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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.
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Chat withState: North Carolina
Acquired: 1976
No misconduct found
150 Fayetteville Street, Suite 1800, Raleigh, NC, 27601
Showing 1 - 5 of 14 client reviews from Avvo
Posted by Barbara | September 16, 2015 | Hired Attorney
I initially had a consultation with Fred about two years prior to filing for divorce. I remember being very impressed with his thoroughness and professionalism. I left the office that day with a sense of peace, knowing I had a trusted legal advisor to call upon if/when necessary. Eventually I did ...
Posted by Daniel | September 11, 2015 | Hired Attorney
Fred handled my divorce case at the recommendation of my first attorney. I could not have been happier with the recommendation. Long story short - we tried a collaborative divorce approach at first and could not come to a compromise. Fred and his team took my case and within a short period of tim...
Posted by Zane | September 8, 2015 | Hired Attorney
When you finally make the decision to divorce, you surely need the guidance of an experienced professional. Fred was one of several family law attorneys recommended by my business attorney. I was impressed with Fred’s legal & financial understanding and consistent, steady hand on the rudder. Wish I h...
Posted by Cathy | September 4, 2015 | Hired Attorney
I highly recommend Fred Morelock of the law firm Tharrington Smith, LLP without reservation to anyone in need of a family law attorney. I became Fred’s client ten years ago at the very beginning of a separation and divorce when my children were very young. Unfortunately, the issue of a child custod...
Posted by KB | August 31, 2015 | Hired Attorney
Having Fred as my attorney felt like having a team of attorneys. Fred has the wisdom of an experienced attorney, the knowledge of a district court judge, and the likeability of the guy next door. Fred never encouraged me to be more aggressive than I wanted, but he always made sure I had all the f...
"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."
"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."
"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."
Unknown lawyer
Family lawyer
Divorce and separation lawyer
White collar crime lawyer
2020
Best Lawyers, Family Law Section, Best Lawyers in America
2020
Best Lawyer, Family Mediation Section, Best Lawyers in America
2019
Best Lawyer, Family Mediation Section, Best Lawyers in America
2018
Best Lawyer, Family Mediation Section, Best Lawyers in America
2018
Super Lawyers, North Carolina Super Lawyers
2018
Best Law Firms, U.S. News & World Report and Best Lawyers®
2018
Best Lawyers, Family Law Section, Best Lawyers in America
2017
Best Lawyer, Family Mediation Section, Best Lawyers in America
2017
Best Lawyers, Family Law Section, Best Lawyers in America
2017
Super Lawyers, North Carolina Super Lawyers
2017
Best Law Firms, U.S. News & World Report and Best Lawyers®
2016
Best Lawyer, Family Mediation Section, Best Lawyers in America
2016
Best Lawyer, Family Mediation Section, Best Lawyers in America
2016
Best Lawyers, Family Law Section, Best Lawyers in America
2016
Super Lawyers, North Carolina Super Lawyers
2016
AV Preeminent Rated, Martindale-Hubbell
2016
Best Law Firms, U.S. News & World Report and Best Lawyers®
2015
Best Lawyer, Family Mediation Section, Best Lawyers in America
2015
Best Law Firms, U.S. News & World Report and Best Lawyers®
2015
Super Lawyers, North Carolina Super Lawyers
2015
Best Lawyers, Family Law Section, Best Lawyers in America
2014
Best Law Firms, U.S. News & World Report and Best Lawyers®
2014
Super Lawyers, North Carolina Super 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
Best Lawyers, Family Law Section, Best Lawyers in America
2013
Super Lawyer, North Carolina Super Lawyers
2012
Best Law Firms, U.S. News & World Report and Best Lawyers®
2012
Best Lawyers, Family Law Section, Best Lawyers in America
2012
Super Lawyer, North Carolina Super Lawyers
2011
Super Lawyers, North Carolina Super Lawyers
2011
Best Lawyers, Family Law Section, Best Lawyers in America
2011
Best Law Firms, U.S. News & World Report and Best Lawyers®
2010
Super Lawyer, North Carolina Super Lawyers
2010
Best Lawyers, Family Law Section, Best Lawyers in America
2010
Best Law Firms, U.S. News & World Report and Best Lawyers®
2010
Appreciation Award, 10th judicial district bar
2009
Super Lawyers, North Carolina Super Lawyers
2009
Best Lawyers, Family Law Section, Best Lawyers in America
2009
Legal Elite, Business North Carolina
2009
Presidents Award of Excellence, Wake County Bar Association
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
Best Lawyers, Family Law Section, Best Lawyers in America
2001 - Present
Partner, Tharrington Smith, LLP
2010 - 2013
Independent Counsel, NC Medical Board
1986 - 2000
District Court Judge, North Carolina District Court, 10th Judicial District
1976 - 1986
Trial Attorney, Criminal & Family Law
2014 - Present
Disciplinary Hearing CommissionVice Chair
1976 - Present
North Carolina State BarMember
Member
Member
Member
Member
Member
2005 - 2006
Wake County Bar AssociationFormer Board of Directors
1976
JD - Juris Doctor
1974
BA - Bachelor of Arts
2008
Recapture of Alimony
2005
Arbitration and Post Hearing Matters
English