By Sarah Mitchell
Kris Balekian Hayes and John H. Withers, Jr., are two individuals deeply embedded in the Park Cities community. Their lives, careers, and values intersect in a remarkable way, with a genuine commitment to family, community, and ethical practice, especially in the realm of family law.
Though Kris was born in Dallas, she grew up in Flower Mound. After graduating high school, she attended SMU for her undergraduate studies. Following her undergrad, she attended St. Mary’s in San Antonio for law school and graduate school, earning a MBA to compliment her law degree. After graduating from St. Mary’s, Kris found herself drawn to Park Cities, where she and her husband are raising four children, actively participating in their academic and sporting endeavors. “I moved to the Park Cities in 2000 after I graduated from law school,” she shared. “I got used to the years I spent at SMU, and there was no doubt in my mind that I was coming back. “Our oldest daughter is currently in college at the University of Arizona and will graduate next fall. We also have one child in Highland Park High School, one in Highland Park Middle School, and our youngest at Armstrong. Living in the Park Cities, it’s nice to be able to let them walk down the street or ride a bike around town and not have to worry.”
Now to, John, another Dallas native with a unique journey to the Park Cities. His path took him through Texas A&M’s Corps of Cadets and eventually to SMU for law school, a choice influenced by his family’s deep roots in the university. “My grandfather was Willis Tate, president of SMU from the mid-’50s to the mid-’70s and name sake for the Tate Lecture Series,” John shared. Not to mention that his grandparents met at SMU, and his Mother, Father, Uncle and Sisters, all attended SMU, this familial tie, combined with his fond memories of attending SMU football games since childhood, solidified his connection to Park Cities. Additionally, John’s tenure as Associate Judge for Highland Park, spanning approximately five years, highlights his active involvement in the local community. Reflecting on his appointment, he recalled a noteworthy incident involving the housing of inmates from University Park in Highland Park during a jail remodeling. “About 20 years ago, Pat Robertson was the judge for Highland Park,” John explained. “The city council appointed me to serve when Pat wasn’t present. This was during a time when they were remodeling the University Park jail, and they were housing their inmates at Highland Park. There was a rumor of fights breaking out due to the meals being served. Rumor had it that University Park would feed their prisoners Bubba’s Chicken, and Highland Park would feed theirs McDonald’s Quarter Pounders.”
Kris and John’s paths converged professionally in family law. John’s father was board certified in family law, which laid the foundation for his eventual focus on this area. “When I went to law school, it was with the intent to start a boutique family law firm with my Dad,” said John. “I ended up taking a detour and went to work for the DA’s office for five years and then a civil firm for three years before my father and I started our firm in 1996.” Kris, however, stumbled into family law through her own custody battle in 2004. “I opened my practice in 2003 but needed to hire my own family law lawyer in 2004,” shared Kris. “I then began to focus more on those cases myself over the years while growing my practice. In 2019, I decided to narrow my focus exclusively on family law.” John and Kris met during a time when John and his father had their firm located in the Expressway Tower. Kris had an office just down the hall. “They were class acts,” said Kris. “John and I would run into each other frequently. We also served together on the Board of Directors of the family law section of the Dallas Bar Association. Our paths kept crossing, and we decided it was a sign.”
Their approach to family law at Balekian Hayes, PLLC, reflects their shared values of honesty, integrity, and empathy. They prioritize treating clients with respect and providing superior service, mirroring how they would want to be treated in similar situations.
Outside of their legal careers, Kris and John lead lives enriched by family and hobbies. Kris, married for 18 years to another attorney, enjoys snowboarding in Sante Fe and spending time with her family. John, married for 40 years, is deeply involved in CrossFit and scouting, devoting his weekends to his granddaughters. “I was a scoutmaster for Troop 80 at Highland Park Presbyterian Church for about 11 years,” said John. “All three of my sons were Eagle Scouts, and now my granddaughters are Cub Scouts. My wife and I currently volunteer at the District and Council level.
Their shared neighborhood of Mockingbird Ln further solidifies their intertwined lives, where they often find commonalities and shared connections. Despite Kris being the lone non-Aggie in their dinner outings, their friendship remains strong, bonded by shared values and experiences.
Ultimately, Kris Hayes and John Withers, Jr., are the essence of Park Cities living—a blend of tradition, community, and shared values. Through their dedication to family law and active involvement in their community, they leave a lasting impact on both their clients and their neighborhood, embodying the spirit of compassion and integrity in their legal practice and personal lives.