared practical and pragmatic tips that I will implement in my firm."
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Adrian Bower
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Rocio Cervantes
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Vicki Venza
Family lawyer
Courtney Allen
Family lawyer
Sara Espahbodi
Family lawyer
Danielle Campbell
Family lawyer
Gwendolyn Simpson
Litigation lawyer
Lucinda Vickers
Family lawyer
Alexis Kern
Divorce and separation lawyer
Kristi Barnhill
Family lawyer
Courtney Kaisand
Family lawyer
Krista Hayes
Litigation lawyer
Melody Petitt
Divorce and separation lawyer
Chrysandra Bowen
Divorce and separation lawyer
Mark Clasby
Family lawyer
Ryan Segall
Divorce and separation lawyer
Jere Hight
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Gerald Tadlock
Divorce and separation lawyer
Cynthia Dunn
Family lawyer
Experience
Honors
2015
Top 10 Law Blog June 26, 2015, LexBlog Network
2014
Texas Super Lawyers, Texas Super Lawyers
2014
Top 100 Lawyers in Texas, Texas Super Lawyers
2014
Top 100 Lawyers in DFW, Texas Super Lawyers
2014
Top 50 Women Lawyers in Texas, Texas Super Lawyers
2009
Best In Law Blogs November 11, 2009, LexBlog
2009
Best in Law Blogs November 18, 2009, LexBlog
2009
Best in Law Blogs November 23, 2009, LexBlog
N/A
A-V Peer Review Rating, Martindale-Hubbell
N/A
Member, Who's Who In American Law
N/A
Member, Who's Who in America
Work Experience
2026 - Present
CEO, Concierra Legal
2015 - 2026
Senior Shareholder, O'Neil Wysocki, P.C.
2014 - 2015
Shareholder, Godwin Lewis PC
2009 - 2014
President and Founding Partner, O'Neil & Attorneys
2003 - 2009
President and Founding Partner, The May Firm
2000 - 2003
Senior Associate Attorney, McCurley, Kinser, McCurley, Nelson & Downing, LLP
Associations
2009 - Present
State Bar of Texas, Family Law SectionCommittee Member, Membership Committee
2003 - Present
Annette Stewart American Inn of CourtMember
1997 - Present
Texas Academy of Family Law SpecialistsMember
1997 - Present
Texas Board of Legal SpecializationMember
1991 - Present
State Bar of TexasMember
Collin County Bar Association
Member
Dallas Bar Association
Member
Dallas Bar Association, Family Law Section
Member
Collin County Bar Association, Family Law Section
Member
Texas Bar Foundation
Fellow
State Bar of Texas, Family Law Section
Member
State Bar of Texas, Appellate Section
Member
Dallas Bar Association, Appellate Law Section
Member
2008 - 2008
Collin County Bar FoundationCLE Course Director
2006 - 2006
Collin County Bar FoundationCLE Course Chair
2005 - 2007
Altrusa International Inc of DallasPresident
Sample of Legal Cases
Eberstein v. Hunter
Attorney’s fee award set aside on appeal.
In the Interest of M.K.S.-V.
lesbian non-parent right to trial on custody
In re S.C.S.
Writ of attachment for posession of child
Education
2020
Harvard University Law School
Certificate in Women's Leadership
1991
Baylor University School of Law
JD - Juris Doctor
1989
Baylor University
B.B.A.
Speaking Engagements
2009
Ninth Annual Family Law on the Front Lines Conference
Mandamus and More.
2009
Marriage Dissolution Bootcamp
Writing the Perfect Country and Western Song: Successful Preparation and Trial of a Texas Temporary Orders Hearing
2009
Collin County Bench Bar Conference
Interesting Appellate Issues.
2009
Advanced Family Law Conference
Winning your case before you go to trial: Dispositive motions and procedures.
Publications
2010
Texas Lawyer Magazine
Toddler Tug of War: Mother and Couple at Odds in Parental Rights Termination Case
2010
Dallas Voice
Vowels Case Returned To Trial Court For Hearing
2009
All About Texas Law and Kids
All About Texas Law and Kids
2009
Dallas Morning News
More Texans Paying Child Supprt with Unemployment Checks as Economy Suffers
2009
Dallas Voice
Lesbian Moms in Custody Fight
2009
Dallas Voice
Appeals Court Sends Lesbian Custody Case To Trial
2007
2007
2007
Divorce Magazine
If I move out of the family home, do I lose my rights to it?
2007
Texas Bar Assocation Family Law Section Report
Family Law Appeals Distinguished
2007
Texas Bar Assocation Family Law Section Report
Do You Know the New Law on AJ Appeals?
2006
Divorce Magazine
Should I ask for a divorce based on fault or no-fault grounds?
2006
Divorce Magazine
What happens if I disagree with the outcome of my case?
2005
Divorce Magazine
I want to change the division of my property in my divorce.
2005
Divorce Magazine
In divorce litigation, can you change the judge's decision?
2004
Headnotes (Dallas Bar)
Alimony/Maintenance Enforcement By Contempt
2004
Divorce Magazine
How Does A joint Custody Agreement Usually Work?
2003
State Bar of Texas Appellate Advocate
Family Law Appeals Distinguished
2002
Today's Dallas Woman Magazine
Advice from a Divorce Lawyer: Whether or Not You Are Thinking About Getting a Divorce.
Languages
English
Spanish
Activity
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