Overall Rating
This is an aggregated review score of Avvo and Lawyers.com reviews.
This is an aggregated review score of Avvo and Lawyers.com reviews.
4.8 /5.0
42 Client Reviews
About Amber
Biography
I believe that representing clients in family law cases is not just a job or an area of law to practice. I believe it is a calling, a mission given to me by God to help hurting people. That calling was so crystal clear the night I prayed for guidance. I did not initially understand what that meant. I thought God was calling me to be a personal injury lawyer. Many of my life experiences had driven me to the point of wanting to be a lawyer, but all those things had lead me to believe I was supposed to be a lawyer who helped physical hurt people find justice. After I got divorced, met my current husband, and began working for Judge Ferguson, I discovered that no one hurts more than the children who go through a divorce or separation between their parents. Their parents hurt, but the children hurt more. The pain, anxiety, depression, guilt, separation, anger, and frustration that these children experience are immeasurable. Another thing I have noticed in the time I have been practicing law is that I sometimes see clients for more than one case. I see them over and over, one divorce after another, or one case after another because either their personal, legal, emotional, financial or psychological needs were not resolved completely the first time around. I also found that parents come out of the divorce or separation process thinking he or she now knows everything he or she needs to know to move forward in a financially sound manner and with a 4 hour trans-parenting class under his or her belt knows everything he or she need to know to successfully co-parent. Unfortunately, this is not at all the case.
This was evident to me in my own divorce situation. When I got divorced, my attorney handed me my documents and said, “well you are divorced, good luck.” As I sat there and looked at those papers, I was heartbroken because in my mind I had failed. I had failed at being a married person. However, I was also in law school, working full time, and a single parent at that point. I felt momentarily reassured that so long as the child support came on time and my son’s father made the house payment on time for the next year as he had agreed to do, I would find a way to trudge through and start my life over again. Boy was I wrong. Four months later, when the house payments weren’t being made on time, the child support was late, and I was struggling to make ends meet, I landed in bankruptcy court and had to sign my home back over to the bank. All I could think at that time was, “why didn’t someone tell me this could happen that this could be my life.” It was at that point that I felt completely hopeless and alone, and I was frustrated with the whole process. But, life went on, and I remarried, finished law school and started my practice. For seven years, I practiced law much the same way as my lawyer had and forgot about all those feelings I had all those years ago. Recently, at the urging of some very special people in my life, I spent some time in deep reflection and worked with my coach to determine what I really wanted my practice to be like and how I wanted to change the world. During that time, this new firm came into being.
Clients need solutions today with an eye toward tomorrow, the day after, the month after, the year after, etc. They need an aftercare program to allow them to have ongoing support, counseling, financial advice, budgeting, etc. As lawyers, we are not equipped to necessarily deal with all these issues. However, we should have the resources at our fingertips to get our clients through the process. We should not see our clients as a number, a file, or a dollar sign. Each is a unique person who is part of a unique family. The families have their own unique issues and needs. These families don’t go away. They change or morph over time just like an intact family. Our mission is to move them through the process of separation or divorce in such a manner that when they come out on the other side they have a new beginning for their new unique family situation and know how to live as part of that new family dynamic going forward in a healthy, holistic manner.
Due to my experience working with Judge Ferguson and my own divorce experience, I knew there had to be a better way to practice family law that helped parties resolve disputes, helped children not suffer the negative impact of their parents’ divorces, and helped parties learn from his or her mistakes and move into their future relationships in such a way that mistakes are not repeated. The service we provide to our clients along with our relationships with preferred outside vendors allows us to help our clients through this horrible time in their lives to find a new beginning for them and their children.
On the other hand, there are couples and singles who want to be parents but cannot do so by regular means. They struggle with beginning their definition of a family. The pain of losing a child through miscarriage or not being able to get pregnant even with the help of traditional scientific methods can be so great that it causes lasting grief and depression that impact the family unit he or she or they already have. However, there are children out there being born everyday who have no one to love them, who are being born to mothers who do love them, so much so that the mother knows that she is not the child’s best option. There are also children out there who have one good parent but for whatever reason the other biological parent is gone. Then, a great person steps in as a step-parent and says, “hey, I want to be your forever parent, I cannot imagine not being your mom or dad.” There are also great women out there who would be happy to be a vessel for carrying another couple’s child or children for them so that they can have the family of their dreams. I want to be there to help these couples create their own new beginning. Nothing gives me more joy as a lawyer than bringing a family together.
Our goal is to provide great service to our clients, and in doing so, help our clients grow as people and as parents, put them on the path of changing their family tree for the better, and do so so well that when they hear of a friend or family member in the same or similar situation as theirs that they will want their family and friends to be able to be a part of what we are doing as well.
I help clients resolve their legal disputes without messing up their kids.
I help clients resolve their legal disputes without messing up their kids.
I help clients going through divorce and separation find a new beginning.
I help couples become parents through surrogacy adoption and divorce clients find new beginnings.
Practice Areas
7
Practice Areas
Divorce and Separation
50%
20 years
Child Custody
20%
20 years
Alimony
10%
20 years
Appeals
5%
20 years
Fees and Rates
Cost
Retainer
Sometimes
Payment Methods
- Cash
- Check
- Credit Card
Licenses
Licensed in Alabama for 19 years
State: Alabama
Acquired: 2006
No misconduct found
Location
New Beginnings Family Law, P.C.
2204 Whitesburg Drive SW, Suite 200, Huntsville, AL, 35801
newbeginningsfamilylaw.com/Gallery
Online Presence
Other places you can find Amber online.
Amber Yerkey James's Reviews
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Practice Areas
What Clients Mention
Professionalism (15)
Advocacy (14)
Case Results (13)
Recommendation (13)
Communication Style (12)
Responsiveness (11)
Character & Conduct (9)
Compassion (9)
General Knowledge (8)
Staff & Support (8)
Practice Area Knowledge (7)
Trustworthiness (7)
Cost of Services (4)
Punctuality (3)
Payment Plans (2)
Showing 1 - 3 of 3 reviews | Punctuality
Posted by anonymous | January 03, 2016 | Hired Attorney | Child Custody
Personal and Professional
As a young client, Amber was always understanding and personable. Her personal and professional experiences helped me make the best decisions for my child during a custody situation. She and her staff have always been prompt to return phone calls and emails. They treat you as though you are their onl...
Posted by Brian C. | June 08, 2014 | Adoption
Masterful, Thorough and Error-Free
This wasn't our first time at the out-of-state adoption rodeo. Coming from a horrible experience with a Georgia attorney, we had to lower our expectations for the adoption of our second child. Even if I had crazy high expectations, Amber and her team absolutely met them. She was "on top" of everyt...
Posted by William | October 02, 2013 | Child Custody
Divorce/Custody Amber James
Amber and the James Family Law Firm have went above and beyond in the hadling of my case. I am a single father fighting for custody of my daughter. As many know this is an uphill battle. They have always been extremely prompt at returning phone calls and emails. I was very well informed of every acti...
Amber Yerkey James's Lawyer Endorsements
"I have the honor and privilege of knowing this extraordinary attorney through our mutual professional law firm development organization that we are both involved. I highly recommend and endorse this attorney as being one of the finest individuals and professionals that a client could ever have. Attorney Stephen Rue"
"I endorse this lawyer."
"Amber is a tough and skilled lawyer. She has made a niche in the domestic field where she shifts her focus from the fight to the kids that suffer during the fight."
"I have the privilege of working with Amber James each day and wholeheartedly endorse her as a lawyer and endorse the law firm she has established. She thoroughly guides each client through their difficult time, providing each with extensive knowledge of the law, as well as with compassion and attention. Amber leads by example, and it has been my sincerest pleasure to work with her."
"Amber and I have worked on many cases with/against each other. She is always prepared, and she cares for her clients and advocates for them. It is a pleasure working with her."
"I endorse this lawyer. Amber is a dedicated, diligent and professional attorney, bound to solve even the most complex and challenging cases. She is a top notch attorney in her areas of practice and a well respected lawyer in the legal community. I recommend her quality services without hesitation to anyone seeking legal representation."
"I endorse this lawyer. I regularly refer my own clients and friends to Ms. James. She has an outstanding reputation in our area and anyone I know that she has represented has been very satisfied with their result. She is a true advocate for her clients"
"I endorse this lawyer."
"Amber and I have tried several cases and she is always prepared and knowledgeable of the facts of her case. She is also courteous and professional to the litigants and opposing attorney."
"Amber is a compassionate attorney who focuses on the needs of her clients. She provides custom tailored legal advice based on the wishes of her clients. I highly endorse Amber."
"Amber is passionate about representing her clients. She is very professional."
"Amber is an excellent attorney and her passion is unmatched. I fully endorse this lawyer."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"I endorse this lawyer from reviewing files from her office on such matters."
"Amber is a great attorney who will ensure her clients are well advised and receive excellent legal services! She takes the time to understand each client's issue and has the knowledge and experience to handle the problems extremely well. I highly endorse this lawyer!"
"This is a very good attorney and highly respected by peers in Huntsville. I am happy to endorse her!"
"Amber is very well versed in all areas of family law, from divorce to custody and child support issues. She is a smart, compassionate and thoughtful lawyer and she works tirelessly as a zealous advocate for her clients. She is also held in high regard in the legal community and I enthusiatically endorse her."
"I endorse this lawyer. She is always well prepared and a great asset to the bar."
"I endorse this lawyer. Amber is known for her expertise in domestic matters. She has many years of experience practicing family law with great success. As a fellow lawyer, I can say she has easily gained the respect of her peers."
"I endorse this lawyer."
Stephen Rue
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Experience
Honors
2019
Board Certified in Family Law Trial Advocacy, National Board of Trial Advocacy
2018
Platinum Client Champion, Martindale-Hubbell
2016
Client Distinction Award, Martindale-Hubbell
2016
Rising Star, SuperLawyers
2016
Legal Elite Most Compassionate Family Lawyers-Alabama, Corporate America
2016
Top 10 Attorneys, American Jurist Institute
2015
Client Distinction Award, Martindale-Hubbell
2015
Nation's Top One Percent, National Association of Distinguished Counsel
2015
Top Attorney in North America, Top Attorneys of North America
2015
Rising Star, Super Lawyers
2014
Top 40 Lawyers Under 40, American Society of Legal Advocates
2014
2015 Alabama Rising Star, Super Lawyers
2013
Client Distinction Award, Martindale-Hubbell
2012
Client Distinction Award, Martindale-Hubbell
2011
Best in Business Award, Innovative Funding, Inc.
Work Experience
2014 - Present
CEO, Attorney, New Beginnings Family Law, P.C.
2006 - Present
CEO, James Family Law Firm, P.C.
Associations
2016 - Present
International Academy of Collaborative ProfessionalsMember
2010 - Present
Huntsville-Madison County Bar AssociationMember
2006 - Present
American Bar AssociationMember
2006 - Present
Alabama State Bar AssociationMember
Sample of Legal Cases
Ex Parte Diefenbach
Trial Court lacked personal jurisdiction over my client and could not proceed with the matter.
Education
2006
Birmingham School of Law (Birmingham, AL)
JD - Juris Doctor
2000
University of Alabama - Birmingham
Masters of Business Administration
1998
University of Alabama - Birmingham
BA - Bachelor of Arts
Speaking Engagements
2013
How to Manage a Small Law Firm Quarterly Meeting
Law Practice Managment
2013
2013 Family Law Conference for Alabama Practitioners
Adoption and Surrogacy
2012
Oakwood University
Family Law
Languages
English
Activity
Legal Answers
Legal Answers
Q&A
In the state of Alabama can dhr refuse to give custody back or use our new marriage against us?
25 Apr 2023
Q&A
If i start a 1099 form in alabama will my child support order i have in ohio find out ?
27 Apr 2023
Q&A
How can you get divorced if spouse is in Mexico ? No communication for 15 years. No minor children.
24 Apr 2023