Best Family Lawyer in South Carolina
MJ GOODWIN
Family Lawyer
I graduated from Clemson University in 1987 with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Modern Language, with a minor in Business. After being chosen for Jury Service during the summer break between my junior and senior years at Clemson, I decided to go to Law School. I graduated from the University of South Carolina with a Juris Doctor Degree in 1991. I was admitted to the South Carolina Bar that same year. I have spent the vast majority of my career in Family Court handling divorce, child custody, child support, alimony, adoption, abuse and neglect, name changes and other Family Court matters. While it seems hard to believe, as of November 12, 2021, I will have been practicing law in Anderson County, SC for 30 years!
While in law school, I worked as a law clerk for the U. S. Attorney’s Office and then as a law clerk for defense attorney Jack B. Swerling. Both these jobs prepared me for my first job as a lawyer, an Assistant Solicitor with the Tenth Judicial Circuit Solicitor’s Office in Anderson, South Carolina. I gained valuable trial experience while an Assistant Solicitor, from 1991 until 1994, and spent a great deal of time in both the Court of General Sessions and Family Court. In 1994, I opened my law firm and have continued my trial work. I worked as a part-time attorney with the South Carolina Department of Social Services from 2009 through 2014. The vast majority of my practice is devoted to trial work in Family Court.
I believe my clients are best served with a creative, but common sense, approach to their legal issues. What most clients want is an affordable, peaceful resolution to their litigation. I pride myself on my clients’ being satisfied with the representation my firm has provided to them. I want my clients to come out of their divorce as healthy, happy individuals. Hiring an attorney should be viewed as an investment. We have many former clients who are willing to provide references to prospective clients.
Carolyn M. Bone
Family Lawyer
JD, University of South Carolina 2008
BA, Converse College 2005
Member, SC Bar Family Law Council
2018-Present
Member, SC Family Law American Inns of Court
2022-Present
President, Dorchester County Bar (2018)
Mediator/former Board Member (2019)
Mediation & Meeting Center of Charleston
2018-Present
Certified SC Family Court Mediator
2017-Present
Super Lawyers Rising Star, 2021, 2022, 2023
Runner-Up, Best Family Law Attorney
Charleston City Paper 2020
Admitted to South Carolina Bar since 2008
Greg Steele
Family Lawyer
Greg Steele is owner, founder, and attorney at Steele Family Law, LLC. He is a member of the Living Hope Church. He focuses his practice on family and estate planning and administration law, the two areas that most allow him to apply his brand of small town service to people’s big problems. While many lawyers nowadays have specialized, routinized, and impersonal practices, Greg ensures every client gets the individualized concern, respect, and attention they deserve.
Law runs in Greg’s blood. His father, the Honorable William P. Steele, Jr., was an Anderson County magistrate for 25 years, and his mother, Marietta Steele, was a paralegal who stayed at home and raised him. Greg spend many a summer afternoon watching his dad conduct hearings and trials in magistrate court, and that experience is what inspired him to become a lawyer himself.
Greg is a third generation Andersonian. He graduated from Oakwood Christian School, and then attended Covenant College in Lookout Mountain, Georgia, where he met his lovely wife Janessa. After that, he attended law school at the University of Georgia (Go Dawgs!). His first job out of law school was working for a federal judge in Augusta, Georgia, but he always dreamed of coming back home to Anderson to practice law because he truly believes it is the greatest town on earth. That dream and belief led him to open Steele Family Law, LLC, to serve Anderson and the other surrounding small town communities.
When Greg is not hard at work on his clients’ cases, you can probably find him serving as a member at Living Hope PCA, eating his favorite tacos at Taco Loco, or walking his dog Farrah through Linley Park.
Robert M.P. Masella
Family Lawyer
Columbia attorney Robert M.P. Masella, originally from Brooklyn, New York, graduated from Winthrop College in 1985, where he was an All-American Soccer Player. After graduating college he ventured into the business world where he excelled to become one of the top producers nationwide for a Fortune 100 Company. Mr. Masella graduated from the University of South Carolina School of Law in 1995 where he focused his studies on areas necessary for developing a litigation practice. He has continued to place his emphasis in these areas, gaining valuable litigation skills while protecting the interests of individuals who are involved in contentious matters. These matters include, divorce, custody, support, property protection and division, as well as criminal defense. Protecting futures of his clients and fighting insurance companies for those who have been injured in an accident, or on the job, is what he does best
While in law school, he wrote and published The Reorganization of South Carolina Environmental Agencies. Temporary Operating Procedures For the Administrative Law Division. (1995) for the South Carolina Environmental Law Journal, of which he was a member. He was a research assistant for South Carolina’s premier probate professional, Professor S. Alan Medlin. Additionally, he was Student Bar President in 1994 and 1995 for the University of South Carolina Law.
Prior to graduating from Law School, he passed the Georgia Bar Exam and became a member of the Georgia Bar in June of 1995.
Kathleen Ferri
Family Lawyer
Many people ask that question each day. Deciding whether to seek a divorce is not something you should do alone.
That’s where I come in.
I am here to listen, help you ask the right questions, and guide you through the divorce process – if now is the right time for you to end your marriage. I understand and gladly embrace the trust that you place in me.
Divorce is much more than a legal event – it is a complete and total life transition.
In my years as a divorce attorney, I have learned that many people don’t know where to start. Understanding South Carolina’s many divorce and child custody laws is more of an “art” than a science. The stress of a failing relationship can make it even harder to know what you should do.
My desire is to help people when they are most vulnerable. It’s important to stand up for what is right, even if I am the only person standing. And, in your divorce or child custody case, I will be standing up for you each step of the way. I have mediated over 400 family court matters with a 93% settlement rate.
I graduated from Furman University with a B.A. degree in Psychology. In 1993, I received my law degree from Regent University School of Law. Since then, I have devoted myself as a lawyer to giving help and hope to hurting people.
I am honored to be a part of the Peck Law Firm. Each of our lawyers and paralegals brings a different set of skills and experience to our team effort. Working together, we will combine our skills to represent you in a manner that no other Charleston family law firm can match.
MARY J. MURRAY
Family Lawyer
Mary’s personalized approach to her work has won her the respect of her clients and high esteem of her colleagues, including an AV rating through Martindale-Hubbell. As a Charleston, South Carolina child custody lawyer, her clients appreciate her knowledge and skills in court, and her exceptional negotiation skills to reach resolution to complex cases in a timely manner. Mary will enable you to control the decision-making process.
Mary spends time getting to know her clients and the intricacies of their family law cases, so she can best determine how to proceed with a fair and prompt resolution. With her warm, congenial approach, she has an excellent reputation as an advocate for families and especially, children. She believes in minimizing the trauma of an already challenging situation and uses her skill in court to resolve child custody cases quickly and compassionately.
Mary has over 25 years’ experience as a litigator in her role as a child custody attorney in Charleston. She believes in honest and open communication when it comes to providing her clients with the information they need to feel comfortable with legal processes that may seem stressful or overwhelming. As your Charleston child custody lawyer, she will use every means available to help you achieve the resolution you want, so you and your family can move forward with your lives.
Lauren Taylor
Family Lawyer
Lauren Taylor cultivated her passion for law in Greenville, South Carolina where she grew up. A graduate of the University of South Carolina, she obtained her J.D. from Charlotte School of Law.
After law school, Ms. Taylor returned to her roots in Greenville so she could give back to the community that had given her so much. She is an active member of Buncombe Street United Methodist Church and the Greenville Junior League.
From traffic offenses and misdemeanors to serious felonies, the judicial process is complicated and sometimes even dangerous. Having a good criminal attorney on your side can make all the difference.
You can rely on Ms. Taylor’s experience and ability to guide you through the treacherous terrain of the criminal justice system and fight for you every step of the way.
There are few events in your life that are more traumatic and stressful than a divorce. You are on an emotional roller coaster that has significant family and legal consequences. It is crucial to have a lawyer who can guide you through this unsettling time, helping you to achieve the outcome that you need and deserve.
Addison Dowling Fender
Family Lawyer
As a third-generation Beaufort attorney, Addison is proud to call the Lowcountry of South Carolina his home. His grandfather, Joab Mauldin Dowling, was a founding member of the Dowling & Dowling Law Firm, which stood for many years in downtown Beaufort. His uncle Joab “Jojo” Dowling Jr., and mother Jane Dowling Fender were members of the firm. His mother left in 1994 after being elected to a Family Court Judgeship for the 14th Judicial Circuit. Addison’s father Sherwood Fender practiced law in Beaufort until his retirement several years ago, but still stops by the office frequently to offer advice and consultation. Some might say that the “law” is in his blood, and considering the amount of time he spent roaming the halls of law offices growing up, that assessment is possibly not too far-fetched.
As a proud graduate of Beaufort High School, Clemson University and the Charleston School of Law. Addison spent time between college and law school gaining valuable life experience while making a living in real estate development. Upon his graduation from law school, he returned home to Beaufort and opened the doors to the Fender Law Firm. Since 2010 he has zealously represented clients in the Family courts of South Carolina. Addison has been designated a Fellow of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers (“AAML”), a prestigious national organization dedicated to the advancement of the highest degree of professionalism and competence within the field of family law. To qualify to become a Fellow of the AAML, the attorney must demonstrate an active interest and competency in matrimonial law as evidenced by the fulfillment of criteria and standards as established by the AAML Board of Examiners and Board of Governors. Fellows of the AAML must have substantial experience and ability to handle complex matters relating to custody and support of children, property division, and alimony. Applicants to become a Fellow must also pass a rigorous written examination covering a wide range of topics and must be recognized by area Judges and fellow attorneys as a leading practitioner in the area of matrimonial law.
At the Fender Law Firm, my wife Tracy and I are keeping alive the Fender/Dowling tradition of providing honest and effective legal services to our clients.
Engaging the services of the best family law attorney in South Carolina can provide numerous advantages when dealing with family law matters. Here are some key reasons why it is important to have a top family law attorney in South Carolina:
1. Expertise in South Carolina Family Law: The best family law attorneys in South Carolina have in-depth knowledge and expertise in the state’s family laws, regulations, and legal procedures. They are familiar with South Carolina’s specific statutes and case precedents related to divorce, child custody, child support, spousal support, property division, and other family law matters. Their expertise allows them to provide accurate legal advice and develop effective strategies tailored to South Carolina’s legal landscape.
2. Skillful Representation: Experienced family law attorneys are skilled advocates who can represent your interests effectively. They possess strong negotiation, communication, and litigation skills, enabling them to articulate your position persuasively in negotiations, mediations, settlement discussions, or court proceedings. Their advocacy can significantly impact the outcome of your case.
3. Comprehensive Case Assessment: Top family law attorneys in South Carolina can conduct a thorough assessment of your case, including analyzing the strengths and weaknesses, gathering evidence, and identifying potential legal issues. They use this assessment to develop a strategic approach that aligns with your goals and maximizes the chances of a favorable outcome.
4. Child Custody and Support Matters: If your case involves child custody or support issues, the best family law attorneys in South Carolina can provide invaluable guidance. They understand the factors considered by South Carolina courts when making custody determinations and can help you navigate the process. They advocate for your parental rights and work to establish fair and appropriate child support arrangements.
5. Property Division: During divorce proceedings, the division of marital property can be complex. Top family law attorneys can assist you in navigating South Carolina’s equitable distribution laws. They ensure that your rights are protected and that a fair division of assets and debts is achieved, considering factors such as the length of the marriage, each party’s contributions, and the economic circumstances of each spouse.
6. Knowledge of Local Court System: The best family law attorneys in South Carolina have extensive experience working within the state’s court system. They are familiar with local court rules, procedures, and key decision-makers. Their knowledge of the local court system can help ensure that your case progresses smoothly, paperwork is filed correctly, and deadlines are met.
7. Mediation and Alternative Dispute Resolution: Skilled family law attorneys understand the benefits of alternative dispute resolution methods, such as mediation. They can explore these options to help you reach amicable resolutions outside of court. Mediation can be cost-effective, less adversarial, and provide more control over the outcome. The best family law attorneys can guide you through the process and advocate for your best interests during negotiations.
It is crucial to conduct thorough research, read client reviews, and consult with multiple attorneys to find the one who is the best fit for your specific family law needs in South Carolina. Each case is unique, and the advantages listed above may vary depending on your circumstances and the expertise of the attorney you choose.