Jennifer W. Moore

I have been practicing law in Asheville, North Carolina, since 1999. I grew up in Asheville, and attended Asheville High School. I went on to attend Wake Forest University for both undergraduate and law school.

After law school, I was fortunate to be hired as a clerk for the Honorable John C. Martin, judge for the North Carolina Court of Appeals. I lived in Raleigh for the year of this clerkship and the experience was invaluable. I spent my time researching the law, reading briefs prepared by trial attorneys in a variety of practice areas, listening to oral arguments and preparing proposed opinions for the three judge panel which decided every case. The year I worked for the court taught me more about all areas of the law and refined my legal research and reasoning skills which ultimately began to hone my skill as a trial lawyer as I transitioned into private practice.

After many years living in the piedmont and triangle areas of North Carolina, the mountains beckoned me back and I returned to work in Asheville. Initially I began with Van Winkle, Buck, Wall, Starnes and Davis, a large firm based in Asheville. In 2000, however, I realized that my true passion lay in family law and I transitioned to work with my father, George Moore. I knew that a smaller firm would enable me to pursue the type of practice I truly wanted and in which I knew I could and would excel. I almost immediately began to focus exclusively on family law and knew that I had made the right choice.

I believe that family law is a distinct area of the law that requires a different approach than what is often considered traditional for lawyers. Family lawyers must be counselors, sympathetic listeners, and tireless advocates and warriors for parents and children. They have to be able to recognize what is important and what is not, and navigate the landmines of emotions that are the hallmarks of most divorce situations. Even the most cordial, cooperative separations must be handled carefully and sensitively and a practitioner must be able to tell the difference between a situation that requires a forceful, aggressive approach and one that requires a gentler, congenial approach. Every family is unique.

My primary focus areas are complex Equitable Distribution and complex custody cases. I find custody to be the most challenging and simultaneously the most rewarding of all areas of family law. Too many lawyers do not take the time to find the whole truth that lies beneath the surface issues inherent in custody cases, but I do. The ultimate goal is to look hard enough to find what is in the best interests of the children and I will work passionately to do that and to present that to the court. I recognize that this is the most challenging and difficult thing you will go through and that your children will go through and together we will work to get through it. I will be alongside you the whole way and you won’t be alone anymore.

In addition to Asheville and Buncombe County, I also practice in Henderson County. I currently live in Henderson County, which I love because northern Henderson County is great for running, which is my other great passion. I can usually be found on the roads before work running in the dark to gear up for the day’s battles. I have run one marathon so far, at the beautiful Biltmore Estate, and numerous half marathons, an adventure run, and others. I also spend time reading, cooking, and just unwinding with good friends and family.

I also spend a lot of time doing volunteer work in the community. I was a long-time member of the Junior League of Asheville, and currently am serving as the Chairman of the Board of Directors for the Irene Wortham Center. This is a wonderful organization that provides essential residential and day services for developmentally challenged adults and also operates a daycare for children of all needs. I am very fortunate to be associated with this organization that serves this community so well. I also volunteer with the Pisgah Legal Society, primarily representing victims of domestic violence pro bono.