Who We Are
Family Law Firm
Warner Law
Warner Law is a family law firm based in Columbia, serving South Carolina. Over the last two decades, Carrie Warner has represented clients in over 1,000 family law matters successfully litigating complex cases related to divorce, child custody and child support, asset and property division, alimony, and estate litigation. We are a progressive firm with a focus on protecting and advocating for our clients’ best interests, while proactively working to minimize the emotional and financial toll that family law cases often bring.
A proven trial attorney, Ms. Warner has built a distinguished career seeking justice and equality for all types of families and individuals. Her legal experience has equipped her to provide proven legal representation in various family law matters.
Passionate. Practical. Prepared.
Our Commitment to You
Compassionate Understanding
We will approach your case with compassion, empathy and understanding. We are sensitive to what you are facing and understand that you are making life-changing decisions. You are more than just another legal case to us.
Client Partnerships
We believe in empowering you with knowledge and guidance so that you can make informed decisions for your family's future. Your goals become our goals, and we work together as partners to achieve them.
Collaborative
We maintain positive relationships with attorneys, judges, mediators, and Guardian ad Litems. We strive to be a resource for our community and to share as much of our knowledge as we can.
Resilience
We stay strong and focused, even when you are not. No matter how challenging a case may be we remain steadfast in reaching the best outcome for you.
Integrity
Upholding the highest standards of professional ethics and integrity is non-negotiable for us. Our reputation is built on trust, and we strive to earn and maintain your confidence every step of the way.
Continued Learning
We are dedicated to staying on top of the latest legal developments and technological advancements to better serve your needs. Through ongoing education and training, we continuously improve our skills and expertise.
Accountability
We take responsibility for our actions and decisions, and we hold ourselves accountable to you. Our success is defined by your satisfaction with the representation you received from us.
Carrie Warner
Family Law Is All I Have Ever Known
My late father, Jan Warner, was an accomplished and widely known family law attorney and nationally syndicated author in South Carolina, so this area of law runs in my blood. It is all I have ever known, and I cannot imagine doing anything else.
After I graduated from law school, I was fortunate enough to practice with my father. Little did I know how invaluable these 5 years with him would be, due to his premature death in 2009. He threw me into the fire immediately, he was tough on me, and I was handling complex cases, clients, and trial work right out of law school.
I was young and eager to make my own mark and to step out of my dad’s shadow. Now, with a few more years and a lot more wisdom under my belt, I see how invaluable my time working with him was. He was a fierce advocate for his clients, protected the elderly, and was a behemoth in the courtroom and I could not have asked for a better teacher and mentor.
Education
• Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice, Magna Cum Laude, Phi Beta Kappa, University of South Carolina
• Juris Doctor, University of South Carolina School of Law
Bar Admissions
• State of South Carolina
• District of Columbia
• U.S. District Court for District of South Carolina
• U.S. Court of Appeals, 4th Circuit
• U.S. Supreme Court
Professional Associations
• American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers
• American Bar Association
• Richland County Bar Association
• Lexington County Bar Association
Awards & Service
• South Carolina Lawyers Weekly Leadership in Law Honoree in 2020
• National Trial Lawyers Top 100
• National Trial Lawyers Top 30 Matrimonial and Family Law
• National Advocates Top 100 Matrimonial and Family Lawyers
• Legal Elite for the Midlands
• Elite Lawyer
• National Association of Distinguished Counsel
• Fellow, American Bar Foundation
• SC Bar Association Practice and Procedure Committee
• AAML Mentorship Committee
• Instructor, SC Bar Association Family Law Trial Intensive
We Are Different
I know the reputation that lawyers have is not great, and I want to change that. This is why I started Warner Law, because I am not the stereotypical lawyer. You will not find dark mahogany furniture and a library of antiquated law books here.
When clients come to me, they are facing emotionally charged life changing situations, and these times are hopefully the hardest they will ever have. I want to make this process as easy as I can and for my clients to be confident that they made the right decision when they hired me.
Proven Trial Lawyer
I have practiced law for over 20 years and represented over 1,000 clients in family law matters. Many lawyers would rather settle cases, sometimes to the detriment of their clients, than do the demanding work to advocate for them in Court.
I believe that every effort should be made to settle family disputes, both because it minimizes the cost involved and you are making these decisions instead of a judge. However, every case has different circumstances, and different personalities involved. Some cases simply cannot be settled because the other side is unreasonable. I will never encourage settlement when it is not in your best interest. I shoulder each case as if it were my own, providing strong and aggressive representation with the understanding that you will be the one living with the outcomes of your case. I take my role seriously knowing that.
Favorite Types Of Cases
I welcome complex, and highly contested cases because I enjoy the challenge of litigation. Some of these include custody issues with complex issues, high asset cases with novel financial issues, and cases involving sexual abuse.
Find Exceptional Counsel
Same-Sex Marriage Fight
Every individual and family deserve equality and equal protection under the law, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity. Throughout my career, I have provided solutions for LGBTQ clients, ensuring they have the legal protections they need and deserve.
Much of my work has been focused on protecting couples who, at the time, did not have the right to marry but still required essential legal safeguards, such as custody orders, powers of attorney, wills, and other related legal documents.
When the historic Obergefell decision was handed down by the United States Supreme Court, I recognized it as a pivotal moment—a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to secure the same legal right to marry for everyone. Partnering with my esteemed colleague and co-counsel, John Nichols, we filed a federal court case that challenged South Carolina’s refusal to recognize marriages performed out-of-state.
In 2014, our perseverance paid off, and we achieved a landmark victory. South Carolina was compelled to recognize these marriages as valid, ensuring that countless couples received the legal recognition and rights they deserved.