Partner
Kristen E. Files is a partner at Smith & Files, LLC where she practices family law. She has experience in all areas of family law including divorce, maintenance and alimony, legitimation, paternity, domestic violence and protection orders, child custody and access, adoptions, name changes, and child support actions.
After earning her bachelor’s degree from Emory University, Kristen graduated from Atlanta’s John Marshall Law School, where she continues to serve as an alumni mentor for current students. She has been admitted to practice law in the state of Georgia since 2010 and is licensed to appear before the Supreme Court of Georgia and the Supreme Court of the United States.
Kristen began her career working for Atlanta’s Department of Housing and Urban Development, where she investigated cases of housing discrimination and worked to enforce civil rights laws and the Fair Housing Act. Thereafter, Kristen began representing families with a boutique family law firm in North Atlanta and has since been practicing family law exclusively for nearly a decade.
Currently, Kristen serves as secretary on the board of the Dekalb Bar Association’s Family Law Section, a board member for DeKalb Volunteer Lawyers Foundation and Georgia Coalition Against Domestic Violence. She also mentors law students through GABWA’s Women to Women program. Kristen is a member of the Weltner Family Law Inn of Court, Georgia Association of Black Women Attorneys (GABWA) and DeKalb Lawyers Association. In 2016, she was named as a “Top 40 under 40” lawyer by the National Black Lawyers and in 2017, 2018, and 2019, Kristen was named as a Super Lawyer® Rising Star.
In 2019, Kristen graduated from the Georgia Bar Association’s YLD Leadership Academy and was recognized by the YLD with the award for “Outstanding Service to the Profession”.
When she is not practicing law, Kristen enjoys spending time outdoors, hiking and biking with her daughter. She also enjoys practicing yoga and taking ballet and modern dance classes.
Reviews
Great help
Ms Files took my case with short notice, and helped me out tremendously. Very understanding person and will do everything she can to help.
Client
Each interaction I had with Kristen was a pleasant experience and I always felt as though I mattered. I would recommend her to anyone that needed assistance in their divorce proceedings.
Highly Recommend
Kristen is very professional, punctual, and thorough. She represented me very well during a difficult process. I would strongly recommend her.
Kristen Files
Ms. Files represented me on a personal/legal matter. I applaud her services. She represented me very well. She was professional, thorough, efficient and tactful. I would highly recommend her!
Could not ask for a better person!
Kristen made me feel like I had a true advocate and friend by my side. She was always quick to respond, and truly listened to your needs and put those first. I would highly recommend her, smart and dependable but without the typical “attorney feel”.