Michelle May O’Neil, a Frisco-based attorney and founder of Concierra Legal, has received recognition in the 2027 edition of The Best Lawyers in America. This marks the eleventh consecutive year she has been honored in both Family Law and Appellate Practice. The selection process for this distinction involves peer review and identifies fewer than five percent of practicing attorneys in the United States.
O’Neil noted that the nature of legal problems has evolved over her career. While the core elements of family law remain focused on families, children, businesses, and property, the complexity surrounding these issues has increased significantly.
She described her current approach as "appellate-first," meaning she considers how litigation decisions might hold up under later review from the start of a case, rather than waiting until an appeal is filed. This strategy aims to preserve client options by ensuring the record is developed to support potential challenges to adverse rulings.
The attorney observed that family law cases in the region increasingly involve complex assets such as closely held businesses, intellectual property, equity compensation, and digital assets. She stated that North Texas has become a significant center for business formation and wealth creation, which directly influences the types of cases she handles. For founders, a company often represents their livelihood, identity, and largest marital asset simultaneously.
O’Neil emphasized that legal strategies must consider the value creation of these assets and the consequences of disrupting them, rather than simply dividing them.
