Mstislav Pedro Talavera-Karmanov

I graduated with dual degrees from the Arts & Sciences and the Business schools at Washington University and set out to find employment in the corporate workforce. I quickly found corporate life to be monotonous, so after a year of working in the business sector, I returned to school to study law.

In 2010 I graduated from Southern Methodist University in Dallas, and I immediately began litigating with Lone Star Legal Aid, handling cases under VAWA (Violence Against Women Act) grant work.

In these roles, I noticed that—regardless of the specific subject matter of the case—familial problems often caused, contributed to, or exacerbated the conflicts in question. If I could help spouses get out of potentially dangerous situations, I could not only help individuals to avoid or mitigate physical, mental, or financial injury, but I could also help to set them up for success post-divorce. I then set my sights on family law.

Advocating for those who have been ignored reminded me of the specific challenges many Americans face: it can be especially challenging to make your concerns heard when those around you don’t understand your language. Thanks to my upbringing, I speak Spanish, Russian, and English, and I can make my clients’ voices heard, whether or not they speak English.

Now, not only have I helped countless families as the Senior Associate of Waters Gilbreath’s Austin office, but I have a growing family of my own. My wife, Elizabeth, our toddler Dmitri, and our newborn Mikhail have helped me to understand the complexities and emotions of being a parent more than any case or legal argument ever could.

I look forward to guiding you through the legal system and making your voice heard.