Erika Vieyra Patino

Working with Ms. Patino is an experience I would describe as powerful, intense, and absolutely worth it, but only for people who truly want someone who will fight for what matters. She is not the type of attorney who sugarcoats things or tells you only what you want to hear. She lays out the reality... of the situation, the strengths and weaknesses, and what the long game requires. And family court is very much a long game. What impressed us most was that her focus never drifted. She wasn’t interested in polishing anyone’s image, managing egos, or selling false confidence. Every decision, every piece of guidance, was centered on the well-being of the children involved. It was clear she was willing to walk through fire if that’s what the case required, but also just as willing to tell us when patience, strategy, and compromise were necessary, even when it wasn’t what we wanted to hear in the moment. Regarding fees, I’ve seen reviews claiming she “only helps if you have money” or expecting services on a promise to pay later. Realistically, unless someone volunteers to take on complex legal work for free, every professional expects payment for services rendered, it’s not a field where an IOU will suffice. What makes her practice stand out is that she actually does offer workable payment arrangements directly through her office instead of demanding large sums upfront or sending clients through third-party financing. That alone sets her apart. For us, her representation became an investment we were grateful to make. When issues that actually mattered were on the line, everything was handled. No office is perfect, and this is a small practice with a significant caseload, but the quality of advocacy never faltered. We would much rather have a relentless advocate in the courtroom than someone who answers every email within ten minutes but lacks the grit to deliver results. If you want constant hand-holding or surface-level reassurance, she may not be for you. But if you want someone who treats your case with honesty, strategy, and unwavering dedication to the children at the center of it — Ms. Patino is the person you want in your corner. Her work changed the trajectory of our family, and for that we will always be grateful.

Patino was so completely out-matched by my ex's attorney. She was unprepared and did not do anything to defend me from ridiculous accusations. She caused my children to be removed from me for 6 months now and I am the ONLY biological parent. I have not done ANYTHING wrong and there are absolutely... NO GROUNDS for my children being taken against my will. They were given to my ex, a non-relative of the children, after the ex filed a protective order against me and abducted my children from my home. All based on lies! The ONLY explanation for this from patino was "she filed first, she has upper hand." She quit 3 times because I questioned her. It's sad, the irreparable damage that has been done to my children.

I cannot explain the miracles Erika worked for me! She was thrown into a contested custody battle with only the notice I had when I was served. Before I even met face to face with her to hire her she had pages of research done on my case. She didn't even know if she would be my attorney and she devot...ed her time to me. She provided information to me not knowing she would be defending my daughters and me. She not only had the contested custody to battle, she had out of state orders to transfer, 2 different counties to work through here in TX, back child support and an affidavit to contest. She was very detailed in what she was going to need from me and made sure to study and document everything I provided her. She answered my questions day and night, in the middle of heated contention between my ex and me, even when she was with her family. She always followed up the very next morning. She was thrown more curveballs than anyone could have expected before, during and after both of our hearings. She went out of her way to find me doctors, documents and anything else I needed before, during and after everything. No matter how hard my ex tried to break her/us, she didn't budge. She made sure I came out victorious with added benefits in the end. She actually chased my ex and his "new family" out of Texas! She will fight until the end and keep fighting thereafter! She put her heart into what I felt was an end to all means. She "adopted" us and genuinely cared about us... Still does. If you need the best of the best, someone who genuinely cares and will work with you and for you, you need not look any further. Erika Patino is the answer. She's so incredible I have added her to my Christmas list and that's a hard list to make! Thank you, thank you, thank you Erika! Believe me when I tell you I have told and will continue to tell everyone about you!! -The Finn/Schultz family- **We are back in court again this year (same issues with the same person). Without skipping a beat she has begun the next win. She's incredible. I'll update when she wins this suit for me, until then, it is a pleasure to get to work with Erika again.**

I hired Erika Patino on a annullment/child custody case in 2016, of which i had to ultimately end up firing her. Erika not only did not handle my case properly but she was also not knowledgeable enough to defend me in court. Upon hiring her, she claimed to be well versed in immigration and family la...w so i asked her if an annulment would be possible of which she agreed it would. In prepration for my annullment case, Patino asked for several character witnesses, i gave her their contact info and she never even called them. On the day of the hearing, she came into the room and told me "Ok, i just want you to know that there has never been a successful case for annulment with children involved." Erika knew that I had no chance of winning an annulment case but decided to go through the motions to get more money from me. While in the hearing, Patino was out lawyered, and unprepared. Patino done an awful job in court, and displayed no lawyering skills at all. Also, after i had already paid her she spoke to me and my family in a very condesending manner, not professional at all. I am writing this review to warn others of her lackluster skills,please be advised she is not able to hold her own in court and don't waste your money or time hiring her. She will promise to know all that is required for your case but will not deliver.

Erika is by far the best lawyer. I’m one of her clients. Erika represents me on a child custody case and I must say that she’s knowledgeable, attentive, assertive. As busy as she may be she will make sure to keep you in the loop with calls, voicemails, text messages and emails. She’s willing to work... with her clients as far as payments. Her communication skills are ON POINT. She cuts to the chase which is a great quality that I Love! Overall she listens to you and she REPRESENTS and DELIVERS!