Gray Ellis

PRO

Gray Ellis

4.8
14 reviews
This is an aggregated review score of Avvo and Lawyers.com reviews.
Rating: 10.0

Licensed for 24 years

Family Lawyer at Durham, NC
Practice Areas: Family, Child Custody, Estate Planning

3511 Shannon Road, Suite 150, Durham, NC

Virtual Consultation Available

About Gray

Biography

Award-Winning Board Certified Specialist in Family Law by N.C. Board of Legal Specialization

Award-Winning Board Certified Specialist in Family Law by the N.C. Board of Legal Specialization

Award-Winning Board Certified Specialist in Family Law by the N.C. Board of Legal Specialization

Award-Winning Board Certified Specialist in Family Law by the N.C. Board of Legal Specialization

Practice Areas

3

Practice Areas

Family 75%

24 years

75%
Child Custody 20%

20%
Estate Planning 5%

24 years

5%

Fees and Rates

We have not found any cost information for this lawyer

Awards

Client's Choice
Client's Choice
2014
Silver Client Champion
AV Preeminent Peer Review Rating

Licenses

Licensed in North Carolina for 24 years

State: North Carolina

Acquired: 2002

Active

No misconduct found

Location

Ellis Family Law

3511 Shannon Road, Suite 150, Durham, NC, 27707

ellisfamilylaw.com/

Ellis Family Law

27 Hillsboro St, Pittsboro, NC, 27312

ellisfamilylaw.com/

Ellis Family Law

1740 Heritage Center Drive, Suite 202, Wake Forest, NC, 27587

ellisfamilylaw.com/

Ellis Family Law

201 Shannon Oaks Cir, #100, Cary, NC, 27511

ellisfamilylaw.com/

Online Presence

Other places you can find Gray online.

Gray Ellis's Reviews

Filter Avvo Reviews (11) Refine reviews to match your needs. Use the filters to quickly surface reviews that align with your case or priorities.

Showing 1 - 1 of 1 review | Wills & Living Wills

Posted by anonymous | June 05, 2017 | Wills & Living Wills

Poor communication

To start, let me say shame on me for not doing enough research to protect my family from getting taken advantage of. I thought that researching lawyers in the area, checking online reviews and following up with a call to speak with someone at this firm about my estate planning needs would have suffic...ed, but after the experience I had, I’ve learned that I need to educate myself (and others) much more about what to expect. I called their office to learn more about the firm's estate planning process, fees, etc. I spoke with William. He was very nice and informative (so I thought). He told me to set up an initial consultation for which there would be a charge ($150 for up to 30 minutes, $250 for 60 minutes). When I asked what the fees were for the creation of a will, POA, etc., he didn’t know specifically. I asked if the consultation fee would be rolled up into the cost of the estate planning. He didn’t know, but asked Tiffany. He came back and said yes, that’s often the case. My wife and I adjusted our work schedules and picked up our 10 month old daughter early from daycare to come to the consultation. It lasted no more than 20 minutes. Frankly, everything that was shared was stuff we could have read about online for free. During this chat, we learned that the firm charges a flat fee of $1,000/person for the will and two power of attorney documents. And that the $150 consultation fee doesn’t apply to flat fee scenarios. For us personally, the consultation didn’t add value for the price we paid. We didn’t have to have it in person. They could have easily shared those basics via the firm's website or we could have read about them elsewhere online. That would have saved us $150. All possible if the person that answers the phone is equipped to answer questions from potential clients about what they’re actually going to get out of the in-person consultation. In posting this review, my hope is that you're able to better educate yourself on the topic/process so that you can better spend your hard earned dollars.

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Gray Ellis's Lawyer Endorsements

Endorse Gray
Barri H Payne headshot
Barri Payne

Divorce and separation lawyer | Jan 20

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I have practiced family law in Durham as a colleague of Gray Ellis for many years. I have worked with Gray and the attorneys in his office many times whether as opposing counsel on a family law case or by serving as mediator for attorneys in his office. Gray is committed to providing quality representation to each client, and his firm is always pleasant, dedicated and professional to work with. Ellis Family Law is a solid choice for clients with family law matters in the Triangle area."

Andrew Kenneth Dickens headshot
Andrew Dickens

Unknown lawyer | May 13

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I am impressed with Mr. Ellis's thoughtful advice and answers to legal questions on Avvo. He has an in-depth understanding of the law and an ability to communicate legal concepts clearly and effectively. I endorse this lawyer!"

Thomas H Eagen headshot
Thomas Eagen

Family lawyer | Apr 29

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Gray Ellis and his firm are highly professional and very capable handling any family law issues like divorce, alimony, custody and division of marital property. I have practice Family Law in Durham for thirty years and have had many cases where the opposing party has been represented by Gray and his firm. They are dedicated to the interests of their clients but seek to minimize aggravation and bitterness while reaching a fair solution. He and his lawyers are extremely capable in trial when settlement cannot be reached. This firm has an excellent reputation in the legal community and its clients speak well of their experiences with the attorneys and support personnel of Ellis Family Law."

Robert Paul Jenkins headshot
Robert Jenkins

Divorce and separation lawyer | Mar 17

Relationship: Worked together on matter

"Gray is a very knowledgeable and detailed family law attorney. He always stays up to date (if not ahead) of the latest trends, case law and research in the family law practice. I often call upon Gray for his advice and guidance when dealing with issues I may be uncertain of or am seeking confirmation about a certain issue I am dealing with. Without hesitation I have referred and will continue to refer cases to Gray and his firm."

Michael S. Waddington headshot
Michael Waddington

Family lawyer | Jun 02

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse Gray. He is a highly skilled attorney that is well respected in the legal community."

Nakia C. Davis headshot
Nakia Davis

Family lawyer | Jul 15

Relationship: Worked together on matter

"I endorse this lawyer!! Attorney Gray Ellis is one of the most competent and efficient domestic attorneys in the Triangle Area. His firm is normally the first that I refer if I am unable to assist those in need. If I had a personal domestic matter, I would retain his services."

John Szymankiewicz headshot
John Szymankiewicz

Family lawyer | Jun 27

Relationship: Other

"I endorse this lawyer. I've referred several clients and friends to Mr. Ellis for his expertise, compassion, and persistent advocacy. Should I have need, Mr. Ellis is likely my first choice for a family law attorney."

View All Endorsements
D. Melissa Averett headshot
D. Averett

Family lawyer

Autumn Danielle Osbourne headshot
Autumn Osbourne

Family lawyer

Jillian Mack Moore headshot
Jillian Moore

Family lawyer

Robert Paul Jenkins headshot
Robert Jenkins

Family lawyer

Experience

Rating:  10.0 (Superb)

Honors

2025

Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers

2025

North Carolina Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers

2024

North Carolina Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers

2024

Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers

2023

Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers

2023

North Carolina Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers

2023

Torch Awards for Ethics, Better Business Bureau

2022

Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers

2022

North Carolina Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers

2021

Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers

2021

Best Lawyer Honoree, Best Lawyers in America

2021

North Carolina Super Lawyers, Super Lawyers

2020

Best Lawyer Honoree, Best Lawyers in America

2019

Best Of Durham Honoree, Durham Magazine

2018

Best of Durham, Durham Magazine

2017

Best of Durham, Durham Magazine

2017

Torch Award, Better Business Bureau - Eastern North Carolina

2017

North Carolina Leaders in Law Honoree, Lawyers Weekly

2016

AV Rated, Martindale-Hubbell

2016

Best of Durham, Durham Magazine

2015

Best Attorneys, Durham Magazine

2015

Best Attorneys, Indy Weekly

2014

Best Attorneys, Durham Magazine

2012

Rising Star, Super Lawyers

2011

Rising Star, Super Lawyers

2010

Rising Star, Super Lawyers

2010

Star Search, Super Lawyers

2007

Board Certified Specialist - Family Law, North Carolina State Bar Board of Legal Specialization

Work Experience

2008 - Present

Partner, Ellis Family Law, PLLC

Associations

2002 - Present

North Carolina Bar Association

Member

2002 - Present

Durham County Bar Association

Member

2002 - Present

North Carolina Academy of Trial Lawyers

Member

2014 - 2016

North Carolina Bar Association, Family Law Section

Chair

Sample of Legal Cases

Degn v. Degn

sole custody with support and unequal division of assets in my clients favor

See More Legal Cases

Education

2001

North Carolina Central University School of Law

JD - Juris Doctor

N/A

North Carolina State University

BA - Bachelor of Arts

Speaking Engagements

2015

N.C. Board of Legal Specialist

Same Sex Divorce Issues

2012

NBI CLE

Temporary Hearings

2011

NBI CLE

Commencing Family Law Actions

2009

Law Office Management

NCC School Of Law

2008

Impacts of Divorce on Families

Unitarian Universalist Church

2002

Self Help

Divorce Clinic

2002

Clinic

Equitable Distribution

Publications

2024

Upscale Living, Triangle Area Edition Meaningful Holidays, No Matter Your Family Design

2011

North Carolina Bar Association publication Child Support

Languages

English

Activity

Avvo Rating

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  • Experience & background Years licensed, work experience, education
  • Legal community recognition Peer endorsements, associations, awards
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Avvo Rating Levels
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