MANELY FIRM - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Managing Attorney
- Partner
- Partner for the Manely Firm, P.C. in Marietta and Columbus
Bill King is a Partner for The Manely Firm, P.C. in Marietta and Columbus offices. Bill works directly on litigation matters, counseling and representing men, women, and children in state, interstate, and international family law matters. His practice includes divorce, marital property, custody, child support, alimony, and adoptions. Bill is also a key member of the Firm's estate planning and probate law branch.
Bill has served as a student intern, runner secretary, receptionist, office clerk, paralegal, and law clerk for The Manely Firm, P.C. As a law clerk, he assisted on a number of complex international custody cases including cases in Costa Rica, France, Germany, Mexico, Scotland, and England. Bill also assisted Michael Manely as a law clerk on his United State Supreme Court Appeal.
Bill is a proud graduate of Georgia State University College of Law and completed his undergraduate studies at Reinhardt University where he played on the university's baseball team. Bill is active in his community and serves as a Georgia State University College of Law Alumni Board Member as well as a presenter for the Cobb Bar Association's CLE series on International Family Law views. He is active with the Kiwanis Club of Marietta and was recognized by Cobb Life Magazine as one of 2021, 2022, and 2023's Best of Cobb's "Best Individual Attorney" and 2022 and 2023's "Best Tax and Estate Planning Attorney." Bill was honored by Forsyth County News as 2022's Best of Forsyth's "Best Estate Planning Attorney" and again by Gwinnett Magazine as 2022 and 2023's Best of Gwinnett's "Best Estate Planning Attorney." Bill has also been selected as a Super Lawyer's Rising Star 2020-24. Finally, Bill was awarded by Savannah Morning News and SavannahNow.com as Best of the Coastal Empire's 2022-23 "Best Estate Planning Attorney" as well as leading the team to be recognized as a top-three finalists for Best of the Coastal Empire's "Best Law Firm."
Bill lives in Marietta with his wife Allison and their two children. Bill enjoys cooking, traveling, playing golf, and donating his time to pro bono efforts and non-profits.
Cherish De la Cruz loves getting to know her clients and learning about their families, their businesses, and their lives. She designed her practice to include both estate planning, probate and small business law because she understands how much overlap there is in these areas -especially for first- and second-generation American families. Cherish was born and raised in the culturally diverse city of Toronto. Her parents had immigrated to Canada from the Philippines, and growing up, Cherish saw firsthand how difficult it was for them to establish themselves in their new country. She was frustrated by how her parents were treated and realized that they could have avoided much of the hardships they faced if they'd only had good information and proper legal structures in place. That's what got her interested in becoming a lawyer and ultimately focusing her mission of helping other families. After earning her law degree, Cherish began her career as Public Defender in Florida. These formative years shaped her ability to proactively navigate the probate system. It also taught her that she'd much rather help clients prevent problems and avoid the expense and stress of going to court over routine estate matters. In 2006, she moved to Atlanta and took the position of Senior Counsel and Anti-Money Laundering Officer for Primerica, a publicly traded investment and insurance company. During her seven years there, she gained an expertise in supporting both small businesses and individuals and working collaboratively with financial advisors and cpas for the benefit of her clients. In 2010, Cherish's Aunt Luzbella was diagnosed with a rare form of Appendix cancer. Since she had no children of her own, she asked Cherish to help her in handling her affairs. At that time, Cherish specialized in Securities and Compliance law. She knew her Tita Luzbella needed a will, but she didn't understand the full value of having a comprehensive custom tailored estate plan. A friend referred her to a general practitioner who drew up a will in less than half an hour. Unfortunately, Tita Luzbella's quick and inexpensive will ended up costing everyone quite a lot in both money and heartache. Because the document wasn't well thought out, it didn't include many important details. This left the door open for family conflicts; assets going to creditors when they shouldn't have; and a lengthy, complicated, and expensive probate process. It was a horrible experience-especially coming on top of the loss of her beloved aunt-but it motivated Cherish to leave her job in corporate law. She experienced the importance of planning first hand when she was diagnosed with kidney cancer and experienced what she had preached to her clients all these years. The reality and the importance of "planning" in practice as a business owner, mother of three young children and daughter of aging parents. Through her extensive and wonderful network, she was able to see Dr. Viraj Masters at Emory Winship who helped her through her cancer journey. As a cancer survivor, and because of her own personal experiences, she can understand the emotional challenges and difficulties that each client faces when planning for death and the possibility of disability. She takes her own personal experiences and legal expertise to carefully and thoughtfully plan for the "what if's" in life with all of her clients. Cherish came to the Manely Firm P.C. because their mission and values matched her own and she knew each of her clients would be cared for.
Job Titles:
- High School Mock Trial Coach Fall 2023 - Present
Emily E. McClarty grew up in Alpharetta, Georgia, where she was raised in a vibrant and multicultural environment. Learning from her mother and grandmother, who immigrated from Cuba, Emily was taught Spanish from a young age.
She earned her Bachelor of Science in Economics, complemented by a minor in Business Administration and Spanish Language and Culture, from Georgia College and State University in 2020. During her tenure at GCSU, Emily enjoyed a variety of campus organizations, including Delta Sigma Pi, Delta Gamma, and the Economics' Club, while concurrently enriching her musical talents, culminating in the prestigious Sandra McCall Rosseter Scholarship for Outstanding Achievement in Music in 2019.
Emily went on to attend the University of Wyoming College of Law, graduating in May 2023. Her time in Wyoming included participation in diverse legal programs, including the Prosecution Assistance Program and the Estate Planning Practicum. She was a Research Assistant for two years, focusing primarily on international law related to domestic art and culture theft. Additionally, she distinguished herself in national legal competitions, such as securing the second-place accolade in the Richard E. Day Client Counseling Competition and advancing to Nationals in the Jeffrey G. Miller National Environmental Law Moot Court Competition, claiming Best Oralist at the regional level. Emily was also a member of Phi Alpha Delta, the largest and among most respected professional law fraternities in the nation.
She developed a passion for family law after working at the Windham Tolland 4-H Camp as a Counselor in 2019 and 2022.
Emily is now an Associate Attorney in The Manely Firm's Marietta Office.
Job Titles:
- Associate
- Attorney
- Associate Attorney of the Manely Firm, P.C.'S Lawrenceville
Ervin M. Hall is an Associate Attorney of The Manely Firm, P.C.'s Lawrenceville Office, litigating family law cases in Metro-Atlanta.
Ervin is admitted to practice in the Georgia state and superior courts as well as the Northern District of Georgia. Originally hailing from Philadelphia, PA, Ervin first moved to Washington, D.C. to attend college at Howard University. While there, they went on to graduate summa cum laude with a bachelor's degree in communications and culture with a minor in sociology. Following college, Ervin left the northeast, for law school at Emory University School of Law. While attending Emory Law, Ervin served as an Executive Managing Editor of the Emory Bankruptcy Developments Journal and held several positions within the Emory Black Law Students Association. Ervin also was the recipient of the Emory Public Interest Committee Grant for his work at the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.
Following law school, Ervin remained in Metro-Atlanta gaining litigation experience in various practice areas. Beginning in 2019, Ervin began practicing family law in various courts across the state and later branched out to do work in insurance, evictions, toxic tort, and commerical litigation. However, Ervin's passion has been to assist families in transition, which brought him back to the practice of domestic litigation. Additionally, Ervin has received training from the Georgia Office of Dispute Resolution as a mediator and from the Atlanta Volunteer Lawyers Foundation as a Guardian Ad Litem.
Ervin has had multiple successes both in and outside both the courtroom. Ervin has knowledge of both litigation processes and also how to resolve cases using alternative dispute resolution strategies. Additionally, Ervin believes in fully educating and informing clients while supporting them through their matters. As a result of this diligence, Ervin has won several awards including the National Black Lawyers Top 40 Under 40. Also Ervin's dedication to education has prompted him to publish articles such as "Time Over Money in the World of Family Law."
Job Titles:
- Pacific American Bar Association, Board Member
Job Titles:
- Program Pro Bono Committee Member, Present
Jess Lill is Managing Attorney of The Manely Firm, P.C. Savannah Office, litigating family law cases throughout the Coastal Empire.
She is admitted to practice in all Georgia Courts having been sworn in the Georgia Court of Appeals, Georgia Supreme Court, and U.S. District Court Southern District of Georgia. Originally from the mountains of north Georgia, Jess began to make her trek further and further south. First, by moving to Atlanta to attend college at Oglethorpe University, Jess graduated with degrees in both psychology and philosophy. Jess soon moved further south to Macon, for law school at Mercer University School of Law. There, Jess became a member of the law review and mock trial teams, as well as working closely with faculty to write and publish various academic works. While in law school, Jess worked with various organizations and law firms to hone her legal research and advocacy skills. She was fortunate enough to start trying her first cases within her second year of law school and hasn't left the courtroom since.
Once Jess graduated law school, she immediately moved further south to Savannah, where she has been practicing exclusively family law with the Manely Firm, P.C.
Jess has had multiple successes both in and outside both the courtroom. Experienced in crafting complex legal strategies to ensure client's goals are realized, Jess starts every case by listening. She works collaboratively with her trial team and clients to not only identify those goals, create the best circumstances to reach them, but most importantly: tell her client's story to the judge. As a result of her hard work and successes, Jess is proud to have been named the "Most Domestic Cases Settled in 2019" by the Mediation Center of the Coastal Empire and she is proud that she and her team were awarded Connect Savannah's 2022 and 2023 "Best Law Firm" and "Best Place to Work." Finally, Jess was awarded by Savannah Morning News and SavannahNow.com as Best of the Coastal Empire's 2022-23 "Best Family Law Attorney," recognized as a top-three finalist as Best of the Coastal Empire's "Best Divorce Attorney," as well as leading the team to be recognized as a top-three finalists for Best of the Coastal Empire's "Best Law Firm." In 2023, Jess acted as a Co-Presenter for the Savannah Bar Association's Hot Topics CLE Family Law Case Law Update and she has also been proudly recognized as a Super Lawyer Rising Star 2023-24.
In her spare time, Jess prefers tending her peach tree, reading, yoga, and exploring historic Savannah. Jess has volunteered regularly as a hospital advocate for Mary's Place (formerly the Rape Crisis Center of the Coastal Empire) and Georgia State Bar's High School Mock Trial Competition. Jess also enjoys being active in the Savannah Chamber of Commerce events and activities.
David is a Partner of The Manely Firm, P.C. in Savannah, Georgia and has established himself as a thought leader in family law. He has successfully argued in front of the Supreme Court of Georgia, Court of Appeals of Georgia, and has tried International Child Abduction cases in federal district courts in Florida and Georgia. David has heard appeals for the State's Child Abuse Registry, conducting hearings throughout Southeast Georgia as a Special Assistant Administrative Law Judge. He has served as the adjunct professor of Family Law at Savannah Law School and was the adjunct professor of Domestic Relations at Savannah Law School from 2015 to 2019. David has presented at Continuing Legal Education seminars for the State Bar Mid-Year Meeting and for the Savannah Bar Association over the last couple of years on the issues of current trends in family law and access to justice. He recently presented at the Family Law Institute Continuing Legal Education seminars on assisted reproduction law and surrogacy law in Georgia. David works closely with our Founding Attorney, Michael Manely, on complex family law matters throughout our firm's many offices in Georgia.
David is an active member of the community. He currently serves as the Wilmington Island Presbyterian Preschool Board Chair since 2022 and as an Elder with Wilmington Island Presbyterian Church since 2022 He served as a Deacon with his church from 2017-2020. David has served as an Ambassador for the Savannah Chamber of Commerce, as a member of the Savannah Bar Association, and on the Pro Bono Committee for the Georgia Legal Services Program.
David is a double alumnus from Georgia State University and graduated with a B.A. in history in 2001 and from the College of Law in 2010. During law school, he was the president of the Student Bar Association and received the Patrick Wiseman Moot Court Award. Prior to joining The Manely Firm, David had his own practice in Savannah and previously worked for Breakfield & Associates in Gainesville, Georgia where he had a general practice which included family law, criminal defense, and personal injury. Prior to law school, he managed stores in metro Atlanta for Guitar Center Stores, Inc., winning several national awards for his leadership.
Job Titles:
- Managing Attorney, Cumming Office
Kourtney Bernard-Rance was born and raised in East Brunswick, New Jersey. Although originally intending to study child psychology, Kourtney ultimately received her B.A. in family and child Studies from Montclair State University. Between her newly-recognized passion for working with families and children, and an internship with a nonprofit child advocacy organization as an assistant policy analyst, Kourtney decided her true career aspirations resided in the practice of law.
Kourtney attended the Maurice A. Deane School of Law at Hofstra University in Hempstead, New York. Believing that family law was destined to be her specialty, Kourtney took advantage of the extensive family law opportunities available through Hofstra University. Kourtney served as a senior staff member of the law school's family law journal. Additionally, Kourtney interned for several legal service providers, where she gained valuable experience representing a range of clientele, from victims of domestic violence pursuing temporary protective orders to immigrant youth seeking legal status in the United States. Towards the end of her legal studies, Kourtney earned the Jonathan Roppolo Memorial Award in recognition of her efforts as an intern for the law school's child and family advocacy clinic.
From law school, Kourtney made her way down to Atlanta in 2018. She officially began her legal career as a real estate attorney but quickly realized real estate was not where her heart truly belonged. Kourtney knew her skillset was more suited to the practice of family law. With the opening of The Manely Firm's Forsyth office, Kourtney now acts as Managing Attorney in Forsyth. Kourtney and the Forsyth team were proudly recognized by Forsyth County News as 2022's Best of Forsyth's "Best Divorce Attorney."
Kourtney is active in her professional community by serving as a Board Member for Soulstice, Inc., looking forward to the organization's Moot Court Competitions for middle school and high school students. Kourtney has also been a featured speaker for many organizations such as the Jamaican Chamber of Commerce of Atlanta where she discussed perseverance through COVID and how The Manely Firm has served the community in normal times, but more specifically through the pandemic. In addition, she provided the 2023 opening welcome address as the Firm's Title Sponsor representative for the Siemens Mobility Tour hosted by Forsyth County Chamber of Commerce International Engagement Committee. Kourtney was proudly highlighted on a national stage by her alma mater Hofstra Law. Hofstra did an alumni profile featuring Kourtney detailing her law school experience, accomplishments, and what led her to The Manely Firm and family law. She has also had the pleasure of being a guest on Forsyth County RadioX podcast discussing trending International and Domestic Family Law topics.
Kourtney was selected as a Findlaw 2022 Super Lawyer "Rising Star" and a 2023 Super Lawyer. She is active in Forsyth County Chamber of Commerce events and activities, recently representing the firm as Title Sponsor of the United States India Business Summit/Kamstrup Tour presented by The Forsyth County Manufacturing Society.
As an attorney with The Manely Firm, P.C., Kourtney relies on her passion for family law as she undertakes one of the firm's foremost initiatives: putting families first by helping them achieve positive resolutions of their complex legal issues.
Michael is an active Alumni of Georgia State university. He is a past president of the GSU College of Law Alumni Association, a past president of the GSU College of Law Student Bar Association and sitting member of the Alumni Counsel.
Job Titles:
- Family Law: All in Good Time, the Manely Firm, P.C., 2017
Reneé S. Richardson was born and raised in the U.S. Virgin Islands. Upon graduating from high school, this young budding Attorney relocated to Erie, Pennsylvania to obtain her Bachelor's degree in Psychology on a Pre- Law track, paired with a minor in Spanish Studies. Being born in America's Paradise, the U.S. Virgin Islands, a cultural melting pot, Reneé has gained a love and understanding for different cultures. During her undergraduate studies, she served on the Executive Board in various roles for Global Unity, an organization focused on immersing the university's campus with many cultures represented in the student body through the facilitation of events and activities. The student body represented a vast population of nations from all around the world. To further foster her understanding and enjoyment of different cultures, Attorney Richardson lived in Seville, Spain to be fully immersed in the culture and learn the language while studying abroad for a few months.
Her passion for law began during her 10th grade year of high school when she volunteered at a local law firm for community service hours, but was quickly offered a position as a Legal Assistant. This opportunity was the stepping stone in her career path, and gave her insight to the complexities of family law and other civil litigation. Since her entry into the legal profession, Reneé has worked with various organizations, courts, and law firms to hone her legal skills. While working as a paralegal, Reneé began law school at Atlanta's John Marshall Law School in Georgia. During her legal studies, she served as the President of the AJMLS Christian Legal Society which focused on bridging the gap between law and religion to promote fair and compassionate service. While serving as President, the team fostered the growth of the organization, which later led to the organization being awarded Student Organization of the Semester for two consecutive semesters. One notable initiative the organization began was the Blessing Bag Initiative, which focused on serving the local homeless population by providing food, hand warmers, gloves, and other survival and sanitation necessities. Whether it was serving in various roles, the community, and/or her family, Reneé has gained an undying passion for serving others to her best ability.
In her spare time, she enjoys serving at local shelters, brainstorming initiatives to help assist and minimize homelessness, spending time with family and friends, mentoring high school youth and young children, traveling, and exploring different cultures. Her diverse cultural, professional, and personal experiences fuel her passion to advocate for clients no matter the cultural barriers. Attorney Richardson is passionate about the well-being of children and families so she'll be sure to put families first by helping them achieve positive resolutions to their complex legal issues.
Job Titles:
- Chamber of Commerce, Member and Former Ambassador, Present
Shelia serves as Chief Operating Officer for The Manely Firm, PC. She has partnered with Michael Manely, her husband, in leading the firm's growth from two employees and one office to over 60 employees, six offices and recognition as one of Atlanta's premier firms in the delivery of international and domestic family law.
Shelia earned her Juris Doctorate from Georgia State University in 2013. She earned her Masters in Public Administration in 1989 and her BA in Paralegal Studies in 1987 from Eastern Kentucky University in Richmond, Kentucky where she was born.
In addition to her duties as COO for The Manely Firm, P.C., she is active as a service leader in Marietta and Cobb County, Georgia, serving as Past Board Chair for The Center of Family Resources and an active member in Kiwanis Club of Marietta. Between 2013 and 2018, Shelia co-founded and directed The Manely Firm's Justice Cafe which advanced access to justice by providing access to low bono legal services to over 4000 people in Cobb and surrounding counties.
Job Titles:
- Managing Attorney
- Managing Attorney for Probate, Trust and Fiduciary
Stephanie Banks is the Managing Attorney for Probate, Trust and Fiduciary Litigation for The Manely Firm, P.C. She has over 15 years of experience managing legal teams and departments in both the private and public sectors. She has been litigating cases throughout her entire legal career; and her experience includes representing clients in Federal, State and Administrative Courts.
Originally from Birmingham, Alabama Attorney Stephanie D. Banks has been practicing law for over 26 years. She received her law degree from The University of Alabama School of Law, in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, with Awards; and she received her undergraduate degree from Auburn University located in Auburn, Alabama.
Stephanie has a wide range of extensive legal experience that provides her with a deep knowledge of how to represent and advise clients in family law. Throughout her practice, she has represented clients in Probate Law, Estate Planning, Fiduciary Law, School Laws, Real Estate, Employment Law, Civil Rights, Eminent Domain, and Dispute Resolution. She served for over ten years as an Administrative Hearing Officer for two Public School Districts in the Metropolitan Atlanta area; Outside Legal Counsel for the one of the largest Public-School Districts in the State of Georgia; and she previously served as a Court Appointed Attorney for DeKalb County Probate Court. Additionally, Stephanie's practice has included representing small to medium-sized businesses and franchises with Employment Law, Contract Negotiations, and Compliance Matters.
Prior to starting her own practice, Stephanie served as In-House Corporate Counsel to Georgia Power Company where she provided Real Estate and Land legal services to Georgia Power Company which owned at the time approximately 150,000 acres of real estate. She was also the Equal Employment Opportunity Coordinator for Southern Company Services where she was responsible for the successful management of the employee concern investigations and the Affirmative Action program for six Southeast Region Subsidiaries of The Southern Company, one of the largest energy providers in the United States. Stephanie had her own law practice for over 15 years, before joining the Manely Firm.
A teacher at heart, she previously served as an Instructor at Miles College School of Law, located in Birmingham, Alabama; and developed a training program for summer law school interns for a non-profit, federally funded federation that assists land owners located in southern states with Heirs Property concerns and disputes, as well as Estate Planning matters. Stephanie is also a sought-after teacher and trainer for legal seminars and classes, including Continuing Legal Education courses for Legal Professionals.
Stephanie is a Classical Vocalist, a Coloratura Soprano, a type of operatic soprano voice that specializes in music that is distinguished by agile runs, leaps and trills. She is also a vocal instructor, choir director, music advisor, and she writes and directs plays and theatrical productions. She truly loves family and animals and is the mother to three lovely little dogs, one Schnauzer and two Shi Tzus. Her relationship with God is primary and she leads her life and her law practice with determination and purpose.
Education
University of Wyoming, College of Law, Laramie, Wyoming
J.D. - 05/2023
Georgia College and State University
B.S., Bachelor of Science - 2020