SHARI McPHAIL

WHEELING — As a family law attorney, Shari McPhail helps people through some of the most challenging times of their lives as well as some of the best.

McPhail is the owner and lead attorney for McPhail Law in Wheeling. Her firm focuses on family law matters including divorce, adoptions, mediations, child custody, spousal support and guardianship.

McPhail said she feels lucky to have been practicing law for 25 years. She has two other lawyers who work for her at the firm.

“It’s an all-female law firm. It’s a really nice place to work, which is important when handling family law because it’s stressful,” she said.

She noted the family law court has also allowed her to schedule hearings around her family, which is helpful as a single mother.

Regarding the cases, McPhail said there are highs and lows.

“I think adoption cases are one of the happiest moments in court because you’re creating a family, which is so nice,” she said. “Divorce is horrible, but you could be helping someone get out of a terrible marriage.”

It is all emotional and at times stressful, but McPhail said she has a great team.

“My staff and I have been working together for years and I think we do a good job,” she said.

And what makes her firm special or different is that it does not focus on multiple types of law, just family law.

McPhail noted some people may not know that her path to becoming a lawyer was unplanned. A friend asked her to take the law school admission test with her in exchange for a free dinner at Chili’s.

“I walked in and took it with no preparation, totally relaxed. I did really well and got a scholarship to law school,” she said. “It’s amazing how one decision can change your path.”

She also credits her family for pushing her study early on.

“I did well in high school and had good grades. Education was important to my grandparents and parents,” McPhail said.

People may also not know that she left home at 17 years old and became a mother then as well. She still attended college and then law school. While in law school two of her children were 3 and 5 years old.

One of the reasons she decided to practice family law was to help people like her.

“It motivated me to help other people,” she said. “I know what it’s like to go to school after being up all night with a kid with a fever.”

Regarding the future of family law, McPhail said artificial intelligence appears to be coming more involved and that it is not always accurate.

“Sometimes clients come in with their own AI research … and think the information is accurate,” she said. “As technology improves, I don’t know how it will affect the law, but it’s definitely having an impact.”