Helen O’Shaughnessy (formerly Oliver), a principal in Wake Family Law Group, is a board certified family law specialist. Helen has been recognized by Business North Carolina magazine as one of the Legal Elite in North Carolina for family law (2007). She has been selected by North Carolina Super Lawyers for inclusion on the 2009, 2011-2013 North Carolina Rising Stars list and as a North Carolina Super Lawyer in 2016 and 2017.

Helen received an undergraduate degree from Dickinson College in Carlisle, Pennsylvania in 1994 and a Juris Doctor degree from Widener University School of Law in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania in 1997. She was admitted to the North Carolina State Bar in 1997.

She is a member of the Wake County Bar Association, the North Carolina Bar Association and its family law section, of which she served as secretary of the family law council for 2003-2004, and the American Bar Association and its family law section. She is the Past Chair of the Family Law section for the North Carolina Advocates for Justice (2004-2005), served as Continuing Legal Education Chair for the Academy’s family law section (2001-2002) and was co-chair of the Continuing Legal Education for the Academy’s family law section (2005-2006). Helen is a member of the Wake Collaborative Family Law Group and a former member of the Tenth Judicial District Bar Grievance Committee (2012-2014).

Helen was certified as a Family Financial Mediator by the North Carolina Dispute Resolution Commission in 2006. She frequently serves as a mediator in family law cases. Helen also serves as a Parent Coordinator in high conflict child custody cases.

Helen is actively involved in the legal community. She has participated in Law Week, a program sponsored by the North Carolina Bar Association that raises awareness about law; Ask a Lawyer Day; and the Wade Edwards Moot Court Competition for North Carolina high-school students.

In addition, she has spoken frequently on family law issues to organizations including the National Business Institute, North Carolina Advocates for Justice, NC Bar Foundation, North Carolina Central University School of Law, and Wake Forest University School of Law.