David Thompson: Family Law Attorney
David Thompson is a trusted Dallas Family Law Firm to the Balekian Hayes, PLLC, team. He is an experienced trial litigator who has spent the last 16 years successfully advocating for his clients. A U.S. Army veteran, David is proud to fight alongside the attorneys of Balekian Hayes, PLLC zealously, aggressively, and intelligently, advancing his client’s interests. David recognizes that in family law, every family and every case is different. David will give every case the attention to detail it deserves. David is a family law attorney at Balekian Hayes Family Law Firm, where he advocates for clients in complex and high-conflict family law matters. David has extensive experience handling contested custody disputes, high net-worth property division cases, protective order proceedings, and enforcement actions.
Compassion and connection are at the core of David’s practice. He takes the time to truly understand her clients’ needs, ensuring they remain central to every legal strategy he develops. Clients who work with David can expect to be treated with professionalism, respect, and accountability.
Education
David began his higher education at Xavier University in Cincinnati, Ohio, where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, magna cum laude, in 2006, majoring in Management and minoring in Entrepreneurship. He then earned his Juris Doctor, graduating magna cum laude, from the University of Texas Tech School of Law in Lubbock, Texas, in 2009, building a strong foundation in general legal principles. In 2019, he earned a Master of Laws (LL.M.) from The Judge Advocate General’s Legal Center and School in Charlottesville, Virginia, with a concentration in Military Law and a focus on Criminal Law, further developing his expertise in complex legal issues faced by service members. Most recently, in 2025, he completed the 68th Military Judge’s Certification Course in Charlottesville, Virginia, preparing him to serve with distinction in judicial capacities within the military justice system. Across these academic and professional achievements, David has consistently combined intellectual rigor with practical preparation, equipping him to navigate both the military and civilian legal landscapes with distinction.
Experience
Before joining Balekian Hayes, PLLC, he gained experience overseeing all phases of litigation, from initial case assessment through final resolution, ensuring that legal strategy was carefully aligned with each client’s objectives. Known for his strategic and detail-oriented approach, he combined strong advocacy with practical problem-solving to guide clients through emotionally challenging legal issues.
Prior to practicing family law, David served on active duty in the U.S. Army for twelve and a half years as Judge Advocate (military lawyer). In addition to deploying to Afghanistan, where he earned the Bronze Star medal, David served in multiple legal capacities including advocate to Soldiers and their families, adviser to commanders in the law of war, and criminal prosecutor. David’s military successes led to his appointment as military defense counsel where he zealously advocated for soldier clients in numerous fully contested jury trials. He was later appointed to serve as an advocate for victims of domestic violence and sexual assault. After years of trial experience in each of these various roles, David was selected by the highest-ranking attorney in the U.S. Army to teach trial advocacy and procedure to lawyers and paralegals at The Judge Advocate General’s Legal Center and School. David’s legal writing skills have been recognized in scholarly publications such as the Army Lawyer and the University of Texas Law Review.
Since leaving active duty, David has practiced family law exclusively in his civilian practice. David’s unique and varied background provides him–to the great benefit of his clients– a specialized understanding of many challenging and intersecting aspects of family law, criminal law, and military law.
David continues to serve in the U.S. Army Reserve where he has obtained the rank of Lieutenant Colonel.
Divorce Attorney
David approaches each case with a strategic mindset and compassionate guidance, helping clients navigate the emotional and legal challenges of divorce while protecting their rights and interests. Known for his meticulous preparation and strong advocacy, he works closely with clients to achieve fair, practical solutions tailored to their unique circumstances.
Child Custody Attorney
David is committed to advocating for his clients’ rights while helping them navigate difficult decisions regarding their children’s care and well-being. In addition to custody matters, he handles high-net-worth property division cases, protective order proceedings, and enforcement actions, providing comprehensive legal support tailored to each family’s unique circumstances. Known for his strategic approach, compassionate guidance, and unwavering commitment, David works diligently to achieve outcomes that prioritize both his clients’ interests and the best interests of their children.
Practice Areas
- Divorce
- Child Custody
- United States Supreme Court, Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces, Army Court of Criminal Appeals
Publications
- Truth or Dare? An SVC’s Dilemma in Handling a Client’s Potential Falsehoods, ARMY LAW., Oct. 2019
- Supporting Victims of Sexual Misconduct: Three Judge Advocate General’s Corps (JAGC) Driven Solutions to Three Problems
- Revealed by the Fort Hood Independent Review Committee Report, 101 TEX L. REV. 303 (2023).
Professional Associations
- Participant: Advanced Family Law (Aug 2022, 2023, 2024), Collaborative Divorce Law Basic Interdisciplinary
- Training (September 2023), Judge Advocate Basic Officer Training; Criminal Law Advocacy Course (Army);
- National Center For Missing and Exploited Children: Amy Almquist Advocacy Course; Military Institute on the
- Prosecution of Sexual Violence; Sexual Assault Trial Advocacy Course; Criminal Investigative Division Forensic
- Course; Special Victims’ Counsel Course; Special Victims’ Counsel–Child Certification Course; U.S. Trial
- Defense Services Defense Counsel 101 Course, U.S. Trial Defense Services Defense Counsel 201 Course; Sexual
- Assault Leadership Training.
- Instructor: 2025 Denton Bench Bar, Judge Advocate Basic Officer Training; Judge Advocate Graduate Course;
- Intermediate Trial Advocacy Course, Military Justice Leaders Course; Military Justice Adviser’s Course, Sexual
- Assault Trial Advocacy Course; Military Judge’s Course; Special Victims’ Counsel Course, Special Victims’
- Counsel–Child and Domestic Violence Victims Course; Judge Advocate Officer Advanced Course.
- Dallas Bar Association- Family Law Section
- Denton Bar Association, Denton Family Law Section
- Collaborative Divorce Texas membership
Current Employment Position
- Associate Attorney
Awards
- Military Awards: Master Qualification (highest level criminal law proficiency) in Military Justice; Bronze Star,
- Meritorious Service Medal (awarded two times), Army Commendation Medal (awarded three times); Army
- Achievement Medal (awarded three times); Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal, Afghanistan
- Campaign Medal; Overseas Service Ribbon; Airborne Qualified, Air Assault Qualified; German Armed Forces
- Troop Proficiency Badge (Gold); Selected as Judge Advocate Field Screening Officer (four times).
- Law School: Selected to Board of Barristers; Awarded Order of the Barrister (top advocate award); School
- Negotiation Champion, ABA Regional Negotiation Finalist, ABA National Negotiation Team, Gibbons Moot
- Court Team, Mock Trial Team.
- Undergraduate: University Honors Scholar; Reserve Officers’ Training Corp (ROTC): 4-year Full Scholarship
- Recipient; Dean’s List (Every semester); Distinguished Military Graduate; Nationally ranked as number 31
- ROTC cadet out of approximate 3800 cadets
- Personal: Fort Bliss Volunteer Award for Big Brothers Big Sisters, completed Charlottesville, Virginia Marathon
*By the Texas Board of Legal Specialization
Special Training and Skills
- Participant: Advanced Family Law (Aug 2022, 2023, 2024), Collaborative Divorce Law Basic Interdisciplinary
- Training (September 2023), Judge Advocate Basic Officer Training; Criminal Law Advocacy Course (Army);
- National Center For Missing and Exploited Children: Amy Almquist Advocacy Course; Military Institute on the
- Prosecution of Sexual Violence; Sexual Assault Trial Advocacy Course; Criminal Investigative Division Forensic
- Course; Special Victims’ Counsel Course; Special Victims’ Counsel–Child Certification Course; U.S. Trial
- Defense Services Defense Counsel 101 Course, U.S. Trial Defense Services Defense Counsel 201 Course; Sexual
- Assault Leadership Training.
- Instructor: 2025 Denton Bench Bar, Judge Advocate Basic Officer Training; Judge Advocate Graduate Course;
- Intermediate Trial Advocacy Course, Military Justice Leaders Course; Military Justice Adviser’s Course, Sexual
- Assault Trial Advocacy Course; Military Judge’s Course; Special Victims’ Counsel Course, Special Victims’
- Counsel–Child and Domestic Violence Victims Course; Judge Advocate Officer Advanced Course.
Personal Life
David is married to his wife, Kate, and has two children, Alexander and Vivienne. In his free time, David enjoys running, singing karaoke, and spending time with family and friends.
Get in Touch
David and the rest of the team at Balekian Hayes, PLLC, can address all of your family law needs. We offer forward-thinking legal solutions and practical support as you prepare for the next stages of your life.
In addition to divorce and child custody, we help clients with asset division, high-asset divorce cases, same-sex family legal issues, spousal support, grandparents’ rights, and matters involving child protective services. If you have a family law problem, contact us.