Michael L. Hawkins & Associates PLLC

Michael L. Hawkins & Associates PLLC represents a full-service family law practice grounded in local expertise, network relationships, and genuine commitment to helping clients achieve their goals. Founded in 2001 by Michael L. Hawkins, the firm has grown to include experienced associate attorneys and professional support staff, creating a comprehensive legal resource for families throughout central Kentucky facing divorce and family law challenges.

Michael L. Hawkins is a Frankfort native, a fact that shapes everything about how he practices law. Being a native of the community he serves means Michael understands not just the legal landscape, but the social landscape—the relationships, institutions, values, and concerns that matter to Frankfort families. Throughout his legal career, Michael has deliberately invested in building and maintaining a network of professional contacts with judges, prosecutors, and other legal professionals who work within the Frankfort court system. This network is not merely a collection of acquaintances; it represents relationships built through years of professional interaction, mutual respect, and reliable conduct. These relationships allow Michael to approach cases with specific knowledge of how particular judges think about family law issues, what kinds of arguments resonate with specific judicial officers, and how to navigate the system strategically.

Michael's educational background prepared him well for the varied, complex practice of family law. He earned his Bachelor of Science in Economics from Centre College in Danville, Kentucky in 1992, a rigorous foundation in financial analysis and economic thinking that proves invaluable in family law practice. Property division, support calculations, business valuation, and financial dispute resolution all require sophisticated economic analysis, and Michael's undergraduate training gives him a strong foundation in these essential skills.

Following his undergraduate education, Michael pursued law at Salmon P. Chase College of Law in Highland Heights, Kentucky, earning his Juris Doctor in 1995. He was admitted to the Kentucky Bar that same year, beginning a legal career marked by professional growth and deepening expertise. His early career trajectory included service as a partner at Cleveland & Hawkins, L.L.P. from 1998 until 2001, and concurrent service as an Assistant to the Commonwealth Attorney in Franklin County from 1998 until 2004. This dual role was particularly valuable; it allowed Michael to gain comprehensive understanding of the criminal justice system while developing expertise in civil family law, giving him unique perspective on how criminal and civil law interact in family matters.

In 2001, Michael made the decision to establish his own firm, Michael L. Hawkins & Associates PLLC. This founding reflected both his confidence in his capabilities and his commitment to providing personalized, client-focused legal representation. Over the years, the firm has grown to include two associate attorneys and three office support staff, creating a team that can handle multiple client matters simultaneously while maintaining personal attention to each client's individual needs.

Michael's credentials as a family law attorney include certification as a Family Law Mediator, a credential that reflects specific training in mediation techniques and commitment to alternative dispute resolution. Mediation can be particularly valuable in family law matters, allowing divorcing parties to work toward mutually acceptable solutions with the guidance of a neutral third party, rather than engaging in adversarial litigation. Michael's mediator training and certification allow him to guide clients toward mediated resolutions when appropriate, or to facilitate mediation between parties when both want to avoid court proceedings.

The firm's practice encompasses the full spectrum of family law matters. Michael represents clients in divorce proceedings, handling both contested and uncontested dissolutions. The firm has particular expertise in complex property division, including division of business assets—a critical area because many family law clients have built or own businesses during their marriages, and determining how business interests should be divided raises complex valuation and financial questions. The firm also handles division of debts, spousal support (alimony), child custody and visitation, child support, and relocation matters.

The firm's ability to address criminal law and personal injury matters alongside family law creates additional value for clients. People facing family dissolution sometimes also face criminal charges; having attorneys who can provide comprehensive representation across multiple legal challenges creates significant practical advantages. Similarly, clients injured in accidents during the period of divorce or facing other personal injury matters benefit from having their entire legal portfolio handled by attorneys who understand how different legal matters interact.

Michael's service area is substantial, reflecting the reputation he has built and the relationships he has developed. The firm handles cases throughout Franklin, Fayette, Jefferson, Shelby, Anderson, Carroll, Gallatin, Henry, Scott, Owen, and Woodford counties—a wide territory that speaks to the quality of work Michael and his associates provide. Clients from throughout this region trust the firm to represent their interests effectively.

What distinguishes Michael L. Hawkins & Associates PLLC is the combination of local rootedness, professional network, comprehensive legal knowledge, and genuine commitment to client service. Michael is not a generic family law attorney; he is a Frankfort native with established relationships and local expertise. He brings not just legal knowledge, but specific understanding of how Frankfort courts operate and how to navigate the legal system effectively. His firm, now including associate attorneys and professional support staff, has the capacity to handle multiple client matters while maintaining the personal attention that family law clients deserve.

For families in Frankfort and surrounding central Kentucky communities facing divorce, custody disputes, property division, or other family law challenges, Michael L. Hawkins & Associates PLLC offers experienced, locally rooted legal representation from an attorney with deep community connections and proven expertise. Contact the firm at (502) 219-2916 to discuss how Michael and his associates can help you navigate your family law matter.