John A. Clark Of Counsel — Harris Cook Law, Family Law Division
John A. Clark brings more than four decades of trial experience to the Harris Cook Law Family Law Division. His practice has focused primarily on Texas family law, including complex divorce, marital property division, child custody, conservatorship, and other contested family law matters.
Throughout his career, John has earned the respect of fellow attorneys, judges, and members of the North Texas legal community. He has served in numerous leadership positions within the Tarrant County Family Law Bar Association and has devoted many years to public service in Kennedale and Southeast Tarrant County.
Why Clients Rely on John
Decades of Family Law and Trial Experience
John was admitted to the State Bar of Texas in 1983 and has spent more than 40 years representing individuals and families in difficult legal matters. He has extensive experience handling contested divorce cases, complex marital estates, child custody disputes, conservatorship proceedings, and general civil litigation.
His many years in the courtroom allow him to evaluate complicated legal issues, anticipate potential challenges, and develop a strategy based on each client’s circumstances and long-term goals.
Leadership in the Family Law Community
John has been actively involved in the Tarrant County family law community throughout his career. He served as a Director of the Tarrant County Family Law Bar Association from 1992 through 1994 and again from 2006 through 2013. He also served as the organization’s Secretary in 1997, President-Elect in 1999, and President in 2000.
His service in these leadership positions reflects his long-standing commitment to the family law profession and the attorneys, judges, and families served by the Tarrant County courts.
A Commitment to Public Service
In addition to his legal career, John has devoted many years to public and community service.
He was appointed to the Kennedale City Council in July 1998 and continued serving as a council member until May 2011. During that time, he served as Mayor Pro Tem from 2009 through May 2011. He was elected Mayor of Kennedale in May 2011 and served through May 2013.
John also served as Treasurer of the Southeast Tarrant Transportation Partnership from October 2012 through May 2013. In May 2016, he was elected to a three-year term as a Trustee of the Kennedale Independent School District.
His experience as an attorney, elected official, and community leader gives him a practical understanding of the issues affecting families and communities throughout Tarrant County.
About John Clark
John graduated cum laude from Stephen F. Austin State University in Nacogdoches, Texas, in May 1980, earning a Bachelor of Science in Forestry.
He then attended St. Mary’s University School of Law in San Antonio, Texas, where he earned his Juris Doctor with honors in May 1983. While attending law school, he was a member of Phi Delta Phi Legal Fraternity and the John M. Harlan Legal Society.
John was admitted to practice law in Texas in 1983 and before the United States District Court for the Northern District of Texas in 1984.
In 1989, John joined Goodman & Clark in Arlington, Texas. He was honored to practice alongside attorney Toby R. Goodman for approximately 25 years. Following Mr. Goodman’s death, John continued the Goodman & Clark law firm until May 2025.
John now serves as Of Counsel to Harris Cook Law’s Family Law Division, where his extensive litigation background and knowledge of Texas family law strengthen the firm’s representation of clients throughout Arlington, Mansfield, Southlake, Flower Mound, and the surrounding North Texas communities.
Education
Stephen F. Austin State University
Nacogdoches, Texas
- Bachelor of Science in Forestry
- Graduated cum laude, May 1980
St. Mary’s University School of Law
San Antonio, Texas
- Juris Doctor
- Graduated with honors, May 1983
Admissions
- State Bar of Texas, 1983
- United States District Court for the Northern District of Texas, 1984
Memberships and Affiliations
John’s professional memberships and affiliations have included:
- State Bar of Texas
- Arlington Bar Association
- Tarrant County Bar Association
- Tarrant County Family Law Bar Association
- Phi Delta Phi Legal Fraternity
- John M. Harlan Legal Society
Professional and Legal Service
John’s professional activities have included:
- Director, Tarrant County Family Law Bar Association, 1992–1994 and 2006–2013
- Secretary, Tarrant County Family Law Bar Association, 1997
- President-Elect, Tarrant County Family Law Bar Association, 1999
- President, Tarrant County Family Law Bar Association, 2000
- Appointed by family law district courts to serve as attorney ad litem for children
- Intake attorney and volunteer for West Texas Legal Services
- Moot court judge for the Jackson Walker Moot Court Competition at Southern Methodist University School of Law
- Reserve member of the Fee Arbitration Committee
Community and Public Service
John’s public service has included:
- Kennedale City Council Member, July 1998–May 2011
- Mayor Pro Tem of Kennedale, 2009–May 2011
- Mayor of Kennedale, May 2011–May 2013
- Treasurer, Southeast Tarrant Transportation Partnership, October 2012–May 2013
- Kennedale Independent School District Trustee, elected to a three-year term in May 2016
John’s Primary Areas of Practice
Divorce
Divorce can affect a client’s family, finances, property, business interests, and future. John draws upon decades of Texas divorce and trial experience to help clients understand their rights and pursue an appropriate resolution through negotiation, mediation, or litigation.
High-Asset Divorce and Complex Property Division
Dividing a substantial marital estate may require careful analysis of businesses, professional practices, real estate, retirement accounts, investments, separate-property claims, and other significant assets. John has extensive experience handling complex property matters and contested disputes involving the characterization and division of marital property.
Child Custody and Conservatorship
Texas law generally refers to child custody as conservatorship. John represents parents in contested conservatorship cases involving parental rights, decision-making authority, possession schedules, visitation, relocation, and the best interests of the child.
Child Support
John assists clients with establishing, enforcing, and modifying child support orders. He helps parents understand how Texas child support laws may apply to their circumstances, including cases involving complex income, self-employment, or changing financial conditions.
Custody and Support Modifications
As children and families change, an existing custody, possession, or child support order may no longer meet their needs. John represents parents seeking or opposing modifications based on a material and substantial change in circumstances.
Family Law Litigation
Some family law disputes cannot be resolved through informal negotiations or mediation. When courtroom representation becomes necessary, John’s decades of trial experience allow him to provide clients with knowledgeable, prepared, and strategic advocacy.
Experienced Family Law Counsel in North Texas
John A. Clark serves as Of Counsel to Harris Cook Law’s Family Law Division and assists clients facing divorce, child custody, complex property division, child support, modifications, and other Texas family law matters.
To request a consultation with an experienced family law attorney, contact Harris Cook Law’s Family Law Division today.
