A graduate of the Nashville School of Law, Catherine Mekis exclusively practices family law, helping clients deal with issues that are some of the most difficult parts of peoples lives.
“I wanted a career that would allow me to help people in a hands-on solution oriented way,” she said, pointing to why she chose family law. “Whether it’s through negotiation or litigation, I enjoy helping my clients find resolutions to their problems.”
Family law focuses on the things that are most important to people’s lives – their children, their marriage, their home, their finances, etc. The most satisfying aspect of my job is to be able to help my clients protect what’s most important to them.
“The long lasting and negative effects of exposing children to adult disputes have been well-documented,” she said. “One of my main goals is to keep children out of litigation as much as possible.”
Mekis is grateful to Laurie Young for serving as an influential mentor who taught her everything she knows about family law, as well as the importance of showing clients compassion. Young modeled professionalism, respect and unwavering faith and Mekis says she wouldn’t be the person she is today without Young’s influence.
In speaking of the environment of her own firm, Mekis describes it as being the opposite of stuffy and intimidating as they strive toward making clients feel comfortable being themselves and having a little fun along the way.
The most challenging part of Mekis’ job, she says, is when the system fails a child. “We have the best system possible, but it’s not perfect,” she says. “When the system fails and children are left at risk, it can be heart wrenching.”
Beyond the firm, Mekis is a family person herself; her husband is Michael and she also loves her dogs, Spencer, Strayford and Molly; and her horses, Brianna, Little Man and Jack. She is civically involved in the community via her support of the Rutherford/Cannon County Bar Association, the Rutherford County Domestic Violence Program, Legal Aid Society, Greenhouse Ministries and the Advent Lutheran Church.