Qualifications:

Lloyd Kelso has practiced law in Gastonia, North Carolina since 1977.

Education:

• Hunter Huss High School in 1969
• Erskine College with a B.A. in History in 1973
• University of South Carolina School of Law with a Juris Doctorate in 1975
• Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary with a Masters Degree in Divinity, Magna Cum Laude, and a Masters Degree in Christian Counseling, Summa Cum Laude in 2006

Licenses:

• North Carolina, 1977
• South Carolina, 1976
• Tennessee, 1994
  

Specialist Certification:

• Board Certified Specialist in Family Law since 1989

Author of the following books:

• Kelso, Divorce, Alimony & Child Custody in North Carolina with Forms, (1983), (1989), (1995), (2003)
• Kelso, North Carolina Family Law Statutes, (2007), (2008), (2009)
• Kelso, North Carolina Family Law Practice, (2008), supplemented annually

Professional Associations:

• North Carolina Bar Association
• Christian Family Law Association, Founder
  
• Christian Legal Society
• Christian Trial Lawyer Association

Other Experiences: 

In addition to his experience in family law, Lloyd Kelso has diverse experiences in the practice of law. He has tried more than 100 jury trials. He has extensive experiences in personal injury cases. He has tried both criminal and civil cases before both judges and juries. In order to better serve you, he has now limited his practice primarily to family law and personal injury matters.

During his seminary experience, Mr. Kelso served as a Christian counselor at the Potter's House in Gastonia, North Carolina, helping to counsel women with histories of drug addiction and abuse. He also counseled men and women with addictions at Keystone, an alcohol and drug treatment center located in Rock Hill, South Carolina. He has clinical counseling experience at Carolina Counseling, Belmont, North Carolina, in treating clients with various emotional and mental issues.

Mr. Kelso has also taught Sunday School and special courses in church, such as Church History, the Sermon on the Mount, and the Gospel of John. He is a member of Christ United Methodist Church where he serves as Chairperson of Stewardship and a member of Administrative Council.

In addition to being a practicing attorney and writer of family law books, Mr. Kelso has served as a college instructor in various legal courses. From time to time he has written legal articles and spoken at legal seminars.  Mr. Kelso has also written legislation that has been enacted by the legislatures of both North Carolina and Tennessee.

Staff:

Mr. Kelso's wife, Debra Kelso, serves as office manager and paralegal for the firm. She holds a degree in paralegal studies from Kaplan University, with honors, and a Masters Degree in Theological Studies from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, Magna Cum Laude.

She has served as a paralegal for Mr. Kelso since 1995. Prior to 1995 she was a professional country music singer. Debra Kelso is a paralegal member of the Christian Family Law Association. She is also leader of the praise team at Christ United Methodist Church where she serves as a member of the Administrative Council.