North Carolina Family Law Specialization Examination

Matt Arnold, Ronnie Crisco, Jr., Courtney Carter, and Anastasia Cowan are North Carolina Board Certified Specialists in Family Law, and Anastasia Cowan has the additional distinction of being one of two dual certified Specialists in North Carolina with specialties in Child Welfare Law and Family Law.

About these specializations:

Receiving the North Carolina Family Law Specialization is an excellent recognition of hard work and experience as well as a sign to clients of how seriously legal education is taken at Arnold & Smith, PLLC. With the specialization, each of these attorneys has demonstrated their extensive knowledge concerning a host of issues that arise in North Carolina family law cases. The test covers topics such as child support, child custody, equitable distribution, alimony, prenuptial agreements, restraining orders, and even tax concerns.

In addition to specialized legal knowledge, attorneys in North Carolina must also clear several other hurdles before being named a legal specialist. First, all applicants must maintain a legal license that is in good standing in the state. Applicants must also be substantially involved in the family law practice area; usually requiring a minimum of five years experience. In addition to specific legal education requirements, applicants must pass a written examination and a peer review before being awarded the specialization.

Matt Arnold is a home grown North Carolinian raised here in Charlotte. Matt is a graduate of Providence Senior High School, therefore, it was an easy decision for him to return to Charlotte for his legal career. Matt excelled during college, both on the court, as a member of the Belmont Abbey basketball team, and in the classroom, where he graduated cum laude. After graduating from the Belmont Abbey Honors Institute, Matt continued his education at the UNC Chapel Hill School of Law as a Chancellor’s Scholar. Matt is a founding member of Arnold & Smith, PLLC and has established a well-recognized and respected law practice in Charlotte.

Ronnie Crisco, Jr. was born and raised in Kannapolis, North Carolina, Ronnie Crisco is a proud alumnus of A.L. Brown High School. He graduated magna cum laude from Duke University with a degree in Public Policy Studies. He received his law degree with honors from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 2005.

Courtney Carter is originally from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, but has resided in the Charlotte area since 2011. Prior to relocating to Charlotte, Courtney pursued her undergraduate degree at Kent State University. She graduated with her Bachelors of Science Degree in Business Management with a focus of Pre-Law in three years. Ms. Carter joined Arnold & Smith, PLLC in 2018 as an associate attorney after completing law school.

Matt, Ronnie and Courtney make it their professional work to help and advise clients in need of expert family law advice and counsel.

The Child Welfare Law Specialization is the practice of law representing children, parents or the government in all child protection proceedings including emergency, temporary custody, adjudication, disposition, foster care, permanency planning, termination, guardianship, and adoption. This specialization requires that a lawyer understand relevant principles from child development and psychology regarding individual and family dynamics and appropriate treatment modalities for child abuse and neglect and be capable of recognizing the professional responsibility and ethical issues that arise out of the client’s status.

To be a Board Certified Specialist in Child Welfare Law, at least 30 percent of the lawyer’s time must be involved in child welfare law, he/she must have at least 36 hours of continuing legal education in child welfare law in the three years preceding application for certification and must go through a rigorous peer review process, with a minimum of five references, a majority of which are from attorneys or judges knowledgeable in child welfare law and familiar with the applicant’s work. The lawyer must also submit a writing sample demonstrating legal analysis in the field of child welfare law, and pass a four hour written examination in child welfare law.

Ms. Cowan pursued her undergraduate degree at Ohio State University and is a proud Buckeye. Ms. Cowan graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in English in three years and used the fourth year to intern at the Ohio State Bar Foundation. At the Bar Foundation, Ms. Cowan was able to work on various charitable endeavors throughout the community. Ms. Cowan attended Capital University Law School in Columbus, Ohio, where she earned a J.D. with an education concentration in children and family law.

Contact Arnold & Smith, PLLC today to schedule a consultation with a lawyer who specializes in Family and Divorce Law in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina. Our family law and divorce specialists are available to consult with you in Charlotte, North Carolina about your North Carolina family law and divorce case. Time is always of the essence in separation, divorce and family law matters. Every second that passes before you take action can have an impact on the final outcome of your case. The sooner you talk with a Charlotte divorce and family law specialist lawyer the sooner they can get to work helping you through the process.