Goldstein, Joseph

R. Scott Downing is a skilled trial lawyer who has tried numerous complex high-dollar property and custody cases. Recognizing, however, that not every situation requires a courtroom, Scott also has opened his practice to the use of Collaborative Law.

AV-rated by Martindale-Hubbell, Scott has earned recognition on every Texas Super Lawyers list since its inception in 2003, receiving additional recognition among the "Top 100 Lawyers in Texas" in 2009 and 2010. He also is recognized in Best Lawyers in America and D Magazine for his work in Family Law.

He has written extensively for national and statewide publications on various Family Law topics, including complex characteristic issues, advanced evidence matters, attorney ad litem practice, jurisdictional conflicts, trial presentation and hidden asset cases in preparation for temporary hearings. He also routinely speaks before groups including the Advanced Family Law Course and Marriage Dissolution Course to address Family Law and evidentiary topics.

Scott's articles have been published by the State Bar of Texas, The Journal of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, and the Texas Academy of Family Law Specialists. His article "Property Puzzles: Characterization, Tracing, 25 Rules and More" earned honors as the Best Family Law CLE article in 2006.

He served as director of the State Bar of Texas Family Law Section's Family Law Essentials course in 2006 and 2007, and as Co-Director of the Texas Academy of Family Law Specialists Course in 2007. He has served on the Board of Directors for the Texas Academy of Family Law Specialists and as Chairman of the District 1A Grievance Committee. He also was selected to serve as the Director of the 2009 Marriage Dissolution Course.

Scott has been Board Certified in Family Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization since 1999. He is a 1991 graduate of the University of Houston Law Center. During law school, he earned American Jurisprudence Awards in contracts and civil trial advocacy in addition to serving as Associate Editor of the Houston Law Review. He received his undergraduate degree from the University of Texas. He is married to Maureen Downing. They have four children, Ryan, Kaleigh, Park and Will.