Randall M Kessler CV
Honors/Memberships/Positions
- Master in the Charles Longstreet Weltner Family Law Inn of Court
- Chair for the Family Courts Committee of the American Bar Association’s Family Law Section
- Judge, Pro Hac, DeKalb County Recorders Court (2000 to present)
- Member of the Old War Horse Lawyers Club
- Past Chair, American Bar Association, Standing Committee on Substance Abuse
- Chairperson, American Bar Association, Family Law Section, Family Courts Committee, (2000-present)
- Exec. Committee, Family Law Section, Georgia Bar Association (2005 to present)
- Editor, Family Law Review, published by the Georgia Bar Association
- Honored, Named by The Daily Report as 1 of 15 “Lawyers on the Rise” in GA (2002)Honored, Selected by peers as one of Georgia Trend’s Legal Elite (Named by Georgia Trend magazine as one of the top Family Law Attorneys in GA, 2003+)
- Honored, Named a SuperLawyer by Atlanta Magazine 2003 – 2007.
- Honored, Named a “Top 100” SuperLawyer by Atlanta Magazine 2006, 2007.
- Faculty/teacher, Emory Law School – Trial Techniques Program
- Faculty/Professor, John Marshall Law School (teaching Family Law; 2004-present)
- State Reporter, Family Law Quarterly, Law in the Fifty States; ABA Family Law Publication
- AV Rated, Martindale-Hubbell, October, 1995 to present
- Board of Directors, Atlanta Bar Association (1998-1999; 2000-2002)
- Board of Trustees, Atlanta Bar Assoc., ACLE (1994-2000)
- Chairperson, Family Law Section of Atlanta Bar Assoc., 1997-1998 Section of the Year
- Chairperson, Judicial Officer Selection Committee for the Fulton Family Division 1998
- Chairperson, Fulton Family Court Committee, Atlanta Bar Family Law Sect. (1997 on)
- Executive Committee, Family Law Section of Atlanta Bar Association (1992-1999)
- CLE Chairperson, Family Law Section of Atlanta Bar Association (1992-2000)
- Instructor, Family Law Mediation Certification Course, Resolution Resources, Inc.
- Assoc. Editor, The Family Lawyer, Official Publication of the Family Law Section of the Atlanta Bar Association (2000 to present)
- Vice-Chairperson, Family Law Section, Diversity Committee, American Bar Association, (2002-present)
- Liaison, Substance Abuse Committee of the American Bar Association (Liaison for the Family Law Section of the American Bar Association)
- Reporter, “FAMILY LAW IN THE FIFTY STATES [GA]”, Family Law Quarterly, American Bar Association, Family Law Section publication, 2003 to present.
Member:
- Family Law Study Committee, State Bar of GA to revise GA family laws
- The Georgia Family Law American Inn of Court-Barrister
- Litigation Section of Atlanta Bar Association
- Family Law Sections of State Bar Georgia, Atlanta, Cobb Bar Associations
- Fellow, American Bar Foundation
- Atlanta Bar Association
- DeKalb County Bar Association
- Cobb County Bar Association
- American Bar Association; Family Law and Law Office Management
- Lawyers Club of Atlanta
- Association of Trial Lawyers of America (ATLA)
- American Judicature Society
Listed:
- 2004/2005 Heritage Registry of Who’s Who
Non Law Related:
- Board of Directors, JNF, Southeastern Region 2000 – present
- Board of Directors, The Posse Foundation (Scholarships for urban youth)
- Previous Service on: Board of YLC of Atlanta Jewish Federation ACCESS
Activities/Seminars:
- Keynote Speaker, “Representing High Profile Divorce Clients“, Oregon Bar, OR, October 2009
- Lecturer, “Representing High Profile Divorce Clients”, AICPA, Disney World, September 2009
- Chair, “Nuts & Bolts of Family Law“, Atlanta, GA, September 2009
- Chair, “Nuts & Bolts of Family Law“, Savannah, GA, August 2009
- Lecturer, “Trial Skills Clinic“, Athens, GA, June 25-28, 2009
- Lecturer, “NFLPA, “Family Law Issues for NFL Players”, Las Vegas, NV, May 2009
- Lecturer, “Family Law Practice Tips”, Cobb County Bar Association, December, 20008
- Chair/Lecture, “Family Law Representation”, Atlanta Bar Association, November 2008
- Lecturer, Celebrity Divorce November 2008 – 19th Annual Entertainment & Sports Conference/13th Annua lIntellectual Property Law Institute
- Lecturer, “NFLPA, “Family Law Issues for NFL Players”, Atlanta, GA, May 2008
- Lecturer, “Representing High Profile Divorce Clients”, PESI, Charleston, SC, December 2007
- Chair/Lecturer, “Family Law, Discovery and Evidence”, Atlanta Bar Assoc., November 2007
- Presenter, “UCCJEA – Custody Jurisdiction”, Augusta Bar Association, November 2007
- Keynote Speaker, Hawaii Bar, Family Law Section – HSBA Annual Meeting October 26, 2007
- Lecturer, “Trial Techniques in Family Law”, HW State Bar, Honolulu, HW, October 2007
- Moderator, “Business Evaluations in Family Law”, Am. Bar Assoc., San Fran., August 2007
- Lecturer, “Family Law Seminar”, National Business Institute, June, 2007
- Lecturer, “Domestic Relations Practice”, AL State Bar, Destin, FL, June, 2007
- Lecturer, “Hot Tips in Family Law“, Family Law Inst., State Bar of GA, May 2007
- Lecturer, “NFLPA, “Family Law Issues for NFL Players”, May 2007, Las Vegas
- Moderator, “Unified Family Courts Summit”, Amer. Bar Assoc., Baltimore, May 2007
- Moderator, “Trial Techniques in Family Law”, Am. Bar Assoc., Moneterrey, CA, April 2007
- Lecturer, Trainer: “New Child Support Guidelines”, ICLE, April, 2007
- Lecturer, “Family Law Practice”, National Business Institute, March 2007
- Chair, Technology and the Law”, ICLE, March, 2007
- Chair, Annual Family Law Seminar, Atlanta Bar Association, Feb., 2007
- Lecturer, “GA’s New Child Support Guidelines”, John Marshall Law Sch., Dec., 2006
- Lecturer, “Georgia’s New Child Support Guidelines”, Cobb Bar Assoc., Dec., 2006
- Lecturer, “Family Law Practice Management”, SC State Bar, Greenville, SC, Nov., 2006
- Lecturer, “Georgia’s New Child Support Guidelines”, Gwinnett Bar Assoc.,October, 2006
- Producer, “Rebuilding a Family Law Practice”, Amer. Bar Assoc., Santa Fe, October, 2006
- Lecturer, “What Family Court Judges Want”, Lorman Seminars, October, 2006
- Lecturer, “Georgia’s New Child Support Guidelines”, Cobb Bar Assoc., September 2006
- Lecturer, “Advanced Depositions”, National Business Institute, September 2006
- Lecturer, “Hot Tips From the Fam. Law Experts”, Amer. Bar Assoc., HW, August 2006
- Lecturer, “Hot Tips From the Fam. Law Experts”, Amer. Bar Association, Chicago, IL, August 2006
- Lecturer, “Family Lawyers/Psychologists“, Family Law Inst., GA State Bar, May 2006
- Producer/Lecturer “Family Law Paperless Office”, Amer. Bar Assoc., Was., D.C., May 2006
- Producer, “Relocation in Custody Cases”, Amer. Bar Assoc., Was., D.C., May 2006
- Lecturer-, “ADR in Family Law”, American Bar Association, Atl, April 2006
- Lecturer, “NFLPA, “Family Law Issues for NFL Players”, Santa Mon., CA, April 2006,
- Lecturer, “Georgia’s New Child Support Guidelines”, Atlanta Bar Assoc., April 2006
- Chair/Lecturer, “Divorce, Custody, Child Support”, DeKalb Bar Assoc.,April,2006 (postponed)
- Lecturer, Interstate issues in Family Law, GA Judges Conf., Augusta, GA, January 2006
- Lecturer, NFLPA, “Family Law Issues for NFL Players”, January 2006, Miami, FL
- Lecturer, GAL Seminar for Forsyth County Bar, January 2006
- Lecturer, LEI, Family Law Technology, January 2006, Snowmass, CO. ( via alternate)
- Chair/Lecturer, “Divorce, Custody, Child Support”, Atlanta Bar Assoc., Nov. 2005
- Presenter, ” Family Law Case Law Update”, Augusta Bar Association, Nov. 2005
- Lecturer, “Preventative Family Law”, National Business Institute, Oct., ’05
- Lecturer, “Running a Large Family Law Firm”, Am. Bar Assoc., San Diego, Oct., ’05
- Producer, “Domestic Unions”, Amer. Bar Assoc., San Diego, Oct., 2005
- Presenter, ” Family Law Update for Small Firms”, State Bar of GA, Sept. 2005 (cancelled)
- Chair/Lecturer, “Family Law”, National Business Institute, Aug, ’05
- Chair/Lecturer, “Issues in Family Law Cases”, National Business Institute, June, ’05
- Lecturer, “Domestic Case Law Update“, Family Law Inst., State Bar of GA, May, ’05
- Chair/Lecturer, “Fulton County Family Court”, Atlanta Bar Assoc., May, ’05
- Moderator, “Managing a Family Law Practice”, Amer. Bar Assoc., Austin, April, ’05
- Chair/Lecturer, “Complex Divorce Issues”, National Business Institute, April, ’05
- Lecturer, “Domestic Law in GA”, National Business Institute. Feb., ’05
- Lecturer, ICPC, GA Juvenile Judges Conference (CJE), Athens, GA, Nov. ’04
- Chair/Lecturer, “The Nitty-Gritty on Child Custody & GALs”, Atlanta Bar Assoc., Nov. ’04
- Lecturer, “Nuts & Bolts – Family Law”, State Bar of GA, Atlanta & GPTV, Nov., ’04
- Chair, Family Court Showcase (Fulton and Family Courts program), Aug. ’04
- Chair/Lecturer, “Roadmap for Divorce”, National Business Institute, August, ’04
- Lecturer, “Domestic Case Law Update“, Family Law Inst., State Bar of GA, May, ’04
- Lecturer, “Using Technology in Family Law”, American Bar Assoc., P.R., Apr. ’04
- Chair/Lecturer, “Complex Divorce Issues”, National Business Institute, March, ’04
- Chair/Lecturer, “Technology in the Legal Arena”, State Bar of GA, Feb., ’04
- Lecturer, Annual Family Law Seminar, “Bus. Evals.”, Atlanta Bar Assoc., Feb., ’04
- Lecturer, Family Law Trial Practice – Michigan Bar Assoc., Costa Rica, Jan. 2004
- Lecturer, UCCJEA-Custody Juris., GA Judges Conf. (ICJE), Savannah, GA, Jan. ’04
- Lecturer, “Domestic Case Law Update”, DeKalb Bar Association, January, 2004
- Lecturer, “Domestic Law in GA”, National Business Institute, December, ’03
- Chair/Lecturer, “Unique Trial Skills for Divorce Case”, Atlanta Bar Assoc., Nov. ’03
- Lecturer, “Law Students Should Consider Family Law”, Am. Bar Assoc., Seattle, ’03
- Chair/Lecturer, “Representing the High Profile Divorce Client”, Am. Bar Assoc., Seattle, ’03
- Chair/Lecturer, “Fulton County Family Court”, Atlanta Bar Assoc., October, ’03
- Lecturer, “Advanced Divorce Seminar”, Nevada Bar Association, September, ’03
- Lecturer, Seminar – “Nuts & Bolts – Family Law”, State Bar of GA, Atl., Sept., ’03
- Lecturer, Seminar – “Nuts & Bolts – Family Law”, State Bar of GA, Sav., Aug., ’03
- Lecturer, UCCJEA-Custody Jurisdiction, DeKalb Bar Association, August, 2003
- Lecturer, “Family Law Experts’ Hot Tips”, American Bar Assoc., San Fran., Aug., ’03
- Presenter, “Family Law Tax Tips”, American Bar Assoc., San Fran., Aug., ’03
- Lecturer, “Family Law Practice Development”, Atlanta Bar Assoc., June, ’03
- Lecturer, “A Map To The Courthouse-Family Division”, Atlanta Bar Assoc., May, ’03
- Moderator, “Fiduciary Responsibilities of Spouses”, Am. Bar Assoc., Las Vegas, Apr., ’03
- Chair/Lecturer, “Technology in the Legal Arena” State Bar of GA, April, ’03
- Lecturer, “Law Practice Management, Family Law Attorney’s View”, ICLE, Mar., ’03
- Chair/Lecturer, “High Conflict Divorce Issues”, National Business Institute, March, ’03
- Lecturer, “Hot Tips-Use of Psychologists in Divorce”, Atlanta Bar Assoc., March, ’03
- Lecturer, “Transitioning to Solo Practice”, Atlanta Bar Association, Feb. ’03
- Lecturer, “Lawyers and Judges; how to work together”, Atlanta Bar Assoc., Jan. ’03
- Lecturer, Family Law Practice Management, State Bar of TN, Memphis, Dec. 19, ’02
- Lecturer, Family Law Practice Management, State Bar of TN, Nashville, Dec. 18, ’02
- Lecturer, Family Law Practice Management, State Bar of TN, Knoxville, Dec. 17, ’02
- Lecturer, “Child Custody Jurisdiction”, Cobb County Bar Assoc., December, ’02
- Chair/Lecturer, “How to Prepare for a Divorce Trial”, Atlanta Bar Assoc., November ’02
- Chair/Lecturer, “Updates for Fulton’s Family Court”, Atlanta Bar Assoc., September, ’02
- Lecturer, “Family Law Experts’ Hot Tips”, Amer. Bar Assoc., Wash. D.C., Aug., ’02
- Chair/Lecturer, Domestic Relations Seminar, National Business Institute, July, ’02
- Lecturer, “DNA/Paternity Tests”, The Family Law Institute, GA State Bar, May, ’02
- Lecturer, “Family Law Update”, DeKalb Bar Association, February, 2002
- Lecturer, “Transitioning to Solo Practice”, Atlanta Bar Assoc., January, 2002
- Lecturer, “A Map To The Courthouse-Family Division”, Atlanta Bar Assoc., Nov. ’01
- Chair/Lecturer, “The Trial of a Divorce Case”, Atlanta Bar Assoc., Nov. ’01
- Moderator, “Divorce Practice Management”, Amer. Bar Assoc., Vancouver, October, ’01
- Chair/Lecturer, “Rule Changes in Fulton’s Family Court”, Atl. Bar Assoc., September, ’01
- Lecturer, “Hot Tips From the Fam. Law Experts”, Am. Bar Assoc., Chicago, Aug., ’01
- Lecturer-, Domestic Relations Seminar, National Business Institute, July, ’01
- Lecturer, “UCCJEA“, The Family Law Institute, State Bar of Georgia, May, ’01
- Lecturer, “Best of Family Courts”, American Bar Association, Kansas City, April, ’01
- Lecturer, “Use of Psych. Reports”, American Bar Association, Kansas City, April, ’01
- Lecturer, “Trial Practice for Divorce”, NV Bar Association, Tonopah, NV, Mar., ’01
- Lecturer, Annual Family Law Seminar, Atlanta Bar Association, January, ’01
- Chair/Lecturer, “Tips for Representing the Divorce Client”, Atlanta Bar Assoc., Nov. ’00
- Lecturer, “Hot Tips From the Fam. Law Experts”, Amer. Bar Assoc., NYC, July, ’00
- Lecturer, National Business Institute, Child Support Seminar, July, ’00
- Lecturer, “Family Courts”, American Bar Association, New Orleans, April, ’00
- Lecturer-, Family Mediators of Georgia, Quarterly Meeting, March, ’00
- Lecturer, “Everything you need to know about Family Law”, GA Psych. Assoc., ’00
- Lecturer, Annual Family Law Seminar, Atlanta Bar Association, Jan., ’00
- Chair/Moderator, “Tips for Running a Divorce Practice”, Atlanta Bar Assoc., November, ’99
- Lecturer, Annual Family Law Institute, State Bar of Georgia, May, ’99
- Lecturer, Georgia Psychological Association Seminar, May, ’99
- Faculty/teacher, Emory Law School Trial Techniques Program, ’99, ’00, ’01, ’02
- Chair/Lecturer, “How to Practice in Family Court”, Atlanta Bar Assoc., May, ’99
- Lecturer, Annual Family Law Seminar, Atlanta Bar Assoc., Jan., ’98
- Chair/Moderator, Seminar – “Trial Tips for Divorce Cases”, Atlanta Bar Assoc., Nov., ’98
- Chair/Lecturer, Seminar – “How to Practice in Family Court”, Atlanta Bar Assoc., Oct., ’98
- Invited guest, WPBA-TV: “Child Custody/Support”, The Layman’s Lawyer, Oct., ’98
- Chair/Lecturer, Seminar – “How to Practice in Family Court”, Atl. Bar Assoc., June, ’98
- Chair/Moderator, Seminar – “The Family Lawyer vs. Taxes…”, Atlanta Bar Assoc., ’98
- Lecturer, GA State Univ. College of Law Legal Connections Series: Fam. Law, ’98
- Chair/Moderator, Annual Family Law Seminar, Atlanta Bar Association, Jan., ’98
- Invited guest, WPBA-TV: “The Layman’s Lawyer”, Mediation and Arbitration, ’97
- Chair/Moderator, Seminar – “Post-Divorce Matters”, Atlanta Bar Assoc., Nov., ’97
- Lecturer, Georgia State Law School, Topic: Inn of Family Law, Oct., ’97
- Lecturer, Annual Family Law Institute, State Bar of GA, May, ’97
- Lecturer, Annual Family Law Seminar, Atlanta Bar Assoc., Jan., ’97
- Chair/Moderator, Seminar – “The Child Custody Battle”, Atlanta Bar Assoc., Nov., ’96
- Chair/Moderator, Seminar – “Practical Considerations of a Divorce”, Atlanta Bar Assoc., ’95
- Co-Organizer, Seminar – “Nuts and Bolts of Family Law”, State Bar of Georgia, Sept., ’95
- Chair/Lecturer, Seminar – ” Settlement of a Divorce”, Atlanta Bar Assoc., April, ’95
- Chair/Moderator, Seminar – “Trial of a Divorce”, Atlanta Bar Assoc./State Bar of GA, ’94
- Invited guest, WPBA-TV: “Child Support /Custody Law”, Layman’s Lawyer, Aug., ’94
- Invited guest, WGUN Radio – “Professional Review”; divorce law in Georgia, Feb., ’94
- Chair/Moderator, Seminar – “Efficient/Effective Divorce Representation“, Atlanta Bar Assoc./ State Bar of Georgia, April, ’94
- Lecturer, Seminar – Settlement of a Divorce Case, State Bar of GA, Oct., ’93
- Lecturer, Seminar – “Negotiations (in Divorce)”, Atlanta Bar Assoc.; ’92
- Lecturer, Annual Family Law Seminar, Atlanta Bar Assoc., March, ’92
Articles Written
- “BUILDING A LARGE SIZE FAMILY LAW FIRM” American Journal of Family Law, Fall, 2006
- “Georgia’s New Child Support Guidelines” The Daily Report, May 15, 2006
- “REPRESENTING THE HIGH PROFILE CLIENT”, American Journal of Family Law, Fall, 2004
- “USING EMAIL IN MATRIMONIAL PRACTICE”, American Journal of Family Law, Fall, 2003
- Reporter for Georgia cases for “FAMILY LAW IN THE FIFTY STATES”, Family Law Quarterly, the American Bar Association publication by the Family Law Section, Winter 2003 to date.
- “USE OF A DEPOSITION TO ENHANCE SETTLEMENT OPPORTUNITIES”, State Bar of Georgia Family Law Section Newsletter, Sept., 1995.
- “NEGOTIATION OF DIVORCE AND RELATED MATTERS”, State Bar of Georgia Family Law Section Newsletter, Jan., 1993.
- “HOW TO WORRY LESS AND ENJOY PRACTICING FAMILY LAW”, State Bar of Georgia Family Law Section Newsletter, 1992.
- “EVERYTHING A PSYCHOLOGIST NEEDS TO KNOW ABOUT FAMILY LAW”, Materials for January, 2000 GPA seminar.
- “EVERYTHING A MEDIATOR NEEDS TO KNOW ABOUT FAMILY LAW”, Materials for October, 2000 Resolution Resources training class for Mediators.
- “THANK YOU FROM A DIVORCE CLIENT”, Spring Issue of the Georgia State Bar, Family Law Section Newsletter
Articles written for The Family Lawyer*, include:
(*Official Publication of the Family Law Section of the Atlanta Bar Association)
- Know the Law
- Professional E-Mail for the Family Lawyer
- When to Withdraw
- Accept and Return Telephone Calls
- Don’t Hide From Technology
- Exceed the CLE Requirement of 12 Hours Per Year
- “UCCJEA-INTERSTATE JURISDICTION IN CHILD CUSTODY DISPUTES”, Written for The Family Law Institute, State Bar of GA, May, ’01.
- “WHO’S YOUR DADDY? PATERNITY TESTING AND THE LAW”, Written for The Family Law Institute, State Bar of GA, May, ’02.
Education
Law School – Emory Univ., 1985-1988, Atlanta, Georgia
President, International Law Society
(Chair: President Jimmy Carter Luncheon)
Passed Bar Examination: February, 1988
Undergraduate – Brandeis Univ., 1981-1985, Boston, Massachusetts
B.A. (Political Science, G.P.A. 3.42)
Employment
Founder, Kessler, Schwarz & Solomiany, P.C. (f/k/a Law Offices Of Randall M. Kessler) 1991 to present
Domestic Relations. Nine lawyers; support includes nine paralegals, receptionist, law clerk, legal secretary and part-time staff
Founder, Kessler, Schwarz & Solomiany, P.C. (f/k/a Kessler & Schwarz, P.C. & Law Offices Of Randall M. Kessler) 1991 to present (ten lawyers; support includes ten paralegals, receptionist, law clerk, legal secretary and part-time staff).
Our Rates
Once we begin our representation, we charge hourly rates which vary among our personnel. Currently, paralegals’ rates start at $175.00 per hour and the lawyers’ rates range from $250.00 per hour to $625.00 per hour.