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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
What Clients Mention
Showing 1 - 5 of 7 reviews | 1 star
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 anonymous | March 27, 2014 | Child Support
STAY FAR FAR AWAY. SHE'S NOT GOOD ON COURT
This lady lost my case, charged me a ridiculous fees, and expected me to pay more. I was in a better position in my case before hiring her. She was a disaster and she not be allowed to practice. I even told her during the case I wasn't pleased with her. She didn't get any better, lost my case, and no...
Dawn Renken
Replied last March 27, 2014It's unfortunate when comments are posted anonymously because they are usually fake. In this case, it's comical. I have never threatened a client about posting the truth. All of the reviews on this page (save and except the anonymous ones) are from actual clients. I have not lost a child support case in the last 12 months and I care deeply about my clients and their children. Posts like this I take very personally and would be deeply hurt if it I thought it were an actual client. As it is, I think it's just sad that someone spends their time making things up to try to hurt someone. I can only assume this is a mother who lost their children in a custody battle that I won for my client, the father. As always, I hope people reading these reviews take into account that family law is very emotionally charged. When people lose their case, they want to blame someone. And because attorneys have no recourse against anonymous posts, this forum allows them to blame the other attorney. Come see me, meet me, then decide. The initial consult is free, because, despite what "anonymous" says, I'm not just in this for the money.
Posted by anonymous | June 07, 2012 | Divorce & Separation
Completely Rude
After reading the good reviews on Avvo I decided to contact this lawyer for a divorce consult and received the unfortunate surprise the lawyer is completely rude and unprofessional. For the consult the secretary asked me to complete a questionnaire and forward any documentation I had available so M...
Dawn Renken
Replied last June 08, 2012Maria was a free telephone consult calling in from Georgia. She sent me all the documents I needed to review for her case, I reviewed all of them prior to the consultation. When she contacted me by telephone, I told her that I could not help her and would not take her case. I am a no nonsense, no-frills attorney. I will never lie to you. I will not misrepresent your position in the case or your chances of winning. I work very efficiently and I am dedicated to my clients. I do not take all clients who request my services. I sincerely hope that Maria finds someone that will take her case. If you are looking for an aggressive, efficient advocate that will work hard for you, I am your attorney. If you're looking for someone to blow smoke up your ass, you may want to look elsewhere.
Posted by Donna C. | May 30, 2012 | Divorce & Separation
Bad Lawyer!!!! Avoid Her!!! Stay Away
I hired Dawn to assist me with my divorce case. She failed to properly handle my case. She wasn't knowledgeable of the laws and never returned the calls of my ex's attorney. The judge showed her no respect and therefore the result was not favorable. I wish I had discovered this site before I hire...
Dawn Renken
Replied last June 01, 2012I do not have a client named Donna, with the last name beginning with a C. and I have NEVER had a client request a full refund. It's unfortunate when people use a false name on a public website to put false information, especially when I have no recourse. I suspect this is an opposing party that was not happy with the outcome of litigation. Just the same, I wish you well.
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