Fred Morelock received his bachelor’s degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1974 and his law degree from UNC in 1976. He then practiced as a trial attorney for ten years in the areas of criminal defense and family law litigation before being appointed to the bench. He joined Tharrington Smith in 2001.
In 1986, Mr. Morelock was appointed by Governor James G. Martin to a Wake County district court judgeship. He was reelected three times and served for fourteen years. In 1990, Mr. Morelock became the first judge in Wake County to become a Certified Juvenile Law Specialist. During the last several years on the bench, he presided almost exclusively in domestic court, most recently in North Carolina’s first designated specialized judgeship in the area of family law.
As a district court judge, Mr. Morelock was a frequent speaker and instructor for continuing legal education seminars for attorneys (North Carolina Academy of Trial Lawyers and Bar Association) and for judges (North Carolina Association of District Court Judges and the Institute of Government New Judges School) on various family law issues. He has also been a seminar speaker for the North Carolina Association of Certified Public Accountants and the Wake County public school principals. Mr. Morelock has served on the Board of Directors of the Wake County Bar Association and its Professionalism Committee, the Raleigh Rescue Mission, and Carolina Legal Assistance.
Mr. Morelock’s practice includes the representation of clients in all areas of family law, as well as mediation and arbitration. He is admitted to practice in all state courts and the federal district courts for the Eastern and Middle Districts of North Carolina. Mr. Morelock is a member of the North Carolina Bar Association and its family law section. He is former chair of the Grievance Committee for the 10th Judicial District and most recently was appointed by the State Bar Council to the Disciplinary Hearing Commission. He is a Certified Superior Court Mediator and a Certified Family Financial Mediator. In 2016, Mr. Morelock was appointed to a three year term as Chair of the North Carolina State Bar Disciplinary Hearing Commission.
Mr. Morelock is married to Jeannie S. Morelock, and they have two teenage sons.
Tharrington Smith LLP is a North Carolina law firm regulated by the Rules of Professional Conduct, as promulgated by the North Carolina State Bar. As such, our lawyers do not and cannot ethically participate in many of Avvo's programs, including its Legal Topics, Legal Forms, or its fixed-price legal services. Tharrington Smith advises extreme caution when relying on Q&A's or use of legal forms without the guidance of a qualified lawyer.
Languages spoken
English
State | Status | Acquired | Updated |
---|---|---|---|
NC | Active | 1976 | 06/23/2022 |
Legal answers | 0 |
Legal guides | 0 |
Award name | Grantor | Date Granted |
---|---|---|
Best Lawyers, Family Law Section | Best Lawyers in America | 2020 |
Best Lawyer, Family Mediation Section | Best Lawyers in America | 2020 |
Best Lawyer, Family Mediation Section | Best Lawyers in America | 2019 |
Best Lawyers, Family Law Section | Best Lawyers in America | 2018 |
Best Law Firms | U.S. News & World Report and Best Lawyers® | 2018 |
Super Lawyers | North Carolina Super Lawyers | 2018 |
Best Lawyer, Family Mediation Section | Best Lawyers in America | 2018 |
Best Lawyers, Family Law Section | Best Lawyers in America | 2017 |
Best Law Firms | U.S. News & World Report and Best Lawyers® | 2017 |
Super Lawyers | North Carolina Super Lawyers | 2017 |
Best Lawyer, Family Mediation Section | Best Lawyers in America | 2017 |
Best Lawyers, Family Law Section | Best Lawyers in America | 2016 |
Best Law Firms | U.S. News & World Report and Best Lawyers® | 2016 |
AV Preeminent Rated | Martindale-Hubbell | 2016 |
Super Lawyers | North Carolina Super Lawyers | 2016 |
Best Lawyer, Family Mediation Section | Best Lawyers in America | 2016 |
Best Lawyer, Family Mediation Section | Best Lawyers in America | 2016 |
Super Lawyers | North Carolina Super Lawyers | 2015 |
Best Lawyers, Family Law Section | Best Lawyers in America | 2015 |
Best Law Firms | U.S. News & World Report and Best Lawyers® | 2015 |
Best Lawyer, Family Mediation Section | Best Lawyers in America | 2015 |
Super Lawyers | North Carolina Super Lawyers | 2014 |
Best Lawyers, Family Law Section | Best Lawyers in America | 2014 |
Best Law Firms | U.S. News & World Report and Best Lawyers® | 2014 |
Best Lawyer, Family Mediation Section | Best Lawyers in America | 2014 |
Best Lawyers, Family Law Section | Best Lawyers in America | 2013 |
Best Law Firms | U.S. News & World Report and Best Lawyers® | 2013 |
Super Lawyer | North Carolina Super Lawyers | 2013 |
Best Lawyers, Family Law Section | Best Lawyers in America | 2012 |
Best Law Firms | U.S. News & World Report and Best Lawyers® | 2012 |
Super Lawyer | North Carolina Super Lawyers | 2012 |
Best Lawyers, Family Law Section | Best Lawyers in America | 2011 |
Best Law Firms | U.S. News & World Report and Best Lawyers® | 2011 |
Super Lawyers | North Carolina Super Lawyers | 2011 |
Appreciation Award | 10th judicial district bar | 2010 |
Best Lawyers, Family Law Section | Best Lawyers in America | 2010 |
Best Law Firms | U.S. News & World Report and Best Lawyers® | 2010 |
Super Lawyer | North Carolina Super Lawyers | 2010 |
Presidents Award of Excellence | Wake County Bar Association | 2009 |
Legal Elite | Business North Carolina | 2009 |
Best Lawyers, Family Law Section | Best Lawyers in America | 2009 |
Super Lawyers | North Carolina Super Lawyers | 2009 |
Best Lawyers, Family Law Section | Best Lawyers in America | 2008 |
Super Lawyers | North Carolina Super Lawyers | 2008 |
Best Lawyers, Family Law Section | Best Lawyers in America | 2007 |
Best Lawyers, Family Law Section | Best Lawyers in America | 2006 |
Super Lawyers | North Carolina Super Lawyers | 2006 |
Title | Company name | Duration |
---|---|---|
Partner | Tharrington Smith, LLP | 2001 - Present |
Independent Counsel | NC Medical Board | 2010 - 2013 |
District Court Judge | North Carolina District Court, 10th Judicial District | 1986 - 2000 |
Trial Attorney | Criminal & Family Law | 1976 - 1986 |
Association name | Position name | Duration |
---|---|---|
Disciplinary Hearing Commission | Vice Chair | 2014 - Present |
North Carolina State Bar | Member | 1976 - Present |
North Carolina State Courts | Member | N/A |
United States District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina | Member | N/A |
United States District Court for the Middle District of North Carolina | Member | N/A |
North Carolina Bar Association, Family Law Section | Member | N/A |
North Carolina Bar Association, Dispute Resolution Section | Member | N/A |
Wake County Bar Association | Former Board of Directors | 2005 - 2006 |
School name | Degree | Graduated |
---|---|---|
University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill | JD - Juris Doctor | 1976 |
University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill | BA - Bachelor of Arts | 1974 |
Conference name | Title | Date |
---|---|---|
Family Law Intensive Seminar | Recapture of Alimony | 2008 |
Perils and Pitfalls in ADR | Arbitration and Post Hearing Matters | 2005 |
Posted by Barbara
September 16, 2015
Posted by Daniel
September 11, 2015
Posted by Zane
September 8, 2015
Posted by Cathy
September 4, 2015
Posted by KB
August 31, 2015
Posted by Debra
August 31, 2015
Posted by Betsy
August 31, 2015
Posted by kelly
August 30, 2015
Posted by anonymous
August 28, 2015
Posted by Kara
August 28, 2015
Charles Griffin, Divorce and separation Attorney on Dec 2, 2015
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
Fred has helped several of my clients through difficult domestic matters. He is an excellent lawyer and my clients were glad they went to him.
Robert Gilligan, Family Attorney on Dec 16, 2014
Relationship: Other
I endorse this lawyer.
Michael Waddington, Family Attorney on May 28, 2014
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse Fred. He is a highly skilled attorney that is well respected in the legal community.
Douglas Portnoy, Family Attorney on Dec 18, 2013
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse this lawyer. Fred Morelock is a person of exemplary character and expertise. He has experience in many areas of the law and as a former judge he is able to impart his vast knowledge to the benefit of his clients.
Kathryn Bumgardner, Family Attorney on Mar 8, 2013
Relationship: Worked together on matter
I endorse this lawyer. I have known Fred for many years in his capacity as a family court judge, mediator and fellow lawyer. He knows the law well and is extremely dedicated to his work.