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Claudia M. Canales

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  • PHONE 713.600.5500
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Claudia Canales is a native Texan and has been practicing family law in Houston since 2003. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice in 1997 from the University of Houston-Downtown. While attending the University of Houston-Downtown, Claudia worked as a clerk for the Harris County District Clerk’s Office and as an assistant clerk for the 310th Judicial District Court of Harris County.  In 2002, Claudia graduated cum laude with a Doctor of Jurisprudence from Texas Southern University—Thurgood Marshall School of Law.  During law school, she interned in the 310th Judicial District Court of Harris County.  Upon graduation from Thurgood Marshall School of Law, Claudia immediately opened her own law practice and remained in private practice for 18 years until she partnered with Jenkins & Kamin, L.L.P. in January 2022.

Prior to joining Jenkins & Kamin, L.L.P. as a partner, Claudia maintained a successful law practice in Child Welfare and Family Law.  During her 18 years in solo-practice, Claudia represented parties of divorce while also developing a uniquely diverse perspective through other various roles in the family law world. She accepted child welfare court-appointments as an Ad Litem Attorney representing parents and children involved in cases with the Texas Department of Family Protection Services (TDFPS), including termination of parental rights, participation in services, modification of custody orders, and adoptions.  Claudia accepted appointments as an Amicus Attorney to provide legal services to the Court to protect the best interests of children in high-conflict custody matters, including divorces, modifications, and private adoptions.  Claudia is a seasoned litigator who spent most of her 18 years of practice in a courtroom litigating complex family law cases to the bench as well as many juries.  In addition to her primary role as an attorney in family law, Claudia maintained a successful mediation practice, mediating a variety of highly contested child custody and child welfare cases.

Claudia lives in Houston with her husband Michael of 32 years.  Claudia and Michael have been avid runners since 2014 and have run over 20 half marathons in different cities across the nation, including the Houston Aramco half marathon, the Houston Chevron full marathon, Las Vegas Rock & Roll half marathon, and the New Orleans Rock & Roll half marathon.

Past Employment Positions

Jenkins & Kamin, L.L.P., Texas

Partner, January 2022 – Present

Law Office of Claudia Canales, Pearland, Texas

Owner, May 2003 – December 2021 

Family Law, including:

  • High-Conflict Custody and Visitation
  • Divorce
  • Paternity
  • Termination/Adoption
  • Child Welfare
  • Mediation
  • Texas, 2003
  • University of Houston-Downtown (Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice, 1997)
  • Texas Southern University – Thurgood Marshall School of Law (J.D., 2002)
  • Basic Mediation Training at A.A. White Dispute Resolution Institute (2006)
  • Advance Training, Divorce & Child Custody, A.A. White Dispute Resolution Institute (2006)
  • Domestic Violence for Advance Family Training for Mediation at Manousso Mediation (2018)
  • Houston Family Law Trial Institute at South Texas College of Law (Participant, 2019)
  • Author and Presenter: “Strategies for Being an Effective Amicus Attorney,” HBA Family Law Section (2010)
  • Presenter: “Who to Report Abuse To” with panelist Hon. Judge Judith Warne, HBA Family Law Section (2012)
  • Presenter: “Working with Your Coach: Attorneys and Guardians Ad Litem, CASAs, and Friends of the Court” with panelist Hon. Judith Warne, Texas Center for the Judiciary (2012)
  • Moderator: 27th Annual Family Law Conference for Law from Outside the Loop: Tips from Court Coordinators in Surrounding Counties, South Texas College of Law (2013)
  • Presenter: “What an Amicus Attorney Should Do and Not Do,” Galveston County Bar Association Annual Ad Litem Seminar (2013)
  • Presenter & Moderator: “A Day in the life of an Amicus-Texas Family Code 107,” Brazoria County 1st Annual Ad Litem/Amicus Seminar (2016)
  • Presenter: “Prepare and Present Temporary Orders,” Family Law Essentials: McAllen-Giving Back to Your Community (2017)
  • Presenter: “The Amicus Attorney in Hearings, Mediation, Depositions and Trial,” Galveston County Bar Association Bi-Annual Ad Litem/Amicus Seminar (2017)
  • Co-Presenter with Dr. Mary Alvarez, PhD: “How to Argue Against False Allegations and Child Alienation,” 2nd Annual Ad Litem/Amicus Seminar (2017)
  • Co-Presenter with Charlotte D. Rainwater: “The Young and the Restless: Drafting, Negotiating, and Litigating Pre-Schooler and Teenager Issues,” 41st Annual Marriage Dissolution Institute (2018)
  • Presenter with Wendy S. Burgower, Lynn Kamin, and Barbara Nunneley: “The Amicus Attorney: Friend or Foe,” Marriage Dissolution (2019)
  • Presenter with Hon. Julia Maldonado, Silvia Mintz, Francie Aguirre, Damaris Aguirre, Damaris Chavez and Laura Arteaga: “Taller Sobre Casos de Menores Bajo Custodia Del Departamento De Proteccion Al Menor (CPS) en Texas,” Consulate of Guatemala in Houston (2021)
  • State Bar of Texas – Family Law Section
  • Houston Bar Association-Family Law Section, Member of the Board of Directors (2019-Present)
  • Galveston County Bar Association
  • Permanent Judicial Commission for Children, Youth and Families Education Committee Member (2010-2012)
  • Burta Rhoads Raborn Family Law American Inn of Court (Former Co-Team Leader, 2020-2021)
  • LegalLine (Houston Bar Association)
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