A Wilmington-based adoption and collaborative law attorney has been named a 2022 Leader in the Law by North Carolina Lawyers Weekly, according to a news release.

Ashley Michael, co-owner and managing attorney of Michael & Russell PLLC, is one of 26 honorees.

According to North Carolina Lawyers Weekly, a statewide publication that serves the legal community, “this 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 our state’s legal community.”

“Receiving this statewide award is truly an honor,” said Michael, a board-certified legal specialist in family law by the North Carolina State Bar Board of Legal Specialization. “I feel blessed to have found my calling and appreciate the opportunity to assist clients during their times of need.”

Michael is a family law attorney with over 16 years of experience. She co-founded the women-owned and managed law firm Michael & Russell in 2021. In addition, she is a founding board member for the North Carolina Collaborative Attorney Network and founding board member and president for Coastal Collaborative Colleagues in Wilmington.

Michael was noted for her diverse family law experience and community-wide involvement. Along with her work as a board-certified legal specialist in family law, she is also a certified mediator in family financial matters with the North Carolina Dispute Resolution Commission and a parenting coordinator appointed by local judges to act as a quasijudicial officer of the court. In addition, she has been a court appointed guardian ad litem for incompetency and minor estate matters, custody, and domestic violence actions.

Michael and the other 2022 Leader in the Law award honorees were recognized during a formal program and celebration hosted by North Carolina Lawyers Weekly on April 14 at the Marriott Greensboro Downtown.