Lynn P. Burleson - Raleigh, NC
Attorney at Tharrington Smith LLP
Family Law Lawyers in Raleigh, NC
150 Fayetteville Street Suite 1900 Raleigh, NC 27601
- 1 Super Lawyers®
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46
Years
Experience
Raleigh Family Law Lawyer
Updated: 03/10/2026
Areas of Practice
- Family Law
- Divorce
Attorney Information
Overview
Lynn Burleson is a native of Albemarle, North Carolina. He was admitted to the practice of law in North Carolina after receiving his Bachelor of Arts and Master of Public Administration degrees from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and his Juris Doctor degree from the Wake Forest University School of Law. Before joining Tharrington Smith, Mr. Burleson served as a district court judge and was a partner in the law firm of Kilpatrick Stockton. He has served as an adjunct professor of law for the Wake Forest University School of Law and High Point University.
Mr. Burleson practices exclusively in the field of family law. He is a North Carolina State Bar Certified Specialist in Family Law and is past president of the North Carolina Chapter of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers. He is chair of the Arbitration Committee and has sat on the Board of Governors as a Chapter Delegate to the national American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers. He frequently serves as a faculty member of the national AAML Matrimonial Law Arbitration Institute. In 2009, he became one of only 100 divorce attorneys from across the United States to be inducted as a Diplomate of the American College of Family Trial Lawyers. He is listed among the "Legal Elite" by Business North Carolina. He is listed as one of the "Super Lawyers" by Charlotte and Law and Politics magazines. He is listed in the Family Law Section of Best Lawyers in America and has been named the "Raleigh Best Lawyers Family Lawyer of the Year". He has served as chair of the Family Law Section of the North Carolina Bar Association and has served on the Board of Governors of the Association. Mr. Burleson was awarded the Distinguished Service Award from the North Carolina Bar Association for his service to the Family Law Section. He has served as president of both the Twenty-First Judicial District and the Forsyth County Bar Associations.
Mr. Burleson is a frequent speaker at law schools and at continuing legal education programs and has presented manuscripts on a wide range of topics including absolute divorce, divorce from bed and board, alimony, child support, sanctions, qualified domestic relations orders, employee benefits, discovery of corporate records by minority shareholders, ethics, counsel fees, mediation, neutral evaluation, use of referees, classification and distribution of marital assets, marital property valuation, family law contracts, breach of confidential relationships, and arbitration.
Mr. Burleson is certified as an arbitrator by the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers. He is an Observer-Member of the Uniform Laws Commission Family Law Arbitration Act Drafting Committee.
Awards and Honors
Honors
- North Carolina Super Lawyers, 2006 - 2015
- Diplomate of the American College of Family Trial Lawyers
- "Legal Elite" by Business North Carolina magazine, 2009 - 2013
- "Super Lawyers", Charlotte and Law and Politics magazines
- Family Law Section of Best Lawyers in America®, 1995 - 2020
- "Raleigh Best Lawyers Family Lawyer of the Year", 2009
- Distinguished Service Award from the North Carolina Bar Association
- Chair Emeritus, National Arbitration Committee of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, 2016 - Present
- Leaders in the Law Award by Elon University and NC Lawyers Weekly, 2016 - 2017
Other Sources of Feedback About Lynn P. Burleson
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
- 2021 North Carolina Super Lawyers list
- 2020 North Carolina Super Lawyers list
- 2019 North Carolina Super Lawyers list
- 2018 North Carolina Super Lawyers list
- 2017 North Carolina Super Lawyers list
- 2016 North Carolina Super Lawyers list
- 2015 North Carolina Super Lawyers list
- 2014 North Carolina Super Lawyers list
- 2013 North Carolina Super Lawyers list
- 2012 North Carolina Super Lawyers list
- 2011 North Carolina Super Lawyers list
- 2010 North Carolina Super Lawyers list
- 2009 North Carolina Super Lawyers list
- 2008 North Carolina Super Lawyers list
- 2007 North Carolina Super Lawyers list
- 2006 North Carolina Super Lawyers list
Education
-
Legal Education
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Wake Forest University School of Law,
Winston Salem,
North Carolina, 1980
J.D
-
Wake Forest University School of Law,
Winston Salem,
North Carolina, 1980
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Non Legal Education
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University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill,
B.A. -
University of North Carolina at Chapill Hill
Major: Master of Public Administration
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University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill,
Current Employment Position(s)
-
Attorney
Past Positions
- Kilpatrick Stockton, Partner
- Wake Forest University School of Law, Adjunct Professor
- High Point University, Adjunct Professor
- District Court Judge
Published Works
Articles
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"Matrimonial Arbitration- A Welcome Development" , The National Law Journal, Vol. 28, No. 2, 2005
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"North Carolina Bar Association Position Paper on HB 1047- Bill to Abolish Alienation of Affection and Criminal Conversation", North Carolina Bar Association Family Law Section Legislative Committee, 2004
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"Arbitration", Desk Book, North Carolina Bar Association, Family Law Section, 2003
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"Binding Arbitration: Another Arrow in the Family Law ADR Quiver", Family Forum, North Carolina Bar Association Family Law Section, Volume 18, No. 5, 1998
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President's Comments" , Bar News, Twenty-First Judicial District Bar, Vol. 15, Nos. 1-10, 1993
Bar Admissions
- North Carolina, 1980
Specialties and Certifications
- Family Law, North Carolina State Bar
- Arbitrator, American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers
Other Affiliations
- National AAML Matrimonial Law Arbitration Institute (Member)
- Uniform Laws Commission Family Law Arbitration Act Drafting Committee (Observer-Member)
- Twenty-First Judicial District (Past President)
- Forsyth County Bar Associations (Past President)
- North Carolina Bar Association (Member)
- Wake County Bar Association (Member)
- 10th Judicial District Bar (Member)
- American College of Family Trial Lawyers (Diplomate)
Reviews
Highlights
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4.5 Value
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5.0 Quality of Service
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5.0 Professional Competence
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Hired Attorney 2017-2019I had no idea what to do or who to talk to when life changed for my children and I. Thank God I was directed to Lynn.. from the beginning I knew he would be the one to keep my interests as the focus. Always responsive and attentive. His knowledge of the law is amazing...He had a lot to deal with in my case and his patience helped me through the very worst of times. When you need a lawyer and someone who will look out for you - call Lynn - he will be there for you.
Photo
Contact
150 Fayetteville Street
Suite 1900
Raleigh, NC 27601
Phone: 919-821-4711
Fax: 919-829-1583
Email: Send a message
Website: http://www.tharringtonsmith.com
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