From Personal Experience
…to Professional Purpose
Ten years ago, I went through my own divorce. Despite being an attorney, I felt lost in a system that seemed designed to escalate conflict rather than resolve it. My ex-husband and I spent thousands on lawyers who treated our family like a battlefield.
The worst part? Watching our children absorb the tension and anger that the adversarial process created.
That experience changed everything about how I practice law.
My Professional Journey
Before my divorce transformed my approach to family law, I spent eight years as a corporate litigation attorney with Davidson, Hartwell & Associates in Nashville. I defended businesses in contract disputes and employment matters, honing my negotiation skills in high-stakes corporate battles.
I was good at winning, but after billing 2,200 hours a year and missing too many bedtime stories, I realized that winning in court often meant everyone lost something important. When my marriage ended, I saw firsthand how the adversarial system fails families. That’s when I knew there had to be a better way.
The Case for Collaborative Family Law
After my divorce, I rebuilt my practice from the ground up. I trained in mediation, studied collaborative law, and learned from child psychologists about minimizing trauma during family transitions. I opened Jernigan Family Law in 2019 with a completely different focus: helping families transition with dignity rather than destroy each other in court.
I discovered that divorce doesn’t have to be war. It can be a thoughtful, deliberate process that honors the family you were while building toward the future you want.
Now I exclusively practice collaborative divorce and mediation because I’ve seen the difference it makes. My clients’ children don’t have to choose sides. Ex-spouses can attend graduations together. Families find new shapes without losing their foundations.
What makes this approach different?
I see the whole picture. Divorce isn’t just about dividing assets – it’s about reimagining your life. We address the legal, financial, and emotional aspects together.
I’ve been where you are. I understand the fear, the guilt, and the uncertainty. I also know that there’s light on the other side, and I’ll help you find it.
I believe in your strength. You’re not broken because your marriage ended. You’re brave enough to choose a better path, and that takes incredible courage.
Education & Bar Admission
- J.D., Belmont University College of Law (2009)
- B.A. Political Science, University of Tennessee, Knoxville (2006)
- Licensed to practice in Tennessee since 2009
- Member, Tennessee Bar Association Family Law Section
- Member, Nashville Bar Association
- Certified Family Law Mediator (2019)
- Collaborative Divorce Professional (2020)
My Commitment to You
Every family deserves a peaceful transition. Whether through mediation or collaborative practice, I’ll help you find solutions that let everyone move forward with dignity.
Your children shouldn’t be casualties of divorce. Your future shouldn’t be decided by strangers. And you shouldn’t have to sacrifice your values to protect your interests.
Let’s build a better way forward, together.