FIGHTING SPIRIT: CHARLOTTE LAWYER NICOLE SODOMA GUIDES CLIENTS THROUGH THE COMPLEX PROCESS OF DIVORCE, CUSTODY AND OTHER FAMILY MATTERS.

• Author: Leggett, Page
• Position: NC TREND: Game changers: Profile of a female leader

Charlotte lawyer Nicole Sodoma isn't afraid to deliver a tough message. "I told somebody recently, 'I'm not the right attorney for you,'" she says. "'But someone else in my firm is.'"

The 42-year-old Florence, S.C., native grew up in a blended family with all boys--she was the lone girl among five brothers.

"Because I founded and run a law firm, I get asked a lot about what hurdles I had to jump to get where I am," she says. "I never saw my gender as an obstacle."

A graduate of College of Charleston and Samford University's law school in Birmingham, Ala., Sodoma handles separation, divorce and custody issues; pre- and postnuptial agreements; adoption and surrogacy; and domestic-violence cases. Over the last decade, Sodoma has recruited a dozen other lawyers to offer services including business litigation, employment and estates. With two Charlotte offices and satellites in Monroe and Rock Hill, S.C., it's one of the state's ' largest woman-owned law firms. Her office is in a renovated home in Charlotte's Dilworth neighborhood that was built in 1903 by civic leader Walter Brem.

The conversation has been edited for brevity and clarity.

* WHAT MADE YOU WANT TO GO INTO FAMILY LAW?

It's such a special area of practice. I get to have a direct impact on families and children and work directly with people. I might have a client who's been a stay-at-home mom and is now going through a divorce and hasn't had to know about budgets or balance sheets. It's my job to help her find the right teachers. The flipside of that is the person who hasn't had the opportunity to stay at home. They're not used to carpools, after-school activities, doctors' visits, and now, suddenly, they have to be more involved in the day-to-day. I love the opportunity to give both those clients the right information.

* HOW DO YOU DESCRIBE YOUR COURTROOM STYLE?

Fearless. Prepared. A staunch advocate. I don't like to lose. You've been selected to be the voice for your client. I take that very seriously, as does every single member of this firm. [In December] I published a blog post that describes our approach, but I'm not sure you'll be able to print the headline.

* LET'S SEE.

Badass gladiators. We're tenacious and compassionate. Being in a courtroom can be acrimonious, exhausting, expensive. Part of the strategy has to be knowing which battles to fight.

* WHAT QUESTIONS SHOULD SOMEONE ASK WHEN LOOKING FOR A DIVORCE ATTORNEY?

You've got to ask about communication and how that will...