University Attended:
University of South Carolina, Bachelor of Science, Criminal Justice, Cum Laude, 1996; Norman A. Wiggins School of Law, Campbell University, Juris Doctor
Year of First Admission:
2000
Admission:
2000, South Carolina; 2003, U.S. District Court, District of South Carolina
Memberships:
SC Bar Association,Member, Family Law Section; South Carolina Bar,
House of Delegates, 2015 – present; York County Bar Association, Committee for Website Development;
Reported Cases:
Beach v. Beach, 2024-UP-020
Briggs and Briggs v. Briggs and Bain, 2023-UP-213
Kay v. Kay, 2006-UP-76 (S.C. App. 2006)
Powell v. Hemelt, 2008-UP-24 (S.C. App. 2008); State v. Cope, 385 S.C. 274, 684 S.E.2d 177 (S.C. App. 2009).
Certifications:
Supreme Court of South Carolina Certified Mediator since 2007, Supreme Court of South Carolina Certified Arbitrator since 2017, Certified Family Court Mediator
Transactions:
Prosecuted and defended divorce actions based upon adultery, physical cruelty, and habitual drunkenness.
Represented wife that required guardian ad litem due to mental health issues in divorce action.
Defended man against girlfriend's claim of common law marriage.
Obtained finding of common law marriage.
Obtained custody for numerous mothers and fathers in divorce and custody proceedings.
Prosecuted and defended actions to modify custody.
Obtained child custody/visitation for grandparents.
Defended parents against grandparents' claims for custody/visitation.
Defended step-parent named in custody case between parents.
Represented parents in out-of-state relocation cases.
Represented out-of-state father in proceedings to enforce his visitation privileges.
Prosecuted and defended parents in actions to modify child support.
Terminated alimony obligation for payor spouse.
Represented business owner in equitable distribution of marital estate valued over 10 million dollars.
Obtained name changes for numerous children and adults.
Represented grandparents of deceased father's child in mother's action to change child's surname.
Prosecuted and defended spouses in domestic protection actions.
Effectively represented guardians ad litem in custody, adoption, and DSS proceedings.
Served as guardian ad litem for children and imprisoned parents in private and DSS actions.
Defended parents against DSS, obtaining dismissals of actions and the return of children to their homes.
Defended father in DSS action to terminate his parental rights.
Defended father accused of murdering daughter in DSS termination of parental rights case.
Represented parents in assisted reproduction issues.
Domesticated international adoptions.
Obtained adoptions for out-of-state parents.
Located missing parents and terminated their parental rights in adoption actions.
Drafted effective prenuptial, separation, and reconciliation agreements.
Successfully mediated resolutions to domestic issues.
Hobbies & interests:
Mountain biking, running, kayaking, camping, hunting, fishing
I am so thankful to have Michael and his paralegal Michele as my legal team during an incredibly stressful and high conflict divorce process. Their responsiveness and empathy toward my case brought so...
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