Meet the Smith & Bledsoe Family Law Team
Managing Partner
Christian Smith
Christian Smith is the Managing Partner of Smith & Bledsoe Family Law. She is a well-known Austin area trial attorney with a focus on complex family law disputes. She is known for her litigation skills, her knowledge of the law, and her client-focused approach. She welcomes challenging and difficult cases that other attorneys turn down. Christian runs a tight ship and maintains a standard of excellence by remaining detail-oriented, setting clear expectations and leading her team by example which is evident in her work product and client outcomes.
Christian graduated magna cum laude from the University of Houston and went on to study law at South Texas College of Law Houston. She is the recipient of many awards including Austin Monthly’s 2023 Top Attorney Award, 2023 and 2024 Texas Super Lawyers Rising Star Award (only 2.5% of Texas attorneys receive this distinction), 2019 National Association of Family Law Attorneys Top 10 under 40 Award, the 2019 Avvo Clients’ Choice Award, the 2017 Emerging Leader Award and the Harry L. Reid Oil, Gas, and Mineral Law Award. She is also a recipient of CALI Awards in Texas Family Law, Texas Oil and Gas Law, Legal Research and Writing, and Education Law Writing Seminar.
Christian lives in Austin with her wife and children. When not advocating for her clients, she enjoys hiking the greenbelt, live music, and traveling.
PARTNER & TRIAL ATTORNEY
Brandon Bledsoe
Brandon is a Partner and Trial Attorney at Smith & Bledsoe Family Law. A native of Midland, Texas, Brandon has been a stickler for justice from a very young age. He grew up emulating his entrepreneur mother and police officer father. Brandon studied Anthropology at the University of Texas at Austin and received his Juris Doctorate in Law from Hofstra University in New York.
Brandon has been practicing law since 2009 in Austin, Texas, with a primary focus on family law. He uses a compassionate and effective approach, maintaining empathy for his clients while demonstrating strength in the court room. Brandon practices by the philosophy, “Don’t create unneeded conflict, but don’t be afraid of conflict when needed.”
When he is away from the law office, Brandon enjoys spending time with his family and puppy on Austin’s beautiful hiking trails and having backyard movie nights.
Lead Litigation Attorney
Nikki Chapa
Nikki is a Lead Litigation Attorney at Smith & Bledsoe Family Law. She is an original Austinite who pursued her bachelor’s degree in Political Science while competing as a D2 women’s lacrosse player at Catawba College. Ms. Chapa returned to Texas in 2017 to pursue her lifelong dream of becoming an attorney. She attended St. Mary’s University School of Law in San Antonio, Texas where she received both her Juris Doctorate in law and a Master’s degree in Business Administration.
During Nikki’s time at St. Mary’s she was a part of the Immigration Clinic and volunteered her time helping those who could not afford legal representation through multiple pro-bono opportunities. It was through Nikki’s volunteering experience that she discovered her passion for advocacy.
Nikki has a background as a highly motivated and skilled attorney. Her appreciation for complex legal issues, litigation, and helping those in need guided her into a career in family law. She prides herself on being an assertive advocate for her clients. When she is not working with clients, Nikki enjoys exploring new hobbies, spending time with her pets and family, and is a self-professed “foodie.”
Lead Litigation Attorney
Melissa Granger
Melissa is a Lead Litigation Attorney at Smith & Bledsoe Family Law. She has been practicing family law for many years in Travis County, Texas and surrounding counties. She prides herself on client-centered representation, and she is a fierce advocate. She understands quite acutely that the standard model doesn’t fit every family, and she relishes in finding creative solutions that work for each family. She is one of the more skilled courtroom litigators at Smith & Bledsoe Family Law, and especially enjoys challenging child custody cases where she can protect children and help her clients get the results their family needs.
Melissa is also one of our many resident law nerds, and she enjoys cutting edge legal research on jurisdictional issues, appellate issues, standing issues, and common law marriage issues. When not litigating in the courtroom she is often researching these topics for her clients. Additionally, she excels at premarital agreements, postmarital agreements, and estate planning for her clients, and has enjoyed training others at the firm in these topics. She finds mentorship extremely rewarding.
Melissa Granger was born and raised in Laredo, Texas where she attended Texas A&M International University to obtain an undergraduate degree in Political Science. She then attended the University of North Texas at Dallas College of Law. She is fluent in Spanish and English. While at UNTD College of Law, Melissa served on the executive board of the Hispanic Law Student Association. She is a distinguished leading Hispanic female attorney in the local area, and a respected member of the Texas Bar.
Melissa spends her free time reading, listening to audiobooks, walking, and caring for her many pets whom she cherishes as family members.
Lead Litigation Attorney
Travis Miles Granger
Travis is a Lead Litigation Attorney at Smith & Bledsoe Family Law. He has practiced family law for many years. He comes equipped with a genuine and impassioned understanding of the obstacles clients face when requiring family law services.
Travis received his undergraduate degree in History from Sul Ross State University and studied law at University of North Texas Dallas College of Law. While attending law school, he provided free legal services to prisoners through the Joyce Ann Innocence Clinic, and was elected representative of his class body in the Student Bar Association.
Driven to exemplify empathy and compassion in his representation while meticulously crafting legal documents and arguments to best serve his clients, Travis is firm in his statement that he “works for you.”
Travis lives in Austin with his wife and two dogs. In his free time, he enjoys binging Netflix, cooking, playing video games, and spending time with his family and friends.
Lead Litigation Attorney
Michael Araj
Michael is a Lead Litigation Attorney at Smith & Bledsoe Family Law. Originally from Virginia, Michael received degrees in both Economics and Government from the College of William and Mary. After working as an IT consultant, they attended law school at Creighton University School of Law where they received concentrations in Litigation and Criminal Law.
Michael returned to Virginia to start their legal career, working in family and criminal law. They worked as a guardian ad litem in Virginia, representing the best interests of children, and moved to Austin after falling in love with the city where they have practiced exclusively family law. They are a zealous advocate for their clients, handling complicated, high asset divorces and contentious custody cases. When they are not representing clients, they are a skilled mediator who assists parties and their attorneys in reaching agreements.
When not assisting their clients or mediating, Michael cooks, bakes, and writes about his food adventures.
Attorney
Austin Trainor
Austin is an Associate Attorney at Smith & Bledsoe Family Law. He received his Bachelor’s degree from Texas A&M University at Galveston in Galveston, Texas. He later went on to receive his law degree from Thurgood Marshall School of Law in Houston, Texas. Upon completion of his law degree, Austin clerked for a Judicial District Court Judge in Harris County. His experience as a judicial clerk provided valuable insight into the inner workings of the Court from the other side of the bench and introduced him to a vast array of Civil Litigation.
Since being licensed in 2020, Austin has practiced family law and personal injury litigation in both Houston and Austin. Upon joining Smith & Bledsoe Family Law, Austin has focused his specialty to family law to help guide clients through the divorce and child custody process. Austin is driven and energetic in his advocacy for his clients. He believes that all attorneys should constantly be learning and researching the most cutting edge case law and statutes in order to hone their craft, and in order to be the best advocate possible for their clients during mediation or in the courtroom.
Austin grew up in “Military City, USA” San Antonio Texas, shaped by the structure and regimen of two U.S. Air Force parents. Austin’s drive for advocacy is fueled by his personal experience as a child of divorce himself. When not working, Austin prioritizes health, fitness, and personal growth. He believes people can always keep growing and contributing positively to themselves and our community. He enjoys doing so by helping those who cannot or may not always be able to help themselves.
Attorney
Cody Huffman
Cody is an Associate Attorney at Smith & Bledsoe Family Law. Cody was born and raised in the Rio Grande Valley as a native of Weslaco, Texas. Cody left home to pursue his Bachelor’s degree in Broadcast Journalism from Texas State University in San Marcos, Texas. After graduation, Cody realized he wanted to pursue hands-on representation for marginalized communities in a more effective way. He attended St. Mary’s University School of Law in San Antonio, Texas where he received his Juris Doctorate in 2023.
During Cody’s time at St. Mary’s, he was a part of the Criminal Justice Clinic and a member of the nationally ranked Alternative Dispute Resolution Team. He also became a certified mediator through the National Association of Certified Mediators. He sharpened his analytical skills and his drafting skills during his time as a Staff Writer on The Scholar: St. Mary’s Law Review for Race & Social Justice. During law school, Cody sought out many pro-bono opportunities which culminated in him receiving the St. Mary’s School of Law Pro Bono Public Service Certificate and the Marianist Service to Community Award. Cody’s bend towards justice brought him to Smith & Bledsoe Family Law, where he can fight for families and their rights in a very hands-on way. He is devoted to his cases and his clients, and is determined to be a legal guiding light through what’s often the darkest time in their lives.
As a child of divorce himself, and as someone who has seen his own family overcome obstacles within our justice system, he believes his personal experience along with his legal training helps him to empathize with and achieve results for his clients. When he’s not working, Cody enjoys a good movie, the outdoors, and exploring the different eateries around town.
Attorney
Erika Solar
Erika is an Associate Attorney at Smith & Bledsoe Family Law. Erika was born in Mexico City but grew up in College Station, Texas. She graduated from UT Austin and was a bilingual fourth-grade teacher for several years in Manor ISD before becoming an attorney. Erika received her Juris Doctorate from St. Mary’s University School of Law.
At St.Mary’s, Erika fought for housing rights for low-income tenants through the Consumer Protection Clinic. In addition, she, along with three other students, helped develop St. Mary’s Real Estate Clinic where she helped clients with estate planning and property rights. In the summer before graduation, she studied international business law and human rights law in St. Mary’s Innsbruck study abroad program.
Erika enjoys being in a career where she can continue to advocate for what is in the best interest of children. Child custody cases are her specialty. She enjoys working closely with clients to achieve positive outcomes for their families. Erika knows how stressful legal proceedings can be for clients and their families and does her job with understanding and compassion.
In her free time, Erika enjoys fitness, language and culture exchange, and enjoying the outdoors.
LEAD PARALEGAL
Holly Jackson-Solorio
Holly is the lead paralegal at Smith & Bledsoe Family Law. Behind every good attorney is an even better paralegal. Holly is a detail-oriented and dedicated paralegal who is passionate about family law and has worked for Christian for many years.
Holly was in the United States Air Force for eight years as an Intelligence Analyst, earning numerous awards and medals, such as the Air Force Commendation Medal. While in the United States Air Force, Holly earned her Associates of Applied Science in Communications Applications. Holly later continued her career as an Intelligence Analyst as a government contractor after her service ended. While working as a contractor in Tampa, Florida, Holly earned her Associates of Science in Paralegal Studies.
Holly now lives in Austin with her husband, their dog, and three cats. When Holly isn’t diligently working she loves spending time with her cats, reading, and watching Lord of the Rings.
Our awards
With a high level of understanding, precision, and skill, our law team is ready to take on challenging cases with the goal of ensuring our clients get the outcomes they deserve.
Want to join our team?
Smith & Bledsoe Family Law is a leading legal firm in the Austin area. We specialize in challenging and difficult cases, and are passionate about providing the best outcomes for our clients.