Francesca Blackard

Francesca Blackard is a dedicated family law attorney and partner at McClure Law Group, where she has exclusively practiced family law since earning her Juris Doctor from New York Law School in 2012. Francesca’s journey to becoming a well-respected family law attorney began even before law school, where she spent five years working as a paralegal and law clerk at family law firms in Chicago, New York, and Dallas. Her unique career path has honed a skill set deeply rooted in family law, client advocacy, and compassionate service. Born and raised in Dallas, Francesca brings both local insights and global perspectives to her practice, offering clients legal support with genuine understanding and dedication.

Educational Foundation and Early Experience

Francesca’s commitment to family law was evident early in her career. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from DePaul University in Chicago before pursuing law at New York Law School. Balancing full-time work and rigorous academics, Francesca also dedicated her time to volunteer advocacy for victims of domestic violence through the Bronx Family Courthouse’s Domestic Violence Project, where she helped clients secure protective orders. Her background working with underrepresented individuals and her own family law experience shaped her compassionate yet resilient approach. Francesca is admitted to the Texas State Bar and has since worked tirelessly in family law across trial and appellate courts in Texas.

Commitment to Community and Global Perspective

Francesca’s connection to her heritage and fluency in Spanish provides her clients with valuable, culturally informed legal support. As a proud Mexican American, she has spent extensive time in Mexico, where she studied at Instituto Alpes San Javier in Guadalajara to perfect her Spanish fluency. In addition to Spanish, Francesca is conversant in French and passionate about world cultures, reflecting her dedication to effective, empathetic communication. This global outlook is balanced by Francesca’s deep roots in Dallas, where she has consistently contributed to her community through volunteerism and an open-door approach to client service.

Client-Centered Approach and Skilled Negotiation

Francesca’s practice is centered on understanding each client’s personal story and specific goals. Her commitment to “serviam” (service), a principle from her time at Ursuline Academy, guides her interactions with clients. Each case is handled with meticulous attention to detail, and she ensures every client receives the support and advocacy they deserve. Francesca is known for her negotiation skills, having been trained in collaborative law and successful mediation. When impasses arise, Francesca excels at devising creative, solution-oriented strategies that bring parties back to the table and produce favorable outcomes.

Courtroom Successes and Case Highlights

In her years at McClure Law Group, Francesca has represented clients in complex, high-stakes cases, earning her a reputation for results-driven litigation. In her first month with the firm, she played a pivotal role in a multi-million-dollar divorce case, drafting a persuasive brief on community and separate property, which contributed to a highly favorable judgment. Francesca’s dedication to courtroom preparation extends to all her cases, from multi-million-dollar property disputes to custody battles and prenuptial agreements. She prevailed in securing primary custody for a grandparent, navigating recent changes in the Texas Family Code with precision and compassion.

Some additional representative cases include:

• Negotiating a 50/50 possession arrangement for a parent who had initially relinquished many rights in the heat of a divorce;
• Secured primary possession for a grandparent seeking custody of a grandchild.
• Briefed the Court on a complex division of a medical practice, achieving a favorable ruling.
• Negotiated a post-marital agreement that facilitated a smooth transition to an amicable divorce years later.
• Negotiated a pre-marital agreement for a surgeon, preserving significant assets following early marital infidelity.
• Assisted a mother in achieving court-ordered no overnight stays for an abusive father.
• Secured the enforcement of a pre-marital agreement for an NBA player, helping him avoid public litigation and family stress.
• Participated in a jury trial resulting in primary possession for a father after a prior termination of his parental rights.
• Negotiated a balanced custody arrangement for an oil and gas CEO against a stay-at-home mother.
• Secured above-guideline child support for a client whose high-earning spouse had recently experienced a career setback.
• Litigated a case for a renowned musician, securing millions despite substantial asset commingling.

Francesca’s tenacity and thoughtful approach have repeatedly led to outcomes where other attorneys might have been less successful.