Barri Hilton Payne - Durham, NC
Attorney at Barri Payne Family Law & Mediation
Family Law Lawyers in Durham, NC
1911 Hillandale Rd. Suite 1030 Durham, NC 27705 - 2666
- 1 Super Lawyers®
-
27
Years
Experience
Durham Family Law Lawyer
Updated: 03/10/2026
Areas of Practice
- Family Law
- Mediations
Attorney Information
Overview
Barri Hilton Payne was born in High Point, North Carolina and grew up in Davidson County. She attended the University of North Carolina at Charlotte where she majored in Religious studies and Sociology. Barri practiced for the last twelve years as a founding partner in the firm Brock, Payne & Meece, P.A. before opening her own solo law and mediation practice in 2013.
Barri was involved with the Holderness Moot Court while in law school at UNC and earned her law degree in 1999. She has practiced in Durham, North Carolina since that time and concentrates her practice on family law issues such as divorce, child custody and support, property division and spousal support, with an emphasis towards resolving these issues through alternatives, like mediation designed to minimize conflict for the family. In 2011, Barri became a board certified family law specialist and a certified family financial mediator. She also assists her clients with will preparation, family law appeals, and adoption. She practices primarily in Durham County, but also takes cases in Orange, Chatham, and Wake Counties.
Before beginning law school at the University of North Carolina School of Law, Barri had the opportunity to reside in several different states including Washington, Texas, Georgia, and Alabama. While she enjoyed many of these places, she loves calling North Carolina home. Barri lives in Durham with her husband John and their eight year old daughter Amelia. Her family loves the beach, camping in their RV, and Durham's many attractions such as the Life and Science Museum and the Bulls games. Barri and her family also stay busy with activities at their church.
Barri regularly volunteers with the Legal Information Service through the Compass Center in Chapel Hill, which provides free telephone consultations to clients. Barri has taught seminars for the Compass Center's Free Legal Clinics on the topics of child custody, child support, and spousal support. She is also currently the Chair of the Durham Family Bar Association.
Awards and Honors
Honors
- Best Lawyers in America Family Law Section, 2020 - Present
- Best Lawyers in America, Family Law Section, 2021 - Present
Other Sources of Feedback About Barri Hilton Payne
Included on the 2026 North Carolina Super Lawyers list
Past Lists
- 2025 North Carolina Super Lawyers list
- 2024 North Carolina Super Lawyers list
- 2023 North Carolina Super Lawyers list
- 2022 North Carolina Super Lawyers list
Education
-
Legal Education
-
University of North Carolina School of Law,
Chapel Hill,
North Carolina, 1999
J.D.
Honors: Holderness Moot Court
-
University of North Carolina School of Law,
Chapel Hill,
North Carolina, 1999
-
Non Legal Education
-
North Carolina at Charlotte, University of Charlotte, NC
B.A.
Major: Religious studies
Major: Sociology
-
North Carolina at Charlotte, University of Charlotte, NC
Past Positions
- Brock, Payne & Meece, P.A., Founding Partner
Pro Bono Activities
- Volunteers with the Legal Information Service through the Compass Center, Chapel Hill
- Taught seminars for the Compass Center’s Free Legal Clinics
Bar Admissions
- North Carolina, 1999
Specialties and Certifications
- Board Certified Specialist in Family Law, N.C. State Bar Board of Legal Specialization, 2011
- Certified Family Financial Mediator
Other Affiliations
- Durham Family Bar Association (Member, Past Chair)
Photo
Contact
Disclaimer
Your Profile? Update Now
When viewing a listing, consider the state advertising restrictions to which lawyers and law firms must adhere, as well as our FindLaw.com Legal Directory disclaimer. Some lawyers publish comparative information regarding the services that they provide which may be subject to specific comparative communications restrictions.