Best Lawyers Near You in Raleigh, North Carolina for Family Law
Ellis Family Law was built to help people navigate some of life’s most personal and high-stakes moments with clarity, strategy, and genuine care. Gray Ellis is the Founder and Managing Partner of the firm, and for more than 20 years, he has helped shape the standards, culture, and approach that guide the team’s work every day. Gray is a North Carolina Board Certified Specialist in Family Law—a distinction held by fewer than 2% of family law practitioners statewide—and ...
Who is Angela McIlveen? Angela McIlveen is a North Carolina Board Certified Specialist in Family Law, trial attorney, and CEO and Co-Founder of McIlveen Family Law Firm . She represents clients in complex divorce, equitable distribution, alimony, child custody, and other family law matters throughout North Carolina. Her practice is particularly focused on high-net-worth divorce and cases involving closely held businesses, real estate, investments, retirement assets, executive compensation, an...
Zachary Underwood is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area of Family Law. Zachary practices law in Raleigh, North Carolina Best Lawyers has recognized Zachary Underwood since 2027. The Best Lawyers recognition is based on a peer-review survey of lawyers in the same geographic region and legal practice area. The recognition reflects the professional regard in which Zachary Underwood is held by other lawyers.
Jonathan Lambert-Melton is a Board Certified Specialist in Family Law and Certified Family Financial Mediator. His practice is dedicated to helping individuals and families navigate some of life’s most significant transitions. Over the course of his career, he has represented clients in complex divorce, child custody, equitable distribution, alimony, and family law matters throughout North Carolina, including issues related to same-sex and LGBTQ couples and families. Jonathan is also a ...
Mary Aiken Barrow is a Board Certified Specialist in Family Law. Ms. Barrow earned her undergraduate degree in psychology from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 2006 and subsequently received her law degree from the Norman Adrian Wiggins School of Law at Campbell University in 2012. During her time at Campbell Law School, Ms. Barrow served as a member and as submissions co-editor of the Law Review. Additionally, she was a family law research assistant for Professor Jean Cary ...
Lynn Wilson McNally is a partner and Board Certified Family Law Specialist by the North Carolina State Bar Board of Legal Specialization and certified Family Financial Settlement Mediator by the North Carolina Dispute Resolution Commission. She represents individuals in matters regarding separation, divorce, child custody, child support, alimony, equitable distribution, domestic violence, termination of parental rights, legitimation and other matters pertaining to family law. Since beginning ...
Phillip Cowan is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area of Family Law. Phillip practices law in Raleigh, North Carolina Best Lawyers has recognized Phillip Cowan since 2027. The Best Lawyers recognition is based on a peer-review survey of lawyers in the same geographic region and legal practice area. The recognition reflects the professional regard in which Phillip Cowan is held by other lawyers.
Steve Mansbery joined Tharrington Smith in 2006 after earning his law degree from Case Western Reserve University. Prior to law school, Mr. Mansbery attended the University of Kentucky, where he earned his undergraduate degree in Finance, with Departmental Honors, and graduated magna cum laude. Mr. Mansbery has been appointed to the Wake County Bar Association and the Tenth Judicial District Bar Professionalism Committee every year since 2009. He was recognized as a "Rising Star" in North Car...
Kristin H. Ruth is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Family Law and Family Law Mediation. Kristin H. practices law in Raleigh, North Carolina Best Lawyers has recognized Kristin H. Ruth since 2024. The Best Lawyers recognition is based on a peer-review survey of lawyers in the same geographic region and legal practice area. The recognition reflects the professional regard in which Kristin H. Ruth is held by other lawyers.
Rachel Beard is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Family Law and Family Law Mediation. Rachel practices law in Raleigh, North Carolina Best Lawyers has recognized Rachel Beard since 2027. The Best Lawyers recognition is based on a peer-review survey of lawyers in the same geographic region and legal practice area. The recognition reflects the professional regard in which Rachel Beard is held by other lawyers.
A.T. Debnam is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Family Law and Family Law Mediation. A.T. practices law in Raleigh, North Carolina Best Lawyers has recognized A.T. Debnam since 2025. The Best Lawyers recognition is based on a peer-review survey of lawyers in the same geographic region and legal practice area. The recognition reflects the professional regard in which A.T. Debnam is held by other lawyers.
Michael J. Denning is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Family Law, Family Law Arbitration and Family Law Mediation. Michael J. practices law in Raleigh, North Carolina Best Lawyers has recognized Michael J. Denning since 2025. The Best Lawyers recognition is based on a peer-review survey of lawyers in the same geographic region and legal practice area. The recognition reflects the professional regard in which Michael J. Denning is held by other lawyers.
Jennifer Sinclair Simpkins is a family law attorney with Raleigh Divorce Law Firm in Raleigh, North Carolina. Since joining the firm in 2018, she has represented clients in a wide range of North Carolina family law matters, including divorce, child custody, child support, alimony, equitable distribution, separation agreements, post-separation disputes, and other domestic relations matters throughout Wake County and surrounding communities. Jennifer is board certified in family law by the Nort...
Carly Baker is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area of Family Law. Carly practices law in Raleigh, North Carolina Best Lawyers has recognized Carly Baker since 2027. The Best Lawyers recognition is based on a peer-review survey of lawyers in the same geographic region and legal practice area. The recognition reflects the professional regard in which Carly Baker is held by other lawyers.
Casey Fidler is a partner at Tharrington Smith and a Board Certified Specialist in Family Law. She represents clients in all areas of family law, including divorce, child custody and support, equitable distribution, alimony, and family law appeals. Casey earned her Juris Doctor from Wake Forest University School of Law and graduated with Highest Distinction from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism and Mass Communication and a second major in P...
Who is Kisha Patel? Kisha Patel is a North Carolina Board Certified Specialist in Family Law and Senior Litigation Counsel with McIlveen Family Law Firm . Based in Raleigh, she represents clients throughout North Carolina in divorce, equitable distribution, alimony, child custody, child support, and other complex family law matters. Kisha’s practice is particularly focused on financially complex and high-net-worth divorce cases involving substantial marital estates, closely held busines...
Our Methodology
Recognition by Best Lawyers is based entirely on peer review. Our methodology is designed to capture, as accurately as possible, the consensus opinion of leading lawyers about the professional abilities of their colleagues within the same geographical area and legal practice area.
The Process
Best Lawyers employs a sophisticated, conscientious, rational, and transparent survey process designed to elicit meaningful and substantive evaluations of the quality of legal services. Our belief has always been that the quality of a peer review survey is directly related to the quality of the voters.