$ 300-345 per hour
About Joann
Biography
I went to law school to help make people's lives better and practicing family law has been one of the most rewarding ways in which to do that. Divorce and child custody issues involve some of the most emotionally charged and traumatic events people encounter. I enjoy (for the most part) helping folks see the light at the end of the tunnel and helping them find ways to make the best of an otherwise terrible time in their lives.
While the "law" certainly is a critical part of practicing family law, my own personal experience during my divorce and subsequent custody battles (the divorce took four years to obtain and the custody battles took place about every two years for well over a decade) give me ground level experience about the emotional trauma that goes along with these types of cases. I have to say that I finally got wise and married my best friend from high school and have been happily married to him for almost 20 years. We have lots of kids (only a few of which I actually birthed - the rest came over to eat dinner and never really left) and a very firm belief that it is possible to create your own family, regardless of blood ties. (We were the "Blind Side" long before the movie came out, just for the record.)
On the other hand, I served as General Counsel for a multinational corporation prior to practicing family law, so I have a strong business background and understand where the money can sometimes go in family owned businesses. I can comfortably track assests and income streams from many sources and understand how division of marital busineses can alter the business valuations.
Going to court is my work version of chocolate. I absolutely love it and it has the added benefit of being fat free.
Practice Areas
4
Practice Areas
Fees and Rates
Cost
Hourly Rates
Payment Methods
- Cash
- Check
- Credit Card
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Chat withLicenses
Licensed in Georgia for 26 years
State: Georgia
Acquired: 1999
No misconduct found
Licensed in South Carolina for 27 years
State: South Carolina
Acquired: 1998
No misconduct found
Licensed in Tennessee for 13 years
State: Tennessee
Acquired: 2013
No misconduct found
Location
Meriwether & Tharp, LLC
11475 Great Oaks Way, Suite 125, Alpharetta, GA, 30022
Meriwether & Tharp, LLC
410 Peachtree Pkwy., Bldg. 400, Ste. 4245, Cumming, GA, 30041
Meriwether & Tharp, LLC
Five Concourse Park, Ste. 3000, Atlanta, GA, 30328
Meriwether & Tharp, LLC
6465 East Johns Crossing, Ste. 125, Johns Creek, GA, 30097
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Joann Brown-Williams's Reviews
Avvo Review Score
18 Client Reviews
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Practice Areas
What Clients Mention
Showing 16 - 18 of 18 reviews
Posted by Grateful Client | September 26, 2013 | Divorce & Separation
Joan Brown-Williams, Julie D. Korzenko, and Carol Hollister @ Meriwether & Tharp LLC - #1Choice to Call...Guaranteed
If you are in need of a Divorce Lawyer I HIGHLY recommend working with the team of Meriwether & Tharp LLC. Joan Brown-Williams, Julie D. Korzenko, and Carol Hollister were amazing! I do not come from a background of divorce. I had no idea what questions to ask and yet this amazing team was there l...
Posted by anonymous | September 09, 2013 | Lawsuits & Disputes
Great lawyer
Joann is the lawyer you want tough situations. Her level of preparation for my hearing was evident. I was very satisfied with the results. I would recommend her to anyone that needs an honest lawyer.
Posted by Scott | September 09, 2013
JOANN, IS THE ONE TO CALL
When you need a lawyer in a challenging situation Joann is the one to call. Joann acted quickly from the moment she received my call, was always fully prepared, and kepted me informed every step of the way. Joann treat treats her clients with respect and we worked together as a team to get the best...
Joann Brown-Williams's Lawyer Endorsements
"I endorse this lawyer."
"I had a divorce case against Joann several years ago. She was a very capable and knowledgeable advocate for her client. She zealously represents her client's position and effectively communicates with opposing counsel, mediators and Guardians Ad Litem. I highly recommend her as an attorney for clients involved in divorce and family law cases. It is my pleasure to endorse her."
"I endorse this lawyer. Joann has a genuine love for the law. She is a constant learner. She brings that same passion to her individual cases and clients. Couple that with her experience in the Courtroom and you have a powerful combination. She knows when, however, to tell her clients that they need to seriously consider settlement. She does not allow her love for the Courtroom to shade her judgment. I am happy that she is on our team."
"Joann is not only a zealous advocate for her clients, but she is also extremely kind and caring. She is the kind of lawyer that we should all inspire to be and I am so pleased to be able to call her not only a colleague but a friend."
"Joann was born to be a lawyer. She has an instinct about cases that is uncanny. She is extremely intelligent and a very hard worker. It has been such a pleasure working with her, learning from her, and getting to know her. I highly endorse Joann."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"I have known Joann for 20+ years. Recently, I have had the pleasure of her joining our law firm and working together on cases. She is extremely diligent, passionate about her clients, and always looking to improve her skill sets as an attorney."
Andrew Weegar
Family lawyer
Margaret Simpson
Family lawyer
Experience
Honors
2017
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2006
Rising Star, Super Lawyers
Work Experience
2016 - Present
Partner, Meriwether & Tharp, LLC
2013 - Present
Attorney, Meriwether & Tharp, LLC
2011 - 2013
Managing Partner, Brown Williams, LLC
2007 - 2011
General Counsel, Textile Management Associates
2004 - 2007
Attorney, Krevolin & Horst,Llc
2002 - 2004
Assistant Attorney General, Georgia Department Of Law
1998 - 2002
Attorney, Neal Howard & Associates
Associations
2014 - Present
District Court of South CarolinaMember
2012 - Present
Tennessee Bar AssociationMember
2012 - Present
Tennesee Supreme CourtMember
2012 - Present
Tennessee Court of AppealsMember
2002 - Present
United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh CircuitMember
2000 - Present
United States District Court for the Middle District of GeorgiaMember
2000 - Present
United District Court for the Southern District of GeorgiaMember
1999 - Present
Georgia State Bar AssociationMember
1999 - Present
Supreme Court of GeorgiaMember
1999 - Present
Georgia Court of AppealsMember
1999 - Present
United States District Court for the Northern District of GeorgiaMember
1998 - Present
South Carolina Bar AssociationMember
1998 - Present
Supreme Court of South CarolinaMember
1998 - Present
South Carolina Court of AppealsMember
Sample of Legal Cases
In the Interest of GRB
Juvenile court was reversed and Father was awarded custody of the child.
Garner v. Stone, DeKalb State Court (1999)
We received a six figure jury verdict.
Ledford vs. Smith, 249 Ga. App. 719 (2005)
We prevailed at summary judgment and on appeal.
Stewart v. Smith, 291 Ga. App. 86 (2009)
We received a six figure jury verdict.
Education
1998
University of South Carolina
JD - Juris Doctor
1992
Auburn University at Montgomery
Masters
1989
Emory University
BA - Bachelor of Arts
Speaking Engagements
2016
Georgia Spring Continuing Judicial Legal Education Seminar: Superior Court Law Clerks
Alternative Lifestyles: Social & Legal Implications in Family Law,
2016
Georgia Spring Continuing Judicial Legal Education Seminar: Superior Court Judges
Alternative Lifestyles: Social & Legal Implications in Family Law,
2016
Georgia Spring Continuing Judicial Legal Education Seminar: Juvenile Court Judges
Legal Implications of Alternative Lifestyles: Adoptions, Dependency & Delinquincy
2014
CLE Proving Damages
Tort Settlement and Recoveries in Marital Property in the Context of Divorce
Publications
2014
CLE Proving Damages
Tort Settlement and Recoveries as Marital Property in the Context of Divorce
Languages
English
Activity
Legal Answers
Legal Answers
Q&A
What does an Amended IWO mean when you already pay child support and your job and pay have not changed ?
27 Dec 2023
Q&A
Do I have to pay back child support after both children are in college??
02 Jan 2024
Q&A
What is recourse if one parent does not abide by court order of no contact by a live in girlfriend?
27 Dec 2023