Top Family Lawyers Near Me in Cary Area

Yes, it’s accurate to say that Katelyn Bailey Hodgins works at Triangle Smart Divorce as an attorney. Yes, she graduated cum laude from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte with a BA in History and Criminal Justice. Yes, she graduated from Campbell Law School with honors in 2017. Yes, she’s been practicing family law since she graduated and passed the bar exam. And yes, she was named a Super Lawyers Rising Star in 2023 and 2024.. None of that fully conveys how fortunate Triangle Smart Divorce – and consequently our clients – are to have her on our TSD Team. It’s akin to describing Shohei Ohtani as a “good baseball player in Japan.” In other words, you have to see and work with Katelyn to truly appreciate our excitement.. Here’s the thing—she’s passionate. Okay, a lot of lawyer bios say that, and many might consider it a cliché, but sometimes clichés are accurate.. Katelyn is genuinely passionate about family law. She’s a child of divorce, and by the time she was in college and had her sights set on law school, she knew with absolute certainty she would be a family law attorney. Not ‘go to law school and take family law classes,’ but ‘go to law school to become a family law attorney.’. Two days into an internship at a family law firm cemented her future. One of the many intriguing aspects of family law is its intersection with various other legal fields, a fact that shaped the rest of Katelyn’s law school education.. She also served as a member of the Campbell Law Observer, where she was the Ethics Editor Emeritus. Additionally, she was a member of Campbell’s Restorative Justice Clinic. The program’s description fits Katelyn exceptionally well: “to develop attorneys who possess moral conviction, social compassion, professional competence, and a view of using the practice of law as a calling to serve others.” Perfect.. According to Katelyn, there are ‘only’ six things anyone needs to know about her: she loves to joke with people, Taylor Swift, her dog Huck, Harry Potter, the Jonas Brothers, and romance novels, in no particular order.. She adds that her husband is also ‘on the list somewhere’ along with—and this is a mystery to us—being a Philadelphia Eagles fan. Really, there is no explanation, nor does anything we wrote before this in any way explain how this fantastic lawyer is part of a fanbase famous for booing Santa Claus.. We are proud to have Katelyn as a part of our Triangle Smart Divorce Team and know our clients will continue to benefit from her dedication and expertise for a long time!

When L. Brook Stuntebeck (Brook) graduated from Georgia State Law School she did what many new lawyers do – she joined a huge firm. The kind that throws tons of cases from tons of different areas of the law at young associates on the theory that they are equally indefatigable and replaceable.. Brook thrived in her ‘corporate law’ environment while concentrating mostly on civil matters where she had virtually no contact with clients. She started helping out a senior partner on a few family law cases and found she liked it – and she loved working with clients and families.. When it became apparent that ‘big law’ wasn’t for her (this occurred almost simultaneously with her moving to Texas) she asked the family law partner she had worked with for a recommendation.. “Yes! Of course!” He agreed . . . before adding this, “But only if you go into family law full time. You’re a natural, you’re great at it, you love clients and they love you, be a family lawyer.”. Brook agreed, got the recommendation, found a terrific family law firm in Texas and in short order was recognized as a Texas Rising Star/Best Lawyer. More importantly – much more importantly – Brook embraced family law, embraced negotiation and strategy and mediation.. Now Brook is bringing her passion for family law to Triangle Smart Divorce along with her client philosophy: “Tell me your ultimate goals and we’ll figure out how to get you there in the best possible way. We’ll get you to closure.”. We at Triangle Smart Divorce are thrilled to have her – which says a lot about Brook as she is an intense Georgia Bulldog fan and was hired by an office filled with equally intense Clemson, UNC, NC State, and Penn State fans.. In fact, Brook’s hiring may be the first (and probably only) time fans of these teams have ever agreed on anything.. Brook is settling into Chapel Hill with her husband, Vince, two children and a three month old Labrador, Finn. No word on whether Finn already has a Georgia sweater.

We usually start our firm bios with a little tidbit about the member and move on from there building a narrative.. We’re breaking the mold with Julianne B. Rothert.. We have to start with this: Julianne loves family law – she is completely, utterly, dedicated to every aspect of it and has been since law school.. What does it mean when Julianne loves something? This . . .. Julianne went to Clemson. She loves everything Clemson, especially the football team. How much? Enough to be in labor the night before a Clemson game (note: It was not a playoff game, or even against the top 25, just the regular, old ‘Saturday Clemson beat down of an almost defenseless opponent’ game) and still go to the game. Which she sat all the way through. We think she also probably sat through Dabo’s news conference as well but she won’t confirm or deny that.. Only then did she go to the hospital and give birth. She gives some, grudgingly, credit to her daughter for waiting so patiently.. That then is what Julianne brings to family law.. Here’s what you don’t get – Julianne will never “tell you what you want to hear. I’m not the person to come to if you want to be told only what you want to hear, I’m the person to come to if you want to get it straight. Ask me anything. I’m here for you.”. That's out of the way; here’s the rest.. Julianne started out as an accounting major at, well, you know where. After graduation she went straight to Campbell University School of Law where she not only excelled, she found her love of family law.. Julianne was certified as a specialist in family law by the North Carolina State Bar in 2008. In 2011 she was certified as a family financial mediator as well. She frequently serves as a mediator in family law cases, by now you should know how she feels about that. She’s also a Parenting Coordinator, which as you may know, takes the patience of Job and the wisdom of Solomon.

Twenty years in the making, Corrie Seagroves finally joined the Triangle Smart Divorce Team after a wide-ranging, somewhat eclectic career as an attorney from the Balkans to the Triangle (and a few places in between).. Corrie’s travels started at UNC, where she graduated with Highest Honors and a degree in Political Science and Government. She continued to Vanderbilt University Law, where she achieved the Order of the Coif. Then, she went to Upstate New York at Ft. Drum (home of the famed 10th Mountain Division), where she started a career as an Army JAG officer. Next up was Bosnia-Herzegovina during the United Nations intervention, where she served as a Senior Defense Counsel. Then, to Fort Gordon in Georgia, where she not only litigated complex military cases throughout the Southeast but also trained and supervised other attorneys and paralegals.. After all that, Corrie returned to the Triangle and dove into what can only be described as a tour of some of the most complex and demanding areas of the law, from medical malpractice to civil litigation and criminal complaints. It was demanding, tough work that exposed her to a wide range of legal issues and techniques while honing her long-term career goals.. Those became clear after Corrie was named the Lead Litigation Attorney of a large family law firm, taking responsibility for all litigation and litigating attorneys. That kind of intense, everyday exposure to litigation led her to two unshakable conclusions: she loves going to court and she enjoys working directly with clients.. “There is something unique about family law,” Corrie says, “where clients come to you in real difficulty, and you get to work with and help them through the worst of times and see it all work out in real time. I don’t think there’s another area of the law so challenging and so rewarding at once.”. Corrie knew Triangle Smart Divorce’s founder, Jenny Bradley, for twenty years, before TSD was even a distant twinkle in Jenny’s eyes. But somehow, they knew they would always work together. Both are thrilled it’s finally happening – for reasons beyond the obvious.. Corrie because she is excited to work with our Team. Jenny because Corrie brings a deep knowledge of executive compensation packages, deferred compensation, and closely held business valuations to our firm.. The fact that Corrie bleeds Carolina Blue and helps even out allegiances in an office that has been slowly tilting towards the Wolfpack had, we are told, “nothing to do with anything.”. When Corrie is not helping our clients, she lives on a 14-acre farm with her husband where she gardens and helps manage her – and she cannot stress this enough – small vineyard. She and her husband travel and fly fish – two activities that are not mutually exclusive. Aside from cheering for the Tar Heels and Hurricanes, she is also a die-hard Green Bay Packers fan.

T. Miles Williams is the founder of Williams Family Law and managing partner. Mr. Williams has been certified by the North Carolina State Bar as a Specialist in Family Law. To be certified as a specialist in the practice of family law, a lawyer must: (1) be an active member in good standing with the North Carolina State Bar for at least five years; (2) devote at least 25% of his or her practice to family law during the past five years; (3) attend continuing legal education seminars dealing with family law related issues; (4) be favorably evaluated by other lawyers and judges; and (5) pass a written examination testing his or her knowledge in the field of family law. Miles is a member of the North Carolina Bar Association Family Law Section and a member of the Wake Collaborative Family Law Group. Miles also serves on the Wake Family Court Improvements Committee (WFCIC) which is a group of attorneys from Wake County that were selected to assist the Wake County Family Court and Judges in drafting the current local family court rules of Wake County. He is an experienced and aggressive attorney that will work toward a solution that will benefit you and your family situation whether through the drafting of a separation agreement, the collaborative law process, or litigation. Miles’ practice is not limited by geography, however most of his time is spent in Wake, Johnston and surrounding counties. Miles is originally from North Carolina and currently lives in Raleigh. He is a huge supporter of UNC Athletics. Miles is an active individual and spends a lot of time running and participating in CrossFit classes. If you are currently involved in divorce or foresee one, it is important that you know the laws that are there to protect your rights and your children. Please contact our office today for legal help in your separation, divorce, or child custody matters. Williams Family Law will use proven legal strategies, strong evidence and aggressive negotiating to ensure that you present the strongest case. We can be reached at.

Sasha's practice is limited solely to family law issues, including, child custody, child support, spousal support, postseparation support, alimony, property distribution, equitable distribution, separation agreements, prenuptial agreements, paternity, legitimation, domestic violence and absolute divorce.. Prior to her legal career, Sasha worked as a Child Protective Services Social Worker in Lincoln County, North Carolina.  From this experience, Sasha recognized her desire to advocate for families and children.. After graduating with honors from North Carolina Central University School of Law, Sasha joined Ward Family Law Group and focused her practice solely on family law issues.

Ryan is a Board Certified Specialist in Family Law.  Recognizing that his clients are at a turning point in their lives, Ryan aims to build relationships of trust based on openness, accessibility, and detailed knowledge of the situation.  Ryan enjoys helping his clients create a new future in the midst of challenging life transitions as he provides counsel and support during one of most difficult times in their lives.. Ryan is married and the proud father of three beautiful daughters. During his free time, Ryan enjoys spending time with his family and cheering on his beloved Tarheels.

Riya Bhatt is a dedicated attorney with a strong background in family law and litigation. Graduating from North Carolina State University with a degree in political science, concentrating in law and justice, she also minored in Spanish. During her time at NC State, Riya broadened her perspective by studying abroad at Oxford University in the UK.. After graduation, Riya gained valuable experience working as a litigation paralegal at a family law firm, where her passion for advocacy grew. This led to her pursuit of a Juris Doctor from Norman Adrian Wiggins School of Law at Campbell University. While at Campbell, Riya enhanced her litigation skills by studying abroad and participating in a prestigious trial advocacy program in St. Andrews, Scotland. She was also an active member of the Mock Trial Team and Moot Court Team, honing her courtroom skills. She was presented with the best advocate award at the Kilpatrick Mock Trial Competition and was a semi-finalist at the Martin Luther King Civil Rights Mock Trial Competition and the America Bar Association’s National Appellate Advocacy Competition.. During law school, Riya participated in the Gailor Family Law Litigation Clinic, where she represented clients in domestic matters and was awarded for her exemplary work and dedication to her clients.. Riya is interested in using her diverse background to fiercely advocate for clients, both in and out of the courtroom. She strongly believes that communication is the key and understands the value of being honest with clients, keeping them informed through every step of the legal process.. Outside of the office, Riya enjoys spending quality time with her family and dogs, reading, traveling, attending hot yoga sessions, and supporting the NC State Wolfpack and Carolina Hurricanes.

Rachel is a Board Certified Specialist in Family Law and has limited her practice to family law in Wake County since 2004. She is also a Certified Family Financial Mediator. Prior to opening Campbell Family Law in 2014, she practiced with Ward & Campbell, P.C. in Cary. She is experienced in representing clients in all aspects of divorce, including complex property division, alimony, child custody, child support, and domestic violence.Rachel is a native of Cary and is involved in the Apex and Cary communities. She is an active member of the Apex Rotary Club, in which capacity she volunteers at various community events. She served as President of the club for the 2014-2015 Rotary year. As an alumna of Salem Academy, Rachel also served for six years on the Board of Visitors of Salem Academy and College in Winston-Salem. She previously served on the Board of Directors for the Apex Chamber of Commerce and as chair of the Governmental Affairs committee for the Apex Chamber. She is a member of St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Cary, where she serves on various committees and often teaches Vacation Bible School.In addition to her community involvement, Rachel is engaged in the legal profession outside of her daily practice. She has served as chair of the Membership Committee for the North Carolina Bar Association Family Law Council. Rachel has also served as a volunteer attorney coach and judge for the Wade Edwards Mock Trial Competition for high school students and as a judge for the American Bar Association's Client Counseling Competition for law students.Rachel earned her undergraduate degree from Virginia Tech and her law degree from Mercer University School of Law and holds professional memberships in the Wake County Bar Association and the Family Law Section of the North Carolina Bar Association.

Our number one goal at Grey Dog is to provide leadership and companionship to our clients in navigating major life transitions rooted in Family and Estate Planning law. Grey Dog was created by seasoned attorneys with the desire to focus on providing direct, one on one guidance in particularly specific areas of law that require a personal approach.. Grey Dog is ready to be hands-on, loyal, and a constant comfort through the emotional and procedural complexities that accompany Estate Planning and Family Law.  At Grey Dog Law Family is Everything

Lisa brings a wealth of Family Law experience to Triangle Smart Divorce. She began her law career in 1989 and has focused almost exclusively on the many complexities and intricacies of Family Law as a member of the New Jersey, North Carolina, and the United States Supreme Court Bars.. Lisa is tenacious. Her tenacity is well earned. After she graduated, cum laude, from Lafayette College, she attended Cornell Law School where – she will happily confirm this – she trudged to classes uphill both ways through knee-deep snow. This will come as no surprise to anyone who has ever visited Ithaca, New York.. We could write about Lisa’s experience with every aspect of Family Law from divorce to child custody to property division to support and alimony to paternity suits and prenuptial agreements. And, we could write about her philosophy – one, of course, deeply shared by Triangle Smart Divorce – that court is the last resort. Though she has extensive litigation experience. We could write about her tireless efforts as a Parenting Coordinator.. Instead, we’re just going to point to her fervent belief that the best film of the last twenty years is Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story. Somehow, that says it all.. When not imparting more wisdom to Jenny, Lisa is guiding her two children in their young adulthood. Luke is at VMI on a lacrosse scholarship, and his sister, Kylie is starting her Masters Program at UNC. Lisa and her husband, Dave, also have two indifferent cats and a black lab called Thor, short for Thurgood.. Two more things: Lisa is a teammate of Jenny’s on the Bad News Barristers, the seven-time champions of the Wake County Bar Softball League. They were also teammates on a local softball team, The Gimps, until Jenny decided she was too gimpy to play in two leagues. If she couldn’t be an attorney, Lisa’s dream – and this may say as much about her as her favorite movie – would be to be a singer, despite the fact she absolutely cannot carry a tune. A fact that would not stop her for a minute.

Liana Orta had a decision to make when she graduated from Florida International University – pursue an MBA or go to law school. On paper, it looked like an easy choice: she majored in Finance and International Business. She spent part of her junior year furthering these studies in Sorrento, Italy. She seemed destined to get the MBA and then jump on the first flight back to Europe. But the MBA never really had a chance – Liana needed a profession where she helped people, not corporations. She went to the University of Florida Fredric G. Levin College of Law instead.. When Liana graduated from law school, she went to one of the few ‘fresh out of law school’ jobs that offered an immediate and impactful chance to help people – she became an Assistant Public Defender in Florida working with juveniles.. Her experiences with court, children, families in crisis, interviewing, negotiating, and so much more are invaluable. She had more client contact in a week than most attorneys have in a month.. In short, Liana acquired the temperament, empathy, knowledge, and negotiating skills that are as hard to come by as they are invaluable in family law. She was a perfect fit for the Triangle Smart Divorce team . . . except she was 500 miles away in Jacksonville, Florida.. We seemed certain to never meet but, thankfully, insects intervened. Specifically, Euschistus servus, the brown stink bug.. Liana’s husband, Kevin, came to NC State to pursue his PhD in Entomology, studying the brown stink bug and its effects on corn and soybean crops. Liana came to North Carolina determined to put her experience to use in a field she is passionate about: family law.. As a child of divorce, Liana is dedicated to doing all that she can for her clients and their children to achieve the best possible outcome as quickly and painlessly as possible while avoiding the pitfalls and uncertainties of the courtroom.. Liana was looking for a firm that reflected her values at precisely the same time Triangle Smart Divorce was searching for a new associate. The timing was perfect.. Liana lives in Apex with Kevin, their two miniature dachshunds, Oggie & Callie, and not a single Euschistus servus. The four of them spend time exploring our Greenways and their new home.

Lauren is really – really – great at following directions, shares Triangle Smart Divorce's work and play ethic, and definitely has a sense of humor.. TSD loves all of that about her, but what really struck us is Lauren’s persistency and obstinacy – she grew up in a small town in Ohio, her father was the ubiquitous town attorney. He spent a good chunk of her adolescence telling her ‘don’t be a lawyer.’ When it began to look like she was going to ignore that advice he amended it to, “Well, just don’t go into family law.”. After graduating from Penn State, Lauren attended Duquesne Law School. Somewhere along the way she decided she liked the beaches of our Outer Banks better than any of those in Pittsburgh and relocated to Raleigh, where she lives with her four-year old and her ruthless cat.

Laura C. Manfreda is certified by the North Carolina State Bar as a specialist in family law. Prior to joining Ward Family Law Group in 2012, Laura practiced family law in Charlotte for six years. Laura has extensive knowledge in child custody, child support, equitable distribution, domestic violence and spousal support matters, and significant trial experience in the District and Superior Courts of North Carolina.. Laura is a member of the North Carolina Bar Association-Family Law Section and the Wake County Bar Association. Laura went to law school at the North Carolina Central University where she was a member of the school’s Trial Advocacy Team and was selected to serve as a summer intern for the Honorable Graham C. Mullen, the former Chief Judge for the United States District Court for the Western District of North Carolina.. Laura has represented clients in all walks of life. She understands that clients are in the middle of an emotional upheaval, need to tell their story and are seeking help. Laura believes that one of the most important parts of being a good advocate is to listen. As such, Laura strives to be a superior advocate and listener with the ultimate goal to help her clients make smart and reasoned decisions about their children, their finances, and their path forward.

Experienced Family Attorney handling divorce, separation, domestic violence, child custody and support and other domestic related matters in Wake and surrounding counties.

Attorney McLawhorn's journey from the welding shop to the courtroom is one of passion and purpose. He realized how vital the right representation is, which led him to pursue a law degree from NCCU School of Law. In 2018, he founded his own firm and has been fighting for his clients' rights every day since!. Now, in 2024, we are proud to continue fighting for our clients in family law, employment law, and civil litigation. No matter what you are going through, we are here to protect your rights!. At The Law Offices of Benjamin T. McLawhorn, we are honored to guide you from 'I do' to 'I deserve.' Ready to take the next step? Give us a call today or fill out a contact form on our website (link in bio), and let us help you fight for what’s right!

At Montgomery Law Firm, our experienced Cary divorce lawyers are committed to high-quality representation for clients facing a broad range of family law matters, including child custody, child support, premarital agreements, alimony/spousal support, adoption, separation, mediation, arbitration, domestic violence, appeals, and more. We have earned numerous credentials and recognitions for our dedication to our fields. We have board certified attorneys, a board certified mediator, and our attorneys have been recognized by Super Lawyers®, Best Lawyers in America®, and AV Preeminent® Rated by Martindale-Hubbell. Learn more about our tailored strategies and how we can help you.

Ashley graduated Campbell Law (Cum Laude) with an eye toward criminal law. In law school she interned in the Federal Public Defender’s Office in Raleigh, the North Carolina Court of Appeals, and North Carolina Innocence Inquiry Commission.. It seemed as if she was well on the way to a career as a criminal defense attorney after graduation from law school, when the firm where Ashley worked became in need of a family law attorney. Ashley either volunteered or was volunteered (the facts are somewhat cloudy), but the result was like something out of Hollywood sports movie: the [almost] brand new attorney thrown into a family law trial and thriving.. Flash forward almost ten years, and Ashley is not only a family law attorney, handling a heavy load of cases from intake through depositions, mediation, and trial when necessary, she’s on an impressive – and close to unprecedented – six years and counting run as a North Carolina Super Lawyers Rising Star.. It’s pretty easy to see why all of us at Triangle Smart Divorce are thrilled Ashley chose to bring her knowledge, experience, empathy, and passion for family law to our team.

A North Carolina native, Dale has called the Triangle home for over twenty years.Staying close to her Wake County roots, she attended Peace College earning a Bachelor of Arts degree, majoring in Political Science and minoring in Spanish. While in college, Dale studied abroad in Barcelona, Spain at the University Autònoma de Barcelona.. Following in her mother and father’s footsteps, Dale attended Norman Adrian Wiggins School of Law at Campbell University. While at Campbell, Dale pursued her passion for trial work earning an Advanced Certificate of International Advocacy & Negotiation through the University of Reading. In 2017, Dale was selected to represent Campbell on its Mock Trial team in competitions throughout the country. In 2018, Dale and her team won the National Championship at the Capitol City Challenge National Invitational Mock Trial Competition in Washington, DC, becoming the first all women’s team to win a National competition for Campbell University. Upon graduation, Dale was awarded the Order of Old Kivett, an honor that commends exemplary representation in advocacy competitions while maintaining the highest ethical standards.. Since graduating, Dale has worked for Stephenson Law practicing personal injury and insurance defense. Recognizing her immense passion for helping families and children, she joined Ward Family Law Group in 2019.. Giving back to the community is one of Dale’s most treasured accomplishments. She is a coach for Broughton High School’s Mock Trial Team and a certified Guardian Ad Litem for Wake County’s abused and neglected children. Apart from giving back within the legal community, Dale is also an Advanced Certified Coach for the Special Olympics since 2008.. Dale lives in Apex, North Carolina with her cat, Napoleon, and her horse, Icarus de Carolina.