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 in America© in Family Law, 2008, 2011, 2013-2023
- 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
Related News
- Gena Morris Named to Super Lawyers 2023 Top 50 Women
- Eight JMD Attorneys Selected to the 2023 NC Super Lawyers List
- 10 JMD Attorneys Honored as Business North Carolina’s 2023 Legal Elite
- Best Lawyers in America© 2023 Honors James, McElroy & Diehl Attorneys
- Gena Morris Named to Super Lawyers 2022 Top 50 Women
- 10 JMD Attorneys Selected to the 2022 NC Super Lawyers List
- 6 JMD Attorneys Honored as Business North Carolina’s 2022 Legal Elite
- Heath Alexander And Gena Morris Named 2022 Lawyer Of The Year By Best Lawyers
- JMD Family Attorney Gena Morris Named to Super Lawyers Top 50 Women
- Eight JMD Attorneys Selected for 2021 Super Lawyers
- Latest Update: JMD and COVID-19
- Custody and Visitation Recommendations During COVID-19
- Gena Morris Named to 2020 Top 50 Women by Super Lawyers
- Super Lawyers Includes James, McElroy & Diehl Attorneys in 2020 Rankings
- Gena Graham Morris Featured Speaker at NC Advocates for Justice Family Law Specialists Seminar
- Family Law Specialist Conference Features Gena Graham Morris
- Best Lawyers in America© 2020 Honors Nine James, McElroy & Diehl Attorneys
- Gena Graham Morris Elected to Serve as State Bar Councilor
- Eleven James, McElroy & Diehl Attorneys Named 2019 N.C. Super Lawyers