Jeralyn Lawrence

Jeralyn L. Lawrence, Esq. is the Managing Member and Founder of Lawrence Law. Jeralyn devotes her litigation practice to matrimonial, divorce, and family law, and is a trained collaborative lawyer, divorce mediator, and arbitrator. Jeralyn represents clients with matrimonial and family law needs, including divorce litigation, mediation and arbitration, custody and parenting time issues, alimony and child support, separation and property settlement agreements, adoption and guardianship advice, domestic partnership matters under the Domestic Partnership Act, domestic violence and sexual abuse, and palimony. Jeralyn handles matters ranging from the simple and straightforward to the complex, involving significant income and assets, including representation of celebrities, professional athletes, and other high-profile individuals. Through collaborative law, Jeralyn assists and guides clients who are committed to resolving their matter without any court intervention. Jeralyn has become a cornerstone of the legal community, renowned for her unwavering commitment to her clients and her exceptional advocacy skills. Her extensive experience and profound understanding of the complexities of the legal system have earned her the trust and respect of clients and colleagues alike. Her approach is marked by a combination of strategic thinking, attention to detail, and a genuine concern for the well-being of those she represents.

Organizations

Jeralyn is a Past President of the New Jersey State Bar Association (NJSBA), Past President of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, New Jersey Chapter (AAML/NJ) and a current Fellow and Past President of the Somerset County Bar Association. Jeralyn is the Past Chair of the Family Law Section of NJSBA. Jeralyn is also certified by the AAML as a Family Law Arbitrator. Jeralyn is among 3% of attorneys practicing in the state of New Jersey Certified by the Supreme Court of New Jersey as a Matrimonial Law Attorney. Jeralyn is a graduate of the National Institute of Trial Advocacy and is a Fellow of the American Bar Foundation. She also serves on the NJSBA’s Family Law Executive Committee and is a co-chair of the NJSBA’s Well-Being in the Law Committee. Jeralyn also serves on the American Bar Association Center of Innovation. She also is a member of the Matrimonial Lawyers Alliance, a collection of distinguished divorce attorneys who have appeared as amicus before the New Jersey Supreme Court.

New Jersey Supreme Court Presence

She has argued before the NJ Supreme Court twice on behalf of the NJSBA in a matter concerning the Division of Child Protection and Permanency as well as a case seeking clarity and statewide uniformity on how requests for modification of alimony based on cohabitation are addressed by the courts. Jeralyn has also argued before the NJ Supreme Court on behalf of the AAML/NJ on a palimony case. Jeralyn has been appointed by the Supreme Court to serve on the Disciplinary Oversight Committee, their Wellness Committee as well as the Supreme Court Committee on Family Practice.

Media Involvement

Jeralyn has been featured in the media a multitude of times. Jeralyn has been interviewed and featured in the Wall Street Journal, New York Times, Reuters, ABA Journal, Bloomberg, NJBIZ, NJ Spotlight News, New Jersey Monitor, New Jersey Law Journal, Law360, Yahoo, NJMoneyHelp.com, PR Newswire, WHYY on PBS, Politico, NJ.com, The Philadelphia Tribune, Law & Crime Trial Network, Above the Law, Patch, Daily Record, northjersey.com, Echoes Sentinel, Watchung Post, TAPinto, My Shingle, New Jersey Family, Renna Media, and City Lifestyle. Jeralyn has also been a guest on radio shows, news, and podcasts such as the Jessie Frees Show, Mighty MERP, New Jersey 101.5, On New Jersey, NJ Morning Show, Nothing But The Truth, Legally Blissed, and the Radio Times. Jeralyn presents CLEs and seminars at a national and international level.

Awards Received

Jeralyn has received the Saul Tischler Award in 2023 from the Family Law Section of the NJSBA for her lifetime achievement in family law. Jeralyn has been named the 2024 Solo & Small Firm Practitioner of the Year by the NJSBA. Jeralyn has received the 2024 Her Hero Lifetime Achievement Award from the New York City Bar Association. Jeralyn has been named the 2024 Professional Lawyer of the Year by the Commission on Professionalism in the Law and was nominated by the New Jersey State Bar Association and received this award in 2014 as nominated by the Somerset County Bar Association. Jeralyn was selected as a 2023 Trial Bar Award Honoree by the Trial Attorneys of New Jersey. Jeralyn was a finalist in the New Jersey Law Journal’s Attorney of the Year in 2015 and 2023. She received the NJSBA’s Annual Legislative Recognition award multiple times and received multiple awards for her amicus curiae work on behalf of the NJSBA. Jeralyn was selected to the ROI-NJ Power List: Law in 2022, 2023 and 2024 and ROI-NJ Influencers: Women in Business in 2023 and 2024.  The New Jersey Law Journal has named her New Jersey Legal Trailblazer and she received their Mentor of the Year Award, as well as their Professional Excellence award. In 2023, Jeralyn was honored at the Women in Business of Watchung event celebrating Women’s History Month.  Jeralyn received recognition in the NJBIZ 2022 Power Law 50. She was also honored by NJBIZ as one of New Jersey’s Best 50 Women in Business and with their Leaders in Law honor.  Jeralyn was honored at the Citrin Cooperman’s 2022 Woman at the Wheel annual meeting. Jeralyn was selected by the Women’s Political Caucus to receive their Carol Murphy Award. Jeralyn was honored by the Barry Croland Inn of Court for her devotion to the legal profession and the members of the matrimonial bar. She was selected as a Kean University Distinguished Alumna. Jeralyn was honored as an Outstanding Woman in Somerset County by the Somerset County Commission on the Status of Women. Jeralyn has been Inducted into the Prestigious Marquis Who’s Who 2024 Biographical Registry.

Attorney Ratings

Jeralyn has been recognized on the New Jersey Super Lawyers list for 18 consecutive years. Jeralyn has been in the Top 50 Women New Jersey Super Lawyers list since 2008 and the Top 100 New Jersey Super Lawyers list since 2009. Jeralyn has been recognized by Best Lawyers for many years receiving their Lawyer of the Year award several times. Jeralyn has achieved the Martindale-Hubbell AV Preeminent Rating for 15 years in a row, from 2009 to 2024. The Super Lawyers List is issued by Thompson Reuters. A description of the selection methodology can be found here. Visit here for the selection methodology for Best Lawyers. A description of the Martindale-Hubbell AV Preeminent® status selection methodology can be found here. No aspect of this advertisement has been approved by the Supreme Court of New Jersey.

Get To Know Jeralyn

What inspired you to start your business?

After more than twenty years as an attorney working for someone else, I knew I needed to control my own destiny and financial future to be truly happy and secure.

What sets your business and brand apart?

We are a divorce and family law firm whose team has been together for many years. We work very hard to strategize with our clients and meet their goals.

What was your proudest/happiest moment as a business owner?

After all the design, decisions, details and dilemmas, we had a ribbon-cutting ceremony and everything became real. Watching my children watch me open up the firm was very special.

What’s your best seller/most requested product/service?

Divorce or post-divorce issues are the most common matters we handle. People need help getting through the struggles inherent in divorce and we are highly experienced in all facets of the law.

What do you love most about what you do?

I became an attorney to help people. We assist clients in need and help them get to a much better place in their lives.

What are you/your business best known for?

We are top-notch legal counsel in family law. We assist clients with divorce, litigation, mediation, arbitration, collaborative, child custody, child support, domestic violence, parenting time disputes, pre-nuptial agreements and post-judgment matters. We also represent clients who have children and never married but have family disputes. We pride ourselves on being both compassionate and effective. Our clients can trust us to be with them every step and to help them reach their best outcome. We are fierce advocates when needed but also know how to bring about successful resolution.

What was your most memorable experience with a customer/client? A moment when you knew your business was nailing it?

When I represented a wife and her husband became a very good referral source as he wished he had me as his lawyer.

What’s the one thing you wish everyone knew about running your own business?

Who you surround yourself with is critical to your happiness and success. Stay open to new ideas and be nimble, for challenges will surely come, and the more adaptable you are the better chance you can remain balanced and grow.

How do you juggle being a business owner with family demands?

Day by day and most times minute by minute. I need to constantly prioritize, but family always comes first.

What’s next for you and your business? What new services/products are you excited to offer?

I want Lawrence Law to be in the forefront of New Jersey divorce law by providing great service to our clients in all matters. We love the fact that we can offer greater flexibility and value by using video conferencing technology for consultations, mediations, meetings, and court appearances. We strive to provide the best legal representation to those going through very difficult times.