Magic City Family Law partners AshLeigh Meyer and Katie Middleton are passionate about their work, and their fierce determination to represent their clients’ best interests in family law and related domestic criminal issues has earned them a solid reputation. Magic City Family Law provides families with the support they need during family law issues, including divorce, child custody and support disputes, adoption and paternity. They also provide juvenile criminal defense services for children who have been charged with crimes. We’re thrilled to introduce you to the two women behind this practice today!
Where did you grow up? And what brought you to Bham?
AshLeigh: I grew up in Madison, Alabama. It’s a suburb outside of Birmingham. It’s very similar to Hoover, Homewood, or Mountain Brook. I moved to Birmingham for law school, then moved to Madison, then back to Birmingham for a job, but mainly for love. My boyfriend of many, many years is here! In law school, I didn’t appreciate Birmingham, but since being back I’ve fallen head over heels for it.
Katie: I grew up in Vestavia Hills, so I’m originally from here. I went to law school in Jackson, Mississippi, but moved back here when I graduated.
How did the two of you meet and decide to go into business together?
AshLeigh: We actually met through a mutual friend and Katie’s father. We discovered we had a similar business plan and outlook on law that lead to us wanting to protect children and, click, MAGIC was born!
Katie: I have to give my father credit for this one!
Tell us about Magic City Family Law and the services you offer.
AshLeigh: We are a family law boutique firm. We handle everything from divorce, modifications, child support, prenuptial agreements, business planning, estate planning, to adoptions.Through our experiences acting as Guardian ad Litems for minor children involved in family law disputes, we realized that the needs of minor children can often be overlooked in family law disputes. When our lawyers build legal responses to family law disputes, we do so with minor children in mind. By developing legal strategies that protect the best interests of children, we ensure the solutions reached benefit the entire family unit.
Katie: We focus primarily on family law so adoption, child custody, divorce, paternity and such. We also do some criminal defense, small business incorporation and estate work.
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?
AshLeigh: Never look back. If Cinderella had looked back to pick up her shoe, she never would have become a princess. Of course this doesn’t mean we’ll all become princesses, but if you look to the future instead of dwell on the past, you’ll go a lot further in life.
Katie: Everyone has different path in life, but we are all equal when it comes down to it. Treat others as you would want to be treated.
What advice would you give to others?
AshLeigh: For women, think like Marilyn, “women who seek to be equal with men, lack ambition.” For people considering law school, research the job market first. If you still want to do it, be ready to work your tail off (in my opinion, it’s worth it if you love it). For potential clients or current clients, anything you post on social media can and will be used against you in a court of law.
Katie: Find something you’re passionate about and do it. I love my work. I believe everyone should have a job they enjoy, and are driven to succeed at.
What did your bedroom look like as a teenage girl?
AshLeigh: I got grounded for a month in high school. It was summer though, so I was allowed to hang out with my best friend. I couldn’t go anywhere, so we decided to paint murals on my wall. We painted mermaids, a fiery sun, palm trees, waves, crabs, and a sandy beach. I definitely improved my situation. I started out with a plain yellow room when I got grounded and ended up with a bright beachy teen girl’s dream before school started back.
Katie: Hah! Usually, there were clothes strewn everywhere. There were days my parents didn’t even want to go near it. Other than that, I had a fabulous green velvet and satin bedspread I loved. There were also huge Palladian windows that let lots of light into the room so it was very bright and cheery.
What is your favorite thing to do to relax?
AshLeigh: Dance. I’ve been dancing since I was two years old. I was in the color guard at UA, and when I got to law school I began Dance Trance. Dance Trance is a dance fitness program and there are actually many studios all over the world. (I happen to be part owner of the studio in Huntsville, Alabama.) If I miss one night, I hear from the instructors or other students wondering where I am. I’m a much happier person when I get to dance.
Katie: A glass of wine and a bubble bath is all I need after a long hard day.
Favorite thing to do on a Saturday night?
AshLeigh: Watch a movie or catch up on my tv shows with my boyfriend and my dogs, Lacy & Emma. All four of us pile up on the couch. The dogs get the most room. They are so spoiled!
Katie: Sadly my weekends are not as exciting as they used to be. I prefer to stay in, order pizza and watch a funny movie.
Favorite local restaurant?
AshLeigh: Jackson’s for brunch, and although it’s not a restaurant per se, Steel City Pops! I love their jalapeno pineapple popsicle!
Katie: Sushi is my favorite food so I’m completely obsessed with Surin West. I’ll eat almost anything on their menu.
What are you listening to these days?
Katie: I love love love ZZ Ward’s music. Her lyrics are very edgy but the music has a bluesy feel to it.
What books are you currently reading?
AshLeigh: Case law updates. I try to stay on the top of the law because it is constantly changing. In addition to that, I’m reading a book that I can’t name because it hasn’t been released yet. It’s one of those “If I told you I’d have to kill you” type of situations! Only kidding! Also, I have a beach read that I pick up from time to time, The Cinderella Rules by Donna Kauffman. I picked it up at the library for 50 cents.
Katie: I’m reading Eat, Pray, Love for, like, the 12th time.
Do you have any personality quirks or irrational fears?
AshLeigh: Ghosts. I’m infatuated with learning about ghosts. I always have been, but I’m not allowed to watch ghost tv shows before bed. I have an overactive imagination and it leads to me not sleeping afterwards. They may or may not be real, but I’d prefer to err on the side of caution. You can outrun a serial killer, but if a ghost is after you, they’ll always show up in the backseat!
Katie: I’m absolutely terrified of eating chicken. I won’t elaborate, but let’s just say I won’t get anywhere near it.
If your house was on fire what’s the one non-living thing you would grab?
Katie: Usually, I’m wearing it, but I have a ring my mother and grandmother gave me that’s very special to me.
Name three things you can’t live without, excluding friends, family and God.
AshLeigh: Dogs (I wouldn’t say my dogs because they’re family, but everyone else’s dogs.) I love dogs. My friends joke that I need a leash when I’m out because if I see a pup, I make a bee line for it! Dance (see above) and Coffee.
Katie: Obviously, my dogs (Honeybun and Beauregard) would come first. As far as non-living things go, king size pillows, a painting my parents bought me for my 15th birthday by Debra Marlin of a golden retriever, and high heeled pumps are definitely items I could not live without.
Thanks for sharing, Katie and AshLeigh! For more information on Magic City Family Law, visit their website at www.magiccityfamilylaw.com.
And a big thanks to Beth for today’s fabulous photos! To learn more about Beth and her work, check out her website at www.bethhontzas.com.
