Founder of Modern Legal
Family Law Attorney
Certified Family Financial Mediator
Honors and Awards
My intimate knowledge of the North Carolina family court system began when I was a young child. Growing up in an environment of domestic violence, my young mind was skewed into thinking that mental and emotional abuse, physical violence, and financial manipulation was normal within a home and a marriage. At the age of nine, I witnessed physical abuse inflicted upon my brother at my father’s hand in an effort to protect my mother. As I held the towel that was used to clean up injuries, my young mind clicked: something had to change. Although my mind dreamt of fanciful escapes, such as building a cabin in the woods all by my nine-year-old self, I came to learn that escaping domestic violence was much harder than I imagined.
Though it took years and many attempts, my family finally made it out. Although only about twelve years old at the time, I knew I could live without the enviable house, fancy sports car, and big city salary. My father took every step he could to maintain power and control over my family; however, even with her financial means cut off, my mother was able to seek out an attorney. She took out the yellow pages and began calling the long list of law firms. It was the assertive yet endearing voice of a family law attorney (via a voicemail) that helped my mother find the family law attorney that would not only inspire confidence with my mother, but within me as well. Years of court hearings, tribulations and tears later, my father continues to be past due on his child support obligation. Regardless, I am grateful from the bottom of my heart that I can say: we are finally safe and we are doing better than okay.
I’m asked often, “why become a family law attorney?” Although rarely verbalized, my facial expression clearly states “if you only knew.” It is because my past has inspired me to change how we as a community address family legal matters. It is because I believe our judicial system can do more than further victimize and provide minimal protections to those seeking legal help or protections (regardless if such a case involves domestic violence or not). If your family and the law collide, I want to be there to help.
From a traumatic childhood experiencing many days inside the courthouse, I drove myself to become the first lawyer in my family. I attended George Washington University in Washington, DC, for my undergraduate studies. Thereafter, I attended the University of North Carolina School of Law in Chapel Hill.
Over many years of practicing law with a focus on Family Law, I have been able to expand my skills in oration, writing, and legal thinking. More importantly though, I have been able to help hundreds of clients and their families find healthy solutions by utilizing the law. Every family is unique. Many cases may be resolved outside of the courthouse with the use of negotiations, mediation, or collaborative law; however, a number of cases will need the assistance of a Judge via the litigation process. I help my clients utilize each legal tool available to ensure a fitting solution for their specific family’s situation. And if I am able, I hope to go one step further: I want to inspire others as my mother’s attorney inspired me.
Associations
Legal representation in family law matters involves more than the black-and-white letter of the law. Our Modern Legal team can help you navigate the legal system when the law and your family collide.
We help turn confusion into confidence, helplessness into empowerment, and frustration into action.
