Helen O’Shaughnessy, a partner at Wake Family Law Group, is a North Carolina board-certified specialist in family law. She is a Fellow of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers (AAML), a distinction reserved for highly-experienced and respected family law attorneys. Helen has been selected by North Carolina Super Lawyers as a Super Lawyer each year since 2016 and as a Rising Star in 2009 and 2011–2013. She has also been recognized by Business North Carolina magazine as one of the Legal Elite in North Carolina for family law. Helen has earned an AV Preeminent rating for the highest level of professional excellence from Martindale-Hubbell.
Helen is certified as a Family Financial Mediator by the North Carolina Dispute Resolution Commission and has served as a mediator in family law cases since 2006. She was certified as an arbitrator by the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers. Helen also serves as a certified Parenting Coordinator in high-conflict custody cases.
Helen is a member of the North Carolina Bar Association and its Family Law Section, where she currently serves on the Family Law Section Council. Her prior service with the North Carolina Bar Association includes serving as Secretary of the Dispute Resolution Section and as a member of the 4ALL – Lawyers on Call Committee. She also serves on the Board of the North Carolina Bar Association’s BarCARES program, which supports the mental health and well-being of legal professionals across the state.
Helen is a member of the Wake County Bar Association and serves on the Wake County Bar Foundation’s Bar Awards Committee. She previously served on the Tenth Judicial District Bar Grievance Committee. Helen is also a member of the American Bar Association and its Family Law Section. She is a past chair of the North Carolina Advocates for Justice Family Law Section, where she has also served as CLE Chair and co-chair.
Helen was an editor for two chapters of the North Carolina Family Law Marital Claims Deskbook (fourth and fifth editions).
She has presented on a wide range of family law topics for organizations including OurFamilyWizard, the North Carolina Advocates for Justice, the North Carolina Bar Foundation, North Carolina Central University School of Law, Wake Forest University School of Law, and the National Business Institute.
Helen earned her undergraduate degree from Dickinson College and her Juris Doctor from Widener University School of Law (now Widener University Commonwealth Law School) in 1997. She was admitted to the North Carolina State Bar in 1997.
Outside the office, Helen is active in the community. She is a past president of the PTSA at her daughter’s school, co-leads her daughter’s Girl Scout troop, and serves on the board of the Wakefield Schools Foundation.
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.”
