The founding partners in the flourishing practice of hastings Shadmehry Family Law make it a point of pride to fight fiercely for their clients and bring a sense of peace and calm to the process. Armed with a robust and revamped website, Andrea Dyer Hastings, known as Andee, and Mali Shadmehry proudly proclaim that they are warriors and diplomats in a law firm that takes on causes, not cases.
Authentic, down-to-earth, energetic and precise, the female duo knows that their clients are sometimes fragile and often emotionally stressed; their goal is to make a difficult situation as stress-free as possible.
The partners at Hastings Shadmehry, which is based in Alpharetta, know that their clients fear the unknown, and the two women do their level best to dispel such fears by stressing that family law requires a multilevel approach—involving mediation and sometimes therapy. “Clients fear the unknown, and we build trust by dispelling those fears,” says Hastings.
The firm’s promise to clients is succinct and comforting. “While many attorneys excel at either settling or trial, we master both, providing strategic, comprehensive support,” Hastings says. “At this firm, we play chess, not checkers.”
The team of 20 employees, affectionately referred to as the “wolf pack,” is comprised of lawyers and other colleagues, including a marketing arm. Hastings Shadmehry offers a range of services, including prenuptial and postnuptial agreements, divorce, mediation, separation agreements, alimony modification, child custody matters, child support modification, contempt actions, adoption, legitimation and paternity, family violence and restraining orders, as well as grandparent’s rights.
“We give our clients the support they need, and we only hire the most rock star attorneys. You can’t teach that, and you are who you surround yourself with,” notes Shadmehry. “We are the wolf pack—no one is left behind.”
About 67% of the firm’s business centers on divorce, often prominent, high-profile cases. With a largely female roster of employees, Hastings Shadmehry represents men and women in equal measure, and approximately 75% to 80% of the firm’s cases are settled before going to trial. “If we are going to trial, it means the other side wasn’t willing to settle, or they have a crazy client with outrageous demands, and they will need a judge to set them straight,” says Shadmehry, who has been working closely with Hastings ever since they joined forces in 2019 at a previous incarnation of the law firm.
The founders approach their jobs holistically and are both highly aware that to help their clients achieve maximum success, they themselves need to be balanced in mind, body and spirit. To that end, they take every precaution to avoid burnout. “We make sure we do our homework for every client, and we need to be physically up to the task to ensure we always come to the table very well prepared,” says Shadmehry. “We don’t just show up with a pad and paper and wing it. The best results come from fully understanding both sides of the conflict.”
The women, who are not only partners but best friends, have a natural camaraderie that is evident on their twice monthly podcast, The Hastings Shadmehry Show (soon to be called Forward Facing). The podcast can be heard on Apple, Spotify and YouTube. The program covers wide-ranging topics and is laced with personal anecdotes, legal tutorials and humor. Themes include no-fault divorce, self-growth, juvenile law, summer parenting time, personal empowerment, narcissism and divorce, financial affidavits, the first step in a divorce, and meet the partners, among many other intriguing topics.
“Together, we have more than 50 years of experience helping our clients survive and thrive through the pain of divorce and other family law matters,” says Hastings. “All families aren’t alike, so all solutions shouldn’t be alike. Mali and I concentrate on finding the best solution for our clients and their families.”
At Hastings Shadmehry, mediation is an important phase in the divorce process. In fact, it is often utilized with great success and can save clients money. Unlike court proceedings, mediation keeps control in the hands of the client, and it allows them to craft the terms of the divorce or custody arrangement. “Mediation is a confidential process, meaning personal details stay private and are not discussed in a public court setting,” says Hastings, who is the managing partner of the firm.
The firm’s new and improved website provides an opportunity to meet Hastings and Shadmehry without leaving your home, and at the same time get a crash course in virtually all areas of family law through the lively and educational podcasts. “Andee and I like to row in the same direction and at the same speed,” says Shadmehry. “We have both evolved as leaders, and joining forces has been a fantastic experience and a catalyst in that regard.”
Ever since she was a child, Hastings always had a soft spot in her heart for the underdog. So, a career in law, where she could champion the underdog, made sense. “I come into these situations with a sense of wanting to help—to make people feel better about their situation. I want my clients to know that they are in good, strong, capable hands, and that I will do everything I can to deliver a great resolution to their case,” she says.
Trained as a guardian ad litem, Hastings specializes in protecting the interests of children who are involved in contested custody matters. Also trained and certified as a mediator, she lectures on family law issues at events sponsored by church, civic and business organizations.
For Shadmehry, the lure of the legal profession was likewise a constant in her life. “God put me on this planet to go to court. Once it happened, the world sort of shifted,” she says. She also likes mentoring the newer law associates and watching them evolve professionally. She prides herself on giving tough advice when it’s necessary and on guiding clients in their decision-making. She currently serves as the president of the Forsyth County Bar Association, a role she takes very seriously.
Together, Hastings and Shadmehry represent more than just legal expertise—they embody resilience, purpose and progress. As they continue to guide their clients through some of life’s most difficult moments, their unwavering partnership serves as a powerful example of what it means to lead with integrity and heart, and they remain dedicated to shaping a future that’s not only legally sound but also deeply human. *
Ellen Uribe is an award-winning journalist and a communications expert. She is a sought-after speaker, participating as a moderator and panelist at numerous industry events, conferences and broadcast outlets. She has contributed to Vanity Fair, Palm Beach Life, The New York Times, Chicago Tribune, Women’s Wear Daily and Time Magazine.
