Best Family Lawyer in Atlanta
David R. Tannen
Family Lawyer
Practicing law since 1985, David Tannen founded Tannen Law Group, LLC in 2002. Since earning his Juris Doctor (JD) from Emory Law School, he has successfully represented numerous clients in family law cases throughout many Georgia jurisdictions.
David understands that divorce, child custody, and other family disputes are some of the most difficult experiences people will ever endure. David’s philosophy is that effective representation requires not only providing intelligent and capable advice and counsel but also educating his clients about the process, so they have a clear understanding of their options and what to expect as their cases unfold. David believes a Boutique law firm best serves his clients’ interests by enabling him to provide in-depth, personalized guidance to his clients and to advocate for them most effectively.
David is a dedicated family man with a wide range of interests including travel, classical music, golf and swimming.
Dr. Jeri Breiner
Family Lawyer
Meet Dr. Jeri Breiner – a seasoned Clinical Psychologist and a Registered Mediator for Domestic Relations, Civil Neutral, and Domestic Violence issues through the State of Georgia Supreme Court. Dr. Jeri draws upon her four decades of experience as a Clinical Psychologist guiding couples on how to find an agreement that respects each party’s perspective and also considers the impact of those decisions on their futures. With more than 20 years of research dedicated to parenting, including children with disabilities, Dr. Breiner helps parents to craft a personalized and practical parenting plan and make custody decisions. This plan is tailored to individual circumstances and the specific needs of their children, playing a pivotal role in restoring stability and well-being for families undergoing the challenging process of divorce. The mission of Atlanta Divorce Mediation Services is to TAKE THE TRAUMA OUT OF THE PROCESS.
Dr. Jeri’s background in clinical psychology provides neutral guidance, steering clients through the 20 to 25 critical areas that require attention during divorce proceedings. Empowering individuals to shape their own destinies, this process culminates in a fair and equitable agreement known as a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). By opting for mediation, individuals take control of their outcomes rather than relying on attorneys or a judge to make decisions on their behalf. Upon completion of the process and the signing of the MOU by all parties, the agreement can be seamlessly processed in court with or without the assistance of an attorney.
S. Diane Clair Esq
Family Lawyer
Attorney S. Diane Clair is an Atlanta native that knows the city and metro counties very well. She received her Bachelors degree from Georgia State University and her Juris Doctor degree from Florida A&M University College of Law. Diane Clair has court room and trial experience and is also great at negotiating resolutions outside the courtroom. She is admitted to practice law as a member of the Georgia Bar as well as the Georgia Court of Appeals, United States District Court of the Northern District of Georgia and Middle District of Georgia. Attorney Clair is also a Professor in the Paralegal Program for Kennesaw State University.
The Clair Firm, LLC will give you the best legal representation for your money!
- Affordable prices!
- All metro Atlanta Counties!
- Meeting times on the weekend!!!
Adam s jaffe
Family Lawyer
Over the past 23 years, Adam has become the elite of Atlanta and Georgia trial lawyers and litigators. Adam has won major cases in every single area of his Civil and Criminal Trial Practice in Georgia. He has dominated Atlanta and Georgia Courtrooms in the most complex national custody cases to million dollar verdicts to beating the Federal Government in criminal trials. His current practice areas include all simple and complex Georgia family law matters including but not limited to divorce, child custody, child support, modifications, visitation, paternity, prenuptial agreements, mediation, LGBT family rights, division of property, contempt, alimony and spousal support.
His past experience, which enhanced his courtroom skills, includes simple and catastrophic auto accidents & personal injury, major medical malpractice, simple and complex criminal defense, and breach of contract. During his 20 year career, Adam has litigated, tried, settled and won thousands of cases to conclusion in Federal, Superior, State and Magistrate courts (both statewide and nationally). With his past jury verdict in the amount of $1,060,000.00, Adam achieved elite status as one of the few lawyers in the State of Georgia who has won major trials in all of his areas of both civil and criminal trial practice.
Ed Hecht
Family Lawyer
Ed Hecht is an attorney and divorced father of two who specializes in family law. His unique background as a single father gives him a great understanding of his clients and the challenges they face. He knows what they are going through and how they feel because he’s been through it, as well. Ed inherently understands the necessity of being a caring, expert advocate for others going through this painful process.
Ed founded Hecht Family Law to be able to help clients who are going through some of life’s toughest times, bringing to his position as an Atlanta divorce attorney an understanding of what it’s like to be in their shoes because he’s also been through a divorce with children, pays child support and has dealt with alimony and child custody in his own life. Ed is admitted to practice in all Georgia courts (including the Georgia Appeals Court and the Georgia Supreme Court). As a loving, devoted father to two young children (a boy and a girl), he understands the sensitivities involved in helping people who need to be able to co-parent in the raising of their children for years after their marriage ends.
ELLARETHA COLEMAN
Family Lawyer
Ms. Coleman received her Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Central Florida and went on to get her Juris Doctor from Howard University School of Law. While attending law school, she was a member of the Charles Hamilton Houston Moot Court Team, which helped her to hone her oral advocacy skills.
Ms. Coleman is admitted to practice law in both Georgia and Florida. She has experience practicing in both state and federal courts and is admitted to the U.S. District Courts for the Northern and Middle Districts of Georgia. She is a member of the Family Law and Tort & Insurance Law Sections of the Georgia Bar, the Family Law Section of the Georgia Association of Black Women Lawyers, the Georgia Trial Lawyers Association, the Tort, and Insurance Section of the American Bar Association, and the Atlanta Bar.
Randall M. Kessler
Family Lawyer
In 1991, Randall M. Kessler founded the law firm now known as Kessler & Solomiany, LLC, a 30 person family law firm in Atlanta. He is the author of many family law books including Divorce: Protect Yourself, Your Kids and Your Future, The GA Library of Family Law Forms, and How to Mediate a Divorce. He is an adjunct professor of Family Law Litigation at Emory Law School. Mr. Kessler has served as the Chair of the Family Law Sections of the American Bar Association, the State Bar of Georgia and the Atlanta Bar Association.
Mr. Kessler has represented some of the highest profile clients in the country including judges, national and local politicians, professional athletes, TV Stars and other celebrities, entertainers and artists.
Born in Gainesville, Florida, raised in New Orleans and having attended college at Brandeis University near Boston, MA, Randall M. Kessler came to Georgia in 1985 to attend Emory Law School. He has over 35 years of experience in Domestic Relations and Family Law matters including divorce, custody, paternity, prenuptial agreements and child support. He founded KS Family Law in 1991 after practicing for years at other family law boutique firms. Mr. Kessler teaches family law jury trials at Emory Law School and taught Family Law at John Marshall Law School from 2005 – 2019. He has lectured for the ABA, AAML, AICPA, NACVA, IAAR, NFLPA, NBPA, the Georgia Psychological Association (GPA), the Georgia Society of CPAs, the Cobb, Gwinnett, DeKalb and Atlanta Bar Associations and others all over the country and in fact, all over the world. Mr. Kessler is the Editor Emeritus of the Family Law Review for the State Bar of Georgia. He is proficient in both Spanish and Hebrew.
Sara Khaki
Family Lawyer
Sara Khaki went to high school in the heart of Alpharetta at Milton High School. She then went on to graduate Summa Cum Laude from Georgia State University; and then received her law degree in 2008 from the University of Georgia. Sara is admitted to the Georgia State Bar and the U.S. District Court in the Northern District of Georgia.
As an attorney, Sara has been distinguished by Atlanta Magazine and Super Lawyers as a Rising Star; she has been named by Georgia Trend Magazine as a Legal Elite; Sara has also received the prestigious AV Preeminent ranking by Martindale-Hubbell; she has been named a Top 100 Lawyer by the National Advocates; and she has received a 10 out 10 rating by AVVO.
Sara has served as a board member of the Atlanta Bar Associations’ Women in the Profession Section, she is an active member of Georgia Trial Lawyers Association and Georgia Association for Women Lawyers. Sara has also presented at continuing legal education webinars at both the Georgia State Bar and the Atlanta Bar Association.
The Needs of a Family Lawyer in Atlanta
1. Expertise in Georgia Family Law
Family law varies significantly from state to state, so a family lawyer in Atlanta must have a deep understanding of Georgia’s specific family law statutes and regulations. This includes knowledge of divorce laws, child custody and support guidelines, alimony, property division, and adoption laws. An Atlanta-based family lawyer must stay up-to-date with any changes in state laws that could impact their clients.
2. Experience with Local Courts
Familiarity with local courts and judges is crucial for a family lawyer practicing in Atlanta. Each court may have its own procedures, and judges may have their own preferences or biases. An experienced family lawyer will know how to navigate these local nuances to better serve their clients. This experience can make a significant difference in the outcomes of cases, especially in contentious divorce or custody battles.
3. Strong Negotiation Skills
Many family law cases, such as divorce settlements or child custody agreements, are resolved through negotiation rather than litigation. A successful family lawyer in Atlanta needs to have excellent negotiation skills to reach favorable settlements for their clients. This requires a combination of legal knowledge, communication skills, and the ability to remain calm and focused under pressure.
4. Empathy and Communication
Family law deals with some of the most emotionally charged issues in a person’s life, such as divorce, child custody, and domestic violence. A family lawyer in Atlanta must have strong interpersonal skills to communicate effectively and empathetically with clients who are often going through difficult times. They need to listen carefully, understand their clients’ needs and concerns, and provide clear, compassionate guidance.
5. Ability to Handle High-Conflict Cases
Family lawyers in Atlanta often deal with high-conflict cases, particularly in divorce and child custody disputes. These cases can involve intense emotions, complicated legal issues, and sometimes uncooperative or hostile parties. A family lawyer must be prepared to manage these conflicts effectively, whether through mediation or in court. They need to remain professional and focused, even in the most challenging situations.
6. Access to Resources and Support Services
A family lawyer in Atlanta may need to collaborate with other professionals, such as psychologists, financial experts, or private investigators, depending on the nature of the case. Having a network of trusted professionals can be vital in building a strong case, particularly in complex divorce or custody disputes. Additionally, they should be able to connect clients with support services, such as counseling or financial planning, to help them through the legal process.
7. Reputation and Trustworthiness
In a city like Atlanta, reputation matters. A family lawyer’s reputation can impact not only their ability to attract clients but also their relationships with judges, opposing counsel, and other legal professionals. Trustworthiness and ethical behavior are critical for building a positive reputation and ensuring that clients feel confident in their representation.
8. Technology and Case Management Skills
Modern family law practice requires familiarity with legal technology and case management software. A family lawyer in Atlanta needs to efficiently manage their caseload, maintain organized records, and communicate effectively with clients. Utilizing technology can also streamline processes, such as filing documents with the court, scheduling meetings, and tracking case progress.
9. Multicultural Competence
Atlanta is a diverse city with a population that includes people from various cultural and ethnic backgrounds. A family lawyer in Atlanta should be culturally competent and sensitive to the unique needs of clients from different backgrounds. This includes understanding cultural differences in family dynamics, communication styles, and expectations, which can be particularly important in cases involving international families or non-traditional family structures.
10. Continuous Professional Development
Family law is a dynamic field that evolves with changes in legislation, societal norms, and case law. A family lawyer in Atlanta must be committed to continuous professional development, attending legal seminars, participating in bar associations, and staying informed about the latest developments in family law. This ongoing education ensures that they can provide the best possible representation to their clients.
Conclusion
A family lawyer in Atlanta needs a combination of legal expertise, negotiation skills, empathy, and professionalism to effectively represent their clients. Whether dealing with divorce, child custody, or other family law matters, these lawyers must navigate complex legal issues while supporting clients through emotionally challenging times. By meeting these needs, a family lawyer can help clients achieve the best possible outcomes in their cases.