Melinda Eitzen is a founding partner of the Dallas-Fort Worth area-based family law
practice of Duffee + Eitzen. Among her many recognitions are “Best Lawyers- Family
Law”, Best Lawyers- Collaborative Law”, D Magazine’s “Best Lawyer in Dallas”, “Best
Family Law Mediator in Dallas”, and “Texas Super Lawyer”. Eitzen is credentialed as a
Master in collaborative practice by Collaborative Divorce Texas, a distinction held by
only eight attorneys in Dallas. She is a mediator as well.
Eitzen is highly experienced in all facets of family law, managing custody modifications,
paternity cases, and premarital agreements for high-profile cases. She is the daughter
of beloved deceased Judge, Merrill Hartman, who was a Dallas District Judge for 22
years on both the Civil bench and Family bench.
Eitzen demonstrates an ongoing commitment to excellence in the practice of Family
Law by penning lectures, articles, and two co-authored books on the subject- “Divorce
The Collaborative Way: Is It The Way For You?” and “Considering Divorce? Critical
Things You Need to Know.”
Actively involved with the community, Eitzen has served as: president of the Collin
County Bar Association, board member of Texas Lawyers for Children, president of the
Plano Bar Association, chair of the Collaborative Law Alliance of Collin County, director
of the Dallas Association of Young Lawyers, director of Texas Young Lawyers
Association, and chair of the Family Law Section of the Collin County Bar Association.
She also is a member of the philanthropic organization, Altrusa International. Pursuant
to the passion for helping others, Duffee + Eitzen is a Donor to Dallas Volunteer
Attorney Program- in honor of Judge Merrill Hartman, and a founding supporter of the
SMU VanSickle Family Law Clinic.