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Meet Fred Morelock

Family Law, Divorce and Superior Court Mediation Services
I can’t say enough wonderful things about Fred. Not only does he know every twist and turn of the law, he also knows how to treat his clients.
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Fred Morelock
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Biography

Fred Morelock practiced as a trial attorney for ten years in the areas of criminal defense and family law litigation before being appointed as a District Court Judge for Wake County where he served for 14 years.   He received his bachelor’s degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1974 and his law degree from UNC in 1976.   During the time Fred was on the bench he presided almost exclusively in family court, most recently in North Carolina’s first designated specialized judgeship in the area of family law. He joined Tharrington Smith in 2001.  Fred’s  practice includes the representation of clients in all areas of family law, as well as mediation and arbitration; in addition he serves as independent counsel for the North Carolina Medical Board and the North Carolina Board of Dental Examiners. He is a Certified Superior Court mediator and a Certified Family Financial mediator.

Fred is presently a councilor for the North Carolina State Bar, and has been a member of the Disciplinary Hearing Commission, most recently Chair from 2017 to 2019.

Mr. Morelock has two adult sons, Matthew and Cameron.

Credentials

Education

University of North Carolina School of Law

  • Juris Doctor, 1976

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

  • B.A., Arts and Law, 1974

Membership and Admissions

  • North Carolina State Bar, 1976
  • North Carolina State Courts
  • United States District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina
  • United States District Court for the Middle District of North Carolina
  • North Carolina Bar Association, Family Law Section Member, Dispute Resolution Section Member
Experience
  • Trial Attorney, Criminal & Family Law, 1976-1986
  • North Carolina District Court, 10th Judicial District, District Court Judge 1986-2000
  • Appointed by Gov. James G. Martin first judge in Wake County to become a Certified Juvenile Law Specialist, 1990
  • Domestic Court (Unified Family Court), first specialized judgeship in the area of family law
  • Tharrington Smith, since 2001
  • Chair, NC State Bar Disciplinary Hearing Commission, 2015-2018; Member since 2010
  • Wake County Bar Association, Board of Directors, Professionalism Committee
  • 10th Judicial District Bar, Grievance Committee, former Chair
  • State Bar Council, Disciplinary Hearing Commission, Vice-Chair, Since 2014
  • 10th Judicial District Bar Councilor, 2018-present
Awards & Honors
  • Certified Superior Court Mediator
  • Certified Family Financial Mediator
  • Recognized in North Carolina Super Lawyers® – Family Law, 2006, 2008–2025
  • Selected for Inclusion in the Family Law Section of Best Lawyers® in America®, 2006–2025
  • Best Lawyers® Lawyer of the Year, 2021
  • Listed in Business North Carolina’s “Legal Elite”, 2014
  • 10th Judicial District Bar Appreciation Award, 2010
  • Wake County Bar Association President’s Award of Excellence, 2009
Engagement

Presentations

  • Family Law Intensive Seminar, Recapture of Alimony, 2008
  • Perils and Pitfalls in ADR, Arbitration and Post Hearing Matters, 2005
  • frequent speaker and instructor for continuing legal education seminars for attorneys: North Carolina Academy of Trial Lawyers and Bar Association and for judges: North Carolina Association of District Court Judges
  • The Institute of Government New Judges School and others: North Carolina Association of Certified Public Accountants The Wake County public school principals

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(919) 821-4711 / (919) 829-1583 

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Raleigh, NC 27601

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Raleigh, NC 27602

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