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The Manely Firm, long recognized in Georgia for its work in family law, is broadening its practice into immigration law, a move that Managing Attorney Kourtney Bernard-Rance describes as a natural extension of its mission to serve families comprehensively during times of crisis.
Ms. Bernard-Rance, who has been with The Manely Firm for six years, leads the immigration practice. Her path to immigration law was shaped early in her career through work in child advocacy, where she first encountered families navigating both family court and immigration challenges.
“Because we practice international family law, it has never been uncommon for us to work with clients who face both family and immigration issues,” Ms. Bernard-Rance says. “Immigration challenges can create uncertainty that threatens family stability. Expanding into immigration law allows us to close that gap and help families more completely.”
Bridging Family and Immigration Law
The Manely Firm’s new immigration services complement its family law work in divorce, custody, legitimation, child support and international family disputes, as immigration status often plays a role in these cases, particularly in custody decisions where judges weigh the stability of a child’s living situation, Ms. Bernard-Rance explains.
By keeping immigration representation in-house, the firm aims to streamline outcomes for families. Ms. Bernard-Rance cited a past custody case involving an undocumented parent, where immigration status became a central issue.
Previously, such cases required partnering with outside counsel. Now, with immigration expertise within the firm, The Manely Firm can build coordinated legal strategies across its six offices in Georgia (Atlanta, Columbus, Cumming, Lawrenceville, Marietta and Savannah).
Concierge-Level Care for Families
The expansion reflects what the firm calls its “concierge-level service” approach — supporting clients not just with legal matters, but also with the broader crises they face. Beyond legal strategy, that can mean connecting families with financial planners, childcare providers or other resources to help them stabilize during and after legal proceedings.
“We want to be the transformative professional service for families,” Ms. Bernard-Rance says. “That means addressing every piece of their crisis, not just the legal issue in isolation.”
A Global Perspective
With a London office and clients across the world, The Manely Firm has long been positioned as an international family law firm that happens to be based in Georgia. Expanding into immigration law strengthens this global outlook, offering international families in Atlanta and abroad a full spectrum of support.
Ms. Bernard-Rance notes a trend of families proactively planning for potential immigration challenges — such as deportation or adjustment of status — rather than waiting until a crisis hits. The firm’s new practice is designed to meet this growing need, particularly among the state’s diverse international community.
Looking Ahead
The launch of The Manely Firm’s immigration practice is about more than adding another area of expertise — it is about aligning with the firm’s values of care and long-term support for families, Ms. Bernard-Rance asserts.
“It’s not just family law issues anymore,” she says. “It’s also immigration issues. We’re building the bridge between the two so we can better serve families and set them up for success.”
