Nancy L. Rommelmann PLLC

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Nancy Rommelmann has provided strong and knowledgeable legal representation in family law for more than 35 years in Houston and the greater metropolitan area and counties throughout Texas. With a well-proven track record and well-honed trial skills, she has the skill and experience to adeptly navigate clients through family law matters, including complex family law cases involving high-net-worth estates and contested custody cases.

Nancy has been a monthly contributing columnist in several local magazines for over 10 years and has been consulted by local media for her on-air analysis about family law.

Savvy Litigator and Negotiator, Certified in Mediation and Trained in Collaborative Law

Many family law cases can be settled without going to court. Certified in mediation and trained in collaborative law, Nancy helps her clients reach agreements through negotiations. Successful mediation often results in lower legal fees as well as less emotional trauma compared to a courtroom battle.

Meet Nancy Rommelmann

Nancy attended a Lutheran elementary school in St. Louis and graduated number two in her class. She then attended a public high school where she graduated in three years in the top 2% of her class. Based on her record, she obtained a scholarship to St. Louis University and graduated with a bachelor’s degree. At age 21, Nancy started law school at South Texas College of Law. Having plans at that time to return to St. Louis, during law school one summer, she worked for the Circuit Attorney’s office there, which was the beginning of her exposure to litigation. She subsequently worked in Houston for legendary family law attorney and litigator, David Gibson. She topped her mock trial class in law school which skills she continued to develop. Texas won Nancy’s heart and after graduating from law school she decided to practice law in Houston and not return to the Midwest.

Nancy’s first position after law school was with Phibro Oil and Gas (subsequently purchased by Salomon Brothers) where she was general counsel. She subsequently was hired as general counsel for Daewoo Shipbuilding and Marine Engineering in South Korea. There, Nancy negotiated multimillion-dollar contracts with companies worldwide. “It was absolutely fascinating work with the international component to the position,” said Nancy.

When she repatriated, Nancy started her law practice in the Galleria but eventually settled in the Memorial area close to her home.

Nancy found her penchant for family law after successfully trying a divorce case involving a high asset, complex estate involving a wide array of retirement benefits. Her client, a woman and royalty from a Southeast Asian country, was married to a man promoted to the position of president of an Exxon subsidiary and received a “golden parachute,” a form of compensation paid to “top hat executives,” during their marriage. At the time, the law was not entirely clear on how retirement benefits should be divided. The Court of Appeals of Texas in Houston stated that this was a case of first impression and there was no controlling precedent. This case clarified how retirement benefits should be divided. Her success in this case resulted in Exxon employees, both women and men, hiring Nancy to represent them in their divorces.

“Family law deals with a broad spectrum of assets and issues including business valuations, trusts, hidden assets, fraud, and waste. Cases can include a wide variety of assets as well as the array of psychological issues. The strengths and weaknesses of the human spirit are involved and emerge while handling child custody cases.”

Nancy is an advocate of utilizing Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) alternatives in family law. This includes collaborative law and mediation.

Collaborative law in family law cases can redirect conflict to cooperation. It is a carefully crafted process to navigate through all divorce issues with the focus on a family’s unique circumstances, including child-related issues and property issues. Nancy is trained in collaborative law with specific training in negotiation and conflict resolution techniques that focus on cooperation and mutual agreement, and open and respectful communication between the spouses, attorneys, and other professionals participating in the process. This is a teamwork approach, working alongside other professionals, such as financial specialists, child custody experts, and mental health professionals, to address all aspects of divorce.

Advantages to Settling a Divorce through Collaborative Law:

Reduced Conflict: It encourages cooperation and open communication between divorcing parties, which can lead to less acrimony and emotional stress.
Control and Autonomy: Collaborative law allows couples to have more control over the outcome of their divorce or family dispute, rather than leaving decisions to a judge.
Privacy: The process is confidential, unlike courtroom proceedings, which are typically public.
Efficiency: Collaborative law often resolves issues more quickly than litigation, as it eliminates the need for time-consuming and costly court appearances.
Cost Savings: It can be more cost-effective than going through a full-scale court battle, as it usually involves reduced legal fees.
Child-Centered: Collaborative law places a strong emphasis on the best interests of children, helping parents find mutually agreeable solutions for child custody and support.
Preservation of Relationships: It can help maintain a more amicable relationship between parties, which is especially important when there are children involved.

Nancy is blessed with three adult children and three grandchildren. She believes in a life involving faith in God and service to her family, community, and practice, and stays active in the community. Nancy is licensed in both Texas and the state of Washington. Whether you are ready to start divorce proceedings, wish to explore your options, or plan for your future and the future of your children, the first step is a consultation with Nancy Rommelmann. Nancy has received Living Magazine’s Readers’ Choice Family Lawyer Award in 2020, 2021, 2022, and 2023.