I graduated in the top 10% of my law school class and have been practicing law for more than 30 years in Texas. I graduated "with Honors" from Baylor University and "with Distinction" from St. Mary's Law School in San Antonio, where I am a life-long resident. I was a briefing attorney for the court of appeals in San Antonio, and I was twice named as one of the top appellate lawyers and a top Family Lawyer in "Scene in San Antonio" magazine. I am a strong advocate for children, and have represented children for 21 years in cases involving child protective services. I participated twice in a 20-mile walk to help prevent child abuse. I also represent many elderly people in wills, guardianships, probate and estate planning. Most of all, I am diligent to provide excellent legal advice. My motto is "Justice Flows from Truth, Compassion, Wisdom, and Persistence."(tm) I work hard to provide compassionate, efficient service to all my clients, always working within the bounds of the law. I am a published author, speaker, mediator, and small business owner. I am also a mother, a pet owner, an avid Spurs basketball and Baylor Bear football fan.
Practice areas
35 years
Including estate planning, guardianships, probate estate administration with and without wills, and trusts
35 years
Languages spoken
English
State | Status | Acquired | Updated |
---|---|---|---|
TX | Eligible To Practice In Texas | 1987 | 05/28/2022 |
Legal answers | 30 |
Legal guides | 0 |
Award name | Grantor | Date Granted |
---|---|---|
10 Best Family Law Attorneys in Texas (2019, 2020, 2021, 2022) | American Institute of Family Law Attorneys | 2022 |
Superb Rating in Family Law and Probate | AVVO | 2022 |
A+ Accredited Business (2018 thru 2022) | Better Business Bureau | 2022 |
Top Family Lawyer in San Antonio | Scene in SA Magazine | 2021 |
10 Best Law Firms | American Institute of Family Law Attorneys | 2020 |
Outstanding Lawyer in San Antonio | San Antonio Business Journal | 2019 |
Peer Review Rated | Martindale-Hubbell | 2016 |
San Antonio Best Lawyers | Scene in SA Magazine | 2006 |
American Jurisprudence Awards,Domestic Relations | 1986 | |
American Jurisprudence Award, Agency and Partnership Law | 1986 |
Title | Company name | Duration |
---|---|---|
Attorney/Owner | The L.D.Heard Law Firm Inc. | 1992 - Present |
MEDIATOR, Family Law Certified | L.D.Heard Law Firm Inc. | 2016 - 2017 |
Adjunct Professor | Wayland Baptist University | 1996 - 2006 |
Attorney | Soules and Wallace | 1988 - 1992 |
Briefing Attorney | 4th Court of Appeals, San Antonio | 1987 - 1988 |
Association name | Position name | Duration |
---|---|---|
San Antonio Bar Association | Member | N/A |
San Antonio Bar Association, Family Law Section | Member | N/A |
San Antonio Bar Association, Elder Law Section | Member | N/A |
San Antonio Bar Association, Appellate Practice Section | Member | N/A |
Texas Women Lawyers | Board of Directors | 1987 - 1988 |
Publication name | Title | Date |
---|---|---|
Book (232 pages) by Laura D. Heard | Divorce and Estate Planning in Texas - How to Plan Ahead for the Unexpected and Save Your Family's Future, by Laura D. Heard | 2022 |
NBI seminar, Probate: Beyond the Basics | “Ethical Issues in Probate Practice: Establishing and Following Ethical Best Practices,” by Laura D. Heard | 2007 |
NBI seminar, Building Your Civil Trial Skills | “How to Handle Post-Trial Issues,” by Laura D. Heard, | 2006 |
Docket Call in Civil Court, CLE seminar at St. Mary’s School of Law | Co-author: Discovery by the Book, by Luther H. Soules III and Laura D. Heard | 1991 |
29 SO. TEX. LAW REVIEW 413 | Acknowledged in: "The Will Execution Ceremony – History, Significance, and Strategies," by Gerry W. Beyer, with acknowledgment for assistance to Laura D. Heard | 1988 |
Texas Wills and Estates, Cases and Materials, by Gerry W. Beyer. (Butterworth Legal Publishers) | Acknowledged for research in:Texas Wills and Estates, Cases and Materials, by Gerry W. Beyer; acknowledgment at page vii. | 1987 |
West’s Texas Forms, Probate and Administration of Estates, vol. 12A, by Leopold and Beyer (West Publishing Co.) | Acknowledged for research in: West’s Texas Forms, Probate and Administration of Estates, vol. 12A, by Leopold and Beyer; acknowledgment at page v. | 1987 |
17 ST. MARY’S LAW JOURNAL 927 | A Time to Be Born, A Time to Die: Alternative Reproduction and Texas Probate Law, by Laura D. Heard | 1986 |
18 St. Mary’s Law Journal 661 | Education –House Bill 72 – Teacher Competency Testing Is a Valid Exercise of State Legislative Police Power, Recent Development: Texas State Teacher’s Ass’n v. State, 711 S.W.2d 421 (Tex. App.–Austin 1986, no writ), | 1986 |
School name | Degree | Graduated |
---|---|---|
St Mary's University of San Antonio School of Law | JD - Juris Doctor | 1987 |
Baylor University | BA - Bachelor of Arts | 1983 |
Conference name | Title | Date |
---|---|---|
People's Law School - San Antonio Bar | Consumer Law | 1995 |
Case name | Outcome |
---|---|
Blackthorne v. Blackthorne | |
TDPRS v. McFarland | McFarland children were adopted |
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Scott Lemanski, Child custody Attorney on Apr 7, 2015
Relationship: Other
I endorse this lawyer.
Jerry King, General practice Attorney on Dec 5, 2014
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse this lawyer. She is a good lawyer, and she has good common sense.
Gerald Uretsky, Family Attorney on Dec 4, 2014
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse this lawyer.
Michael Waddington, Family Attorney on Nov 3, 2011
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse this lawyer.
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