Hayley Hollands

One of the most rewarding cases of my career involved a father who initially had only every-other-weekend parenting time with his two young children. The post-decree case lasted for years and was emotional, contentious, and exhausting for everyone involved. Despite the challenges, my client never stopped showing up for his kids. After extensive litigation and a multi-day trial, the court ruled in our favor on every major issue and awarded him primary custody. What makes this case especially meaningful is that I still hear from the family years later. Getting updates on the children and seeing how well they are doing reminds me why this work matters. 

I represented a young father whose child was only six months old. He loved his child deeply and wanted to be an active, equal parent, but he felt he was being treated as less important simply because he was the father. The mother opposed equal parenting time, but we successfully advocated for his right to have an equal role in his child’s life. He was not trying to take anything away from the other parent he simply wanted the opportunity to raise his child. Helping him secure equal parenting rights and time was a powerful reminder that good parents deserve to be judged by their commitment, not stereotypes.

I represented a survivor of domestic violence who was terrified to tell her story in court. She had endured years of verbal and physical abuse and worried that no one would believe her. Together, we prepared for her hearing, and when the time came, she found the courage to share what she had experienced. The court believed her, entered favorable orders, and gave her and her children a path forward. What stays with me most is not the court’s ruling, but watching her take back control of her life. Being able to stand beside someone during that moment and help them find their voice is one of the most meaningful parts of my job.