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Christine Henry Andresen

also known as CHA Law Group, PC
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Avvo Rating10
  • Austin, TX
  • Licensed for 14 years
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About Christine

Practice areas

Child custodyDivorce and separationFamilyAdoption
  1. Adoption: 30%

    Uncontested or contested adoptions. Relative adoptions. Step-parent adoptions. Same sex second-parent adoption, even in less simpatico counties. Adoptions related to traditional surrogacy aftermath.

    13 years

  2. Family: 30%

    Reproductive Law, including Gestational Agreements, Traditional Surrogacy Agreements, Sperm Donor Agreements. LGBT Legal Issues.

    13 years

  3. Divorce and separation: 20%

    Focus on cases with LGBT issues (but also straight-people divorces). Also a focus on collaborative or cooperative divorce.

    15 years

  4. Child custody: 20%

    Focus on cases with reproductive law, LGBT, or CPS sub-issues. But happy to take custody cases without those elements.

    15 years

Languages spoken

English

Contact

4103 Manchaca road
address map

4103 Manchaca road
Austin, TX, 78704

Adoption Website

Resume

License
StateStatusAcquiredUpdated
TXEligible To Practice In Texas 200612/05/2020
We have not found any instances of professional misconduct for this lawyer.
Avvo Contributions
Legal answers225
Legal guides0
Awards
Award nameGrantorDate granted
AAARTA FellowAmerican Academy of Assisted Reproduction Technology Attorneys2013
Award for Excellence in Dedication to Rep of DV VictimsTexas RioGrande Legal Aid2007
Scholarship for 2007 Advanced Family Law CourseAustin Bar Association Family Law Section2007
Associations
Association namePosition nameDuration
American Academy of Assisted Reproduction Technology AttorneysAAARTA Fellow2013 - Present
LGBT Family Law InstitueInvited Member2013 - Present
Austin LGBT Bar AssociationBoard Member2012 - Present
Robert W. Calvert American Inn of CourtAssociate2007 - Present
Education
School nameDegreeGraduated
Boston University School of LawJD - Juris Doctor2006
Speaking Engagements
Conference nameTitleDate
Bench/Bar ConferenceLGBT Legal Issues2015
Solo and Small Firm Section's Half-Day CLELGBT Legal Issues2013
Travis County District Judges and Staff AttorneysGestational Agreements2012
OutLaw Queer LunchLGBT Legal Issues2012
Get Your $#¡† TogetherWills and Legal Issues2012
Austin LGBT Bar CLEHow Babies Are Made2012
OUTLaw Legal Advocacy Conference, University of Texas Law SchoolLGBT Family Law2011
Child Welfare CLE in the 126th District CourtTermination of Parental Rights2011
University of Texas Law SchoolAssisted Reproductive Technologies2010
Step In and Step Out, Dell PridePanel Discussion2010
Equality Texas: State of the StateBest Interest of the Child: Parenting Policies2010
CAPA LunchLGBT Legal Issues2009
University of Texas Queer Texas ConferenceLGBT Legal Issues2008

Reviews

(7)
5 Star
71%
4 Star
14%
3 Star
0%
2 Star
0%
1 Star
14%
Review Christine Andresen

Compassionate, responsive and competent

Posted by

Great job. Helped us with a time-sensitive matter by seeing us at 8 pm the same day we called. Another law firm had said they couldn't help us due to the timing issue, but Christine went out of her way to accommodate us. After our initial consultation she made sure we were able to reach her on her cell phone via text message, she talked to the other party's lawyer to get us a representation we wanted, and then she came to the hospital to go over papers with us. Knowledgeable about interstate adoption.

Thank you Christine!

Posted by

Christine helped my wife and I navigate the legal complexities of bringing a child into the world through a surrogate and adoption. She showed great empathy toward us as well as excellent knowledge of the legal steps and requirements. Additionally, and perhaps more importantly, Christine demonstrated great instincts when it came to advising us where to go to court. In our area, the county in while you file can have a huge impact on the cost, the complexity, and even the eventual outcome as some judges look less favorably on our type of case. We didn't want to take chances with our child, so Christine helped us understand where and how to navigate the legal process in a way that was most likely to lead to a great outcome. A beautiful baby girl is now completely ours, not only in our hearts, but also in the eyes of the government. Thank you Christine!

An amazing person and attorney.

Posted by

She immediately struck me as a patient and driven person. On my first consultation, she gave me more than the allotted time, making sure that I had more information about the law of my case even if I did not choose her. I honestly thought I would not find any representation that I would feel completely comfortable with. I figured that any attorney would just view me and my case as part of their business, as a monetary influx, not as a family trying to make it through a difficult case. Instead, I met Christine. I am extremely happy to say that Christine is my attorney. She and her team truly care about every aspect of the case. I see this in all of the communication (massive amounts), in calming my fears, in allowing me to vent, in making sure that my family is doing ok. It has meant a lot to us, the amount of care that Christine and team have given. In court she was amazing, she was calm and spoke with the kind of precision that most movies try to mimic, only Christine can pull it off without a script. I was thoroughly impressed that she did not try to bend facts, she was able to overwhelm the other side with succinct statements based on what was factually true. She did not use tricks or drama, Christine just uses pure ability. I greatly appreciated this. These things are why CHA Law is amazing. I hope that she will continue to practice law as she does, with ethics, compassion and stellar capability. I can especially recommend her to fathers trying to navigate the Texas system. Be completely open with her and she will fiercely go to work for you.

Highly Recommended

Posted by

Ms. Andresen is an outstanding attorney! We were so pleased with her guidance, and the attention and professionalism she provided in our case. And, we grade her assistant Melissa, with an A+. If you are looking for one of the best attorneys in Austin, please contact this attorney.

friendly divorce - speedy and professional

Posted by

My divorce was pretty low-maintenance - no serious battles over property or children - but it was painful, and Ms. Andresen was sympathetic while getting me to look past the emotional issues. seh was very professional. And, even though she didn't have to "get tough" with the opposing council, I could tell from our conversations that she has experience with this and I would trust her with more contentious divorces. I have already recommended one of my personal friends to her, and would do so again.

2 out of 3 ain't half bad

Posted by

Pleasant experience overall. I retained Christine's services early in 2010 for a Name Change and Gender Marker Changes on my Driver's License. We met up, set an approximate date of completion, took some basic info, and I was sent out to collect supporting documents over the next few months. After gathering my documents, we decided to petition for Birth Certificate correction as well. From that point on it was pretty much a waiting game until the court date. Christine got us booked before a favorable judge and all petitions but the birth certificate correction were granted (thanks a bunch Littleton v Prange grrrr.). So, in the end, I got exactly what I was originally seeking and all for a very fair cost of retainer. I will recommend her to my peers for similar issues. The only bad parts I can say were some periods of non-contact which left me feeling somewhat hanging, but a quick email to the office would be replied to within a few days. Also, she seemed a bit flustered for our court date, but she did make an effort to try and convince the judge to approve all petitions and that was cool. She may have even taught the judge a new thing or two about the current state of transgender affairs at the federal level. Thank you Christine!

Unprofessional with poor communication

Posted by

I met Christine back in 2015 and found her to be competent, pleasant, and enjoyable to meet with. I did not end up retaining her services at that time but circled back for a very low-conflict divorce this year. It is noteworthy that the most contentious part of my divorce, in fact, was my relationship with Christine and Christine’s office staff. Any attempt to lodge a complaint was greeted with long denfensive emails (on my dime) about how the poor treatment I was receiving was actually not poor treatment and completely normal. Can you say gas lighting? So if you enjoy paying top dollar to be treated like a burden and told that legal documents are sloppy because of rushed efforts (the draft sent to me did not even have the correct names on it!) and to have the opposing counsel’s interests represented over your own, this is the firm for you! A measure of a business is not how well they handle things when everything is going well. The measure is how complaints are handled when things are not going well. Christine did not handle my concerns professionally nor competently. To date, I do not believe she understands the issues I had and despite an overt request for “zealous” representation, I was not treated as a valued client. There are SO many law firms in town. Pick a different one. It’s just not worth it to risk going through what I went through. Period. I have retained a new lawyer now and already see and feel the complete difference that comes when you are treated as a valued client.
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Hired attorney
Christine Andresen's response: To the reviewer: again, I apologize that you had such a negative experience. I am glad you were able to find another attorney who was a better fit. I wish you well. For everyone else, I ask that you keep in mind there are two sides to every story. Also please note the other reviews on this website and various other review websites from many former clients over the years who were far happier with my representation and the work of the CHA Law staff.

Attorney endorsements

(15)
Are you an attorney? Endorse this lawyer

Timothy Hutton

A great source of knowledge and experience. If you ask a question and she gives you an answer, you would be well advised to listen.

Sade Ogunbode, Family Attorney on Jun 15, 2016
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

Christine is passionate and practices with conviction and high ethics. I would entrust my own case to her. based on what I know of her commitment to her clients and to quality work.

Kate Lincoln-Goldfinch, Family Attorney on May 27, 2016
Relationship: Friend

Christine is a valuable source in the legal community for LGBT and family law. She cares deeply for her each of her clients, and every case receives the utmost attention it needs. You won't be disappointed.

Xavier Medina, Family Attorney on Jan 26, 2015
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

Christine is the first attorney I turn to when I have a client that needs representation with family law issues. Among her many credentials, she is a member of the Inns of Court which is an impressive testament to her expertise and ethics. In short, she is simply one of the best and I recommend her without reservation.

Robert von Dohlen, Family Attorney on Oct 29, 2014
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

I endorse this lawyer. Great asset to the legal community!

Kacy Dudley, Family Attorney on Jun 9, 2014
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

I endorse this lawyer.

Pamela Thompson, Family Attorney on Dec 8, 2013
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

Christine is a highly skilled family law attorney serving the Austin area. Christine specializes in gestational agreements and serves the needs of the LBGT community - a highly underserved population. Before you enter into any kind of gestational agreement - call Christine and find out your rights. Whether you are interested in adoption or surrogacy, let Christine help you protect your crucial rights before you sign on the dotted line.

Kevin Bennett, Family Attorney on Oct 24, 2013
Relationship: Opposing Counsel on matter

I endorse this lawyer. Christine is smart, skilled and fights hard for her clients. She is a very effective advocate for her clients.

Garrett Higley, Family Attorney on Aug 1, 2013
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

I have known Christine for some time, worked with her on the CAFA Board of Directors, and seen her advocate for her clients in and out of the community. Christine is creative, caring, tenacious, and empathetic. I endorse Christine!

William Nabors, Family Attorney on Apr 22, 2013
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

Christine takes the time to understand the unique needs of her clients. She has a true passion for her areas of practice, which enables her to provide superb service.

Kiele Pace, Family Attorney on Apr 4, 2013
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

Christine is a fantastic lawyer. Very knowledgable and sharp. I endorse her wholeheartedly.

Kelly Denson, Family Attorney on Jan 2, 2013
Relationship: Opposing Counsel on matter

Christine is one of a handful of Texas lawyers with strong experience in gestational agreements. I appreciate that she's a strong advocate for her clients, while working cooperatively towards reaching an agreement.

Brandon Bledsoe, Family Attorney on Sep 5, 2012
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

I have found Christine to be a very insightful and resourceful lawyer. I often confer with her about novel or difficult family law issues and I always feel better informed afterwards. I haven't known her all that long yet, but she definitely strikes me as someone who is very rigorous in researching and preparing for all of her cases, no matter who the client is. She has also impressed me with her ability to command and control a small army of interns.

Rita Anderson, Family Attorney on Apr 24, 2011
Relationship: Worked together on matter

I endorse this lawyer. Christine Henry Andresen is an extremely strong litigator. She zealously advocates for her clients. I have worked with Chistine on various matters and have always found her to be professional, knowledgeable and a great advocate.

Cristi Trusler, Family Attorney on Jun 8, 2010
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

Strong, informed, and caring advocate. Special knowledge in same sex partnership legal issues and in child custody, abuse and neglect issues.