McIlveen Family Law Firm announced that attorneys Ashley Prince, Joshua Finney, and Kisha Patel have become North Carolina State Bar Board Certified Specialists in Family Law. The North Carolina State Bar Board of Legal Specialization recognized the attorneys as newly certified specialists on December 10, 2025. Board certification is one of the highest professional distinctions available to attorneys in North Carolina.
According to the North Carolina State Bar's Legal Specialization program, there are approximately 33,400 lawyers statewide and 1,161 Board Certified Specialists—about 3.5% of all North Carolina attorneys. To qualify for certification in family law, applicants must demonstrate substantial involvement in family law, complete significant family-law continuing legal education, undergo peer review, and pass a comprehensive specialty examination.
"We are incredibly proud of Ashley, Joshua, and Kisha for earning board certification," said Angela McIlveen, Managing Partner of McIlveen Family Law Firm. "This achievement reflects an extraordinary level of commitment to the practice of family law and reinforces our promise to deliver focused, high-caliber representation to our clients across North Carolina."
For business and technology leaders, this development highlights the growing importance of specialized legal expertise in professional services. In an era where precision and certification increasingly drive client trust and competitive advantage, this milestone demonstrates how firms are investing in formal validation of their team's skills. The rigorous process—involving peer review, continuing education, and comprehensive examination—mirrors certification standards in technology fields like cybersecurity or project management, where verified expertise directly impacts service quality and risk management.
The implications extend to clients and the broader legal industry. For families navigating divorce, child custody, support, alimony, and equitable distribution, working with board-certified specialists can mean more nuanced advocacy and potentially better outcomes in emotionally and financially complex proceedings. For the legal sector, this achievement underscores a trend toward specialization as a marker of excellence, potentially influencing hiring, client acquisition, and firm reputation. McIlveen Family Law Firm serves clients throughout North Carolina with a commitment to strategic advocacy, practical counsel, and compassionate service. The firm's focus on family law matters positions it to leverage this certification for enhanced client trust and market differentiation.
In summary, the certification of three attorneys at McIlveen Family Law Firm represents a significant investment in professional development that aligns with broader business trends toward specialization and verified expertise. For leaders observing industry dynamics, it illustrates how service firms are adapting to heightened expectations for demonstrated proficiency, with potential ripple effects on client satisfaction, operational standards, and competitive positioning in a crowded marketplace.
