Lynn Burleson is a native of Albemarle, North Carolina. He was admitted to the practice of law in North Carolina after receiving his Bachelor of Arts and Master of Public Administration degrees from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and his Juris Doctor degree from the Wake Forest University School of Law. Before joining Tharrington Smith, Mr. Burleson served as a district court judge and was a partner in the law firm of Kilpatrick Stockton. He has served as an adjunct professor of law for the Wake Forest University School of Law and High Point University.
Mr. Burleson practices exclusively in the field of family law. He is a North Carolina State Bar Certified Specialist in Family Law and is past president of the North Carolina Chapter of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers. He is Chair Emeritus of the Arbitration Committee and has sat on the Board of Governors as a Chapter Delegate to the national American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers. He frequently serves as the lead faculty member of the national AAML Matrimonial Law Arbitration Institute. In 2009, he became one of only 100 divorce attorneys from across the United States to be inducted as a Diplomate of the American College of Family Trial Lawyers. He has been listed among the "Legal Elite" by Business North Carolina in numerous years. He is listed as one of the "Super Lawyers" by Charlotte and Law and Politics magazines. He is listed in the Family Law Section of Best Lawyers in America and has been named the "Raleigh Best Lawyers Family Lawyer of the Year". He has served as Chair of the Family Law Section of the North Carolina Bar Association and has served on the Board of Governors of the Association. Mr. Burleson was awarded the Distinguished Service Award from the North Carolina Bar Association for his service to the Family Law Section. He has served as president of both the Twenty-First Judicial District and the Forsyth County Bar Associations.
Mr. Burleson has been a frequent speaker at law schools and at continuing legal education programs and has presented manuscripts on a wide range of topics including absolute divorce, divorce from bed and board, alimony, child support, sanctions, qualified domestic relations orders, employee benefits, discovery of corporate records by minority shareholders, ethics, counsel fees, mediation, neutral evaluation, use of referees, classification and distribution of marital assets, marital property valuation, family law contracts, breach of confidential relationships, and arbitration.
Mr. Burleson is certified as an arbitrator by the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers and has served as an Observer-Member of the Uniform Laws Commission Family Law Arbitration Act Drafting Committee.
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.
Practice areas
Languages spoken
English
State | Status | Acquired | Updated |
---|---|---|---|
NC | Active | 1980 | 12/17/2020 |
Legal answers | 1 |
Legal guides | 0 |
Award name | Grantor | Date granted |
---|---|---|
Best Lawyers, Family Law Section | Best Lawyers in America | 2020 |
Best Lawyers, Family Law 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® | 2017 |
Best Lawyers, Family Law 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 |
Leaders in the Law | Elon University and NC Lawyers Weekly | 2016 |
Super Lawyers | North Carolina Super Lawyers | 2016 |
Chair Emeritus | National Arbitration Committee of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers | 2016 |
Best Law Firms | U.S. News & World Report and Best Lawyers® | 2015 |
Best Lawyers, Family Law Section | Best Lawyers in America | 2015 |
Super Lawyers | North Carolina Super Lawyers | 2015 |
Best Law Firms | U.S. News & World Report and Best Lawyers® | 2014 |
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® | 2013 |
Best Lawyers, Family Law Section | Best Lawyers in America | 2013 |
Super Lawyers | North Carolina Super Lawyers | 2013 |
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 | 2012 |
Legal Elite, Family Law Section | Business North Carolina Magazine | 2012 |
Best Law Firms | U.S. News & World Report and Best Lawyers® | 2011 |
Super Lawyers | North Carolina Super Lawyers | 2011 |
Best Lawyers, Family Law Section | Best Lawyers in America | 2011 |
Legal Elite, Family Law Section | Business North Carolina Magazine | 2011 |
Super Lawyers | North Carolina Super Lawyers | 2010 |
Best Law Firms | U.S. News & World Report and Best Lawyers® | 2010 |
Best Lawyers, Family Law Section | Best Lawyers in America | 2010 |
Legal Elite, Family Law Section | Business North Carolina Magazine | 2010 |
Best Lawyers, Family Law section | Best Lawyers in America | 2009 |
Raleigh Family Law “Lawyer of the Year” | Best Lawyers in America | 2009 |
Legal Elite, Family Law Section | Business North Carolina Magazine | 2009 |
Top 100 | North Carolina Super Lawyers | 2008 |
Best Lawyers, Family Law Section | Best Lawyers in America | 2008 |
Top 100 | North Carolina Super Lawyers | 2007 |
Best Lawyers, Family Law Section | Best Lawyers in America | 2007 |
Best Lawyers, Family Law Section | Best Lawyers in America | 2006 |
Top 100 | North Carolina Super Lawyers | 2006 |
Best Lawyers, Family Law Section | Best Lawyers in America | 2005 |
Best Lawyers, Family Law Section | Best Lawyers in America | 2004 |
Best Lawyers, Family Law Section | Best Lawyers in America | 2003 |
Best Lawyers, Family Law Section | Best Lawyers in America | 2002 |
Best Lawyers, Family Law Section | Best Lawyers in America | 2001 |
Best Lawyers, Family Law Section | Best Lawyers in America | 2000 |
Best Lawyers, Family Law Section | Best Lawyers in America | 1999 |
Best Lawyers, Family Law Section | Best Lawyers in America | 1998 |
Best Lawyers, Family Law Section | Best Lawyers in America | 1997 |
Best Lawyers, Family Law Section | Best Lawyers in America | 1996 |
Best Lawyers, Family Law Section | Best Lawyers in America | 1995 |
Board Certified Specialist in Family Law | North Carolina State Bar Board of Legal Specialization | N/A |
Family Law Section Distinguished Service Award | North Carolina Bar Association | N/A |
Diplomate | American College of Family Trial Lawyers | N/A |
Certified Arbitrator | American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers | N/A |
Fellow | American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers | N/A |
Title | Company name | Duration |
---|---|---|
Partner | Tharrington Smith | 1999 - Present |
Partner | Kilpatrick Stockton, LLP | 1987 - 1999 |
Adjunct Professor | High Point University | 1986 - 1987 |
District Court Judge | 21st Judicial District Court in Winston Salem | 1984 - 1987 |
Adjunct Professor | Wake Forest University School Of Law | 1982 - 1984 |
Assistant District Attorney | 21st Judicial District in Winston Salem | 1981 - 1984 |
---|
Association name | Position name | Duration |
---|---|---|
North Carolina State Bar | Member | N/A |
North Carolina Bar Association | Member | N/A |
North Carolina Bar Association, Family Law Section | Member | N/A |
Wake County Bar Association | Member | N/A |
10th Judicial District Bar Association | Member | N/A |
North Carolina Chapter of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers | Member | N/A |
---|---|---|
American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers | Fellow | N/A |
American College of Family Trial Lawyers | Diplomate | N/A |
North Carolina Chapter of the American Association of Matrimonial Lawyers | Past President | N/A |
21st Judicial District Bar Association | Past President | N/A |
Forsyth County Bar Associations | Past President | N/A |
Publication name | Title | Date |
---|---|---|
The National Law Journal Vol. 28, No. 2 | "Matrimonial Arbitration- A Welcome Development," | 2005 |
North Carolina Bar Association Family Law Section Legislative Committee | "North Carolina Bar Association Position Paper on HB 1047- Bill to Abolish Alienation of Affection and Criminal Conversation" | 2004 |
Desk Book, North Carolina Bar Association, Family Law Section, | "Arbitration" | 2003 |
The Newsletter of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers | "The North Carolina Family Law Arbitration Act" | 2000 |
School name | Degree | Graduated |
---|---|---|
Wake Forest University School of Law | JD - Juris Doctor | 1980 |
University of North Carolina At Chapel Hill | MPA | 1974 |
University of North Carolina At Chapel Hill | Bachelor of Arts | 1970 |
Conference name | Title | Date |
---|---|---|
Family Law Intensive Seminar | “There’s Money on the Table: Issues in High-End Family Law Cases- High Alimony and Child Support Awards” | 2016 |
119th Annual Meeting of the Indiana State Bar Association | Family Law Arbitration | 2015 |
Family Law Section of Mecklenburg County Bar Association | "Arbitrating Under the North Carolina Family Law Arbitration Act" | 2006 |
Family Law Specialists Meeting | "Codifying Marital Torts" | 2006 |
Family Law in Our Changing World | "Arbitration - A New Concept in Family Law" | 2005 |
American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers Annual Meeting | "Matrimonial Law Arbitration" | 2004 |
---|---|---|
Practical Family Law 2002 | "Professional Responsibility" | 2002 |
What About the Children? Child Custody and Support in 2002 | "Ethics and Professionalism in Custody Cases" | 2002 |
Posted by Trish
Mon Dec 02 2019
Posted by Amanda
Wed Nov 20 2019
Rose Stout, Family Attorney on Feb 23, 2016
Relationship: Opposing Counsel on matter
Lynn is knowledgeable and a great lawyer. I would recommend him.
Michael Waddington, Family Attorney on May 28, 2014
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse Lynn. He is a highly skilled attorney that is well respected in the legal community.
Lloyd Kelso, Family Attorney on Apr 4, 2013
Relationship: Opposing Counsel on matter
I have known Lynn Burleson for many years and highly endorse him. He has an excellent understanding of what it takes to be a family law specialist. He possesses the knowledge, training and experience to handle even the most complicated family law matters.