Sharon Thompson

Sharon Thompson

NicholsonPham, PLLC
  • Family Law
  • North Carolina
Badges
Claimed Lawyer Profile
Biography

In 2012, Sharon Thompson became Of Counsel to NicholsonPham. She has been in private practice since 1976 and brings a wealth of knowledge and experience in the areas of family law, including all aspects of adoption and family formation through assisted reproduction and surrogacy; estate planning, including wills, trusts, powers of attorney and probate administration; and LGBT legal issues. In 2010, Sharon became the first female attorney in North Carolina to be accepted as a Fellow of the American Academy of Adoption Attorneys. A significant portion of Sharon’s practice has been devoted to providing advice and services to LGBT clients, partners and their families. She is widely recognized in this state as an authority on legal issues affecting gay and lesbian clients. She has been counsel in many groundbreaking cases. Sharon is one of a very small number of attorneys in North Carolina offering services to assist LGBT individuals who want to protect their partners and families through family formation documents and legal proceedings, property agreements, and estate planning. Sharon has also expanded her expertise of the legal issues surrounding parenthood by working with clients using assisted reproduction technology to create their families through the use of agreements regarding egg and sperm donation, embryo donation and surrogacy. In 2010, Sharon became the first attorney in North Carolina to be accepted as a Fellow of the American Academy of Assisted Reproductive Technology

Practice Area
Family Law
Adoption, Child Custody, Child Support, Father's Rights, Guardianship & Conservatorship, Paternity, Prenups & Marital Agreements, Restraining Orders, Same Sex Family Law
Additional Practice Area
  • Adoption
Jurisdictions Admitted to Practice
North Carolina
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Professional Experience
Of Counsel
NicholsonPham, PLLC
- Current
Attorney
Sharon Thompson Law Group
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Adjunct Professor
University of North Carolina Law School
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Adjunct Professor
North Carolina Central University Law School
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Legislative Agent
North Carolina Clinical Social Work Society
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Senior Partner
Thompson & Burgess
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Shareholder
Thompson & McAllaster
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Administrative Hearing Officer
North Carolina Department of Human Resources, Division of Facility Services
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Partner
Firm of Deborah Mailman and Sharon Thompson
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Awards
Best Lawyers, Family Law Section
Best Lawyers In America
Best Lawyers, Family Law Section
Best Lawyers in America
Best Lawyers, Family Law Section
Best Lawyers in America
Best Lawyers, Family Law Section
Best Lawyers in America
Best Lawyers, Family Law Section
Best Lawyers in America
Leaders in the Law Award
Elon University and NC Lawyers Weekly
Best Lawyers, Family Law Section
Best Lawyers in America
Women Leaders in the Law, Legal Leaders™
American Law Media and Fortune Magazine
General Practice Hall of Fame
North Carolina Bar Association
Frank Porter Graham Award
North Carolina ACLU
Professional of the Year Award
Triangle Business and Professional Guild
Legislative Award
North Carolina AFL-CIO
Distinguished Women Awards Nominee
State of North Carolina
Margaret Sanger Award
Planned Parenthood of Raleigh
Professional Associations
North Carolina State Bar
Member
Current
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North Carolina Gay and Lesbian Attorneys
President
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Women's Forum of North Carolina
Member
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State Executive Committee, Democratic Party
Executive Committe Member
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North Carolina Academy of Trial Lawyers
Board of Governors
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North Carolina Association of Women Attorneys
Board of Governors
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North Carolina Association of Women Attorneys
Chair of Government Action Committee
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North Carolina Association of Women Attorneys
Chair of the Judicial Nominating Committee
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North Carolina Association of Women Attorneys
Co-founder
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Publications
Articles & Publications
Estate Planning Malpractice Traps for Small to Midsize Firms
Publication for NC Lawyers Mutual Insurance Company
Ready or Not, A Gay Client May Be Waiting to See You
Journal of the NC State Bar, Vol 12, #1
Pulliam v. Smith: A Tough Case for Today’s Families
NC Bar Association, Family Law Section; Family Forum Vol. 19, No. 4
Websites & Blogs
Website
Contact & Map
NicholsonPham, PLLC
113 Broadway St.
Durham, NC 27701
Telephone: (919) 883-4900
Fax: (919) 400-4824