PRO
also known as Kristen Joyce Files
Virtual Consultation Available
Kristen Files is a partner and co-founder of Files Hayle. She practices primarily in the area of family law, often handling complex high-asset, high-conflict cases. Her focus is on navigating her clients through litigation in a way that centers the best interests of their families and children. Kristen is a certified mediator and regularly serves as a neutral in family and civil litigation matters. She is also a trained and experienced guardian ad litem.
After completing her undergraduate degree at Emory University, Kristen went on to graduate from Atlanta’s John Marshall Law School in 2010. Since then, she has practiced primarily in the area of family law, working at several top family law firms in the Atlanta area before opening her own practice.
With over 13 years of family law experience, Kristen has seen firsthand the impact contentious and extensive litigation can have on family relationships. Because of that experience, Kristen centers her approach on minimizing the conflict that can be created through litigation and preserving the integrity of the family unit so that it continues long after the litigation has ended.
Kristen lives in midtown Atlanta with her daughter Sydney and her dog Lola.
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Practice Areas
Always
State: Georgia
Acquired: 2010
No misconduct found
Mobile
977 Ponce de Leon Avenue NE, Suite B2, Atlanta, GA, 30306
fileshayle.com/15 Client Reviews
Showing 1 - 4 of 4 reviews | Case Results
Posted by Brandon | April 30, 2021 | Hired Attorney
Kristen got me a great outcome.
Kristen walked me through the entire legal process and gave me a timeline of events that would occur during my case. She was very detailed and did a wonderful job negotiating my needs during mediation. Coming into the process I had no rights of my child and really had no say. Now today I am more prot...
Posted by Beth | January 08, 2020 | Hired Attorney
Excellent attorney
Going through a child custody trial is extremely stressful and emotional. Kristen is extremely knowledgeable and organized. She represents her clients professionally, she's respectful in the court room, and is well respected by colleagues. She won our custody case, but if we would have lost I would s...
Posted by L. Adrian | January 08, 2020 | Hired Attorney
An awesome attorney!
Attorney Files was amazing. Her professionalism and knowledge of family law had me in awe. When my ex’s attorney decided to back out of our previous agreement she went into shark mode. Yes this mild mannered young lady can be ferocious. She ended up saving me tens of thousands of dollars and I ended ...
Posted by anonymous | March 09, 2026 | Hired Attorney
Not the outcome expected
Over all communication was very thorough it seems like noth attorneys worked together in our case. However the outcome was not as expected and wasn’t prepared for that.
"Kristen is an incredible attorney! She cares about her clients and fights zealously for them in court! She is also a superb litigator who gets results!"
"Kristen is a dynamic and skilled attorney who treats her cases, clients, and colleagues with professionalism and integrity. I have had the pleasure of working as opposing counsel to Kristen in a custody matter, and would be delighted to work with her again in the future."
"Kristen is a tenacious litigator who truly cares about her clients and their families. She takes time to communicate with her clients and is a formidable opponent in the courtroom."
"Kristin is a stellar lawyer and professional. I have known her for many years and I am always impressed with her skills and legal competence. She is compassionate and hardworking. She treats clients with respect and dignity and she stares down every challenge until she attains the best possible result for her clients."
Family lawyer
Family lawyer
Family lawyer
Family lawyer
Family lawyer
2019
Rising Star, SuperLawyers
2018
Rising Star, SuperLawyers
2017
Rising Star, Super Lawyers
2024 - Present
Partner, Files Hayle LLC
2023 - 2024
Professor, Atlanta's John Marshall Law School
2022 - 2024
Partner, The Files Firm
2020 - 2022
Partner, Smith & Files LLC
2017 - 2020
Attorney, Smith & Lake LLC
2016 - 2017
Attorney, Waggoner Hastings LLC
2013 - 2016
Associate Attorney, Stearns-Montgomery & Proctor
2010 - 2013
Equal Opportunity Specialist, U.S. Department Of Hud
2018 - Present
DeKalb Bar AssociationFamily Law Section Board Member
2018 - Present
State Bar of Georgia, Young Lawyers DivisionCo-chair of YLD Family Law Division
2018 - Present
American Inns of CourtWeltner Inn of Court
2017 - Present
Georgia Coalition Against Domestic ViolenceWomen's Leadership Group
2010 - Present
Georgia State Bar AssociationMember
2014 - 2016
Georgia Association of Black Women AttorneysCo-chair of Young Lawyer's Division
2010
Law
2005
BA - Bachelor of Arts
2005
BA - Bachelor of Arts
2019
Case Law Update
2018
Case Law Update
English