Cary Close
Managing Partner & Founder
Named Business North Carolina’s 2021 Legal Elite Top Family Lawyer in the state.
Cary started the firm as a solo practice in 2006 with the goal of providing the highest quality legal services to men and women faced with the biggest crisis of their life: a divorce. An equally important goal was to maintain a personal connection with each and every client, which continues to this day.
Cary is a Raleigh native who has been married for over 30 years, is a mother of three, and now has a granddaughter. She is a graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and Campbell Law School (cum laude), where she was a member of Law Review and the Moot Court team. After law school, Cary clerked for the Honorable K. Edward Greene at the N.C. Court of Appeals.
Over her career of almost 30 years, Cary has built a solid reputation as one of the most respected divorce attorneys in Raleigh, North Carolina and has helped hundreds of divorcing spouses navigate the often frightening and confusing journey that begins with marital separation. Cary’s clients receive high-quality legal representation and a straightforward, practical approach to their cases. For more than a decade, each year Cary has been selected by her peers across the state as one of the top family lawyers, as published in Business North Carolina’s “Legal Elite” issue and North Carolina Super Lawyers. The firm is consistently ranked as Top Tier by U.S. News – Best Law Firms.
An experienced and passionate litigator, Cary will fight for her clients in court when settlement is not an option. She is a strong advocate for her clients, protecting their rights, their children and their financial stability.
Cary is also a certified Family Financial Mediator who is frequently asked by other family lawyers to help resolve their clients’ cases out of court.
Kelly Smith
Partner, Board Certified Specialist in Family Law
Named Business North Carolina’s 2021 Legal Elite Young Gun.
In January, 2020, Kelly K. Smith became a partner of the firm and the firm name was changed to Close Smith Family Law. As a partner, Kelly brings an invaluable dynamic to Close Smith as the mother of two boys and a recently credentialed Board Certified Specialist in Family Law, certified by the North Carolina State Bar of Legal Specialization.
Kelly earned her Bachelor of Arts in Journalism and Mass Communication from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and her Juris Doctor from Elon University School of Law. Kelly is a member of the Family Law Section of the North Carolina Bar Association and the Wake County Bar Association.
Growing up in Emerald Isle, Kelly is the youngest of six children in a “blended family.” She brings this first-hand perspective, along with her academic and professional experience, to the practice of family law. Her goal is to help her clients move beyond divorce and position themselves to have happy, productive lives. Kelly tells clients, “going through separation and divorce is difficult and things may get worse before they get better, but my goal is to bump into you a few years down the road and hear about how great things are going in your life.”
When not practicing law, Kelly enjoys cooking and spending time with her husband and two sons.
Keri Kimmons
Paralegal
A Raleigh native, Keri has worked in the legal field for many years. She brings with her many years of experience assisting attorneys in the areas of criminal defense, civil litigation, and family law. Keri received her undergraduate degree from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte in 2006 and obtained her Certificate in Paralegal Studies from Cape Fear Community College in 2010. Outside of work, Keri enjoys spending time with her family, going to the beach, and running.
Maggie Strain
Firm Administrator
Growing up a military brat, then subsequently marrying into the military, Maggie has lived and traveled all over the world. (17 countries–more to come!) She’s never stayed in one place more than a few years & always felt “wanderlust” just in time to go to the next place. She chose The Raleigh area to finally plant roots because it’s the perfect place to raise kids & to also be closer to her family. She received her B.S in Criminal Justice & Sociology from Old Dominion University in 2006, an Elementary Education degree from East Carolina University in 2013 & her Paralegal Studies Certificate from UNC in 2021. The daughter of an attorney, she’s always been interested in the legal field and thought this would be a foot in the door–who knows? Perhaps Law School will be next! She was drawn to work in Family Law because having been through the divorce/custody process herself, she wanted to help guide people through the process with the knowledge she’s been there too.
Prior to working at Close Smith, she worked in the hospitality industry for 20 years, in Education for 2 years & in Federal Investigations on & off for 15!
She loves the outdoors—beach and mountains equally; depending on the season & scenery. In her free time, she enjoys working out, trying new foods & spending time with family & friends. Maggie & her husband Michael have 4 boys between them that keep them extremely busy.
