Ryan Kirkham
Practice Areas
Education
- Syracuse University College of Law, J.D. 2009
- University of Wisconsin-Madison, B.A. 2003
Admitted to Practice
- State Bar of Texas, 2009
Awards & Honors
- Texas Super Lawyers (2020-2023)
- Texas Super Lawyers – Rising Stars (2012, 2017-2019)
- D Magazine, Best Lawyers Under 40: 2019
- The Best Lawyers in America® (2021-2025)
Affiliations and Memberships
- Texas State Bar, Family Law Section
- Texas Bar College – Member 2017
- Dallas Bar Association, Family Law Section
- Dallas Association of Young Lawyers Foundation, Life Fellow
- Annette Stewart Inn of Court
- Turtle Creek Park Conservancy, Board Member
- Österreichischer Skiverband (Member Austrian Ski Federation)
- Kitzbüheler Ski Club
Practice Description
Since 2009, Ryan Kirkham has dedicated his career exclusively to the practice of family law. He has extensive work in helping clients in contested custody litigation, often encompassing a range of mental health expert involvement, and complex property division cases, including matters of characterization, tracing, and valuation of businesses and professional practices. His practice also entails other related matters to the field, such as enforcement of orders, and drafting of marital property agreements. He has frequently dealt with unique jurisdictional issues in child custody cases, including matters involving the Hague Convention regarding child abduction.
Representative Experience
Mr. Kirkham has represented clients in numerous family law cases across Texas, especially Dallas, Collin, Denton, and Tarrant Counties.
Additionally, Mr. Kirkham is bilingual in German and has frequently represented German speaking clients in a variety of international family law matters.
Publications, Seminars, and Cases
“Coronavirus and Child Custody Modifications: Dealing with the ‘Material and Substantial Change,’ Texas Lawyer May 28, 2020
“The Secret Weapon for Divorced or Divorcing Parents,” D Magazine, February 2019
“Excluding Expert Witness Testimony in Texas Child Custody Litigation,” (Co-Authored with Keith Nelson; Jonathan Gould, Ph.D.; Benjamin J. Albritton, Psy.D; Diana S. Friedman; and Lynn Kamin); Innovations: Breaking Boundaries in Child Custody Litigation, June, 2015.
“Characterization & Tracing: An Overview,” (Co-Authored with Brad LaMorgese and others), Advanced Family Law Course, August, 2011.
“Valuation: Approaches, Assets and Authority,” (R. Scott Downing Lead Author and Presenter, Co-Authored with Stephen Orsinger and Lindsey Barbee), Advanced Family Law Course, August, 2010.
“Making Summary Judgment Relevant Again,” (R. Scott Downing – Lead Author and Presenter, Co-Authored with Betsy Branch, Lindsey Barbee), Advanced Family Law Course, August, 2007.