Attorneys

kristy-barnhart-divorve-attorney

Education

Sewanee: The University of the South, Sewanee, TN
Bachelor of Arts in Economics, 2006

Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA
Lead Business, 2006 Certificate, Graduate School of Business 

Charleston School of Law, Charleston, South Carolina
J.D., 2012

Honors and Awards

American Institute of Family Law Attorneys 10 Best Family Law Attorney for Client Satisfaction Award
2016, 2019

National Advocates, Top 40 Under 40, 2015

Georgia Super Lawyer
2024

Georgia Super Lawyers Rising Star
2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023

American Registry, Outstanding Young Lawyer Georgia
2018

Associations and Bar Membership

State Bar of Georgia – Family Law Section

Atlanta Bar Association – Women in the Profession Section – Immediate Past Chair;

Family Law Section; Sole Practitioner/Small Firm Section

Atlanta Counsel for Younger Lawyers – former Board member

Georgia Association for Women Lawyers – Foundation Secretary (Board of Directors 2014 – 2021)

Sandy Springs Bar Association

Atlanta Volunteer Lawyers Foundation

Speaking Engagements

Family Law Best Practices and Tips for 2023 – National Business Institute, April 2023

Top 5 Power Skills for New Family Lawyers – National Business Institute, September 2021

Founding Partner

Kristy Barnhart

kristy-barnhart-divorce-attorney-awards

I believe there is no ‘one size fits all’ approach to family law matters.  I take the time to get to know my clients, understand what is important to them and then craft a strategy to obtain the best results given their specific circumstances.

Kristin (Kristy) Barnhart, one of Atlanta’s most prominent Family Law attorneys, practices exclusively in areas the of divorce and family law throughout the greater Atlanta area. Kristy’s well-established experience and expertise is rooted in successfully representing clients across areas of simple and complex actions for divorce, high-net worth divorce, asset division, child custody, child support, alimony, legitimation and paternity, modifications of prior orders, contempt, prenuptial and postnuptial agreements. After spending the first 10+ years of her career at a premier boutique Atlanta family law firm, Kristy founded Barnhart Family Law in the Spring of 2023 to better serve clients throughout metro Atlanta. Kristy’s compassionate and personalized approach ensures that her clients are heard and valued throughout the process. Kristy is committed to developing a close working relationship with her clients and providing individualized, high-quality, and cost-efficient legal services. As a client, you will feel empowered to make informed decisions and enter the next chapter of life.
 
Kristy is trained as a Guardian ad Litem and has considerable experience litigating all elements of complex family law cases. From the initial consult, Kristy approaches cases with a goal of achieving the best outcome for her clients, whether through settlement or trial. Kristy listens to and strategizes with her clients to achieve their desired result. She prides herself on being responsive and providing each client with the personal attention they deserve.
 
Kristy’s clients rely on her compassion, skill, and respect in the legal community. She has been named a Georgia Super Lawyers Rising Star in the area of family law from 2017-2023, an honor bestowed on the top 5% of attorneys throughout the State, and as a Legal Elite by Georgia Trend magazine in 2022.
 
In addition to her litigation practice, Kristy is actively involved in several local bar associations.  She is the Immediate Past Chair of the Women in the Profession section of the Atlanta Bar Association, where she is also a member of the Family Law and Solo/Small Firm sections. Kristy has served on the Board of Directors of the Georgia Association for Women Lawyers (GAWL) for several years and currently serves on the Board for the Foundation, the charitable arm of the organization, for the 2023-2024 term.
 
A native of the Washington, DC metro area, Kristy now lives in North Buckhead with her husband and two daughters. Kristy graduated from Sewanee: The University of the South with a Bachelor of Arts in Economics and obtained her Juris Doctor at Charleston School of Law.

Education

Sewanee: The University of the South, Sewanee, TN
Bachelor of Arts in Economics, 2006

Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA
Lead Business, 2006 Certificate, Graduate School of Business 

Charleston School of Law, Charleston, South Carolina
J.D., 2012

Honors and Awards

American Institute of Family Law Attorneys 10 Best Family Law Attorney for Client Satisfaction Award
2016, 2019

National Advocates, Top 40 Under 40, 2015

Georgia Super Lawyers Rising Star
2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023

American Registry, Outstanding Young Lawyer Georgia
2018

Associations and Bar Membership

State Bar of Georgia – Family Law Section

Atlanta Bar Association – Women in the Profession Section – Immediate Past Chair;

Family Law Section; Sole Practitioner/Small Firm Section

Atlanta Counsel for Younger Lawyers – former Board member

Georgia Association for Women Lawyers – Foundation Secretary (Board of Directors 2014 – 2021)

Sandy Springs Bar Association

Atlanta Volunteer Lawyers Foundation

Speaking Engagements

Family Law Best Practices and Tips for 2023 – National Business Institute, April 2023

Top 5 Power Skills for New Family Lawyers – National Business Institute, September 2021

kristy-barnhart-atlanta-lawyer

Education

Georgia State University, Atlanta GA
Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Sociology, 2018
Honors: Summa cum laude

Emory University School of Law, Atlanta GA
J.D., 2021

Honors and Awards

Dean’s Service Award

Georgia Association of Women Lawyers
Award for Outstanding Woman Graduate committed to practice in Georgia

Minister Gloria Jean Flower Angel Award

Associations and Bar Membership

Member at Large of the Atlanta Bar Association Solo/Firm Section (2023-2024)

Member at Large of the Atlanta Bar Association, Women in the Profession Section (2023-2024)

Member of GAWL and member of the Special Events Committee

Member of the Cobb Bar Association

Member of the Georgia Association for Black Women

Member of the Gate City Bar Association

Speaking Engagements

Top Family Law Issues for LGBTQ Individuals-National Business Institute—January 2023

Associate Attorney

Balean S. Reid

As a child of divorce, I believe that two happy homes are better than one unhappy home. When it comes to handling your case, I understand that I need to be an expert not only on the law but also my client, as a person to craft the best solution for your domestic matter.

Ms. Balean S. Reid received her Bachelor’s degree, summa cum laude, in Political Science with a concentration in Pre-Law and a minor in Sociology from Georgia State University. Balean graduated from Emory University’s School of Law in 2021, where she was on the Dean’s List and served as President of the Legal Association for Women Students.  Balean was also a member of the Family Law Society, the Black Law Student Association and gained advocacy skills through her involvement with the Moot Court Society. 

While in law school, Balean externed with Atlanta Legal Aid, where she advocated for survivors of domestic violence seeking Temporary Protective Orders. Balean has focused her practice exclusively in the area of domestic relations handling divorce cases, child custody matters, legitimation actions, modification cases, prenuptial agreements, and other family law issues. Balean has a passion for aiding victims of domestic violence, and she volunteers with Atlanta Legal Aid to assist with domestic violence cases. 

Balean grew up in Cobb County Georgia and now resides in DeKalb County. In her spare time, Balean enjoys reading, peer mentoring and spending time with friends and family.

Education

Georgia State University, Atlanta GA
Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Sociology, 2018
Honors: Summa cum laude

Emory University School of Law, Atlanta GA
J.D., 2021

Honors and Awards

Dean’s Service Award

Georgia Association of Women Lawyers
Award for Outstanding Woman Graduate committed to practice in Georgia

Minister Gloria Jean Flower Angel Award

Associations and Bar Membership

Member at Large of the Atlanta Bar Association Solo/Firm Section (2023-2024)

Member at Large of the Atlanta Bar Association, Women in the Profession Section (2023-2024)

Member of GAWL and member of the Special Events Committee

Member of the Cobb Bar Association

Member of the Georgia Association for Black Women

Member of the Gate City Bar Association

Speaking Engagements

Top Family Law Issues for LGBTQ Individuals-National Business Institute—January 2023