Profiles
Divorce Attorney Michelle Thomas Brings Clarity to Chaotic Situations
July 05, 2022
As a native New Yorker (born and raised on Long Island), Michelle C. Thomas has always been a “straight shooter” and has taken that approach in the practice of law. The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill graduate always wanted to practice family law to have an immediate, direct impact on others. “It sounds cliché, [but] it’s gratifying to know you’ve made a positive difference in someone’s life. Practicing family law allows me to do that daily,” says Thomas, the founder of M.C. Thomas & Associates, PC.
Starting as a student at George Washington University Law School, and later as a new lawyer, Thomas always sought opportunities to lead and grow her network. “I was able to begin cultivating relationships in the D.C. area and developing a sphere of influence early in my career, which ultimately contributed to the success of my law firm. And, of course, having faith,” Thomas says.
Family law is often seen as an emotionally exhausting practice, so how do you stay centered and grounded?
I often say family law is not for the faint at heart! It can be emotionally draining (if you let it), but at the same time equally rewarding. As with everything, it’s important to maintain perspective and practice gratitude daily. I realize that clients have many options of lawyers to choose from, so I make it a habit to never take prospective client calls and referrals for granted. I am grateful for every single one of them because I know it does not have to be this way. Also, staying balanced by maintaining healthy routines, praying, and pursuing passions outside of work help keep me centered.
What effect did the pandemic have on your practice?
The short answer is, explosive. While a lot of firms and businesses experienced tough times in 2020, for divorce [law] and my firm in particular, the pandemic had the opposite effect. The pandemic was the straw that broke the camel’s back for a lot of couples who discovered that too much togetherness caused tension, [leading] many couples to seek a separation. Within the firm, the pandemic required [us] to pivot and embrace technology in ways I never would have thought possible previously. Today, we are an extremely tech-savvy firm and even more efficient as a result of the pandemic. I love all the new tech upgrades we have incorporated at our firm, and I believe our clients do, too. We’re always looking for ways to make it easier for clients to work with us and navigate the process of divorce. I always say, “Divorce is hard enough; working with your lawyer does not have to be!”
How important has the D.C. Bar been to your practice?
Invaluable. The Bar provided a plethora of opportunities to lead, cultivate relationships with other Bar leaders and lawyers, and also serve the community. I had the pleasure of being elected to the D.C. Bar Board of Governors 10 years ago and serving on multiple committees within the Bar, from the Nominations Committee to the D.C. Bar Practice Management Service Committee, under Dan Mills’s dynamic direction, and now as an alternate hearing committee member for the Board on Professional Responsibility, all of which have contributed to my professional development. Getting to know someone like Dan through my work on the committee proved to be an incredible resource as I was building my firm, for which I am grateful. Serving the D.C. Bar has been an honor, and I highly recommend lawyers to get involved!
You have been repeatedly voted a “Super Lawyer” and named a Top Attorney in Family/Divorce in 2019 by Bethesda Magazine. What advice would you give to struggling family law solos?
Focus on perfecting your craft. Pursue excellence and, more often than not, the clients will come. Be on the cutting edge of divorce and family law by constantly evolving, improving systems and processes, continuing to expand your reach, and making a positive impact on as many families as we can.
