Chelsi Jolly
Senior Associate Attorney | Gastonia
Chelsi Jolly is a Senior Associate Attorney in the Gastonia office of McIlveen Family Law Firm. The daughter and stepdaughter of two family law attorneys, she began working in a family law firm at 17 and has practiced family law in both California and North Carolina.
What kinds of cases does Chelsi Jolly handle?
Chelsi represents clients in child custody, child support, spousal support, equitable distribution, domestic violence, divorce and separation agreement matters. She also represents clients in mediation and arbitration.
How did Chelsi come to family law?
Chelsi grew up in a blended family of four children with two family law attorneys at the dinner table, so trial strategy and case management were ordinary conversation. She started working at a family law firm at 17 and never seriously considered another area of practice.
Where did Chelsi Jolly go to school?
Chelsi earned a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Clemson University and her J.D. from the University of North Carolina School of Law in Chapel Hill, where she focused on family law through coursework and internships.
What experience did Chelsi have before joining McIlveen Family Law Firm?
After law school Chelsi practiced family law at a Beverly Hills firm in Los Angeles, California, and volunteered at a domestic violence clinic in Santa Monica. She is a member of the North Carolina State Bar, the Gaston County Bar Association and the State Bar of California (inactive).
How does Chelsi approach a case?
Chelsi's goal is for clients to understand their case well enough to make confident decisions. She begins by learning what each client actually wants, explains the law and the realistic options in plain language, and then advocates for those goals, whether that means negotiating a separation agreement or trying a custody case. Clients describe her as a compassionate advisor who is also a tenacious advocate.
What recognition has Chelsi Jolly received?
Chelsi was selected to the North Carolina Super Lawyers Rising Stars list for family law (2025–2027) and is listed in Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® in America for family law (2026–2027). Details are listed below.
Outside the Practice of Law
Chelsi spends her time off with family, hiking Crowders Mountain with her dogs, Bowman and Charlie, or reading a good book.
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Awards
- Selected to North Carolina Super Lawyers Rising Stars list, Family Law, 2025 - 2027
- Listed in Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® in America for Family Law, 2026-2027
Memberships and Affiliations
- North Carolina State Bar
- State Bar of California (inactive)
- Gaston County Bar Association