Teresa DeFord
Teresa DeFord is the founding attorney and owner of De Ford Law Firm, PLLC in Spring, Texas, with more than 25 years of experience in Texas family law. She earned her law degree from the University of Houston Law Center and has built a respected career representing individuals and families through divorce, custody matters, asset division, modifications, and estate-related issues. Her early professional background also includes civil litigation work, where she handled a wide range of cases including oil field and trucking defense, which helped shape her strong foundation in complex dispute resolution.
From a young age, Teresa knew she wanted to become a lawyer, even though she grew up in a small farming community in Michigan where there were no attorneys in her family and very few paths to higher education. She has often reflected that she is still not entirely sure where that calling came from, but she never deviated from it. While she initially believed her career would lead her into criminal prosecution given her background in criminal justice, her path ultimately evolved differently. Over time, she developed a strong interest in family law, estate planning, and probate, which led her to transition away from corporate litigation and toward a more personally engaged practice focused on helping people through some of the most difficult moments of their lives.
Throughout her journey, Teresa has been guided and supported by strong female mentors in both law firms and during her time with the Drug Enforcement Administration, where she began her early career in intelligence research. These mentors encouraged her continuous growth, resilience, and professional development. Today, she is focused on building her personal brand and reinforcing the credibility that comes from decades of meaningful legal work. Her practice is grounded in advocacy, clarity, and compassion, with a commitment to helping clients feel informed, supported, and confident as they navigate life-changing legal decisions.
• Licensed in Texas and Indiana
• Marketing and Business Training
• University of Houston Law Center - JD
• Michigan State University - BA, Political Philosophy
• Board of Directors Montgomery County Bar Association
• Woodlands Bar Association
• Executive Women's Alliance
• Amicable Divorce Network
• Divorce Support Network
What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to persistence and a commitment to never giving up, even when the path has been challenging or uncertain. Staying focused, consistent, and willing to push through obstacles has been essential in building my career over time. I also recognize the important role that support has played in my journey, particularly the encouragement and stability provided by my parents and my husband. Their belief in me has given me the strength to keep going, take on new challenges, and continue growing both personally and professionally.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I have ever received is to not let other people’s opinions influence what I know needs to be done, and to stay committed to following my own path. That guidance has helped me remain focused on my goals and make decisions based on clarity, purpose, and conviction rather than external pressure or doubt. In a profession where there are many voices and perspectives, it is easy to be swayed, but staying grounded in my own judgment has been essential to building a meaningful and authentic career.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
My advice to young women entering the legal industry is to invest early and continuously in learning as much as you can about law, business, and marketing. Strong legal knowledge is essential, but long-term success in this field also depends on understanding how firms operate, how clients make decisions, and how to effectively communicate your value in a competitive marketplace. Developing business acumen and marketing awareness alongside legal skills will give you a significant advantage and open doors beyond traditional practice roles. Equally important is staying curious, seeking out mentors, and being willing to grow through every experience, even the challenging ones, because each step builds both confidence and capability over time.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the biggest challenges in my field right now is finding and hiring qualified, motivated attorneys who not only have strong technical legal skills but also align with the firm’s values and client-focused approach. In a competitive legal market, attracting professionals who are both competent and genuinely committed to serving families with care, integrity, and consistency can be difficult. At the same time, this challenge presents an important opportunity to be intentional about building a strong team culture—one that prioritizes mentorship, professional growth, and long-term engagement. By investing in the right people and fostering an environment where attorneys feel supported and purpose-driven, firms can strengthen both the quality of their service and the experience they provide to clients.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The value that is most important to me in both my professional and personal life is helping people recognize and embrace their own self-reliance. I believe deeply in empowering others to understand their strength, make informed decisions, and trust their ability to navigate challenges with confidence. In my work, this means guiding clients with clarity and honesty so they feel equipped rather than dependent. In my personal life, it means encouraging growth, independence, and resilience in the people I care about, while respecting each person’s capacity to shape their own path.