Gena Graham Morris

Gena Morris grew up in Charlotte, North Carolina and has practiced family law in Mecklenburg and surrounding counties for more than 30 years. Gena has been certified by the North Carolina State Bar Board of Legal Specialization as a Specialist in family law since 1997. Gena is also a Fellow in the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers.

In 2022, she began serving a three-year term for the 26th Judicial District (Mecklenburg County) of the North Carolina State Bar Council, which governs the practice of law in North Carolina. This is her second three-year term as a State Bar Councilor. Gena previously served two terms on the North Carolina Bar Association Family Law Council.

Gena practiced Family Law at Horack, Talley, Pharr & Lowndes for 18 years before joining James, McElroy and Diehl.

Academic Background

J.D., Campbell University School of Law, 1992
B.A., English and Political Science, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 1987

Bar & Court Admissions

North Carolina State Bar
United States District Court for the Western District of North Carolina

Affiliations

American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers

North Carolina Chapter, Executive Committee, 2015
North Carolina Chapter, Treasurer, 2015

North Carolina State Bar

North Carolina State Bar Councilor for the 26th Judicial District, 2022-2024
North Carolina State Bar Councilor for the 26th Judicial District, 2019-2021

North Carolina Bar Association

Certified Family Law Specialist, NC State Bar Board of Legal Specialization, since 1997
Family Law Section, former two-term Council member

Mecklenburg County Bar

Guardian Ad Litem for Council for Children’s Rights
Guardian Ad Litem for Children’s Law Center

North Carolina Advocates for Justice

Member

Charlotte Center for Legal Advocacy

Board Member

Professional Recognition

AV® Preeminent™ rated, Martindale-Hubbell
Best Lawyers® “Lawyer of the Year” in Family Law, 2022
North Carolina Super Lawyers in Family Law, 2006-2023
North Carolina Super Lawyers – Top 50 Women, 2010-2023
North Carolina Super Lawyers – Top 100, 2015
Business North Carolina Legal Elite in Family Law, 2016-2018, 2022-2023

In addition, Gena is a regular speaker on family law issues, including:

“Who’s Picking up the Tab? Pursuing and Defending Claims for Attorney’s Fees,” North Carolina Family Law Specialists Conference, Kiawah Island, SC, August 16, 2019
Presentation on Equitable Distribution, including marital property, divisible property, asset classification, distribution of marital property, marital debt, QDRO, deferred compensation, incentive compensation, RSUs, and income classification, North Carolina Advocates for Justice (NCAJ) Family Law Specialization Exam Review Seminar, Raleigh, NC, September 6, 2019
“Case Law Update: Appellate Cases Addressing Equitable Distribution, Separation Agreements, Child Custody, Child Support, Annulment, and Alimony,” Rowan County Family Law Seminar, Salisbury, NC, September 13, 2019
Additional Mecklenburg County Family Law CLEs in Charlotte, NC (moderating and presenting) – details TBA

Attorneys