Michelle B Rapoport

Michelle Rapoport brings over thirty years of family law experience to Warner Bates. Educated at Emory Law School, she chose to make Atlanta her home and has practiced in all metro counties representing individuals during their times of transition. Her areas of expertise include divorce, child custody and support, pre- and post-nuptial agreements, adoptions, guardianships, wills, mediation, and arbitration. She is equipped to litigate or utilize collaborative processes, adjusting her approach to the needs of her clients and their situations.

For her work in family and domestic law, Michelle has been recognized by her peers and the judiciary, consistently holding the highest possible rating (“AV”) for legal ability and ethical standards. She was also selected for Bar Register of Preeminent Women Lawyers by Martindale-Hubbell.

Early in her career, she served as a Special Assistant Attorney General representing the Fulton County Department of Family and Children Services, protecting abused and neglected children. This resulted in a special interest in advocating on behalf of minors. She has become one of our state’s longest serving Guardian ad Litems, serving in this capacity both privately and for the Atlanta Volunteer Lawyers Foundation since 1991.

In addition to representing clients, Michelle has served as an educator. She has been an Adjunct Professor at Georgia State College of Law, teaching Advanced Family Law Litigation, and a long standing faculty member of Emory Law School’s National Institute of Trial Advocacy Program. She also regularly mentors law students and younger lawyers.

Michelle was born in Boston, Massachusetts and raised in New York City. She graduated with honors from the University of Pennsylvania with degrees in Political Science and History. Subsequently, she attended Emory University School of Law, and was admitted to the State Bar of Georgia in 1983. She is married with two grown daughters. Raised by immigrant parents, she has native fluency in French as well as English.

Education

Emory University School of Law, J.D.

University of Pennsylvania, B.A.

Recognition

“AV Preeminent Attorney” rating by Martindale-Hubbell

Bar Register of Preeminent Women Lawyers

Professional Organizations

American Bar Association: Family Law Section

State Bar of Georgia: Family Law Section; Women in the Profession Section; National, State and Regional High School Mock Trial Committees

Atlanta Bar Association: Family Law Section

Georgia Office of Dispute Resolution: Registered Neutral

Georgia Association of Women Lawyers: Judicial Selection Committee

Atlanta Volunteer Lawyers: Guardian ad Litem

Atlanta Legal Aid: Pro bono counsel to domestic violence victims and trans-gender individuals

Georgia Council on Child Abuse: Legal counsel

Atlanta Outreach Center: Advisor

Admissions

Georgia