Michael F. Schilawski

Michael F. Schilawski is a partner at Wake Family Law Group. He is a native of Wisconsin, but has resided in Cary, North Carolina since 1965.

Mike was admitted to practice in North Carolina in 1982, after having received a bachelor’s degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1971, a master’s degree in education from North Carolina State University in 1976 and a Juris Doctor degree from Campbell University in 1982. While in law school, he served as Editor-in-Chief of the Campbell Law Review. Prior to attending law school, Mike was employed for seven years as a public secondary school teacher, coach, guidance counselor and assistant principal.

In 1989, Mike was first certified as a Specialist in Family Law by the North Carolina State Bar Board of Legal Specialization; he has limited his practice to family law since 1989. Mike is licensed to practice before the United States Supreme Court, United States District Courts for the Eastern and Middle Districts of North Carolina, the North Carolina Supreme Court and all subordinate courts. He has successfully argued family law cases before the North Carolina Court of Appeals and the North Carolina Supreme Court.

Mike was certified as a Family Financial Mediator by the North Carolina Dispute Resolution Commission in 1999. He serves frequently as a mediator and an arbitrator in family law cases.

Mike is a member of the Wake County Bar Association, the North Carolina Bar Association, the American Bar Association, the North Carolina State Bar, the North Carolina Advocates for Justice and has been a Fellow of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers since 2004.

Mike is a frequent speaker at continuing legal education programs. He has earned an AV-Preeminant rating, the highest rating given by Martindale-Hubbell. Mike has been recognized by North Carolina Super Lawyers as a Super Lawyer in Family Law (2006-2022), by Business North Carolina magazine as one of the Legal Elite (2009- 2018) and was selected by US News and World Reports for inclusion on its list of The Best Lawyers in America in 2009-2019. In 2010, he was elected by his peers to the NC Legal Elite Hall of Fame.

MICHAEL SCHILAWSKI’S AREAS OF PRACTICE:
Equitable Distribution   |   Spousal Support and Alimony   |   Separation Agreements   |   Child Custody   |   Child Support   |   Grandparents’ and Third Party Custody/Visitation Rights   |   Assisted Reproduction Law   |   Marital Agreements   |   Family Law Appeals   |   Domestic Violence   |   Marital Torts   |   Arbitration   |   Mediation

What Other Lawyers Say About Michael Schilawski

Michael Schilawski is skilled at facilitating settlements in cases he mediates. He seems determined to reach a settlement.”

He suggests innovative ways to resolve issues that would otherwise remain in dispute. He can draw on years of experience as a litigator and mediator to identify potential compromises.”

Michael Schilawski has the ability to relate to any client in mediation.”

All of my clients feel that he understands and empathizes with their unique situations. He makes my clients comfortable… they believe that he really, sincerely wants to help.”