Leigh Joy Carson

Leigh Joy Carson

4.5
Rating: 9.1

Licensed for 39 years

Divorce and separation Lawyer at Clayton, MO
Practice Areas: Divorce & Separation, Child Custody, Alimony, Child Support

7710 Carondelet, Suite 105, Clayton, MO

About Leigh

Biography

Practice Areas

4

Practice Areas

Divorce and Separation 50%

I handle divorces for people of all ages, but an increasing numbers involve "silver divorces" - people married more than 25 years.

38 years

50%
Child Custody 40%

I have handled all kinds of child custody matters, including disputes between biological and non-biological parents, international custody cases and termination of parental rights.

38 years

40%
Alimony 5%

Maintenance (what alimony or spousal support is called in Missouri) is not commonly awarded in Missouri, but I have gotten maintenance from someone who was unemployed at the time of the divorce (and had been for several months). I have also defended and prosecuted motions to modify seeking to increase or decrease maintenance.

38 years

5%
Child Support 5%

I have worked with clients to establish child support, to modify child support and to collect child support. I have also assisted clients with collecting monies owed for medical bills, extracurricular activities and college.

38 years

5%

Fees and Rates

Cost

Hourly Rates

$ 225-325 per hour


Payment Methods

  • Cash
  • Check
  • Credit Card

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Licenses

Licensed in Missouri for 38 years

State: Missouri

Acquired: 1987

Good Standing, Active

No misconduct found

Licensed in Illinois for 39 years

State: Illinois

Acquired: 1986

Administrative - Not Authorized to Practice

No misconduct found

Location

Law Offices of Leigh Joy Carson

7710 Carondelet, Suite 105, Clayton, MO, 63105

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Leigh Joy Carson's Reviews

Avvo Review Score

4.5 /5.0

8 Client Reviews

Filter Avvo Reviews (8) Refine reviews to match your needs. Use the filters to quickly surface reviews that align with your case or priorities.

Showing 1 - 2 of 2 reviews | Compassion

Posted by Dan | January 03, 2016 | Hired Attorney | Lawsuits & Disputes

Very happy client

Leigh is understanding and I found her quite easy to work with. My case was handled very efficiently. I know I got the best representation possible.

Posted by anonymous | November 30, 2015 | Hired Attorney | Divorce & Separation

she's a shark!

This is my second divorce. I have interviewed 4 attorneys before choosing Leigh to represent me. And boy , was it the right choice!! To tell you the truth, she scared me slightly at first interview, because she wasn't blowing smoke up my ..., like the other 3 attorneys did. She told me what could hap...pen realistically, and i went with my gut instinct. She got me WAY more than I expected! She protected me and treated me very kindly and with alot of empathy! I will absolutely use Leigh Joy Carson's services in the future!

See All Client Reviews

Leigh Joy Carson's Lawyer Endorsements

Endorse Leigh
Bartelo James Edward Pupillo headshot
Bartelo Pupillo

Child custody lawyer | Oct 05

Relationship: Worked together on matter

"Leigh is extremally knowledgeable in all areas of domestic relations especially regarding dissolution and child custody issues. Ms. Carson is one of the very few attorneys that has any knowledge of foreign child custody issues and is an aggressive advocate on behalf of he clients."

Bradley S. Dede headshot
Bradley Dede

Child custody lawyer | May 23

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I have sought Leigh's opinion on matters of custody in domestic matters many times. She has the ability to avoid the morass of unimportant details and identify the truly consequential issues of family law."

Rand Elio Scopel headshot
Rand Scopel

Divorce and separation lawyer | Apr 21

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer."

Sally Swyers Rajnoha headshot
Sally Rajnoha

Debt and lending agreements lawyer | Mar 17

Relationship: Opposing Counsel on matter

"I endorse Leigh Joy Carson. She is compassionate and works hard for her clients. As opposing counsel, I found her to be reasonable in settlement negotiations and easy to work with overall."

Rickey Dean Farrow headshot
Rickey Farrow

Divorce and separation lawyer | Feb 07

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer."

Bryan Dale Scheiderer headshot
Bryan Scheiderer

Divorce and separation lawyer | Jan 27

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I have known Leigh Carson for many years as a fellow solo and small firm practitioner in Missouri. She is very knowledgable in the area of Family Law and I readily endorse her."

Karen Irene Finley headshot
Karen Finley

Divorce and separation lawyer | Jan 15

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Leigh is a leader in the family law community and an active member of the Missouri Bar Association. She is always willing to help out a fellow attorney. I have referred several clients to Leigh who were extremely pleased with her services."

Patric Alexander Lester headshot
Patric Lester

Family lawyer | Jan 12

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer.I have collaborated with Leigh on a number of matters over the last 30 years and I never cease to be impressed with her integrity and expertise and ability to analyze a client’s legal options and choices. She is a very skilled litigation attorney with vast experience. Unlike many attorneys who talk about trying cases but have rarely if ever seen the inside of a courtroom, Leigh has tried many, probably 1000s, of cases. She speaks from experiences fighting for her clients “in the trenches”. She will work on your case as if it were her own."

Robert Norman Hamilton headshot
Robert Hamilton

Family lawyer | Dec 03

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I have known leigh for over 20 years. she is an exceptionally bright attorney who is well spoken and writes well. she is a great resource to me when I have complex legal issues. I would recommend her in all family law matters, especially if they have complex legal issues."

Jennifer R. Piper headshot
Jennifer Piper

Family lawyer | Dec 03

Relationship: Opposing Counsel on matter

"I have worked with Leigh as the opposition and together on matters. Leigh is very knowledgeable about the law and if she does not know the answer, will do whatever is necessary to find it. She is tough and fights hard for her clients. Leigh regularly speaks at seminars for lawyers and is highly respected."

Joan Amendola Coulter headshot
Joan Coulter

Family lawyer | Dec 03

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer. Leigh is well respected in the legal community. She works diligently for her clients to achieve the best results."

Tonya Dianne Page headshot
Tonya Page

Family lawyer | Dec 02

Relationship: Opposing Counsel on matter

"I have worked on cases with Leigh Carson as the opposing attorney, as well as attended seminars where she has presented on various family law topics. She is experienced in the area of family law and fights for her clients."

Margaret P. Murphy headshot
Margaret Murphy

Family lawyer | Dec 02

Relationship: Worked for lawyer

"I endorse this lawyer. Leigh is an amazing attorney. At your first meeting with her, you know she is working on your goals. She is well liked by judges, other attorneys and support staff. She always delivers positive results. As one of her clients loves to say, "She is a shark!""

Mark William Haefner headshot
Mark Haefner

Divorce and separation lawyer | Dec 02

Relationship: Opposing Counsel on matter

"I have worked with Ms. Carson on an number of cases, and we have been able to reach a good settlement in all of them. Having a reasonable and logical attorney on the other side like Ms. Carson saves the client's money, and doesn't make what is already a very emotional situation drag out unnecessarily."

Jack Charles Hauser Jr. headshot
Jack Hauser

Divorce and separation lawyer | Dec 01

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer. Leigh is both a consummate professional and litigator. She actively advocates for her clients and she is reasonable when it comes to negotiations. She is highly intelligent and knows the law and she is well respected in the legal community."

Barbara Lee Behrens headshot
Barbara Behrens

Divorce and separation lawyer | Nov 24

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"She is a long time lawyer in this area with great expertise. She also fights tenaciously for her clients and I would recommend her."

Beth Ann Lewandowski headshot
Beth Lewandowski

Family lawyer | Nov 20

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer. Leigh Joy Carson is extremely knowledgeable - not just in pertinent family law matters - but in all aspects of putting on the best possible case for her clients. She is a vocal advocate for her clients in and out of the courtroom."

David Danielson Camp headshot
David Camp

Family lawyer | Nov 17

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer. She is exceptionally strong on both the law and her passion for the needs of her clients."

Stacey Lynn Meinen headshot
Stacey Meinen

Family lawyer | Nov 17

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I have worked with Ms. Carson and would recommend her to anyone. She passionately represents her clients and their interests."

Lloyd M. Nolan headshot
Lloyd Nolan

Divorce and separation lawyer | Nov 11

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Ms. Carson is an experienced family law litigator with over 25 years experience. She is highly respected by attorneys and Judges alike. She is a frequent contributor to legal publications and active member of the bar. I would highly recommend Leigh Joy Carson to anyone faces serious family law litigation."

View All Endorsements
Cynthia Garnholz headshot
Cynthia Garnholz

Family lawyer

Bradley S. Dede headshot
Bradley Dede

Criminal defense lawyer

James Joseph Leightner headshot
James Leightner

Unknown lawyer

Sally Swyers Rajnoha headshot
Sally Rajnoha

Divorce and separation lawyer

Phillip I. Morse headshot
Phillip Morse

DUI and DWI lawyer

Rickey Dean Farrow headshot
Rickey Farrow

General practice lawyer

Bryan Dale Scheiderer headshot
Bryan Scheiderer

Criminal defense lawyer

Karen Irene Finley headshot
Karen Finley

Estate planning lawyer

Tonya Dianne Page headshot
Tonya Page

Divorce and separation lawyer

Margaret P. Murphy headshot
Margaret Murphy

Family lawyer

Joan Amendola Coulter headshot
Joan Coulter

Divorce and separation lawyer

Mark William Haefner headshot
Mark Haefner

Family lawyer

Barbara Lee Behrens headshot
Barbara Behrens

Divorce and separation lawyer

Beth Ann Lewandowski headshot
Beth Lewandowski

Mediation lawyer

Matthew Edwin Lee Voorhees headshot
Matthew Voorhees

Family lawyer

Robert Norman Hamilton headshot
Robert Hamilton

Family lawyer

Jennifer R. Piper headshot
Jennifer Piper

Family lawyer

David Danielson Camp headshot
David Camp

Social Security & Disability lawyer

Lloyd M. Nolan headshot
Lloyd Nolan

Unknown lawyer

Experience

Rating:  9.1 (Superb)

Honors

1986

Order of the Woolsack, St. Louis University School of Law

1983

Book Award Real Property II, St. Louis University

Work Experience

1995 - Present

Principal, The Carson Law Firm

1989 - 1995

Associate, Love, Lacks & Paule

1987 - 1989

Associate, Bryan Cave McPheeters & McRoberts

1986 - 1987

Clerk, Missouri Court Of Appeals Eastern District

Associations

1987 - Present

Missouri Bar

MEMBER

1997 - 1999

Friends of Heritage House

Vice President and Court Liason

1996 - 1997

Kids in the Middle

Board Member

1995 - 1995

Ellisville Parks Board

Board Member

Sample of Legal Cases

confidential

client got exactly what she wanted

confidential

client got exactly what she wanted

See More Legal Cases

Education

1986

Saint Louis University School of Law

JD - Juris Doctor

1983

Ripon College

AB

Speaking Engagements

2013

How to Try a Divorce Case

Direct Examination

2012

How to Try a Divorce Case

Cross examination

2011

2011 How to Try a Divorce Case: Mock Trial

Trial Preparation

2011

16th Annual Small and Solo Firm Conference

Effective Settlement Conferences

2008

2008 Spring Risk Management Conferennce

Ethical Marketing

2008

2008 Getting Your Law Practice on Track

Ethical Marketing

2008

2008 Family Law Conference

Being a GAL

Publications

2008

Bar Association of Metropolitan St. Louis The Power of Words

2008

Bar Association of Metropolitan St. Louis International Child Kidnapping: A primer

Activity

Avvo Rating

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Avvo Rating Levels
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