Lea Finegan

I was born into a family of attorneys and learned from an early age how important it is to help people with their most sensitive issues and situations.  I also became aware that while everyone needs an advocate with legal expertise, they also need an attorney they can trust, who really sees the person, and not just the problem.  These early lessons hit home when I became an attorney myself and later, in a very personal way, as I faced the demise of my own marriage.  These lessons and experiences inspired me to start practicing family law and to eventually focus my practice on collaborative resolution.        

I graduated with a B.A. in Sociology, magna cum laude, from Wake Forest University and received my Juris Doctorate from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.  I am also certified by the North Carolina Dispute Resolution Commission as a Family Financial Mediator.  Today, my practice at Touchstone Family Law is limited to settling cases outside of the courtroom. 

After spending years litigating in the courtroom and practicing law the traditional way, I made the decision that I wanted to practice differently. While filing a lawsuit and/or having a courtroom battle is sometimes necessary, I believe that there should be an option whereby the client can maintain a higher level of control and feel a real sense of empowerment when it comes to resolving their own issues.  I also believe that a high priority should be given to preserving the emotional and financial resources of everyone involved.  My goal is to maintain a high level of expertise in my field, while also seeking to offer the compassion, patience and understanding that clients need during a time that is often difficult and trying. Collaborative law, mediation, and other creative approaches allow my clients to take charge of their future by finding reasonable and practical solutions to their family law issues.

When I am not engaged in the practice of law, I enjoy sharing good meals with friends and family, practicing yoga, curling up with one of my four dogs and a good book, and traveling everywhere I possibly can.

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