Meet Denise VanLanduyt

Denise VanLanduyt

Founder

Denise has been a licensed attorney since 2000 and started her successful family law practice in 2002. Over the past two decades, she has guided clients through the emotional and technical landscape of family law including divorce, complex asset issues and child custody disputes. Denise is often called upon by her colleagues to assist with challenging legal issues impacting all families and has argued cases before the Georgia appellate courts, including oral argument before the Georgia Supreme Court and Georgia Court of Appeals. She provides insight and advice on legislation impacting children and families. In addition to leading the firm’s well-respected family law practice, she also handles a variety of general civil litigation matters and has successfully negotiated settlements in general civil disputes for her clients.

In 2022, Denise was appointed as an associate judge for the City of Decatur Municipal Court, where she is still active. She was recently elected by the Council of Municipal Court Judges to serve as a district representative for the fourth judicial administrative district, which is comprised of several municipal courts in DeKalb County. As a district representative, Denise also serves on the executive committee of the Council of Municipal Court Judges of Georgia. She is a former associate lay leader for the North Georgia Conference of the United Methodist Church

When not working, Denise loves to explore and hike the trails and mountains of North Georgia and especially enjoys hiking and kayaking in the Pacific Northwest. Denise lives in downtown Decatur with her wife Jessica and cats Scout and Lil’ Anne.

  • • Syracuse University College of Law, J.D., 2000

    • University of Central Florida, B.A., History, 1996 cum laude

  • State Bar of Georgia, admitted 2000

  • • Arbitrator, State of Georgia

    • Registered Neutral and Certified Mediator, State of Georgia

    • Guardian ad Litem (Cobb, Fulton and DeKalb counties)

  • • Council of Municipal Court Judge of Georgia (2022-present)

    • Associate Lay Leader for the North Georgia Conference of the United Methodist Church (2021-2023)

    • State Bar of Georgia Committee on Children and the Courts (2021-2023)

    • Atlanta Legal Aid Service Council (Co-Chair, 2019-2021)

    • Impact100 Fannin (2022-Present)

    • Decatur First United Methodist Church (Past Lay Leader and Conference Delegate, 2018-2021)

    • Georgia Mediators Association

    • DeKalb Volunteer Lawyers Foundation (Past President of the Board)

    • DeKalb Bar Foundation (Past President)

    • DeKalb Bar Association (Past President 2012-2013)

    • DeKalb County Dispute Resolution Task Force (Member)

    • DeKalb Bar Association – Family Law Section (Founder and Past Section Chair, 2009-2011)

    • Stonewall Bar Association (Board Member, 2010-2011 and 2015-2016)

    • Georgia Association for Women Lawyers (Member)

    • American Bar Association – Family Law Section

    • American Bar Association – Dispute Resolution Section

    • American Bar Association – General, Solo, Small Firm Division

  • • Atlanta Legal Aid U CLE “Equitable Caregiver” 2024

    • Cobb County GAL CLE, “Equitable Caregiver” 2024

    • Cobb County Bar Association Family Law Section Presentation: “Equitable Caregiver” 2024

    • University of Georgia School of Law – Working in the Public Interest, presenter: 2016

    • Financial Issues in Divorce, Atlanta Bar Association – Family Law Section, presenter: 2016

    • Annual State Bar of Georgia Family Law Institute, presenter: 2011, 2014, 2015

    • Annual Alternative Dispute Resolution Institute and Neutrals Conference, presenter: 2015

    • The Guardian ad Litem, presenter: 2012

    • Gay Marriage/Same Sex Issues in Georgia, presenter: 2012, 2013

    • Hot Topics in Family Law, presenter: 2012

    • Ethics and the Practice of Law, DeKalb Bar Association, program chair: 2013

    • Guest Lecturer: John Marshall Law School, Atlanta, GA: 2009-2011

  • • Selected to Super Lawyers: 2018-2025

    • Atlanta Legal Aid Pro Bono Superstar: 2019, 2020

    • Stonewall Bar Association Outstanding Service to the Community: 2017