Marjorie K. Carter

Member
Email: mkcarter@cbsattorneys.com

When I began practicing law in 1991 at a general practice firm, I was immediately drawn to family law. Relationships have always been very important to me, so it was an area of law that made sense to me. When I opened my own law practice three years later, I decided to focus my practice exclusively on family law, and I have never regretted my decision.

As a family law attorney, I have the opportunity to work closely with my clients and to get to know them, since the issues we are dealing with are very personal to them. I assist them in making the transition from a relationship that may no longer be fulfilling to them, to a new chapter in their lives, after the divorce. Dissolution of marriage is a concept that is foreign to the majority of my clients. No matter how accomplished or self-confident they may be in other areas of their lives, most divorcing clients are fearful of the process and concerned about the outcome when we meet for the initial consultation. I do my best to put my clients at ease, by providing information about the law in relation to the particular issues involved. I am also a good listener with a warm personality and a great sense of humor, which serves me well in an otherwise stressful practice area.

I think of the process we use to resolve a case (i.e., mediation, collaborative or litigation), as a path we walk together. I guide my clients away from pitfalls toward a more satisfying stage of life. I try to encourage clients, especially those who have children, to choose a peaceful process to resolve their family law matter. However, when a peaceful resolution isn't possible, I do my best to prepare them for the litigation process.

I encourage each of my clients to let go of a previous life stage, without dishonoring it. I consider that an essential step in moving forward to a more fulfilling life stage.

Professional Commitment:

The choice you make about legal representation in a family law matter can make a difference in your life. Your friends or relatives may tell you to retain the meanest, most aggressive attorney you can find. When they say that, they are no doubt trying to help you. However, you need to feel comfortable with the attorney you choose, since you will be seeking advice from that person. If you feel too intimidated to ask questions, that may not be the best fit for you. I expect clients to have questions, because the legal process is not second nature to them, as it is to me.

I am committed to helping you have a realistic perspective about the legal process. We can fix some things in the process, but not others. I'll do my best to help you distinguish the difference. We usually can't make everything perfect; but it wasn't perfect in the beginning either.

I will give you the benefit of my knowledge and expertise, and I am committed to keeping up with the changes and complexities in family law so I can give you the best legal advice. You will be making the decisions in your case, because your life will be impacted by those decisions. At the beginning of a case, that may sound like a daunting proposition, but my job is to give you the tools and the guidance you need to make the best decisions in your case. I will be supportive of the decisions you make, because they will be informed decisions, wisely made. That can be very powerful.

I consider myself an agent for positive change in the lives of my clients, and in the legal community as well. I am very involved in professional organizations and am a frequent guest speaker at legal seminars and functions. A few of my accomplishments include the following:

• I am one of the founding members of the Collaborative Family Law Association (CFLA) and helped to bring the collaborative process to the St. Louis area.
• I have had only one jury trial in my career, since we do not have juries in family law cases, but I received the largest jury verdict ($1.1 million) in St. Louis County that year (1994) as an advocate for two children in a civil case involving child abuse.
• I am the chairperson for the Child Abuse and Neglect Review Board for the state of Missouri, and have served on the Board since 2001.
• I am also a board member of Citizens for Missouri's Children, and a past-President of the Women Lawyers' Association of Greater St. Louis.

I have an AV rating from Martindale-Hubbell, an attorney peer review rating system for ethical and legal ability (AV is the highest rating possible).

Education:

St. Louis University School of Law, J.D. cum laude, 1991
Webster University, B.A., magna cum laude, 1987

Born: St. Louis, MO