Pro Bono Volunteer of the Month – June 2023

Emily McFarling of McFarling Law Group

Emily McFarling has been practicing law in Las Vegas for about 20-years.  She is a Nevada family law specialist and fellow of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers and International Academy of Family Lawyers.  She manages a law firm, but her own practice is focused on family law appeals and mediation.

While her practice is primarily focused on representing clients in the Nevada Supreme Court, Nevada Court of Appeals, and Clark County District Court Family Division, Emily is also licensed to practice in the United States Supreme Court, 9th Circuit Court of Appeals, United States District Court – District of Nevada, as well as all state courts in Arizona and California.

Emily writes children’s book for children going through family law issues and operates a small publishing company.  In her free time, she is a country and jazz singer.  She is a mom to two amazing teen boys and four dogs and loves spending time with them.

Emily has been involved with Legal Aid Center of Southern Nevada her 20-year career.  She has assisted the pro bono department handling numerous cases from family law, Guardianship, Probate and Children’s Attorney Project (CAP) cases.

When asked why she does pro bono.  Emily shared that she does pro bono to help people in our community with what she can provide most, and that is her work through representing them with their legal issues.

We asked her to share one of her most memorable clients and her story was rather touching.  She shared that she represented a woman who tried to present evidence of domestic violence is district court, but it was excluded by the Judge because it occurred prior to the last court order which confirmed a settlement for her to have primary physical custody. Because the court did not consider the domestic violence that was the reason she has primary physical custody in the first place, custody was modified to award dad primary physical custody.  Emily appealed the decision and it was reversed.  The published decision in the case now makes very clear that the court must consider evidence from prior to the last custody order presented in defense of a motion to modify custody.

Emily’s conviction and readiness to help those who need it the most make her an extraordinary person and attorney of the month.  We are grateful to work along with her in bringing much needed justice to vulnerable clients.  Congratulations, Emily McFarling.