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The Lawyers of Distinction is pleased to announce that Melissa Fuller Brown of Melissa F. Brown, LLC, has been certified as a member. The Lawyers of Distinction is recognized as the fastest growing community of distinguished lawyers in the United States. Membership is limited to the top 10% of attorneys in the United States. Members are accepted based upon objective evaluation of an attorney’s qualifications, license, reputation, experience, and disciplinary history. Please see our website www.lawyersofdistinction.com for further details concerning membership qualification.

Ms. Brown represents clients involved in family law matters including divorce, custody, visitation, asset & debt division, alimony, child support and Pre- and Post-Nuptial Agreements. She is certified as a South Carolina Family Law Specialist (National Board of Trial Advocacy); she is a Fellow in the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers and International Academy of Family Lawyers; and she is rated as an AV® Preeminent Family Lawyer by Martindale-Hubbell and she has been designated as one of SC’s Top Family Lawyers by Super Lawyers since 2014.

Her disciplined, deliberate and dedicated approach to complex domestic litigation has helped her clients maximize their results and protect their families’ futures.

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Paralegal Certification
The South Carolina Board of Paralegal Certification has certified the following 25 individuals: Brandy R. Ableman, Greenville; Jaylon L. Addison, Greenville; Tiffany P. Davenport, Williamston; Amanda K. Durham, Charleston; S. Bronwyn Ellington, Greenville; Amanda A. Folk, Columbia; Jay-Jay Flanagan-Grannemann, Columbia; Ashleigh H. Gentry, Greenville; Karen S. Hall, Greer; Crystal M. Hayes, Anderson; Jessica M. Hillyard, Laurens; Robin L. Krecek, Rock Hill; Katherine E. Mangan, Central; Dorothy L. Huskey, Greenville; Danielle R. Kalu, Taylor; Jennifer C. Little, Taylor; Rebecca J. Maxson, Charleston; Ashley M. Mills, Greenville; Kaye Keefe Mullinax, Columbia; Richard A. Provencher, Lugoff; Elizabeth B. Scharf, Simpsonville; Montana N. Stambaugh, Greenville; Sadie R. Sweetman, Pickens; Melodie L. Watson, Simpsonville; and Jacqueline F. Wood, Charleston.

They are the first persons eligible to be designated as a South Carolina Certified Paralegal.

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– See more at: http://www.divorcemag.com/blog/free-yourself-from-being-frozen-in-fear

Fear is a normal human emotion. We all experience it, know what it feels like, and have, at times, been overcome by it. So, you are not alone and there is nothing wrong with you.

I remember when my ex-husband left me six years ago and I was frozen in fear. With little notice, he left me with the bills, the house I couldn’t afford, the kids (furry ones, but still my kids), the car, and the new responsibilities of maintaining the home. I was scared out of my mind — I didn’t even know how to change the filter on the furnace or start up the lawnmower; he did all that!

I looked to people at work for empathy and support, but my boss didn’t seem to understand why I struggled. From her point of view, I should simply get over it and get on with life. The disdained look in her eyes said it all. In non-verbal ways, she communicated the message of “Why can’t you get it together?” and “What’s wrong with you?” After all, it had been a few months now and I should just get over it.

In my head, I screamed back at her, “My whole world has fallen apart and I don’t know what to do! How do you just get over it as if you just lost your shoe?”

You see, I was frozen in fear, a debilitating, pervasive, all-encompassing fear. I didn’t know at the time that there is a process in working through and reconditioning the fear I was experiencing. Here’s what helped me, and I hope it will help you:

1. Recognize.

Start with being silent and going inward. Acknowledge all of the negative emotions you are experiencing. It’s not an easy task, but allow yourself to just sit with them.

Then ask yourself the question, “Why am I experiencing this emotion?” For example, what is it that I am truly afraid of? What is it that keeps me from moving forward and taking action?

2. Re-frame Your Perspective.

Look at the emotion, such as fear, and ask yourself, “What beliefs about myself cause me to be afraid?” Am I not good enough, strong enough, smart enough, or creative enough to deal with this situation?”

And, more importantly, is it true? One of my mentors once asked me this question: “What if you are believing a lie about yourself, and what would it feel like to know longer believe that lie?”

3. Rehearse.

Rehearse to yourself affirmations, visualizations, and new emotions that align with a new belief about yourself. Also meditate on future successes like where you will be, what you will be doing, who you will meet. Bring all you senses to the scene — what do you see, feel, hear, taste, and smell?

4. Release.

Release your fears by:

a. Creating an action plan of what you will do to move forward.

b. Creating a contingent action plan of what you will do when things don’t go right.

c. Commit to your new plan in advance.

5.  Revise.

As you grow, change, and evolve, revise your plan as needed.

Fear is a normal human emotion that doesn’t need to cripple you and keep you from becoming everything you dream of being and doing. If you are willing to address it, find out what’s behind it and take active action. You can take control over it instead of it taking control of you.

Life doesn’t get better through chance; it gets better through change.

Please share with me by posting in the comment field what has gripped you with fear and what can you do right now to dethrone it?

– See more at: http://www.divorcemag.com/blog/free-yourself-from-being-frozen-in-fear

The post Shan White has allowed me to share her new article for those going through the divorce process titled “5 Ways to Free Yourself from Being Frozen in Fear.” appeared first on SC Divorce Attorney | Family Lawyer Charleston SC | Charleston Divorce Lawyer.

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Melissa Fuller Brown, joins a growing number of trial attorneys that have illustrated their commitment to bettering the legal profession by successfully completing a rigorous application process and providing the consumer of legal services with an objective measure by which to choose qualified and experienced legal counsel.

The elaborate screening of credentials that all NBTA board certified attorneys must successfully complete includes: demonstration of substantial trial experience, submission of judicial and peer references to attest to their competency, attendance of continuing legal education courses, submission of legal writing documents, proof of good standing and passing of an examination.

Board Certification is the highest, most stringent, and most reliable honor an attorney can achieve. Board certifications are the only distinctions awarded by non-profit organizations. The NBTA as well as all board certifying organizations are committed to safeguarding the public’s ability to choose a good
attorney.

Melissa Fuller Brown earned her undergraduate degree in History, American Studies Program from the University of Virginia. She is a graduate of University of South Carolina School of Law. Ms. Brown is licensed to practice in South Carolina, and her main office is in Charleston. She has been involved in numerous contested family court actions and trials. She is a Fellow of the American and International Academies of Matrimonial Lawyers She is a South Carolina Super Lawyer in Family Law and a member of the National Advocates Top 100 Family Law Attorneys. She served on the Faculty of the National Family Law Trial Institute and is a Past Chair of the South Carolina Family Law Council. She has published numerous articles on family law in national and state journals such as the American Journal of Family Law, University of South Carolina Law Review, the State Bar of Georgia Family Law Review, the South Carolina Lawyer and the ABA E-Newsletter.

Approximately three percent of American lawyers are board certified, and Ms. Brown is a member of a very select group who has taken the time to prove competence in their specialty area and earn board certification.

For more information on Attorney Melissa F. Brown, please visit: www.scdivorcelaw.com and www.nbtalawyers.org

The post ATTORNEY MELISSA FULLER BROWN BECOMES A BOARD CERTIFIED FAMILY LAW TRIAL ADVOCATE BY THE NATIONAL BOARD OF TRIAL ADVOCACY appeared first on SC Divorce Attorney | Family Lawyer Charleston SC | Charleston Divorce Lawyer.