For two decades Shiel Edlin has been one of Atlanta’s – indeed, one of the nation’s – top matrimonial attorneys. Powerfully intuitive, energetic and confident, Edlin is widely regarded as something of a force of nature, particularly in the courthouses of Greater Atlanta where he’s well established as a formidable courtroom adversary. Now in his 50s and in the prime of his career, Edlin is in great demand among members of the Atlanta elite who regularly face high-stakes, contentious divorce matters. His longtime partnership with George Stern, and their 6-attorney boutique practice in Buckhead, today is one of the region’s headquarters of divorce law.

Edlin grew up in Atlanta and attended Dykes High School. By his own estimation his was a charming but unfocused youth, even after college. He caught a competitive fire as two brothers built successful business careers. “I decided to make law school my full-time job.” He graduated at the top of his class at Mercer; still, his first job was a state court clerkship. “I got all the cases no one else wanted. I was on the lowest rung, but it was valuable experience.” In 1981, two years out of law school, he shared office space with Stern, 17 years Edlin’s senior. Their partnership emerged from that, and they have practiced law together – almost entirely divorce law – ever since. A key figure in Edlin’s career, Stern has been, uniquely, both colleague and mentor, “a great lawyer and great influence on me.” Edlin in many respects has reached the pinnacle of his career; in 2006 he was elected chair of the Family Law Section of the State Bar of Georgia.

Known for both charm and intensity, Edlin’s true asset is his willingness to work tirelessly for clients, who often have the most complex and high-stakes cases in the region. “One case led to another – that’s the way I built my practice.” Other attorneys respect Edlin’s sixth sense in the courtroom, his capacity to anticipate and detect opponent’s strategies before they are even presented. He and his firm are frequently called into cases as "late case evaluators," an increasingly important role. He’s built a record of trial successes on that reputation; indeed, it serves as a powerful deterrent, keeping his clients out of court.

Fit and trim, Edlin runs the Peachtree Road Race each year. Edlin and his wife, fifth generation Atlantan Margo Weiller, have two children, one in college. He is also a founder of his synagogue, Congregation Or Hadash.

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