Melissa J. Essick
Top rated Family Law attorney in Raleigh, North Carolina
Gailor Hunt Davis Taylor & Gibbs, PLLC
Practice areas: Family Law; view more
Licensed in North Carolina since: 2004
Education: Campbell University Norman Adrian Wiggins School of Law
Selected to Super Lawyers: 2025 - 2026 Call today:
919-832-8488
Gailor Hunt Davis Taylor & Gibbs, PLLC
1101 Haynes StreetSuite 201
Raleigh, NC 27604 Visit website
With a sophisticated practice that emphasizes personalized attention and meticulous focus, Melissa J. Essick fights tooth and nail to get her clients the top-quality legal representation they deserve. From the law office of Gailor Hunt Davis Taylor & Gibbs, PLLC, in Raleigh, North Carolina, she primarily handles all aspects of family law, ranging from divorce and separation, child custody and support, prenuptial agreements and property division to alimony and spousal support, spousal defamation, emotional distress and criminal conversation, among many others.
Ms. Essick completed her undergraduate studies in 2001, graduating with her Bachelor of Arts degree in political science from the University of North Carolina Wilmington. She went on to attend the Norman Adrian Wiggins School of Law at Campbell University, and during her time there, she was part of the National Trial Team and the ABA National Moot Court Team. She received her Juris Doctor in 2004, and in the same year, she obtained her license to practice law in North Carolina.
A consummate professional through and through, Ms. Essick maintains consistency in her eminent advocacy across every case she handles, striving to constantly progress the standard of client care in her industry to even greater heights. For her many contributions, she has been rated “Very Good” on Avvo and has been recognized by Business North Carolina Legal Elite for her work in family law.
Outside her practice, Ms. Essick is a member of numerous organizations, including the North Carolina Bar Association, the Wake County Bar Association and the American Bar Association. She is also an NC DRC certified family financial mediator and is board-certified as a family law specialist by the North Carolina State Bar Board of Legal Specialization.
Practice areas
Family LawFocus areas
Alimony & Spousal Support, Child Support, Custody & Visitation, Divorce, Domestic Violence, Marital Property, Mediation & Collaborative Law, Paternity, Prenuptial Agreements
- 100% Family Law
First Admitted: 2004, North Carolina
Professional Webpage: https://www.divorceistough.com/attorney/melissa-j-essick/
Bar / Professional Activity
- North Carolina
- Wake County Bar
- 10th Judicial District Bar
- American Bar Association
- North Carolina Bar Association
- Wake County Bar Association
- Child Custody and Child Support Committee of the NCBA Family Law Section, 2025
Videos
- Guest on Divorce Without Destruction Podcast on March 18, 2024, Divorce Without Destruction Podcast
Special Licenses / Certifications
- Completed Parenting Coordinator training and certified as a Parenting Coordinator by the Center for Cooperative Parenting, 2025
- North Carolina Board-Certified Family Law Specialist, 2012
- Certified as a Family Financial Mediator by the NC Dispute Resolution Commission, 2011
Pro bono / Community Service
- Inducted into the North Carolina Pro Bono Society for completion of at least 50 hours of pro bono legal services, 2023
- Prevent Blindness NC
- Board of Directors, Foundation for Good Business
Honors
- Business North Carolina Legal Elite, Family Law (2020)
- Rated “Very Good” on Avvo
- Order of Barristers, Wiggins School of Law at Campbell University
- National Moot Court team and the Trial Advocacy team, Wiggins School of Law at Campbell University
- Legal Elite, Business North Carolina, 2021
Educational Background
- University of North Carolina at Wilmington, B.A., Honors: with honors, President, Alpha Phi
Scholarly Lectures / Writings
- Panel Coordinator for Athena Powerlink
These comments were made by fellow attorneys during the annual nomination process.
“Melissa is a Board-Certified Specialist in Family Law. She also is professionally trained as a mediator in all family law matters and certified as a Family Financial Mediator by the North Carolina Dispute Resolution Commission. She is a strong litigator and advocate for her clients”
“Melissa is a wonderful attorney. She is hardworking and is a zealous advocate for her clients.”
“Melissa is a great attorney. She is a board certified specialist in family law. She is a zealous advocate for her clients, while still maintaining her ability to work well with other attorneys.”
Office location for Melissa J. Essick
1101 Haynes Street
Suite 201
Raleigh, NC 27604
Phone: 919-832-8488
Selections
- Super Lawyers: 2025 - 2026
Certificates and credentials
Family Law
