Fred M. Morelock

Fred M. Morelock


Tharrington Smith, LLP

Recognized since 2006

Raleigh, North Carolina

Practice Areas

Family Law

Family Law Mediation

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Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2021 - Family Law Mediation
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Fred Morelock received his bachelor's degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1974 and his law degree from UNC in 1976. He then practiced as a trial attorney for ten years in the areas of criminal defense and family law litigation before being appointed to the bench. He joined Tharrington Smith in 2001.

In 1986, Mr. Morelock was appointed by Governor James G. Martin to a Wake County district court judgeship. He was reelected three times and served for fourteen years. In 1990, Mr. Morelock became the first judge in Wake County to become a Certified Juvenile Law Specialist. During the last several years on the bench, he presided almost exclusively in domestic court, most recently in North Carolina's first designated specialized judgeship in the area of family law.

As a district court judge, Mr. Morelock was a 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 and the Institute of Government New Judges School) on various family law issues. He has also been a seminar speaker for the North Carolina Association of Certified Public Accountants and the Wake County public school principals. Mr. Morelock has served on the Board of Directors of the Wake County Bar Association and its Professionalism Committee, the Raleigh Rescue Mission, and Carolina Legal Assistance.

Mr. Morelock's practice includes the representation of clients in all areas of family law, as well as mediation and arbitration. He is admitted to practice in all state courts and the federal district courts for the Eastern and Middle Districts of North Carolina. Mr. Morelock is a member of the North Carolina Bar Association and its family law section. He is former chair of the Grievance Committee for the 10th Judicial District and most recently was appointed by the State Bar Council to the Disciplinary Hearing Commission. He is a Certified Superior Court Mediator and a Certified Family Financial Mediator.

Mr. Morelock is married to Jeannie S. Morelock, and they have two teenage sons.

Location
  • Wells Fargo Building, Suite 1900
    150 Fayetteville Street
    P.O. Box 1151
    Raleigh, NC 27602
Languages
  • English
Education
  • The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, J.D., graduated 1976
  • The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, BA, graduated 1974
Bar Admissions
  • North Carolina, North Carolina State Bar
Affiliations
  • North Carolina State Bar - Member
  • North Carolina State Bar, Family Law Section - Member
  • State Bar Council, Disciplinary Hearing Commission - Vice-Chair

Tharrington Smith, LLP
Headquarters: Raleigh, North Carolina

20 The Best Lawyers in America® awards

5 Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® in America awards

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Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2021 - Family Law Mediation
Named "Lawyer of the Year" by Best Lawyers® for:
  • Family Law Mediation, Raleigh (2021)
Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America® 2025 for work in:
  • Family Law
  • Family Law Mediation
Special Focus:
  • Alimony
  • Arbitration and Mediation
  • Child Support
  • Divorce
  • Domestic Relations
  • Enforcement and Modification
  • Equitable Division
  • Marital Settlement Agreements
  • Prenuptial Agreements
Awards:
  • Certified Superior Court Mediator
  • Certified Family Financial Mediator
  • Listed in Business North Carolina's "Legal Elite," (2009)
  • Selected for inclusion in the Family Law section of Best Lawyers of America®, (Since 2006)
  • 10th Judicial District Bar Appreciation Award (2010)
  • Wake County Bar Association Presidents Award of Excellence (2009)
  • North Carolina Super Lawyers (2006, 2008-2018)

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Publications

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