Sheila Passenant

She is the leader of our firm and takes point on all of our cases. She might be tiny, but as the youngest of eleven and a former college basketball player, she can hold her own. Her dad was a law professor at the Brooklyn School of Law, and nine of her eleven siblings are attorneys. She has practiced law for over 30 years, and most of her experience has been in the courtroom litigating high-conflict custody cases.

As the mother of 4 grown children, the grandmother of one, and a litigator for over 30 years, there isn’t much she hasn’t seen or many people she doesn’t know. She puts children first, always settles 99% of our cases outside the courtroom due to skill and reputation, and leads our firm with passion and integrity.

“I am eternally grateful and indebted to Ms. Passenant and her firm for all the long hours and hard work they did to help me find success in what felt like a hopeless situation.”

Matthew O.

Background

Admitted to Practice In:

  • New Jersey, 1989

  • New York, 1989

  • North Carolina, 1999

  • South Carolina, 2017

  • U.S. District Court District of New Jersey, 1989

  • U.S. District Court Southern District of New York, 1989

  • U.S. District Court Eastern District of New York, 1989

  • U.S. District Court Western District of North Carolina, 1999

  • U.S. Court of Appeals 4th Circuit, 2000

  • Supreme Court of New York, 1999

Published Works

  • Hague Convention Case published opinion, Miller v. Miller, Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals, North Carolina, 2000

  • Created, Organized, and Compiled a Training Manual for The Legal Representation Project

Classes/Seminars

  • Presenter and Coordinator, United Family Services Domestic Violence Legal Representation Project Pro Bono Attorney Program

  • Presenter and Staff Attorney, Council for Children’s Rights(formerly Children’s Law Center) Custody Advocate Program Pro Bono Attorney Program

  • Organized and Compiled a Training Manual for “Family Law Boot Camp” CLE program

Professional Associations and MembershipsNorth Carolina State Bar

  • North Carolina Bar Association, Family Law Section

  • Mecklenburg County Bar Association, Family Law Section

  • North Carolina Bar Association, Member, Domestic Violence Committee

  • Parent Coordinator Committee, Member

  • North Carolina Association of Women Attorneys

  • Mecklenburg County Bar, Fee Dispute Committee

  • Mecklenburg County Collaborative Law Group

  • North Carolina State Bar, Candidate Review Committee

  • North Carolina Bar Pro Bono Activities Committee, 2013 – 2014

  • American Bar Association Family Law Specialty Group

Pro Bono Activities

  • Charlotte Pro Bono Triage-Human Trafficking Program

  • Guardian Ad Litem for the Council for Children’s Rights, Volunteer

  • Safe Alliance Pro Bono Attorney

  • Ronald McDonald House, Volunteer

  • Volunteer NAMI, Group Facilitator