Top Best Family Lawyers | 14650 Available

My law practice began as a clerk for the South Carolina Circuit Court.  I worked for Judge James C. "Jimmy" Williams for a year before transitioning to private practice.  My first three years of private practice focused on Criminal Defense, particularly DUI Defense.. As time progressed my Family Law Practice conitnued to grow and consumed more of my time. The joy I find in helping my clients with their domestic issues meant that those same clients reffered more and more friends and family members to me and my firm.  As a result, I only handle DUI or criminal defense case for prior clients or refferals.  My true love and passion is in our state's family courts.. There is little else more important than our families and our children.  The toll a separation and divorce can take on an individual's emotional, physical and spiritual health demands that they can trust, respect and bond with their lawyer.  I work hard to establish that connection with each person I represent and will conitnue to do it so long as I practice law.

Tom Nelson is a Charleston attorney who practices in the areas of general civil litigation, real estate litigation, personal injury, business law, criminal defense, and family law.  A native of Charleston, South Carolina, Mr. Nelson graduated from Bishop England High School in 1995 and received his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the College of Charleston in 2000.  While attending the University of South Carolina School of Law, Tom Nelson worked as a law clerk in the Office of the Attorney General where he assisted in public and press relations and later worked in the Elder Care Division where he organized a seminar educating over 200 attorneys, social workers, and law enforcement officials on elder abuse law in South Carolina.  In his second year of law school, Mr. Nelson co-founded an independent law clerk service that performed legal work for various lawyers and firms.. After receiving his Juris Doctor in 2003, Mr. Nelson has worked primarily as a trial attorney who enjoys spending time in the courtroom standing up for his clients’ rights. At home, Tom Nelson enjoys playing basketball, playing guitar, and participating in charity events.. Martindale-Hubbell recognizes Mr. Nelson as an AV® rated attorney, the highest such rating available to any individual lawyer. The Martindale Hubbell® Directory, first published in 1896, has a 140-year history of providing unbiased peer review ratings and information to the public about the ethical standards and professional ability of attorneys. Martindale-Hubbell® PEER REVIEW RATINGS™ are an objective indicator of high ethical standards and professional ability, generated from evaluations of lawyers by other members of the bar and the judiciary in the United States. An AV® Rating shows that Mr. Nelson has reached the height of professional excellence.

Suzanne Lafleur Klok represents individuals who are facing life changing events and those who wish to protect themselves from unnecessary hardship. Her practice includes debt negotiation, elder law, estate planning, probate, family law and bankruptcy cases, as well as business formation services. Suzanne practices a holistic approach to the practice of law. By focusing on individual client needs, Suzanne is able formulate a unique strategic plan for each of her clients.. Prior to establishing the Klok Law Firm, Suzanne had over a decade of litigation experience in products liability, personal injury, transportation, tobacco, medical devices, environmental toxic tort and securities and consumer fraud class action litigation. Suzanne's meticulous pre-trial skills and ability to identify critical facts and supporting evidence has allowed her the flexibility to practice in a variety of complex areas. Early in her career, Suzanne practiced corporate and tax law. She also speaks at legal education seminars on a variety of topics. Suzanne serves on the Board of Directors of the South Carolina Collaborative Law Institute, a non-profit organization, formed to educate the public on an alternative to aggressive litigation which allows them to resolve disputes without going to court.. Believing in the importance of connecting with her community, Suzanne is a volunteer Guardian ad litem. Through her volunteer work as a Guardian ad litem she is able to speak for the most vulnerable in our society, our children. Suzanne was also one of the first private attorneys to collaborate with the Homeownership Resource Center, a division of Family Services, Inc., a local non-profit agency, to assist homeowners in financial crisis. By providing counseling and debt negotiation services at no charge to homeowners through the Homeownership Resource Center, she works with homeowners and loan services to try and help homeowners keep their homes. In the past, Suzanne has served on the Board of Directors for East Cooper Meals on Wheels.

Jenny Leigh Quattlebaum is a family law practitioner. She has represented clients in matters involving divorce, alimony and child support, child custody, legitimation and paternity, adoption, domestic violence and protective orders, and is a trained Guardian ad Litem. Jenny is admitted to practice in Georgia and South Carolina.. Jenny received her Associate of Arts from Oxford College of Emory University and her Bachelor of Science, summa cum laude, in Public Policy from Georgia State University Andrew Young School of Policy Studies. In 2014, Jenny received her Juris Doctorate in just two and a half years from Georgia State University College of Law.. During law school, Jenny volunteered with the Atlanta Volunteer Lawyers Foundation Safe Families Office to provide assistance to victims of domestic violence and stalking. Jenny also served as Judicial Extern to the Honorable Wendy L. Shoob in the Superior Court of Fulton County. During law school, Jenny worked closely with family law attorneys and policy makers to complete in-depth research on establishing paternity and legal parenthood. Her research was featured at the 2014 Georgia Family Law Institute.. Before relocating to Charleston, South Carolina, Jenny worked with two Fellows of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers in Atlanta, Georgia. She then returned to her hometown of Dublin, Georgia to establish a family law practice. As a result, Jenny has worked on a wide variety of family law cases, ranging from simple to complex matters.. Jenny has served as a co-chair of the Family Law Section of the Young Lawyers Division of the State Bar of Georgia. She is also a graduate of the Young Lawyers Division Leadership Academy of the State Bar of Georgia. Jenny currently serves on the Board of Directors of the State YMCA of Georgia.. In her spare time, Jenny enjoys staying active in her local community and playing golf. Jenny and her husband, Danny, live in Mount Pleasant with their three dachshunds.

Meredith Lehmann opened the Maron Law Group with one thing in mind: her clients.. With a unique background in economics, Meredith designed her law firm to make her legal services as accessible as possible. Meredith understands the value of her clients’ time. She also strives to provide affordable legal services in Charleston and Mount Pleasant, SC. Meredith practices family law, bankruptcy, and criminal law.. Meredith Lehmann went to the University of Kansas School of Law. During law school, she worked in the Legal Aid Clinic. There, she represented those who otherwise could not afford an attorney. She also represented teens charged with crimes.. Meredith also clerked at Moore & Associates in Kansas City, one of the region’s preeminent bankruptcy law firms. There, Meredith used her economics background to help clients get a new start though Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 bankruptcies.. Before law school, Meredith received an M.A. in economics from the University of South Carolina (go Gamecocks!) Though Meredith enjoyed her time in Kansas on the prairie, the choice to return to South Carolina was an easy one.. When she’s out of the office, Meredith loves reading, traveling, and history.

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.