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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Francesca Blackard’s dedication to family law has garnered her extensive recognition from leading publications and organizations in the field. She was honored as a Best Lawyer in America by U.S. News & World Report in 2024 and has been celebrated as a Best Lawyer in Dallas by D Magazine for seven consecutive years (2017-2024). She was also recognized as a Best Lawyer Under 40 by D Magazine from 2018 to 2024 and has been named a Texas Rising Star by Super Lawyers, Thomson Reuters from 2016 through 2024. A respected family lawyer throughout the Dallas-Fort Worth area, Francesca was named a Top Family Lawyer by Fort Worth Magazine from 2018 to 2024. Additionally, Modern Luxury Magazine has awarded her the title of Power Player for six years (2017-2023) and included her in their Dynamic Women list from 2016 to 2022.

Francesca’s achievements extend nationally as well. U.S. News & World Report included her firm in its Best Law Firms list from 2021 to 2022, and she earned a top-ten ranking from the National Academy of Family Law Attorneys in 2021 and 2022. Her contributions to the Texas legal field were further recognized by Texas Bar Today, which named her posts among the Top 10 Blog Posts from 2020 to 2022. From 2018 through 2022, she was listed as a Top Attorney by Fort Worth Magazine, and in 2019, she was honored as a Dallas Top Women in Law by the National Diversity Council. Her international legal insight was further acknowledged with the International Advisory Experts Award in 2020.

Francesca’s impact on family law and her devotion to her clients are cornerstones of her career at McClure Law Group. With a strong educational background, years of courtroom and negotiation experience, and a community-centered approach, Francesca offers her clients unparalleled support, skill, and compassion. Her clients appreciate not only her legal knowledge and strategic thinking but also the personal attention she provides throughout every case. As an advocate for positive change and a devoted family law attorney, Francesca continues to set a high standard for her profession and her community.

• State Bar of Texas
• National Society for Collegiate Scholars
• Saint Anne's Society Member - Christ the King Church
• Preston Hollow Early Childhood Association - Past Board Member
• St. Michael's Parents Association - Past Board Member

• Co-authored “Stopping Abuse & Changing Your Life” with Kirk Blackard, 2022