Meet our Board
Board Members
Bernadette Barbee, Attorney
President
Bernadette A. Barbee is a top-rated attorney based in Houston, Texas, known for her exceptional legal expertise and commitment to the legal profession. She was recognized as a Super Lawyer in 2020 and holds admission to practice in Texas courts.
After completing her undergraduate studies, Bernadette attended South Texas College of Law Houston, where she earned her juris doctor degree in 2004. Her legal career began with a focus on civil litigation at prestigious law firms, where she handled complex commercial and business disputes, fiduciary litigation, and securities fraud cases. However, her journey evolved over nearly two decades, leading her to her true passion: helping families.
Today, Bernadette Barbee utilizes her extensive experience in high-stakes civil litigation to achieve favorable outcomes in complex divorce cases. She is dedicated not only to financial matters but also to minimizing the emotional toll of divorce and custody disputes on families, prioritizing the well-being of children involved.
As a Board Certified Family Law attorney, Bernadette possesses the skills and knowledge necessary to guide families through the divorce process, whether through traditional litigation, mediation, or collaborative divorce. She also serves as a court-appointed attorney for children and parents in CPS matters.
Beyond her legal practice, Bernadette actively contributes to her legal community by being a member of prominent organizations such as the Burta Rhodes Raborn – Family Law – Inns of Court, Collaborative Divorce Houston, Collaborative Divorce Texas, Houston Bar Association – Family Law Section, and the Texas Academy of Family Law Specialists.
With nearly two decades of legal experience, Bernadette A. Barbee is dedicated to helping her clients achieve the best possible outcomes for their families in various legal matters. She upholds the highest standards of legal excellence and professional integrity in her practice.
Craig Haston, Attorney
Past President
Craig Haston is a highly accomplished family law attorney with a rich legal background. Graduating with a J.D. from South Texas College of Law in 1992, Craig’s dedication to advocacy and legal excellence is evident in his past roles as an Officer on the Board of Advocates and a Student Teacher for Advanced Trial Advocacy. His exceptional commitment to the legal profession has resulted in lifelong membership in the National Order of the Barristers.
Admitted to the Texas Bar in 1992, Craig has actively contributed to prestigious organizations like the Houston Bar Association’s Family Law Section, where he served as a Director, and the Gulf Coast Family Law Specialists, holding positions as a Member, Treasurer, and Chair. His stellar credentials include certification as a Family Law Specialist by The Texas Board of Legal Specialization since 1999, underscoring his mastery of the field.
Furthermore, Craig’s passion for staying at the forefront of legal technology is apparent through his teaching engagements in various seminars and classes, covering topics such as evidence in family law and electronic evidence. In addition to his legal contributions, he has authored chapters in legal publications and has been recognized as a “Texas Super Lawyer” by Thomson Reuters, featured in Texas Monthly Magazine, as well as earning distinction as a top family lawyer.
Craig’s unwavering dedication to excellence and lifelong learning positions him as a true asset to the legal community, where he continues to serve his clients and the profession with distinction.
Liza Greene, Attorney
Vice President
Liza Greene is currently practicing family law as Of Counsel for Julia Bancroft, P.C., Family Law. Ms. Greene received her J.D. from South Texas College of Law in 1981, after obtaining a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics from Texas A & M in 1978. She has over 30 years’ experience in Collaborative Law. She currently serves as Treasurer of Collaborative Law Houston and is a board member of Collaborative Law Texas.
Ms. Greene became board certified in Family Law in 1994 and Consumer Bankruptcy in 1992. She is affiliated with Gulf Coast Family Law Specialists, Texas Academy of Family Law Specialists, Collaborative Law Texas, Collaborative Law Houston, National Association of Consumer Bankruptcy Attorneys, Houston Association of Consumer Bankruptcy Attorneys, and the State Bar of Texas Professionalism Committee.
Ms. Greene is a Mensa member, has been engaged to testify as an expert on bankruptcy, and is a frequent speaker on the subjects of family law and bankruptcy.
Ms. Greene is one of only two Texas attorneys to have board certifications in both Family Law and Consumer Bankruptcy.
Denise Khoury, Attorney
Treasurer
Firm founder, Denise Khoury, is a skilled family law attorney with over a decade of experience in handling Texas, interstate, and international cases with clients whose first language is English or Spanish. Ms. Khoury is a certified and experienced mediator who believes that when parties settle outside of court, their temporary or final agreement will have a better chance of long-term success. She is also a strong proponent of parties resolving their issues through the Collaborative Law process; a successful form of Alternative Dispute Resolution, which focuses on handling sensitive family law matters in a private, custom way outside of the standard, public courthouse experience. Additionally, Denise Khoury serves as Amicus Attorney representing the best interest of children who are in the middle of litigation.
Prior to graduating from South Texas College of Law in downtown Houston, Texas, Ms. Khoury attended the University of St. Thomas where she graduated with a B.A. in International Studies and Business. Ms. Khoury is a native Houstonian with long-lasting friendships that originated from her elementary, middle school, and high school years at Duchesne Academy of the Sacred Heart. After Houston, Ms. Khoury’s home and heart is with her extended family in Mexico. Her husband and partner of many years inspires her love of Middle Eastern history, culture, and food.
Ms. Khoury takes pride in the work, passion, and empathy that she provides for each client and their uniquely personal life events that have lead them to seek her services, whether for filing an original suit, simply seeking advice and education, or rectifying mistakes of prior counsels.
Julia Bancroft, Attorney
Secretary
Julia Bancroft is a highly accomplished attorney with over two decades of experience, deeply committed to justice and her clients. Her career began as a Deputy Attorney General in California’s Criminal Appellate Division from 1999 to 2004, where she excelled as a criminal appellate attorney and special prosecutor, handling complex cases in various courts. Julia argued in over 125 complex criminal matters, including federal and state appeals, and filed 250+ legal briefs.
From 2004 to 2008, Julia ran a successful sole proprietor practice specializing in appellate defense in California’s Fifth and Third District Courts of Appeal. In 2008, she moved to Houston, serving as a Legal Enforcement Attorney at the Harris County Domestic Relations Office until 2012, where she advocated for custodial parents in court regularly.
Julia joined Sowell, Alvares & Walls, PLLC, as Of Counsel from 2012 to July 2018, handling diverse family law matters, achieving significant victories, and garnering accolades.
In 2016, Julia founded Julia Bancroft PC, focusing on Family Law and Collaborative Law. She holds a perfect “10” Avvo.com rating, recognition as one of Houstonia Magazine’s “Top Lawyers,” and numerous client accolades.
Julia actively contributes to the legal community as a Member and Team Leader of the Burta Rhoads Raborn Inns of Court and as a CLE Committee Member and Presenter.
She earned her Juris Doctorate from Brigham Young University’s J. Reuben Clark Law School and holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts, Magna Cum Laude, from the University of Nebraska.
Julia Bancroft embodies legal excellence, client dedication, and a profound commitment to both her clients and the legal community.
Directors
Leslie Turnage, Attorney
Director-At-Large
Leslie Turnage is a practicing attorney in the Houston/ Katy area. After graduating cum laude from Thurgood Marshall School of Law, she clerked in the United States District Court, Western District of Texas. After the two-year federal clerkship, she opened a boutique legal consulting practice in 2018.
Leslie not only holds a JD but earned her BBA from The University of Houston, and MBA from The University of St. Thomas, (magna cum laude).
In addition to her legal expertise, Leslie is known for her compassion and commitment to clients. She goes above and beyond to make sure that her clients feel supported and informed throughout the legal process. Leslie offers comprehensive legal advice and is an avid proponent of the Collaborative Practice of Law. Collaborative Practice is an alternate dispute method which focuses on creating a safe environment for negotiation and resolution without going to court.
Sarah Cuddy, FP
Director
Sarah Cuddy is a Financial Advisor, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER professional and Certified Divorce Financial Analyst dedicated to helping couples dissolve their marriages in a peaceful manner by serving as a Financial Neutral in Collaborative Divorce cases. Sarah earned her Master of Business Administration from the University of Texas McCombs School of Business in 2010. Shortly thereafter she entered the finance industry as a Financial Advisor at Merrill Lynch. In 2015 she transitioned her practice to Robert W. Baird & Co. Inc. where she found freedom to pursue a niche in divorce financial planning. In 2021 she completed the Collaborative Divorce Interdisciplinary training through Collaborative Divorce Texas. In 2022 she joined Collaborative Divorce Houston and in 2023 was voted on to the board.
In the context of divorce, Sarah brings her expertise in personal finance, behavioral finance, financial planning, tax, retirement plans, and investments to bear in helping couple determine the most equitable way to divide their assets and debts. She strongly believes that divorced doesn’t have to mean fighting and works hard to cultivate a process that preserves goodwill.
Eric Haverkamp, FP
Director
Eric has testified in family law courts on matters such as business valuation, personal goodwill, separate property characterization, and complex compensation structures.
Martha Mealy, MHP
Director
Martha Mealy, a native Houstonian, graduated Magma Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Science degree from Texas Tech University where she majored in Human Development & Family Studies and minored in Art. She then received her Master of Science degree in Social Work (MSSW) at the University of Texas at Austin, also Magna Cum Laude. Martha worked in non-profit settings until she opened her private practice in 2014 where she sees individuals and couples who struggle with life challenges, relationship troubles, and generalized disorders. She serves on a panel for a grievance committee for the State Bar of Texas. Martha has been a member of Collaborative Divorce Texas for seven years and currently serves on the board of Collaborative Divorce Houston. She loves helping clients both in her practice and through the collaborative process.