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Demi Marks is the newest partner at McCracken Kuhn PLLC. She is passionate about family law and prides herself on her peacemaking approach, accessibility, efficiency, and empathy. She works in close conjunction with all the firm’s clients as their point of contact throughout their matter and beyond. Demi specializes in divorce, pre- and post-marital agreements, estate planning, and child custody. She is a Rule 31 Mediator and collaboratively trained attorney, both alternative dispute resolution methods she is very dedicated to, serving as a board member for Collaborative Divorce Nashville and the co-chair of the Nashville Bar Association’s Alternative Dispute Resolution Group. Demi believes in using creativity and customization to tailor every matter to the individual and particularly to help families redefine their relationships in a respectful and harmonious manner. She endeavors to keep people out of Court as she understands how stressful that can be, but is a devoted advocate for her clients regardless of their unique pathway to dissolution. Demi is a member of the Nashville, Tennessee, California, and American Bar Associations and is licensed to practice in both Tennessee and California.. Prior to moving to Nashville, Demi worked at a boutique family law office in Beverly Hills, California. She handled a variety of complex litigation cases involving high net worth individuals, from post-judgment enforcements of qualified domestic orders to child and animal custody cases. Demi also has an entertainment law background, having worked at Amazon, NBCUniversal, and Sony in various capacities during her time in Los Angeles. While attending UCLA School of Law, she was the President of the Entertainment Law Society, Chief Articles Editor for the Entertainment Law Review, and Submissions Editor for the Journal of Law and Technology.. Demi studied with the esteemed collaborative law professional, Forrest “Woody” Mosten. She soon realized her passion for family law and, through Woody’s mentorship, developed skills in mediation, collaborative law, unbundled legal services, and hybrid solutions to tricky family law situations. After graduation, Demi worked with Woody as a research assistant on his book Unbundled Legal Services: A Family Lawyer’s Guide. She volunteers regularly in Woody’s mediation training courses as a coach and mentor to professionals around the world.. When Demi is not at work, she can typically be found exploring Nashville with her daughter, Ryder, and her husband, Lorne. She enjoys hiking with her two pups, Riggins and Wild, riding horses, and traveling the globe. She is a passionate advocate for animals, LGBTQ+ rights, and mentorship. She serves as a volunteer interviewer for her alma matter, Tufts University, is involved with the Temple community, and spearheads the firm’s clerkship and mentorship programs.

Sam Shirley is a Tennessee native, having grown up and resided in the Middle Tennessee area for almost two decades. Prior to attending Belmont University in Nashville, Sam graduated from Ravenwood High School in Brentwood, Tennessee. Sam earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Journalism from Belmont, and was also a member of the Iota Phi chapter of the Alpha Tau Omega fraternity, including serving on its executive council.. After earning his undergraduate degree, Sam continued his education in Nashville and enrolled in Belmont University College of Law on a full tuition scholarship, before receiving his Juris Doctor degree. During law school, Sam was a member of the American Inns of Court, the Belmont Criminal Law Society, and The Federalist Society. Sam is licensed to practice law in the State of Tennessee and is admitted in all Tennessee state courts. Sam is also licensed to practice law before the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Tennessee and the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals.. Sam focuses his practice on matters pertaining to business and commercial litigation, contractual disputes, family law, defamation and privacy law, education law, and employment law. He also assists clients in real and personal property litigation and cases involving Second Amendment rights.. Sam's unique background in journalism, as well as the law, provides him with the skillset to evaluate complex legal issues through a distinctive point of view. Sam focuses on offering his clients creative and efficient solutions, while telling their stories in the process. His excellent verbal and written skills enable Sam to communicate complex legal concepts in a straightforward manner, ensuring a trusted relationship between him and his clients.. In his free time, Sam enjoys fishing, spending time with his dog, and rooting for a diverse array of sports teams including the Tennessee Volunteers, Tennessee Titans, Nashville Predators, Nashville Soccer Club, and the Atlanta Braves.

Family Law and Complex Litigation Attorney

Mr. Houpt has lived in the Mid- Atlantic region for the majority of his life graduating from James Buchanan High School in Ft. Loudon, PA. After a brief tenure in the U.S. Navy as a cryptologist Mr. Houpt received his bachelors degree from the University of Shippensburg in Shippensburg, PA. While involved in several successful business ventures Mr. Houpt completed his MBA from the Frostburg University campus located in Hagerstown, MD. Mr. Houpt received his Juris Doctor from the University of Baltimore in 2015. Mr. Houpt holds a licence to practice law in the State of Maryland.

Miriam's practice focuses on all aspects of family law, including divorce, child custody, and LGBT family law.  She is dedicated to all families, and understands the unique legal challenges of ensuring protections for LGBT parents and children.. Miriam graduated cum laude from the University of Maryland School of Law in 2013, where received the William P. Cunningham Award for exceptional achievements and service to the school.  While in law school, Miriam served on the Board of Directors of the FreeState Legal Project, a not-for-profit legal organization serving the needs of low-income LGBT Marylanders.  Her academic work included courses such as Children, Parents and the Law, Estates and Trusts, Domestic Violence and the Law, and Sexual Orientation and the Law.  Miriam's work in law school also focused on LGBT legal issues, especially as they relate to family law and family formation. As an undergraduate student, Miriam studied child developent and examined the legal and social barriers that impact individuals and families seeking equality.. She graduated from Brandeis University with a degree in Psychology, and minor concentrations in Legal Studies and Women’s and Gender Studies. Before entering law school, Miriam taught kindergarten and second grade to students from predominantly low-income households in Charlotte, North Carolina. Her time in the classroom continues to inform her passion for quality education, and her belief in family advocacy.

Meghan Forbes has lived the majority of her life on the Eastern Shore of Maryland. She attended James M. Bennett High School and graduated in 2003. After high school she attended the University of Maryland in College Park, where she studied Government and Politics. She became interested in political science and law after she travelled to Turkey and connected with two American diplomats, which also sparked her interest in studying International Law. After she graduated in 2007, she worked for the Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation as a Labor Exchange Specialist where she assisted underprivileged clients in creating resumes and obtaining employment.. She began attending the University of Baltimore School of Law in 2009, where she continued her focus on International Law. During her time in school, she gained legal experience working for the Law Offices of Peter Angelos, PC and the Maryland Attorney General’s Office in the Consumer Protection Division.. Meghan became involved in Alternate Dispute Resolution during her time in law school and is certified in Alternative Dispute Resolutions by the University of Baltimore School of Law. She recently completed her Apprentice Mediator training through the Maryland Program for Mediator Excellence to become a court appointed mediator. She is also involved in the Young Lawyers Section Council as the Wicomico Circuit Representative.. Meghan has always been involved in bettering her community, especially focusing on supporting youth–orientated endeavors by working with Camp Odyssey and volunteering for Optimist Club of Salisbury “friend of youth” programs throughout the year.