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Mstislav Pedro Talavera-Karmanov
also known as Slav Talavera
About Mstislav
Biography
I was born in Morelia, Michoacan, Mexico to a Russian Mother and a Mexican Father. My parents met in Moscow where my father went to study his undergraduate degree. When my mother was pregnant my parents moved to Mexico to be closer to my father’s family and they began work as educators. After only a few years in Mexico my parents decided that they wanted to continue their education in America and began applying for visas so that we could immigrate to this country as a family. The University of Texas accepted my parents into their Ph.D. program and allowed me to come into the United States with my parents. I have been a Longhorn fan ever since.
After my parents received their PhDs from UT they both accepted jobs as professors in Joplin, Missouri and I began middle school in Missouri. I graduated high school in Missouri and to stay close to my family I decided to attend Washington University in St. Louis on a scholarship. I graduated with dual degrees from Arts & Sciences and the Business school and decided to work after college. I found the corporate life to be monotonous and without passion and made a decision to attend law school after only a year of work in the business sector. I had excelled in debate both in high school and college and decided that public speaking and oration were better suited for me than the corporate life.
I attended Southern Methodist University in Dallas for law school in my desperate attempt to get back to Texas after having to deal with Midwest winters for such a long time. I graduated in 2010 and began litigating immediately with Legal Aid. I wanted to help people who were suffering, and I began doing Veteran’s and VAWA (Violence Against Women Act) work immediately to help those who needed it most. I found the courtroom and litigation to be the most rewarding work I had ever done in my life. I have continued to work in Family Law since the beginning of my career and I have devoted my entire career exclusively to family issues.
My wife, Elizabeth Shehan, and I have a toddler named Dmitri and a baby named Mikhail that have helped me to understand the difficulties of being a parent more than any case or legal argument ever could. In our spare time, my wife and I enjoy competing against each other in fantasy football. I speak Spanish, Russian and English and am always excited to get to speak to other native speakers around Austin.
Practice Areas
4
Practice Areas
Fees and Rates
Cost
Retainer
Always
Payment Methods
- Cash
- Check
- Credit Card
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Chat withLicenses
Licensed in Texas for 15 years
State: Texas
Acquired: 2010
No misconduct found
Location
Slav Law, PC
6034 W Courtyard Dr, Suite 100, Austin, TX, 78730
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Mstislav Pedro Talavera-Karmanov's Reviews
Showing 1 - 5 of 12 client reviews from Avvo
Posted by Miranda | March 16, 2025 | Hired Attorney
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
I don’t recommend
It is painfully obvious Mr. Talavera is writing fake positive reviews for himself. What he lacks in legal prowess he compensates with attitude. This is not a skilled attorney. Save your time, headache, and money.
Posted by Sue | November 24, 2023 | Hired Attorney
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Errors and running up bill with offers
I saw a couple positive reviews mentioning Slav after I contacted Walters Gilbreath to handle my case because I was too busy working to handle it myself, so I thought I was in good hands. Nope. There were many errors that I caught on paperwork he did. Travis County made an error on the lien I had...
Posted by Amber | January 29, 2020 | Hired Attorney
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Absolutely hands down best experience with Slav Talavera!
Honest, respectful, compassionate and full of skill and zest. I can not express in tangible words just how amazing my experience was with this law firm, specifically Slav Talavera. We all know how tuff and unnerving a custody battle can be, but Slav calmed me and walked me thru the steps. He and his ...
Posted by Laura | July 23, 2019 | Hired Attorney
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Amazing results - fast!
I had a unique custody case that was a bit of an uphill battle for what I wanted to accomplish. Slav Talavera was incredible and got me AMAZING results and I was completely done within a few months. I thought this would drag out through the end of the year. He was extremely thorough and excellent wit...
Posted by Jay | November 7, 2016 | Hired Attorney
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Slav Talavera
Slav has been an amazing attorney for me during this very difficult transition. We were able to win full custody of my three children which is difficult to do in Texas for a man and Slav has been very helpful and professional all the way through this long tough road. He knows the law very well, but e...
Mstislav Pedro Talavera-Karmanov's Lawyer Endorsements
"I endorse this lawyer."
"i endorse this lawyer. I have known Slav for many years. He is a man of great character and I would trust him with any case of mine."
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"Slav has a consistent presence in and out of the Courtroom which can only be described as unflagging. He has a deeply tactical and creative approach to problem solving which makes working with him a joy for both clients and fellow attorneys. This attorney will not rest until he has crafted a unique and effective solution for his clients every step of the way."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"Slav is an intelligent attorney with a tremendous amount of courtroom experience. I highly recommend Slav to anyone seeking a family law attorney."
"Slav is an incredibly smart and hard working attorney who will stop at nothing to succeed for his clients. His attention to detail is outstanding, and his work ethic makes him stand out from the crowd. You would be in great hands if you had Slav as your attorney."
"Slav is a smart, hardworking attorney, who has a client-centered approach. He goes above and beyond to achieve the best for his clients day in and day out. I'd highly recommend him."
"Slav Talavera is astute, articulate, and uncompromising in his pursuit of justice! I highly recommend him for any family law issue, whether it be a difficult property division or a simple child support calculation. Slav always goes the extra mile to ensure his clients' best interests."
"Slav is an intelligent, savvy attorney who goes the extra mile for his clients. I would highly recommend Slav to handle any family law matter."
"I highly recommend Slav, he always puts his Clients’ needs first. He understands what it takes to be successful in the courtroom. I highly recommend him."
"I endorse this lawyer. Mr. Talavera has brought his wide range of talents to our firm. His knowledge of military divorces is just one example of nuanced knowledge that he can help our clients with. Slav is as sharp an attorney as you'll find practicing in Central Texas."
Kannon Moore
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James Piper
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Melody Petitt
Divorce and separation lawyer
Michele Locke
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Brittany Sharkey
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Shawn Smith
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Kimberly Smith
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Kody Silva
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David Lindsay
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Carson Steinbauer
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Daniel Whitworth
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Rachel Craig
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Sarah Kocian
Divorce and separation lawyer
Ryan Toomey
Personal injury lawyer
Elizabeth Shehan
Personal injury lawyer
Andrew Harris
Unknown lawyer
Scott Thomas
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Holly Davis
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Tina Torres
Family lawyer
Lauren Doughty
Divorce and separation lawyer
Experience
Honors
2016
10 Best Client Satisfaction, American Institute of Family Law Attorneys
2016
Top 40 Under 40, The National Advocates
2015
Client Satisfaction 10 Best, American Institute of Family Law Attorneys
2015
Top 10 Attorneys Under 40, National Academy Of Family Law Attorneys
2008
Best Oral Advocate, Jackson Walker Moot Court Competition, SMU
2007
Presidential Scholarship, SMU Dedman School of Law
2002
Dean's Scholarship, Washington University in St. Louis
Work Experience
2022 - Present
Owner, Slav Law, PC
2018 - 2022
Associate Attorney, WaltersGilbreath, PLLC
2017 - 2018
Attorney, The Law Office of Janet McCullar, P.C.
2015 - 2016
Attorney at Law, Zinda Law Group, PLLC
2013 - 2014
Associate Attorney, The Carlson Law Firm, PC
2010 - 2013
Attorney, Lone Star Legal Aid
2009 - 2010
Law Clerk, Dallas County Public Defender's Office
2007 - 2009
Law Clerk, Domingo Garcia, P.C.
Associations
2015 - Present
Austin Bar Association
2015 - Present
Austin Young Lawyers Association
2015 - Present
Austin Young Chamber of Commerce
2013 - 2014
Bell County Bar AssociationBoard Member
2013 - 2014
Bell County Young Lawyers AssociationPresident
Sample of Legal Cases
IN THE INTEREST OF BABY GIRL S., A CHILD, Supreme Court of Texas
Privileged
Father’s Rights – Emergency Custody Change after Summer Visitation
Father given primary custody
Father’s Rights
Father awarded primary custody and mother's right to overnight visitation removed
Education
2010
Southern Methodist University
JD - Juris Doctor
2006
Washington University in St. Louis
BSBA, BS
Speaking Engagements
2011
Bell County Options Course
Options Course in Domestic Violence
2011
BCBAP Speaker Series
Property Valuation
Languages
Russian
Spanish
English