About Dana S. Hamilton
Attorney & Counselor at Law
Dana S. Hamilton has dedicated her legal career to serving families and children. With over 25 years of experience in family law, Dana brings a rare combination of courtroom tenacity and genuine compassion to every case she takes on.
Originally from Iowa, Dana attended college in Nebraska and Ohio before earning her law degree at the University of Missouri - Kansas City School of Law. She then built her legal career in Texas, where she practiced family law for 27 years. Drawn back to her Midwestern roots, she made the move to Minnesota in 2023 — and has been proudly serving families across Southern Minnesota ever since.
Dana understands that family legal matters are among the most personal and emotionally charged situations a person can face. Whether navigating a difficult divorce, fighting for custody of a child, or working through a complex modification, she approaches every case with honesty, clarity, and a commitment to achieving the best possible outcome for her clients.
Her reputation for integrity and hard work has earned her the respect of peers, judges, and — most importantly — the families she has helped. Clients consistently describe her as someone who truly listens, manages expectations with candor, and shows up fully prepared at every hearing and mediation.
Outside the courtroom, Dana is a devoted mother to two college-age daughters and an animal lover with two dogs and three cats. She is deeply committed to public service and finds great joy in being involved with her church family and community.
Dana is joined by her assistant, whose dedication and care for clients reflects the same values that define Hamilton Law Office. Together, they provide attentive, personalized representation from the first consultation through the final resolution.
Experience
Dana's legal career began in Missouri, where she served as a volunteer law clerk in the appellate section of the Missouri Public Defender's Office. There she researched and wrote briefs for appeals of right, attended oral arguments, and achieved two successful appeals — one of which changed Missouri statutory law regarding the weighing of drugs.
After earning her law degree, Dana built a distinguished career as a solo practitioner, handling criminal defense, family law, accident and injury, nonprofit representation, and business and contract matters. She also served as General Counsel to Focus Learning Academy for nearly two decades. Her reputation for thorough preparation and client-centered advocacy led to a named partnership at Northcutt & Hamilton, where she led the firm's family law section.
A defining chapter of Dana's career was founding and owning her own family law firm in Texas — operating as Texas Family Law Firm PLLC and Hamilton Family Law PLLC. As owner and lead attorney, she built a practice handling every aspect of family law litigation: divorce, child custody, CPS matters, child support, adoption, termination of parental rights, enforcements and modifications. She tried cases before judges and juries alike, developing the courtroom depth and strategic instincts that set her apart.
Since returning to the Midwest, Dana has continued her commitment to Family Law and gained additional experience by representing children and juveniles through the Minnesota Board of Public Defense and prosecuting CHIPS and juvenile delinquency matters as an Assistant County Attorney. She now brings that full breadth of experience — private practice, prosecution and defense — to the families she serves at Hamilton Law Office. Dana represents clients in all Minnesota counties south of the Cities.
How Dana Works
Honest counsel
Dana tells you what you need to hear, not just what you want to hear — so you can make informed decisions.
Prepared and present
She arrives at every hearing, mediation, and deposition fully prepared and ready to advocate for you.
Accessible and responsive
Clients describe her as easy to reach and quick to respond when anxiety runs high.
Reasonably priced
Dana believes quality legal representation should be accessible to the families who need it most.
Areas of Practice
Divorce
Guiding clients through the dissolution of marriage with clarity and a focus on fair outcomes.
Child Custody
Fighting for parenting arrangements that protect the best interests of your children.
Child Support
Establishing and modifying support orders to reflect your family's real circumstances.
Custody Modifications
Helping parents navigate life changes that require updates to existing custody orders.
CHIPS Proceedings
Representing families in Child in Need of Protection or Services matters.
Adoption
Assisting families through the legal process of welcoming a child into their home.
Parenting Time
Establishing and enforcing parenting time schedules that work for your family and protect your relationship with your children.
Enforcement
Taking legal action when court orders are violated — holding the other party accountable and protecting your rights.
Wills & Trusts
Drafting wills and trusts to protect your assets and ensure your wishes are carried out for the people you love.
Probate
Guiding families through the probate process with care and efficiency, so estates are settled properly and without unnecessary delay.
Education & Credentials
Juris Doctor
University of Missouri – Kansas City School of Law
- Law Clerk to Property Professor
- Law Clerk to Contracts Professor
Bachelor of Arts, History
Bowling Green State University
- Phi Alpha Theta — Honorary Academic Fraternity for History
Bar Admissions & Honors
Bar Admissions
- State of Minnesota — in good standing
- State of Texas — former member in good standing
Awards & Recognition
- Top 8 Best Family Law Attorneys in Collin County, Texas — 2021
- Top 8 Best Family Law Attorneys in Collin County, Texas — 2022
- State Bar of Texas Award for Recognition in Pro Bono Services — 2021
Professional Service
- Member, Minnesota State Bar Mock Trial Committee
- Member, Mock Trial Committee Subcommittee for State Competition
- Mock Trial Judge, Law School National Finals
- Member, Family Law Section of the Minnesota Bar
- Member, Association of Family and Conciliation Courts
Ready to talk?
Call for a free consultation. Dana will listen, give you an honest assessment, and help you understand your options.
Call 507 990 4030