Helen O’Shaughnessy (formerly Oliver), a partner at Wake Family Law Group, is a board-certified family law specialist. Helen has been previously recognized by Business North Carolina magazine as one of the Legal Elite in North Carolina for family law. She has been selected by North Carolina Super Lawyers for inclusion on the 2009, 2011-2013 North Carolina Rising Stars list and as a North Carolina Super Lawyer since 2016. Helen has earned an AV Preeminent rating for the highest level of professional excellence from Martindale-Hubbell.
Helen is a certified as a Family Financial Mediator and has served as a mediator in family law cases since 2006. Helen also serves as a certified Parenting Coordinator in high conflict child cases. Helen volunteers for The Child’s Advocate, an organization that represents children in high-conflict child custody cases in Wake County Family Court.
Helen is a member of the Wake County Bar Association. She is a member of the North Carolina Bar Association and its family law section (and previously served as secretary), its dispute resolution section, and its professional vitality committee (of which she is presently the CLE co-chair). Helen is a member of American Bar Association and its family law section. She is a Past Chair of the Family Law section for the North Carolina Advocates for Justice and served as Continuing Legal Education Chair and co-chair for the Advocate for Justice’s family law section. She previously served a three-year term as a member of the Tenth Judicial District Bar Grievance Committee.
Helen was a editor for two chapters for the publication North Carolina Family Law Marital Claims Deskbook (fourth edition and fifth edition).
Helen has spoken on family law issues for several organizations including the National Business Institute, North Carolina Advocates for Justice, NC Bar Foundation, North Carolina Central University School of Law, and Wake Forest University School of Law.
Helen received an undergraduate degree from Dickinson College and her Juris Doctor degree from Widener University School of Law in 1997. She was admitted to the North Carolina State Bar in 1997.
Helen volunteers as co-leader of her daughter’s girl scout troop and is the past president of her daughter’s PTA. Currently, she serves on the board of the PTA.
HELEN O’SHAUGHNESSY’S AREAS OF PRACTICE:
Equitable Distribution | Spousal Support and Alimony | Separation Agreements | Divorce and Annulment | Child Custody | Child Support | Grandparents’ and Third Party Custody/Visitation Rights | Termination of Parental Rights | Marital Agreements | Assisted Reproduction Law | Family Law Appeals | Domestic Violence | LGBTQIA+ Family Law | Marital Torts | Parent Coordination | Mediation
Paralegal: Austin Hiskes
What Our Clients Say About Helen O’Shaughnessy
During our darkest hours, Helen was at her best. Her advice and support during this extremely traumatic event were invaluable.”
I always felt as if I was her only client, even though I knew she had a lot of cases.”
Helen allowed me to feel as if I was steering my own ship, even though she was right beside me all the way, using her knowledge and experience to keep me from hitting any icebergs.”
(919) 787-4811