A Senior Trial Attorney Focused on High-Conflict Litigation and Courtroom Advocacy

When a case becomes contested, the outcome often depends on what happens in the courtroom—not just at the negotiation table.

Carl Ritter is a Houston family law and probate litigation attorney with nearly 40 years of experience handling high-conflict divorce, custody disputes, CPS cases, and contested probate matters.

At the Law Office of Bryan Fagan, founded by Houston family law attorney Bryan Fagan, Carl serves as a Senior Trial Attorney, focusing on cases where litigation is necessary and outcomes depend on preparation, experience, and effective courtroom advocacy.

“When a case is contested, preparation and experience matter.”

Who Carl Ritter Helps

Carl Ritter is best suited for clients who:

• Are involved in contested or high-conflict divorce
• Are facing serious custody disputes requiring litigation
• Are dealing with Child Protective Services (CPS) cases
• Need representation in contested probate or guardianship disputes
• Expect their case may proceed to court and want to be fully prepared

Focused on Litigation, Courtroom Strategy, and Trial Preparation

Carl focuses his practice on:

• High-conflict divorce and complex property disputes
• Child custody litigation and visitation conflicts
• CPS defense and child protection cases
• Contested probate and guardianship litigation

He works with clients to:

• prepare their case for court from the beginning
• identify legal risks and procedural challenges early
• build strong, evidence-supported legal arguments
• navigate hearings, trials, and contested proceedings

Nearly 40 Years of Courtroom Experience

Carl’s legal career has been built in the courtroom.

Over nearly four decades, he has handled thousands of cases across family law, child support, and contested litigation matters, including:

• custody and child support disputes
• high-conflict divorce cases
• complex family law litigation
• high-volume court dockets across multiple jurisdictions

He is known for:

• handling difficult, high-conflict cases
• maintaining composure in high-stakes courtroom environments
• bringing clarity and experience to complex legal disputes

Leadership Experience in the Texas Attorney General’s Office

Carl served for over a decade in the Texas Attorney General’s Office, including roles as:

• Managing Attorney
• Assistant Attorney General

In these roles, he:

• supervised attorneys and legal staff
• managed large caseloads across multiple counties
• ensured cases moved efficiently through the court system
• handled child support enforcement and family law matters within the state system

This experience provides a strong foundation for handling high-volume, fast-moving litigation environments where preparation and organization are critical.

Military Legal Experience as a JAG Officer

Carl also served as a Judge Advocate General (JAG) officer in the United States Air Force.

During his service, he:

• handled both criminal prosecution and defense in adversarial proceedings
• trained and mentored attorneys
• represented service members in complex legal matters

This background strengthens his ability to approach litigation with discipline, structure, and strategic focus.

Experience in Probate and Guardianship Litigation

In addition to family law, Carl has significant experience in:

• contested probate cases
• guardianship disputes
• estate-related litigation

This allows him to assist clients in cases where family conflict and estate issues intersect, requiring both litigation experience and strategic coordination.

When to Hire Carl Ritter

Carl Ritter may be the right attorney for you if:

• Your case is contested or likely to go to court
• You are facing serious legal risk or allegations
• You are involved in a CPS case or complex custody dispute
• You need a trial-focused attorney with decades of courtroom experience
• You want to be fully prepared for litigation—not just negotiation

A Trial-Focused Approach Built on Preparation and Experience

Carl approaches every case with a focus on:

• preparation
• clarity
• courtroom readiness

He understands that in contested cases, outcomes are shaped by:

• how well a case is developed
• how effectively it is presented
• how prepared you are when you enter the courtroom

With nearly 40 years of litigation experience, Carl focuses on ensuring clients are prepared for the realities of contested legal proceedings.

Working with the Law Office of Bryan Fagan

Carl Ritter works closely with founder Bryan Fagan and the firm’s litigation team.

When you hire the firm, you are supported by a legal team—led by Bryan Fagan—focused on preparing your case, protecting your position, and guiding you through complex and contested legal matters.

Education and Background

Juris Doctor – St. Mary’s University School of Law
Bachelor of Arts – University of Notre Dame

Bar Admission

State Bar of Texas (Licensed since 1986)