$ 470-470 per hour
Melissa Sue Barber
also known as Melissa S. Bowen
About Melissa
Biography
Melissa has been working in the area of family law since 2002. Prior to becoming a lawyer, Melissa worked as a legal assistant for a family law solo practice learning the basic procedures involved in a family law case. Continuing to develop her skills in this area of law, Melissa was promoted to paralegal and continued working in this position throughout college and during summer breaks from law school. During law school Melissa also worked part-time at an insurance defense firm. Over the years, Melissa learned the “ins and outs” of various Court processes, the nuances of working with different judges, and became very familiar with drafting pleadings, complex motions, discovery, and settlement agreements.
After graduating law school and being admitted to the Bar, Melissa successfully opened her own firm, The Law Office of Melissa S. Bowen in Gainesville, Georgia. After working at a local family law firm for over eight years, Melissa joined Kessler and Solomiany, LLC in May of 2019.
Melissa’s passion for family law stems from her innate desire to help and seek justice for others, and particularly those who are going through a difficult time in their lives. She provides competent legal guidance taking into account her client’s mental, emotional, and financial needs. Melissa is very dedicated to her cases and works diligently to ensure that her client’s needs and goals are met.
On a personal level, Melissa is married, is active in her community, enjoys travelling, and spending time with family and friends.
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 North Carolina for 1 year
State: North Carolina
Acquired: 2025
No misconduct found
Licensed in Georgia for 15 years
State: Georgia
Acquired: 2010
No misconduct found
Location
Kessler and Solomiany, LLC
101 Marietta Street NW, Suite 3500, Atlanta, GA, 30303
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Melissa Sue Barber's Reviews
Showing 1 - 5 of 24 client reviews from Avvo
Posted by Steve | March 11, 2023 | Hired Attorney
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Fantastic Attorney
Melissa and her team picked up my case from a lawyer who I was getting poor support from as well failing to get traction or make progress. Upon consultation the difference in level of professionalism, communication, and support were night and day. They were able to progress my case at a significa...
Posted by Nick | March 9, 2023 | Hired Attorney
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Awesome, Organized, and Prepared.
Melissa is a great attorney and brings an equally amazing team of professionals (associates, paralegals, accountants, mediators, and experts). Melissa helped me from filing my complaint, creating a well-supported settlement proposal, and driving this to a quick closure at mediation because of how wel...
Posted by anonymous | March 19, 2019 | Hired Attorney
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
The Best ATTORNEY
By far the best experience in my opinion. My attorney Melissa Barber is the BEST IN HER FIELD. She handled my case with care and showed concern, she treated me as a human being and not just a client. Melissa and Ashley both are caring and sensitive to the overall ordeal and are worth every penny...
Posted by Faith | November 27, 2018 | Hired Attorney
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Committed & Reliable Attorney
Melissa and her team were wonderful to work with. I knew from the first conversation that I had with her that she was the only attorney for me. She and her team truly cared about my situation and should my case have ever gone to court, I know that Melissa would have been extremely competent in her r...
Posted by Joe Modica | August 26, 2018 | Hired Attorney
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
President
Melissa and her team did a fantastic job representing me during my divorce proceedings.
Melissa Sue Barber's Lawyer Endorsements
"I have had the pleasure of working with Melissa on several matters. Melissa has an exceptionally strong eye for detail that has been a benefit in all cases. Melissa also has a strong sense of organization that has helped her to gain the upper-hand in court. Melissa is an extremely talented attorney who cares a great deal about her clients and I respect her dedication to settlement."
"Melissa is a very skilled Attorney who provides a wealth of knowledge, experience and compassion for her clients that is unparalleled. I have worked closely with her on many cases, and I highly recommend her for any family law matter."
"Attorney Bowen is one of the hardest working attorneys in the industry. She is smart and dedicated to all her cases. I would refer clients to her without hesitation."
"Melissa is extremely knowledgeable about domestic relations, particularly military retirement. This is an aspect of domestic relations that few attorneys have much knowledge about. Anyone going through a domestic relations matter, especially dealing with military retirement, should feel extremely confident with Melissa as their legal representation."
"I would endorse Melissa without any reservation. She is an excellent attorney who will zealously advocate for her clients."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"I endorse this lawyer. Melissa is diligent, detail-oriented, and always gets things done for her clients."
"Highly intelligent and a very strong advocate, Melissa is one of the top Family Law Attorneys in Atlanta. Melissa is an expert negotiator and a successful litigator. With Melissa on your side, your case is certainly in good hands."
"I have known Melissa Bowen since 2007 and we attended law school together. She is a highly competent litigator and a consummate professional with a keen ability to implement effective legal strategies for her clients. I highly recommend Melissa."
"It is very easy for me to endorse the excellent work and results my clients have received with the assistance of Ms. Bowen. A significant portion of my practice revolves around domestic violence and therefore I am routinely exposed to the best and worst from Georgia's Family Law Bar. I am happy to report that Ms. Bowen exhibits some of the finest characteristics I have encountered in my years of practice. She is hardworking, diligent, patient and has an excellent demeanor when faced with tough challenges. Her academic work and advocacy are top notch and every matter I have shared with her has been successfully concluded. An excellent practitioner and I look forward to many cases in the future."
"I have had the pleasure of working with Melissa for the last few years. Melissa embodies the reason so many people dream of becoming an attorney – justice is first based on a person’s right to a fair trial and on access to legal representation. Melissa is a zealous advocate who works tirelessly to present the best case possible and works determinedly to that end. She is well spoken and personable, which often wins her client a favorable outcome. Professionals and attorneys who know her work often refer her new cases because it is impossible to overlook Melissa’s enthusiasm, zeal and energy for the law. I strongly endorse her work."
"I endorse this lawyer. Melissa is a very strong advocate for her clients and has the support of one of Georgia's strongest family law firms. I believe that any client she represents is in good hands."
"Melissa Bowen is a rare find in the legal community. Her knowledge, experience, and thoroughness are commendable. Melissa has the uncommon ability to provide her clients with an enormous amount of empathy as well as a smart, strategic, tailor-made case plan. She is incredibly dedicated to her clients and the practice of family law."
"I have litigated against Melissa Bowen on several cases and find her to be a professional and zealous advocate for her clients. I look forward to future cases against her."
"I endorse this lawyer. Melissa is a zealous advocate for her clients. She always works tirelessly to obtain the best outcome for her client's."
"I first met Melissa during law school. Right away, I was impressed with the manner in which she approached problem solving. She was patient, asked for clarification, and worked on the issue until she arrived at a well reasoned and articulate conclusion. Aside from excellent analytical skills, she exudes approachability, warmth, and emotional intelligence. In my opinion, all of these qualities are those of an excellent attorney and human being."
"Melissa Bowen is a professional and knowledgeable attorney who zealously advocates on behalf of her clients. She is sensitive to the concerns of those going through a divorce and works to make the process move along smoothly whenever possible. While there are cases that Melissa will work to settle, she also recognizes that certain cases cannot or should not be settled and will fight for her clients in court. I endorse this lawyer."
"I endorse this lawyer. Melissa is hard working and dedicated to helping her clients achieve their goals. She is very knowledgeable on all family law issues and is an effective advocate for her clients."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"Melissa is exceptionally bright and very knowledgeable about family law. She is a hard worker and a fierce advocate for her clients. She practices law with intense determination and the utmost integrity. She is a great lawyer and friend."
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Experience
Honors
2025
Super Lawyer, SuperLawyers
2024
Rising Star, SuperLawyers
2023
Rising Star, SuperLawyers
2022
Rising Star, SuperLawyers
2021
Rising Star, SuperLawyers
2020
Rising Star, SuperLawyers
2019
Rising Star, SuperLawyers
2018
Rising Star, SuperLawyers
2015
Client Distinction Award, Martindale-Hubbell
2014
Top 40 Under 40, National Trial Lawyers
2014
Client's Choice Award, Avvo
2009
Vice Chair - Moot Court Board, John Marshall Law School
Work Experience
2019 - Present
Attorney, Kessler & Solomiany, LLC
2011 - Present
Associate Attorney, Meriwether & Tharp, LLC
2010 - 2011
Owner, The Law Office of Melissa S. Bowen
Associations
2024 - Present
Charles Longstreet Weltner Family Law American Inn of CourtFellow
2010 - Present
American Bar AssociationMember
2010 - Present
State Bar of GeorgiaMember
Atlanta Bar Association, Family Law Section
Member
State Bar of Georgia, Family Law Section
Member
State Bar of Georgia, Military/Veterans Law Section
Member
2012 - 2012
American Bar Association Advisory PanelPanelist
2011 - 2018
Forsyth County Bar AssociationMember
Education
2009
John Marshall (Atlanta)
JD - Juris Doctor
2007
North Georgia College
BS - Bachelor of Science
Speaking Engagements
2016
Newstalk 1160 a.m. - Atlanta Divorce Team Radio
Domestic Relations Financial Affidavit
2016
Newstalk 1160 a.m. - Atlanta Divorce Team Radio
7 Ways to Communicate with your lawyer to save money and properly prepare
Languages
English
Activity
Legal Answers