Deanna Lynn Whitley

PRO

Deanna Lynn Whitley

4.4
Rating: 10.0

Licensed for 33 years

Divorce and separation Lawyer at San Antonio, TX
Practice Areas: Divorce & Separation, Child Custody, Appeals, Criminal Defense

2206 East Commerce Street, San Antonio, TX

About Deanna

Biography

Top Rated Divorce Lawyer determined to get YOU results. 30 years of Litigation Experience! Immediate Response!

Simple Divorce or complex Child Custody matter, we will handle your case quickly and fairly.

Practice Areas

4

Practice Areas

Divorce and Separation 75%

75%
Child Custody 20%

20%
Appeals 3%

3%
Criminal Defense 2%

2%

Fees and Rates

We have not found any cost information for this lawyer

Licenses

Licensed in Texas for 33 years

State: Texas

Acquired: 1992

Eligible to Practice in Texas

No misconduct found

Location

The Whitley Law Firm, P.C.

2206 East Commerce Street, San Antonio, TX, 78203

whitleylawfirmpc.com

Online Presence

Other places you can find Deanna online.

Deanna Lynn Whitley's Reviews

Avvo Review Score

4.4 /5.0

61 Client Reviews

Showing 1 - 5 of 12 reviews | Cost of Services

Posted by Valerie | April 19, 2021 | Hired Attorney | Divorce & Separation

Indomitable-Caring-Competent Divorce Attorney & Team

I interviewed a wealth of attorneys as I sought to divorce a very manipulative and abusive man. It was going to be critical for me to find a smart, fearless and experienced team that would also relate to me in both a direct, yet compassionate manner. I had done plenty homework on what to expect in ...a quality attorney, but still felt befuddled at whatever legal future events loomed ahead. I interviewed and by-passed a number before finding Attorney Whitley. I set my intentions on checking out Attorney Whitley, realizing that an attorney is only as powerful and competent as her team. What a team! My first encounter was an intake interview with one of her staff. By the time I finished clarifying my case, needs and concerns while also listening to responses and information given me, I felt at great ease. If this team member truly represented the essence of the Whitley Law Firm, I knew this should be my choice. By the end of my intake interview, I felt heard, regarded and well positioned. I felt I had possibly found the team to do this critical life-impacting work for me. My next step was to then meet Attorney Whitley. I was understandably nervous for I wanted this to work, based on what I had already experienced. Still, I recognized that she had to be that one complex piece of the legal puzzle, offering a glove-snug fit. Before meeting Attorney Whitley, her receptionist greeted me with a calm that I took effort to note. If her demeanor was indicative of an overriding welcoming and confident team spirit, then this was likely to be another great experience. I was led into Attorney Whitley’s office and shared my case. Neither pushing nor shoving, she queried and commented in a manner that helped hone my delivery, astutely revealing specifics of my need. Attorney Whitley took time to listen intently, as if I were her only. Her cool, competent demeanor was empowering. She responded in specifics to my case, never disrespectfully lending to general conveyor-belt assessment. She possessed a grit signaling that she would not be tampered with – and neither would her clients be. How I needed someone who would know how to turn up the heat and fight for me, if warranted. With zero reservation, I decided that Attorney Whitely and her team would represent me. In the months that followed, I interfaced with one of her highly expert paralegal staff. I respected her manner for we were able to address finer details in direct nature without wasting time or needless back and forth communications. I never felt any "stone left unturned" and my every query was swiftly and professionally addressed. Time came for the mediation – done via Zoom due to COVID. That’s when I met Attorney Dallas Olsen. Groundwork astutely done by para-legal, Dallas now worked with me in live virtual online forum. The best way for me to describe her competence is to say it plainly. Attorney Dallas “kicked butt”! I watched her discuss and pen my case like a champ for me. By the time all was done, I was indeed awarded what I had hoped. I attributed this to the thorough work of Attorney Olsen. She later accompanied me into the judge’s chamber to conclude the divorce. It comforted me to see this titan of a woman once again representing me. Her calming, no-nonsense demeanor reassured me that every “jot and tittle” of the law would be addressed – and it was. Lastly, my interfaces with the financial staff of Attorney Whitley’s firm were all positive, swift and exact. I always knew where I stood financially. That was important to me for it was critical to be able to govern my funds with certainty. I most highly recommend Attorney Deanne Whitley and her efficacious “A” Team to anyone needing hefty legal representation. They absolutely deliver!

Posted by Robert | October 15, 2016 | Hired Attorney | Divorce & Separation

The Right Choice

When I made the decision to divorce my ex-wife I knew I'd need a child custody lawyer because my children were my priority. Yes, I could have searched for just a Divorce Lawyer but I knew my ex would fight me tooth and nail to leave the state in order to separate me from them. I needed a child custod...y lawyer who would fight for a father wanting to be equally in his children’s lives. I reached out to several lawyers leaving messages and that’s when a member of Ms. Whitley’s team called me. She easily convinced me to meet with her boss and after the initial sit down I knew Ms. Whitley was the right choice for my life changing event. I explained to Ms. Whitley exactly what I wanted because I had thought the whole process through for quite a while. I just wanted equal rights to my children and she whole heartedly agreed that I deserved exactly that. That being said, divorce isn’t easy and mine was no walk in the park. My ex fought with me as I expected and almost left the state, but Ms. Whitley quickly helped me file the initial paperwork preventing me from losing my children for good. My divorce took place a few months after our initial court filing but my ex drug the whole process out for months on end sending us back to court over and over again. However, Ms. Whitley, her associate and team stood by me through the whole process and I can finally say it’s over. It took time and took money, that’s how divorce works….. But I received exactly what I expected and what I wanted….I have my children 50/50. Thank you Whitley Law Firm.

Posted by anonymous | March 03, 2016 | Hired Attorney | Child Custody

A WIN! On an extremely complicated and unique case. Out of state client. FL/TX. USAF Veteran

My case was extremely unique and complicated. A lawyer prior to Ms. Whitley rushed me off the phone not even allowing me to fully explain my case, stating that it was way too complicated for him to even get into. That same day I called The Whitley Law Firm, P.C. and spoke with them about my case, my ...information was taken down and given to Cait. Cait listened, calmed me and assured me that my case could and would be handled. She also shared a story which made me feel that I wasn’t alone and that I could trust Ms. Whitley and her team. I’m a Christian, and prayed hard for God to lead me to an attorney that would know the law, not take advantage of me, and help me get through this battle and win. He led me to this Firm. Once forwarded to Ms. Whitley, she called and was just as calming and assuring as Cait; she listened to me, brought comfort to me at such a traumatic time and quickly jumped into action on my case. Throughout the entire ordeal she was polite, respectful, honest and trustworthy, not only to me but to my family. Ms. Whitley knows the law, she is thorough, tough and though small, she is mighty! Being in court four times (because of the many games my ex-husbands lawyers played) we walked away with a WIN every time. Ms. Whitley ended up getting my son back to me quickly, was able to get all the crazy attempts made by my ex-husband and his lawyer thrown out, getting me a settlement of documented primary custody of my son, everything in my favor and getting my child support in the works to be fixed and put back under FL jurisdiction. I am very happy and thankful for her services. If you’re lost, overwhelmed, scared, confused and don’t know what to do. Trust in The Whitley Law Firm, and let her fight your battle; No matter how complicated, call. Last but not least anything worth it is not cheap, they are extremely worth it and will work with you, just call. (I reiterate call, because being in that situation, seeing CALL would be the push I needed.) The quick background to my complicated case: My son and I live in FL and have since he was 18 months old, as a family with his father up until he was four. The father of my son currently lives in TX. My son had long distance summer visitations with his father yearly. The father of my son decided (because TX was suing him for back child support) to withhold him, and stated he was not sending him back to FL. Trying to say that he was the primary parent and that he decides the residence of my son. The previous Divorce Decree was fraudulently gained in TX, although the father lived married in FL, although there was a FL support order (that his decree changed the amount cutting the support order in half and giving TX power over the support order-which is illegal), and although my son had always lived with me and he himself put the child would continue to live with me in the decree; this case should have never left FL. He placed in small print in the back of the decree that he decides my son’s residence, which in TX gives him "Primary" custody. Primary wouldn’t be granted to a person that has never had the child full time, a person that PAYS child support, and a person that receives long distance visitation of summers only. In a nutshell my case should have never been pulled to TX, yet it was and the decree was signed by a TX judge without me present 2013, this decree had many fraudulent levels and the DOA informed me that I really needed a lawyer to fix the discrepancies, now 2015-2016. The father of my son had also remarried, therefore throwing out the old decree would have caused more complications. All in all my ex-husband had a group of fraudulent lawyers that were wolves, that didn't know the law, and wanted to avoid the real problem of them committing fraud between two jurisdictions, in addition to lying under oath and fooling a judge into signing a fraudulent decree. The entire story will need a book to explain. Ms. Whitley and her team really took care of me and we won!

Posted by Jeff | April 28, 2019 | Hired Attorney | Child Custody

Good Attorney - needed more experiences staff

Deanna is a very good attorney and was able to turn the tables quickly for my daughter in a child custody dispute. I will admit I had some issues with her staff as I thought their attention to detail was not good. She is expensive and you have to set your expectations up front or you could end up s...pending more than needed. I feel she has a bit of a ego and when challenged on equal ground she can be defensive. Overall, a very good lawyer.

Posted by Persona | August 08, 2014 | Divorce & Separation

She seems too busy with other cases.... but mine

Seems like she don't really care about my case. She never clearly explained all legal processes. It was impossible to reach her by phone, email or in person. I wouldn't say she won my case, I was left with nothing basically. In her mind my case was a winner. I didn't get what I ask for and left every...thing to my Ex. She missed some information about joint account and now I have to come back to court to resolve my issue with Ex. Her services was too expensive for the result I received.

See All Client Reviews

Deanna Lynn Whitley's Lawyer Endorsements

Endorse Deanna
Dallas Elizabeth Olsen headshot
Dallas Olsen

Family lawyer | Mar 07

Relationship: Co-worker

"She is a zealous advocate who seeks the optimal outcome for all of her clients. Her success in and out of court is supported by her years of trial experience and vast understanding of the law."

Robert Steven Wilson headshot
Robert Wilson

Divorce and separation lawyer | Dec 11

Relationship: Opposing Counsel on matter

"I endorse this lawyer. Deanna Whitley is a tough sharp and creative attorney. She represents her clients vigorously and her word is her bond."

Laura D. Heard headshot
Laura Heard

Divorce and separation lawyer | Dec 03

Relationship: Opposing Counsel on matter

"I endorse this lawyer."

Marc Albert Pederson headshot
Marc Pederson

Child custody lawyer | Aug 25

Relationship: Opposing Counsel on matter

"I was Deanna Whitley's opposing counsel on a couple of very difficult child custody and support matters. Deanna is a creative and knowledgeable attorney who fights zealously for her clients, yet maintains a professional demeanor that makes her a credit to her profession. I am, therefore, proud to enthusiastically endorse Deanna Whitley, a very reputable member of the San Antonio legal community."

Case J. Darwin headshot
Case Darwin

Divorce and separation lawyer | May 14

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Excellent divorce lawyer. I routinely refer clients to her on family-law matters."

Shellie Renee Reyes headshot
Shellie Reyes

Appeals lawyer | Apr 09

Relationship: Co-worker

"I endorse this lawyer."

Brenton Daniel Vincenzes headshot
Brenton Vincenzes

Criminal defense lawyer | Sep 17

Relationship: Other

"I endorse this lawyer."

Jamie Lynn Heggy Graham headshot
Jamie Graham

Family lawyer | Jul 22

Relationship: Opposing Counsel on matter

"Caring and smart, she's a formidable opponent that really cares about kids. We need more lawyers like her."

Michael S. Waddington headshot
Michael Waddington

Family lawyer | Oct 29

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer."

View All Endorsements
Justine M. Daly headshot
Justine Daly

Family lawyer

Jamie Lynn Heggy Graham headshot
Jamie Graham

Family lawyer

Kay Martinez headshot
Kay Martinez

Family lawyer

Matthew David Stern headshot
Matthew Stern

Real estate lawyer

Experience

Rating:  10.0 (Superb)

Honors

2025

Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers

2024

Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers

2023

Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers

2022

Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers

2021

Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers

2020

Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers

2019

Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers

2018

Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers

2017

Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers

2013

Best Lawyer in San Antonio: Family Law, Scene in SA Magazine

2012

Best Lawyer in San Antonio: Family Law, Scene in SA Magazine

2011

Best Lawyer in San Antonio: Family Law, Scene in SA Magazine

2010

Best Lawyer in San Antonio: Family Law, Scene in SA Magazine

2010

The Bar Register of Preeminent Lawyers, Martindale-Hubbell

2009

The Bar Register of Preeminent Lawyers, Martindale-Hubbell

2009

Best Lawyer in San Antonio: Family Law, Scene in SA Magazine

2008

Best Lawyer in San Antonio: Family Law, Scene in SA Magazine

Work Experience

1992 - 1994

Associate Attorney, Nicholas & Barrera

Associations

2016 - Present

Federal Bar Association

Member

2008 - Present

State Bar College

Member

2008 - Present

Collaborative Law Institute of Texas

Member

2008 - Present

International Academy of Collaborative Professionals

Member

2008 - Present

International Collaborative Law Institute

Member

2008 - Present

State Bar of Texas, Family Law Section

Member

2008 - Present

State Bar of Texas, Appellate Section

Member

2008 - Present

State Bar of Texas, School Law Section

Member

2008 - Present

State Bar of Texas, Juvenile Law Section

Member

2008 - Present

State Bar of Texas, Criminal Justice Section

Member

2008 - Present

State Bar of Texas, Alternative Dispute Resolution Section

Member

1992 - Present

San Antonio Bar Association

Member

Sample of Legal Cases

In the Interest of NIVS & MCVS, Minor Children

In the Matter of the Marriage of ALFL and KLL, and In the Interest of KAFL, a Child

In re Davila, 04-13-00103-CV, 2013 WL 1192617 (Tex. App.—San Antonio Mar. 22, 2013, no pet.)

Writ of Mandamus Conditionally Granted

Griffith v. Griffith, 341 S.W.3d 43 (Tex. App. - San Antonio, 2011).

See More Legal Cases

Education

1992

St. Marys University School of Law

Doctor of Jurisprudence

1989

Texas A&M University

BA - Bachelor of Arts

Speaking Engagements

2015

Extreme Family Makeover XIII

It's No Longer Taboo: Same Sex Marriage & Divorce in Texas - Lesh Case Panel

Publications

Languages

English

Activity

Avvo Rating

Our Rating is calculated using information the lawyer has included on their profile in addition to the information we collect from state bar associations and other organizations that license legal professionals. Attorneys who claim their profiles and provide Avvo with more information tend to have a higher rating than those who do not.

What determines Avvo Rating?
  • Experience & background Years licensed, work experience, education
  • Legal community recognition Peer endorsements, associations, awards
  • Legal thought leadership Publications, speaking engagements
  • Discipline Disciplinary information may not be comprehensive, or updated. We recommend that you always check a lawyer's disciplinary status with their respective state bar association before hiring them.
Avvo Rating Levels
10.0 - 9.0 Superb8.9 - 8.0 Excellent7.9 - 7.0 Very Good6.9 - 6.0 Good5.9 - 5.0 Average4.9 - 4.0 Concern3.9 - 3.0 Caution2.9 - 2.0 Strong Caution1.9 - 1.0 Extreme Caution