Lauren E. Leader
For over a decade, Lauren has been a family law attorney at James, McElroy & Diehl, P.A. She is the only family law partner licensed to practice in both North Carolina and South Carolina, and she enjoys representing domestic clients in both states.
Lauren carefully tailors her approach to meet each client’s specific needs, whether best served through a negotiated settlement or inside the courtroom. Her practice encompasses divorce, child custody, child support, spousal support (post-separation support and alimony), equitable distribution, domestic violence, alienation of affection and criminal conversation.
In 2023 and 2024, Lauren was named to the North Carolina Super Lawyers Rising Star list, an honor bestowed on only 2.5% of lawyers in North Carolina and to those who “have attained a high-degree of peer recognition and professional achievement” (SuperLawyers.com). Lauren was also recognized in the field of family law within the 2024, 2025 and 2026 editions of The Best Lawyers in America®. This organization recognizes only the top 5.3% of practicing lawyers nationwide, based on confidential peer evaluations. In 2025, Lauren was named to the 2025 Legal Elite by Business North Carolina.
Lauren received Bachelor of Arts degrees in both Journalism and Political Science from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Lauren then returned to her hometown of Raleigh, NC, where she earned her Juris Doctor from Campbell University School of Law. Outside of her client work, Lauren enjoys spending time with her friends and family, traveling, and attending Myers Park Presbyterian Church.
Academic Background
- J.D. from Campbell University School of Law
- B.A. in Journalism from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
- B.A. in Political Science from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Bar & Court Admissions
- North Carolina State Bar
- South Carolina State Bar
Affiliations
- Mint Museum Auxiliary
- Mecklenburg County Bar, Family Law Section
- Good Friends Charlotte
- North Carolina Bar Association
- South Carolina Bar Association
- York County Bar
Professional Recognition
- Mecklenburg County Bar Leadership Institute, 2018
- North Carolina Super Lawyers “Rising Star” in Family Law, 2023-2027
- Best Lawyers in America© in Family Law, 2024-2027
- Business North Carolina Legal Elite in Family Law, 2025-2026
Related News
- 9 JMD Attorneys Recognized in the 2027 North Carolina Super Lawyers Rising Stars list in Family Law, Civil Litigation, and General Litigation
- 14 JMD Attorneys Selected in The Best Lawyers in America 2027 Edition in Family Law
- Best Lawyers in America 2026 Honors James, McElroy & Diehl Attorneys
- Family Law Partner Lauren Leader Graduates From SC Family Law Trial Academy
- Seven JMD Attorneys Selected to the 2025 NC Super Lawyers Rising Stars List
- 7 JMD Attorneys Honored as Business North Carolina’s 2025 Legal Elite
- JMD Attorneys Recognized by The Best Lawyers in America
- Best Lawyers in America© 2024 Honors James, McElroy & Diehl Attorneys
- Four JMD Attorneys Selected to the 2023 NC Super Lawyers Rising Stars List
- Latest Update: JMD and COVID-19
- Custody and Visitation Recommendations During COVID-19
- Lauren Leader Expands Family Law Practice to South Carolina
