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I am a native of Pittsburgh, PA and graduated from Penn State University in 1990. I then graduated from Ohio Northern School of Law in 1993.

As a first generation lawyer, I was inspired to pursue a legal career because of my passion for helping others and I felt that advocating for others as an attorney was one of, if not the most impactful, methods of accomplishing that. After graduating law school, I entered the world of family law and immediately witnessed the profound impact that legal support can have on people's lives. I have now joined the team at Meriwether & Tharp and am excited to grow with the vast legal experience and resources that this firm offers to its attorneys and clients.

Anja K. Minninger was born in Madison, MS and raised in Rock Hill, SC. She graduated summa cum laude with a bachelor's degree in Communicative Sciences from The University of Alabama Honors College. She later earned her Juris Doctor at Georgia State University.. During undergraduate, Anja maintained the President's Scholarship and was a member of Kappa Kappa Gamma Sorority and Phi Eta Sigma Honors Society. At UA, Anja was a mentor for freshman honors college students, a mentor for college students with developmental disabilities, and an assistant in the pediatric unit at UA's Speech and Hearing Center. She volunteered with Habitat For Humanity, The Boys and Girls Club of West Alabama, and Turning Point Domestic Violence Services. It was during her last year of undergrad that Anja discovered her passion for advancing justice through family law.. In law school, Anja volunteered at AVLF's Safe Families Office where she drafted temporary protective orders on behalf of clients experiencing intimate partner abuse. Anja served as president of the Public Interest Law Association organizing large fundraising events that raised approximately $30,000 to benefit the public interest legal community each school year. She co-founded and served as Vice President of the Middle Eastern Law Students' Association at Georgia State.. Anja was selected to participate in the Health Law Partnership Legal Services Clinic working with low-income clients on cases involving housing, education, family law, and social benefits. Anja earned a certificate in Public Interest Law and Policy due to her coursework, academic achievement, and legal work. Anja was a group leader for GSU's Center for Access to Justice's program involving domestic violence awareness and legal education regarding domestic disputes. She was additionally chosen to be a pupil in the Weltner Inn of Court, an organization of law students, lawyers, and judges involved in the family law field in the Atlanta area.. Anja has gained experience in the family law field since she entered law school, and she has a passion for helping others in both good and challenging times. She hopes to make a positive impact on our legal community by improving access to justice for all and acting as an advocate for her clients.. Outside of the office, Anja enjoys traveling, spending time with friends and family, attending concerts, and cheering on the Crimson Tide.

Cole is a graduate of Georgia State University and has focused his practice on family law and general criminal defense. Cole has practiced in courtrooms all over the state, and has successfully resolved a multitude of family law cases. The experience he has gained throughout Georgia have provided him with a unique perspective on the situations that family law can present. Cole practices in Fulton, Cobb, Cherokee, Bartow, Paulding, Forsyth, and Pickens Counties. Cole is committed to utilizing his skill and experience to help his clients, and guide them through the process of litigation with compassion and understanding.

Personally and professionally, Michelle has always strived to be a number of things, but top of that list has always been advocate. Having had many people advocate for her during her life Michelle understands exactly how important a voice for the voiceless can be. After graduating with her Bachelor of Art in Sociology from Purdue University, Michelle began her career in social work working with children and families in crisis dealing with various positions. Some requiring emergency intervention sometimes working with state providers and private providers. Michelle greatly enjoyed working with families but soon realized there were limitations to her impact as a social worker and began looking toward fighting as a legal advocate. Michelle attended Roosevelt University in Chicago's paralegal program and began to discover how she could help from within the legal system.. After re-locating to Georgia in 2009 Michelle was able to realize her dream of becoming an attorney by attending Atlanta's John Marshall Law School. Michelle graduated with her Juris Doctorate in 2014. Passed the bar exam in October of 2015 and was sworn in as a member of the bar in December of 2015. Since then, Michelle has worked hard with clients from all walks of life to ensure their voice is heard in the courtroom and beyond. Including becoming a Guardian ad litem in Gordon County Georgia in 2020. So far in her career, Michelle has enjoyed working with all kinds of people, families, and situations and looks forward to assisting many more going forward.. When she is done advocating in the court room, Michelle likes to take some time for herself by hiking, paddle boarding, and kayaking Georgia's wilderness and waterways with her dog. Michelle dedicates as much free time as possible to her extended family network and attempts to visit them all over the United States.