Elisa Reiter
Calabrese Budner, LLP
Elisa earned a Bachelor of Arts in English with Departmental Distinction and a Bachelor of Science in Political Science, graduating cum laude, from Southern Methodist University. She graduated from the SMU Dedman School of Law in 1983 at the age of 22. Elisa is Board Certified in both Family Law and Child Welfare Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization.
Please share some memorable moments from your career.
When working for Ike Vanden Eykel, within two weeks of being hired, Ike called me in to advise that he had previously taught family law at SMU, my alma mater, and felt that while he no longer wanted to do so, I would be well suited to do so. I responded that I’d never taught adults. Ike said, “Didn’t you tell me you taught Sunday School?” I said, “Yessir.” He then said, “Didn’t you tell me that you taught Confirmation, and that your students were 16 and 17?” Again, I replied affirmatively. Ike then decreed, “Honey, if you can teach a 16-year-old, you can teach anybody anything.” I’ve just completed my third round of teaching at SMU, starting in the late 1980s, returning in the early 2000s, and again in Spring, 2025. I’m fortunate to share with the younger generation of law students over the course of two centuries!
I had a hotly contested custody case as a very young lawyer. We represented the child’s maternal grandparents. The grandparents retained Bedsole & Bird, my employers, to fight for custody of their granddaughter. Depending on who was telling the story, the little girl’s daddy had shot and killed the child’s mom and daddy’s best friend/mom’s lover/their drug dealer. Murder, mayhem, and drugs! A social study was done; the paternal grandparents claimed primacy of contact with the little girl. Our client did what every good client would do, and that is, he went to his barber for legal advice. His barber told him he should have “hired him a certified family law specialist.” The barber then recommended a client of his — Ken Fuller. I was disappointed at the prospect of terminating services, as I’d worked so very hard on the case, but duly agreed to meet Mr. Fuller — a legend in Family Law — at the courthouse to transition the file. I arrived a half hour early. Mr. Fuller was already in the clerk’s office, occupying the only spare seat, and he’d plowed about halfway through an eight-inch file on the case. He looked up, grunted a greeting while looking over his reading glasses, and did not shake my hand. Now realize, our client shared a name with a VERY prominent Dallas litigator. Ken thought he’d been hired by that litigator, quoting, in 1986, a $35,000 initial retainer. Our client was instead a blue-collar fella who owned his own business. Ken continued to review the file (keeping me shifting from one high heel to the other) for about 45 minutes. He looked up, sighed, looked over his reading glasses at me, and said, “Darlin, several things occur to me. First, you’ve not f***d this case up.” Only then did he extend his hand to shake mine. Then “Second, this is not John Smith the litigator, is it?” I told him it was not. Ken then said, “You know far more about these people than I care to, but I have 35,000 compelling reasons to take this to trial if need be. Instead of me substituting as attorney of record, would you mind my simply designating myself as lead counsel, and you continuing to work on the case as my associate?” Mind??? I was THRILLED by the opportunity to work with a family law legend.
I’ve represented folks in every walk of life. Just when I feel that I may be a bit jaded, a new client with a unique issue comes through the door. I love the law. I love learning. I love trying cases or finding creative resolutions. I love marshaling clients from an unhappy place to a good place.
What are your hobbies?
Writing, knitting, traveling, reading.
Do you have any special interests or fun facts you would like to share?
I have written over 190 articles on the intersection of family law and mental health issues and related matters, published in periodicals including Texas Lawyer, National Law Journal, Daily Business Review, and New York Law Journal. I’ve traveled worldwide with my family, always including points of destination that focus on Judaism and law.
Why did you join the College?
I joined the College as a young lawyer, as I liked the idea of doing more than the nominal 15 hours mandated by the State Bar. Pat Nester was and remains a friend, and maintaining my membership was a way of honoring Pat and so many others, like Ken and Ike, from whom I’ve learned so very much. Knowledge is power – keeping up on new precedents leads to success in direct negotiation, mediation, or trial. ♦
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