Kelley L. Gondring

Attorney at Law

Collaborator | DRC Certified Family Financial Mediator

Parent Coordinator | Guardian ad litem

“From the first consultation, Kelley was engaged and focused on the issues that were most relevant to my legal case (divorce, custody negotiation). She is warm and approachable, yet very professional and firm. She is exceptionally detail-oriented and knowledgeable. Quick to respond and even comfort, I respect and like her very much both professionally and personally. I would seek her again as counsel should I need it and will recommend her to anyone trying to navigate all things family.” - K.A.

Meet Kelley

Kelley Gondring is an effective and experienced attorney who believes that battle metaphors should generally not be used in the context of families separating. Inherent in going to war are casualties, and in the case of divorcing spouses those casualties tend to be children, friendships, communities, and sometimes the spouse-warriors themselves.

As such, Kelley is an ardent proponent of alternative dispute resolution options, including the Collaborative Process and Mediation. She believes that the first step in zealous advocacy is to help her clients identify what process will benefit their legal situation most.  Kelley understands that when clients come to her, they are in the process of adjusting to new and challenging situations.  She listens empathetically and without judgment, knowing that her clients are entrusting her with their children, their finances, and their most personal issues. 

Prior to opening Gondring Law, Kelley was a partner at a well-respected firm in Winston-Salem.  While there she litigated complex family law matters and saw first-hand how litigation increased spouses’ animosity towards each other, which poured down onto their children and emptied their bank accounts. 

Convinced that there had to be less destructive way to help families transition from one roof to two, Kelley began looking for other divorce options.  When she learned about the Collaborative Process, she thought perhaps it was too good to be true.  Perhaps you are thinking that, too. 

But after years of practicing Collaborative Divorce and Mediating, Kelley has found that it is possible for separating spouses – including those with significant disagreement – to wind down their marriages and find solutions that work for their unique family situation. Regardless of the process her clients choose, Kelley’s goal is to empower her clients to find solutions that will meet their needs and interests.

Kelley grew up in a small town just west of Winston-Salem.  Her parents would say she and her brother fought a lot.  Kelley would say she had not yet honed her dispute resolution skills. Kelley graduated summa cum laude from N.C. State University with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and minors in Business and Spanish. She earned her law degree from the University of North Carolina School of Law, where she was a member of the North Carolina Law Review and co-President of Lambda Law.

Kelley married her high school prom date, and they have two daughters at Arts Based School whose infectious laughter bring her profound joy.  She loves her friends, early-morning spirited bike rides that end with espresso + homemade croissants, and adventurous traveling.  The most stimulating place she’s traveled is Varanasi, India; the most beautiful, Patagonia, Chile. Kelley is thrilled to once again be hosting fancy dinner parties that end with fancy French pastries + decaf espresso.

Kelley was featured on the Human Lawyer Blog, which you can find here

Collaborator | DRC Certified Family Financial Mediator | Parent Coordinator | Guardian ad litem


 

Professional Achievements & Academics

Professional Associations

  • Member, N.C. Collaborative Attorney Network

  • Member, International Academy of Collaborative Professionals

  • Board Member, NC BarCARES

  • Board Member, NCBA Dispute Resolution Section

  • Co-Coordinator, Project Birthday, Forsyth County Women Attorney’s Association

  • Past President, Forsyth County Bar Association/31st Judicial District Bar (2019 - 2020)

  • Member, Forsyth County Bar Association

  • Member, North Carolina State Bar Association

  • Member, Society of Financial Service Professionals

  • Past President, Forsyth County Criminal Defense Trial Attorneys (2016)

  • Past President, Forsyth County Bar Association, Young Lawyers Division (2016)

Education & Prior Employment

  • North Carolina State University (B.A., 2005)

    • summa cum laude

  • University of North Carolina School of Law (J.D., 2009)

    • Member, North Carolina Law Review

    • Co-President, Lambda Law

  • Assistant Public Defender, Forsyth County

    • Won 1st degree murder acquittal

    • Mental Health Treatment Court

  • Partner, Robinson & Lawing LLP

Publications & Presentations

  • Finding Your Path to Wellbeing, Forsyth County Bar Association Monthly Meeting

  • Lessons from the Pandemic, 2022 Family Law Section of the N.C. Bar Association.

  • Navigating a Family Law Case:  Basics for Financial Planning Professionals, Financial Planning Professionals Quarterly Meeting

  • Parent Coordinator Program in Custody Cases, Legal Support Staff of N.C. Annual Meeting

  • Pro Bono Work & Community Service in North Carolina’s Law Schools, 14 North Carolina State Bar Journal 28.

Civic & Charitable Organizations

  • Board Member, Local Advisory Council, Legal Aid of North Carolina (2014-2021)

  • Board Member, Sawtooth School of Visual Arts (2020-2022)

  • Coordinator, Project Birthday (2016-2023)

  • Deacon, Highland Presbyterian Church (2019-2020)