Top Best Family Lawyers | 13972 Available

Alyssa Munger is dedicated to serving others. Her warmth and understanding for her clients are outmatched only by her devotion to advocating for their best interests. She emphasizes walking alongside her clients in this difficult time and helping them understand the family law process. Originally from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania she attended Holy Family University in Philadelphia where she received her bachelor’s degree in business administration.. Alyssa’s desire to be an attorney brought her to Charleston where she earned her Juris Doctor from Charleston School of Law. During law school she was a member of the Women in Law Society and was an Equal Justice Works Student Fellow. Her dedication saw her named the Internal Competition Champion during her time on the Trial Advocacy Board. An externship with Charleston Pro Bono allowed her to focus on her desire to help people and cultivate her interest in family law.. Alyssa’s passion for serving others sparked her ambition to become an attorney. She has a desire to not only work with people, but for them. By becoming a family law attorney she is able to be intentional about her goal to serve people in their most difficult times.

Founding Attorney Sarah Van Cott began practicing law at a small civil law firm where she managed estate planning, personal injury, and landlord/tenant law. Her diverse array of legal skills provides a big-picture approach to reaching a positive outcome for our clients and their families. Prior to practicing law, Sarah worked as an award-winning journalist and in-house counsel for many companies in and around San Diego. Her experience in and out of the legal system allows her to create effective case strategies as well as help clients resolve their issues during challenging and difficult times. To schedule your appointment, call our office today.

When you ask anyone what the most important thing is in their life, the most popular answer is, “family.”  My answer to this question is no different.  We all define our “family” in a unique way, and like anything else, a family experiences change throughout the course of a person’s life.. If you’re looking for a Family Law attorney, it’s because your family is about to experience a change.  This may be for good or bad, for better or worse, but change means life, as you once knew it, is going to be different.  More likely than not, this change may be overwhelming and it will bring some level of stress and anxiety with it.. The role of a Family Law attorney is to help you navigate through this time–from a legal standpoint as well as a personal standpoint.  I watched as my aunt and uncle went through the emotional ups and downs of adopting a daughter from another country.  I experienced the eventual, long anticipated happiness that came with the finalization of their adoption.  I’ve watched as loved ones experienced the many emotions that come with the end of a marriage.  These experiences drew me to Family Law.. Helping people, truly listening to a person’s problems, and finding a solution is my passion.  I love listening to people’s stories.  I love hearing a person’s history, hearing about their family, hearing where they began and where they are now.  This passion for helping people is what I bring to each and every client’s case.. Before joining Sodoma Law, I practiced with Legal Aid of North Carolina.  I immediately began representing clients in the courtroom and in negotiations with the opposing side.  Each of my clients faced stressful and sometimes overwhelming change.  Among other things, I represented clients in obtaining domestic violence protective orders against abusive family members and I represented clients in securing custody of their children against a partner who was unfit to care for their children.. I understand that whether my client is experiencing what they would describe as a good or bad change, they need a compassionate, knowledgeable, strong advocate to help them navigate this time in their lives.  They need an advocate who will listen to their story and help them achieve their goals, whatever those goals may be.  I will listen to your story, I will take time to understand your goals, and I will cater my approach to your case depending on what you need from me during your time of need.. I’ve always had a desire to help people, and at Sodoma Law, I have the opportunity to help my clients overcome change in their family, define their “new normal,” and come out even better on the other side.

A native of Charlotte, Tia G. Hartley has practiced law in Mecklenburg and its surrounding counties for almost seventeen years. Opening her own firm in 2006, Ms. Hartley focuses on areas involving the family, including divorce, alimony, child custody, child support, property distribution and wills.. Ms. Hartley is a member of the North Carolina State Bar, Mecklenburg County Bar, and the North Carolina Association of Women Attorneys. She has frequently taught Continuing Education Seminars to other attorneys to help them meet North Carolina State Bar requirements, and has served as an adjunct faculty member at Central Piedmont Community College, where she taught law and law-related courses. She also is a frequent speaker at the Mecklenburg County Women’s Commission and at other organizations around the community.. Ms. Hartley has successfully represented both mothers and fathers in custody disputes, and has been certified by the Mecklenburg County District Court as a Parenting Coordinator to aid parties and make decisions involving high-conflict custody cases.. Ms. Hartley received her Juris Doctorate degree from the Thomas M. Cooley Law School in Michigan after completing her undergraduate studies at Meredith College in Raleigh. While completing her education, she also earned a Certificate of French Language from the Sorbonne in Paris, was chosen to be part of the Foreign Policy Program at American University in Washington, D.C., and served as a White House intern in 1993.

I began my career at the Mecklenburg County District Attorney's Office.  As a prosecutor,  I handled thousands of cases.  But during that time, I realized my true passion lies with family law.  I'm a zealous advocate both in the courtroom, as well as in negotiations.  This is one of the most stressful times in one's life and I make it a point to approach each case with the compassion it deserves.

Erika M. Smitherman was born in Norwalk, Ohio and graduated from Norwalk High School in 1993, where both of her parents were teachers. She earned her Bachelor of Arts Degree in Political Science from The Ohio State University, with minors in both English and Philosophy. Her spring 1997 graduation in the Horseshoe was rained out; however, her graduation was made official when she picked up her diploma from a box on the floor of the French Field House! While at Ohio State, Ms. Smitherman’s activities included serving as a University Ambassador, chairing several programs in the Student Alumni Council, working as a Resident Advisor, serving on the Homecoming Steering Committee, and membership in the Sullivant Society Honorary. Ms. Smitherman remains active in the Ohio State Alumni Association. After graduating from Ohio State, Ms. Smitherman furthered her studies at Capital University Law School. There, she served as a mentor to first year students, worked in the Admissions Office, and was a member of the Delta Theta Phi Law Fraternity. While at Capital, Ms. Smitherman interned at the Ohio Attorney General’s Office and practiced her research and writing skills. After graduating from Capital in May 2000, she was sworn into the Ohio Bar in November 2000. Ms. Smitherman began employment at the Ohio Attorney General’s Office in the Consumer Protection Section and later, she simultaneously worked in the Chief Counsel’s Staff. As an Assistant Attorney General, she investigated consumer complaints, effectively mediated settlements, litigated against companies accused of statutory violations and prepared confidential court papers, legal memoranda, and briefs for trial and appellate proceedings. Ms. Smitherman became an Assistant Chief Legal Counsel in the Auditor of State’s Office, focusing on the Cleveland and Youngstown regions. While there, she provided legal advice to state auditors, trained government officials to effectively apply state laws to their specific municipalities, and collaborated with the Ohio Attorney General’s Office regarding unique litigation on behalf of the Auditor. After a few years in a small solo practice, Ms. Smitherman became a child advocacy attorney for the Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) program in Franklin County. At CASA, she represented the best interests of children who were found by the court to be abused, neglected and/or dependent. Many of these children were placed in the custody of Franklin County Children’s Services for their own protection and Ms. Smitherman helped to ensure that the children received appropriate services and treatment by working closely with the child’s Guardian ad Litem and the Juvenile Court. She also provided training to volunteers who were appointed by the court to serve as Guardians ad Litem. It was through Ms. Smitherman’s involvement with CASA that she met Judge Elizabeth Gill of the Franklin County Domestic and Juvenile Court and subsequently accepted the invitation to become her staff attorney. While working with Judge Gill, she prepared published legal opinions, performed legal research and analysis on complex matters of family law, assisted the Judge in preparing for hearings and trials, reviewed and commented on dissolution paperwork submitted to the court for review, and facilitated the pro se dissolutions and civil protection orders on the date of hearing. During her time with Judge Gill, Ms. Smitherman developed an interest in the private practice of family law and appreciates the opportunity she had to learn from such a fine mentor. Ms. Smitherman is a member of the Columbus Bar Association and Women Lawyers of Franklin County. She is admitted to practice in all state and local courts in Ohio and in the United States District Court, Southern District of Ohio. Ms. Smitherman serves her community on the Board of Directors of Faith Educare, volunteers as her daughter’s Girl Scout Leader and is an active member of her church. Ms. Smitherman resides in Canal Winchester with her family including Troy, who is a firefighter/paramedic for Madison Township, and their three children: two sons, who are avid soccer players, and one daughter, who is working toward her black belt in karate. They share their home with their dog and cat. Ms. Smitherman and her family enjoy spending time together during family movie nights, swimming, traveling, camping, jumping on their trampoline, biking to the covered bridge, volunteering at community and charity events, and spending time with family and friends.

I care about my clients. My clients are more than just a number. I see the person.

I own and operate my own law firm representing clients in family law matters, criminal defense, and traffic.. I also work closely with Safe Alliance to help represent victims of domestic violence pro bono.

Jacqueline L. Kemp has been named on the 2017 Ohio Super. Lawyers Top 50 Women Ohio Lawyers list; Top 25 Women Columbus Lawyers list; Top 50 Women Ohio Lawyers list and Top 100 Ohio Lawyers list. She has also been named Lawyer of the Year, Columbus, Ohio - Family Law by Corporate LiveWire. She has recently been recognized as one of the Best Lawyers in America and has been awarded Lifetime Achievement status by America's Top 100 Attorneys.  She practices exclusively in the area of domestic relations.. Ms. Kemp is a partner with Kemp, Schaeffer, & Rowe Co., L.P.A.. She is an OSBA Certified Family Law Specialist and a Fellow in. the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers. She currently serves as Immediate Past-President of the Ohio Chapter of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers. Ms. Kemp is. a past Chairman of the Columbus Bar Association Family Law. Committee. She practices in all Ohio counties and is a frequent. lecturer on the topic of domestic relations. She earned her. B.S.B.A. degree, cum laude, from the Ohio State University and. her J.D. degree, cum laude, from Capital University.

Kelly Wick has been practicing law since 2007. Ms. Wick received a Bachelor of Science from The Ohio State University in 2004, where she graduated as a double major from the Honors Program. She received her Juris Doctor from Capital University Law School in Columbus, Ohio in 2007. Prior to joining Wolinetz Law Offices, Kelly began her legal career working as the Staff Attorney to the Honorable Kim Browne of the Franklin County Court of Common Pleas, Division of Domestic Relations. She is currently admitted to practice law in the State of Ohio. Her primary focus is on family law and general civil law.. Contact us at your convenience for more information about our attorneys located in Columbus, and convenient to Powell, Dublin, Upper Arlington, Bexley, New Albany, Delaware, and Lancaster, Ohio or the surrounding areas.