Family & Civil Law Attorney
Jessica Lynn Means is originally from Cape Cod, Massachusetts and moved to South Carolina in 2005. She began her legal career working for a personal injury attorney while attending paralegal school in Florida and then became a paralegal for a domestic relations attorney (Mary Ann Hall) after moving to Charleston, South Carolina where her interest in family law was sparked.
Guardian Ad Litem – An Advocate for Children
Jessica Means earned her Bachelor of Arts from the University of Massachusetts, Boston in 2005 and her Juris Doctor from the Charleston School of Law in 2011. During law school, her passion to work with children began when she became a lay Guardian ad Litem and was appointed to represent children in DSS abuse and neglect cases in Charleston County Family Court. She performed over 100 Pro Bono hours of legal services in the Charleston community during law school as a lay Guardian ad Litem.
As an attorney, she represented lay Guardians ad Litem in Charleston and Dorchester County Family Courts handling abuse and neglect cases from 2013 to 2018. With the years of experience in handling difficult issues children were subject to in abuse and neglect cases, it provided Ms. Means the foundation to continue being an advocate for children. Her practice solely focuses on family law and much of her time is serving as a Private Guardian ad Litem in custody disputes. She finds it fulfilling dedicating part of her legal career to our future generations.
Attorney Focused on Family Law
In 2012, she opened Means Law Firm, LLC and in 2016 merged her firm with her long-time mentor, Mary Ann Hall. Their firm provides legal advice and advocacy for all aspects of family law. Ms. Means extensive courtroom experience provides her clients with the advocacy necessary to navigate through the difficulties of a separation, divorce, child custody and/or support issues.
Jessica L. Means is a member in good standing with the South Carolina Bar and the United States District Court, District of South Carolina. Ms. Means is also a member of the Charleston County Bar and South Carolina Women Lawyers Association. Ms. Means received the President’s Award from the South Carolina Bar Young Lawyers Division in 2016 for her service and leadership as a Co-Chair for the Families Forever Committee, which promotes adoption and foster care in South Carolina. In 2021, she was selected to the South Carolina Super Lawyers List as a Rising Star.
When she is not appearing in court or advocating for children or her clients, she enjoys working out, boating, being outdoors, spending time with family and friends and visiting tropical destinations.