Helen M. O’Shaughnessy

Helen received an undergraduate degree from Dickinson College in Carlisle, Pennsylvania in 1994 and a Juris Doctor degree from Widener University School of Law in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania in 1997. She was admitted to the North Carolina State Bar in 1997.

She is a member of the Wake County Bar Association, the North Carolina Bar Association and its family law section, of which she served as secretary of the family law council for 2003-2004, and the American Bar Association and its family law section. She is the Past Chair of the Family Law section for the North Carolina Advocates for Justice (2004-2005), served as Continuing Legal Education Chair for the Academy’s family law section (2001-2002) and was co-chair of the Continuing Legal Education for the Academy’s family law section (2005-2006). Helen is a member of the Wake Collaborative Family Law Group and a former member of the Tenth Judicial District Bar Grievance Committee (2012-2014).

Helen was certified as a Family Financial Mediator by the North Carolina Dispute Resolution Commission in 2006. She frequently serves as a mediator in family law cases. Helen also serves as a Parent Coordinator in high conflict child custody cases.

Helen is actively involved in the legal community. She has participated in Law Week, a program sponsored by the North Carolina Bar Association that raises awareness about law; Ask a Lawyer Day; and the Wade Edwards Moot Court Competition for North Carolina high-school students.

In addition, she has spoken frequently on family law issues to 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 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: Hilary Macenas

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.”