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Dawn Anne Renken
About Dawn
Biography
Dawn believes that being an effective advocate requires being forceful when it comes to defending client interests but also compassionate when helping them through the legal system. She will not back down, even in difficult contested issued, but she understands that the courtroom is not the only place to resolve the complex and sensitive issues commonly found in family law matters. Recognizing that every client and case is different, Renken Law Firm advocates the use of negotiation and mediation to resolve marital and child custody disputes. If negotiation or mediation fail to resolve the issue, Dawn is more than willing to take the matter to trial and is a successful advocate in the courtroom.
Dawn graduated sixth in her law school class, she earned almost every academic accolade awarded in law school, including being invited to become a member of the prestigious Order of Barristers and Willis Society.
Dawn is certified as an Amicus Attorney, a Guardian Ad Litem and an Attorney Ad Litem through the Children’s Friend in Court Program in Harris County. She is also an active member of the Houston Bar Association, including its Family Law sections. She helps in her community through volunteering with the Houston Bar Association and various other organizations.
Prior to law school, Dawn worked in accounting and business, developing a keen business acumen and knowledge of accounting that has been invaluable in her law career. In her free time, Dawn enjoys hiking (having summitted 2 of the 7 summits with eye to the remaining 5), running, participating in triathlons, successfully completing several 70.3 Ironman distance triathlons. Dawn also enjoys volunteering at Rock Steady Boxing North Houston, where she coaches people diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease.
Dawn graduated from the University of Texas in 1997 with a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy. She attended Ohio Northern Law School on a Barrister scholarship, studied abroad in Geneva, Switzerland and earned her Juris Doctorate in 2003, graduating with distinction, in the top ten percent of her class. She was licensed in Texas in 2003.
She earned almost every academic accolade awarded in law school, including being invited to become a member of the prestigious Order of Barristers and Willis Society. After earning the A+ Book Award in Criminal Law, Dawn was asked to work as the Criminal Law teaching assistant to the incoming class. Dawn’s grade point average was high enough to earn her a position as an Associate Editor of the Ohio Northern Law Review, later graduating sixth in her class.
Practice Areas
3
Practice Areas
Fees and Rates
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Chat withLicenses
Licensed in Texas for 22 years
State: Texas
Acquired: 2003
No misconduct found
Location
Law Offices of Dawn Anne Renken
11500 NW Freeway, #586, Houston, TX, 77092
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Dawn Anne Renken's Reviews
Avvo Review Score
48 Client Reviews
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Practice Areas
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Showing 11 - 15 of 48 reviews
Posted by Ronald | January 07, 2015 | Child Custody
Dawn Renken was NOT as my attorney...
Dawn was hired by my wife and I to take care of a custody matter. Dawn and my case went to trial and it was not good. She lost our trial and sued us to pay her the remaining money.
Dawn Renken
Replied last January 07, 2015This is a strange post. I haven't lost at trial for custody in over five years. I can't think of a single Ronald I've represented in the last twelve and I haven't sued a Ronald for fees...ever. I am a strong advocate in court. If I recommend taking a custody fight to trial, it's because I am confident we can win. If I don't think we can win at trial, I will recommend alternatives, like mediation or arbitration to try to seek the best result. Fake posts by fake "clients" don't deter me.
Posted by MELISSA | November 15, 2014
DID NOTHING FOR US
VERY UNHAPPY WITH HER RESULT. NEVER ACCOMPLISHED ANYTHING. WE REMAIN EXACTLY WHERE WE WERE BEFORE I GAVE HER $8000.00 ALMOST 4 YEARS AGO.
Dawn Renken
Replied last November 15, 2014"Melissa" I can say without hesitation that you are not a client of mine. In all of my years of practice, the longest open case I have had was a little over two years and I won that one. Big. I have never had a case run even near 4 years. On a website like this, we unfortunately cannot verify that the people posting are actually clients. I can only assume that you are an opposing party that was unhappy with the result and is taking it out on me in this anonymous forum. Regardless, I wish you luck.
Posted by Lisa | August 18, 2014 | Divorce & Separation
Excellence
I needed an attorney who would fight for me, Dawn was responsive, communicative and tough. I could not have asked for a better attorney when going through such a difficult Divorce. She fought tooth and nail to protect my rights and those of my daughter. She was strong for me when/where I couldn't ...
Dawn Renken
Replied last August 18, 2014Thank you Lisa. It means a lot to me.
Posted by Nikki | August 18, 2014 | Divorce & Separation
The Best attorney with your interest in mind and gets the job done
Dawn made my divorce experience run quite smoothly. Dawn and Nicki, her assistant, were always quick to respond and very helpful. I have zero compliants and have already recommended Dawn to someone else through a mutual friend. If you are looking for an educated attorney, with your interest in mind ...
Dawn Renken
Replied last August 18, 2014Thank you Nikki. And thank you for the referral, it means a lot.
Posted by Abby | August 18, 2014 | Child Custody
Knowledgable but Neglectful
My husband and I went in for a consultation to try and get custody of his son. We had evidence neatly in a binder of voice recordings, medical neglect, abuse, etc. that I had worked on for quite a while to make it as easy as possible for her to go through. We had an appointment for around 1:30 and ha...
Dawn Renken
Replied last August 18, 2014This review breaks my heart. Abby is the step-mother of a very young boy. She was very organized and presented a very well thought out case. The problem with the case is that dad, the father of the child, currently holds a job that is not conducive to custody of a young child. I did not tell him to quit his job. I advised that with his current employment, custody would be an uphill battle. I told them I did not want to take their money to fight a losing battle. I told him to seek out a job, either with his current employer or otherwise, that would allow him to take care of his child if we were to get custody. I told this nice young couple to return when he had gotten it worked out. I told them that dad's current employment was the biggest problem. My evaluation of the case (i.e. whether you have a good chance of winning or not) does not mean I do not care about your child. It does not mean I am not empathetic to your plight. When you come and sit down with me for your free consultation I evaluate the case based on the information I am given. The free initial consultation is not the time when I go through every piece of evidence. It is the time for me to sit down with you and have an open an honest conversation about the litigation you intend to pursue, the money involved and what you can expect. The reason that this evaluation breaks my heart is that I got into this line of work (family law) because I think I can help people. I fight hard for my clients, their families and children. I don't take every case that walks in the door, because a lot of the cases don't need to be litigated, or aren't ready to be litigated. In this case, I honestly thought Dad was going to seek out 9-5 employment and that I would see them again in a few months. I never thought that my honesty would be reviewed negatively. Understand that I will never lie to you. I don't do this just for the money. Not every case needs to be filed and not every motion needs to be heard. I will do my best for every person, client and case that walks in my door. If that means that I don't think that you need to file your case yet because you would waste a lot of money, then I am going to tell you that. I hope, in the future, it's appreciated.
Dawn Anne Renken's Lawyer Endorsements
"I endorse this lawyer. I have had cases with Dawn, and I have worked with her a a mediator. She is always thorough, prepared, and fights fiercely for her clients."
"I endorse this lawyer. I have used Dawn as a mediator in my cases. She is a knowledgeable Family Law Attorney and Mediator!"
"Dawn was easy to work with as opposing counsel and is a strong advocate for her clients."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"Lawyers who serve the avvo community as much as Ms. Renken are few and far between. It takes passion, concern and dedication to devote so much time. You have my endorsement and kudos."
"Dawn is an excellent lawyer. She is very knowledgeable and professional. It was evident to me, during our work on a modification case, that she works hard and fights for her clients."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"I endorse this lawyer.This attorney has a strong reputation, is a zealous advocate for the clients and is a credit to the legal community."
"I endorse this lawyer. Attorney Renken is an outstanding attorney with an exceptional reputation. She is a strong and zealous advocate for her clients and a credit to the legal profession. I highly endorse her."
"I endorse this lawyer. She is handling a family law matter for me and I am very impressed by her expertise and professionalism. She is a pleasure to work with, returns calls quickly and her rates are quite reasonable. I would entrust her with any family law issues that arise in my practice in the future. Highly recommended."
"I endorse this lawyer. Efficient, aggressive, and persuasive. Dawn Renken is always knowledgeable about any family law questions I need answered and has handled mutual clients with overlapping family and criminal issues. She is also efficient at working out civil and family law matters because she is able to spot the solution and does not need to drag out the legal battle unless absolutly necessary. Dawn Renken uses plain and simple logic to argue her cases and cases and works towards long term solutions."
"I endorse this lawyer. A skilled litigator, Dawn still manages to keep her focus on the best interests of the children in the cases she is involved in. When you go against her in Court, you had better be prepared but her approach is always reasonable and based on the law."
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Experience
Honors
2015
Nation's Top One Percent, The National Association of Distinguished Counsel
Work Experience
2010 - Present
Managing Partner, Renken Law Firm, PLLC
2004 - 2010
Managing Partner, Vossler & Renken, PLLC
Associations
2004 - Present
Houston Bar Association, Family Law SectionMember
Education
2003
Ohio Northern University - Claude W. Pettit College of Law
JD - Juris Doctor
1997
University of Texas
BA - Bachelor of Arts
Speaking Engagements
2012
Default Divorces in Harris County
Default Divorces in Harris County
Publications
2003
29 Ohio N.U.L. Rev. 728
Survey of Ohio Law: Ohio Supreme Court Decision: The State Ex Rel. Cincinnati Enquirer, Division
2002
28 Ohio N.U.L. Rev. 495
Federal Election Commission v. Colorado Republican Federal Campaign Committee
Languages
English
Activity
Legal Answers
Legal Answers
Q&A
The baby cries excessively at visitation exchange just unhappy . What can I do to limit this if it's been a court order?
14 Jun 2024
Q&A
What options do I have to get visitation rights with my grandson
15 Jun 2024
Q&A
Can I leave my husband and take my kids in Texas if I have been physically abused?
17 Jun 2024