News

October 7, 2019 (Charlotte, N.C.)—North Carolina Lawyers Weekly has named James, McElroy & Diehl, P.A. (JMD) Partner Claire J. Samuels to its annual “Leaders in the Law” list, honoring the state’s most influential legal professionals.

According to Lawyers Weekly, “the award honors legal professionals licensed and practicing law in the state of North Carolina, who have gone above and beyond in their profession and their community. These honorees represent the most influential individuals within the state’s legal community.”

“Claire Samuels is a leader both in and outside our firm – in her practice, in the courtroom, and in the countless volunteer hours she spends in her various roles with Charlotte-area non-profits and charitable organizations,” said Katie Holliday, a JMD Family Law partner with more than 35 years of experience who nominated Claire for the award. “Since joining JMD, Claire has distinguished herself with excellent work and exceptional client relations and serves as a role model for many other attorneys in her field.”

For more than 12 years, Claire has practiced family law with a focus on premarital agreements, separation agreements, equitable distribution, spousal support, child support, child custody, alienation of affection and criminal conversation. Claire is a certified Collaborative Law Attorney and recently completed her training to become a certified Family Financial Mediator. Claire is committed to supporting and educating her clients about alternative resolutions that will empower them to resolve their legal disputes while preserving the civility that allows them to raise healthy and well-adjusted children.

Claire’s passion for helping others extends beyond her legal practice. She is a dedicated philanthropist and is actively involved in several non-profit organizations throughout the Charlotte community. Currently, Claire serves on the Board of Directors of the Women’s Impact Fund, the Board of Directors for the Jamie Kimble Foundation for Courage, the Board of Directors for the Mecklenburg County Bar Foundation and the Charlotte Community Leadership Council for the Children’s Home Society of North Carolina. She is also a member of Good Friends Charlotte.

“As a child, I had so many wonderful role models who showed me the importance of giving back. It has just always been something I enjoy doing. My Mimi likes to joke that it’s in my DNA. Her husband/my grandfather was the epitome of a community leader and public servant,” said Claire. “When he passed away in 2014, the former editor and publisher of the local paper, Bill Jacobs, had this to say: ‘That was how Mayor Harold Samuels lived his life – helping others, insuring everyone around him was comfortable, and putting the needs of others ahead of his own. A true southern gentleman, he devoted his life to making this community better, stronger and economically viable.’ I keep a copy of that beautiful tribute to my Papa in my top drawer as a reminder of the kind of person I want to be to my clients and to the organizations I serve. I am really honored and touched to be included in this group of incredible lawyers.”

The 2019 winners will be honored at the Greensboro-High Point Marriott in Greensboro, NC on October 15. To learn more, please click here.

To learn more about Claire and her practice, please click here.