Our Team

Joi Fairell

As a child, in my generation the “go to” answer when asked what you wanted to be when you grew up was always a doctor or a lawyer. I had settled in my kid-like mind that I would be a doctor. I never knew a doctor nor had I ever looked into what it took to be a doctor until I actually got to college. It was then that I realized I wanted nothing to do with being a doctor, after all I hated math and the thought of blood was nauseating. By the time I finished my freshman year at Georgia Southern University, I had changed my major from pre-medicine to undeclared. I really did not know what to do. I had my mind set on doing something in broadcasting or journalism but the thought of that career did not move my soul.

As I started my sophomore year I was getting concerned that I did not have a plan for my life. It was then that I sought out God’s guidance. I decided that I would be silent until God ordered my steps for what was next. The entire first semester went by and nothing sparked my soul. One Saturday morning, I got a random phone call from a distant family friend.

We chatted very briefly but in that conversation he said something about me being called to be a Lawyer. I remember turning my nose up to the thought of wanting to be what everyone wanted to be. As a child that was expected but I was an adult now. I liked to be different, I was a born leader not a follower.

I prayed about this whole Lawyer revelation a few more weeks and God just kept confirming that this was it, this is what he was calling me to do. I knew it was right and from God because I felt a big tingle in my heart. I only had one really big problem. I needed to find out how someone becomes a Lawyer! I had never even met a Lawyer. I literally started with a google search “how to become a lawyer.”

I took notes on what it took and it was going to take a lot! Especially from someone who needed to be applying to law school in less than 18 months. I quickly learned that there were zero resources on my college campus for black students who wanted to be lawyers. Instead of being defeated by a lack of resources, I set out to create a resource so that anyone like me would have a fighting chance to try to succeed.

I worked tirelessly to help start up the first undergraduate chapter of the Black Law Students Association, which was traditionally an organization for students already enrolled in law school. I recruited members to join and it was my souls desire to guide them to their dreams. I arranged law school tours, information sessions, test preparation seminars, you name it and I did it. What I developed became a multi award winning organization that dozens and dozens of undergraduate institutions have followed.

While working diligently to help others reach their dream, I of course was on a fast track to my dreams. I knew the statics of black women being accepted into top ranked law schools, the odds were low. That did not stop me, I applied to my dream school. The University of Georgia School of Law, a tier 1 ranked institution. I got in. The day I got my acceptance letter, February 13, 2007 I was convinced that God had his favor on my life. I had beat the odds.

The next struggle arose in law school. It is one thing to get to law school but you have to survive, graduate and pass the bar exam too. I did all that thanks to God’s grace by the age of 25. I was such a young and eager lawyer, ready to make a difference in the world. I was so excited. I had a job offer that I accepted with decent pay. What could go wrong? Well, Everything.

I have always been a person with extremely high standards and expectations. What most people consider above average, I consider below average. Needless to say, I had major expectations on my first job. When I arrived at my first day of work, my office was not even ready. I did not have a desk or a computer. How was I supposed to work…didn’t they know I was starting today? These thoughts crossed my mind over and over. For several months, I used my personal computer and a tiny card table as a desk while waiting to get my office set up. No big deal, I guess but if this is how staff was treated, how were the clients treated? I started meeting with prospective clients sitting in with my managing attorney. I would take detailed notes. The prospective client would hire the firm. However, when they walked away the only work was done on their case was the effort exerted to take their check to the bank for deposit.

I would reference my notes, look over all the things that were promised and keep wondering when we would get started. Over and over I would witness lies being told, I would see undue delay, I would see cases not being filed for weeks and sometimes months. I would see the client calls constantly being ignored or avoided once the paralegal ran out of excuses to tell them about the status of their case. After all there wasn’t an update to give. I certainly thought that malpractice was being committed but the more I looked into other firms I noticed that slow moving cases, ignoring clients and charging a bunch of money for poor treatment and service wasn’t malpractice, it was a common practice. I did not know how much more I could take.

My life changing moment came after I had met with a client that came to see us for grandparent custody after her daughter had died. The grandmother had raised the child for several years and the child’s father was not in his life and had never filed custody papers. The grandmother had come to see us to file for official custody rights to make sure she never had to worry about the biological father coming to take the child away. She had promised her daughter that she would always take care of the child. She was given reassurance that she had done the right thing. The father didn’t have any rights, he hadn’t been in the child’s life at all and we could beat him to the punch and easily to show the courts that he was non-existent in the life of the child.

That client walked out that day with a false confidence. After she left her file got tossed in the “to do” pile and her check went to the bank. For a period of four months she was lead to believe that progress was happening on her case, when really it was not even filed yet. On November 4, 2011 the client stopped by the office in tears with custody papers she had been served with from the biological father. He was pursuing sole custody and had been granted an emergency hearing to have the child handed over to him. My heart broke that day.

On November 7, 2011 I submitted my notice of resignation. I was no longer going to be part of something that I deemed subpar, unethical and inefficient. This common practice of poor lawyering would not become instilled in me. By this time I could feel God’s tug all over me. He was calling me to more. He was ordering me to birth The Fairell Firm, so I did.

My firm would be so different from all the other firms. I would become the lawyer I wanted to be, the lawyer God called me to be. I developed a firm that was founded on core values. Service, knowledge, quality and results were the key development points. No longer would my clients experience poor customer service. Service was a number one priority, me and my team were dedicated to creating positive experiences for our clients by showing them empathy and respect. We were dedicated to being the most knowledgeable in a court room. We committed to staying on top of new and developing case law. We ensured that all representation was quality representation and not just doing things the average way. Lastly, we became focused on getting results and getting them quickly. These principals have made all the difference in the world. I am finally the lawyer I was called to be.

I no longer have to avoid client phone calls. I now have lasting relationships with clients. Clients are never uninformed by what is happening in their case, I have software in place that creates a client portal for every client to be able to log in and see what is going on with their case. There are no more of the tired, antiquated methods that most every other law firm lives by. The Fairell Firm is changing the practice of law to a standard of excellence.

Shaneah Jenkins

Attorney

From the time I was in middle school I knew I wanted to be a lawyer when I grew up. My childhood best friend's father was a criminal defense attorney and inspired me greatly. Being able to hear his fascinating stories, see his passion for his work and the impact he made on his clients made me want that for myself. However, I had no idea at that age what it really took to get there. Fast forward to high school, I started to question whether being a lawyer was really for me. I couldn’t wait to graduate and dreaded the idea of being in school for 7 more years. After high school, due to financial issues, I decided to take a semester off to work and figure out what I wanted to do with my life. During that time both my paternal grandmother and maternal grandfather passed away showing me that life is too short, and I decided to start my journey to become an attorney. After studying hard, having sleepless nights and multiple breakdowns, I did just that in 2017 when I passed both the Massachusetts and Rhode Island Bar Exams. 

While in both undergraduate and law school, I had the opportunity to work in a civil law firm. Although this was confirmation that I was meant to be a lawyer I realized that working for big banks and corporations provided me with very little satisfaction and enjoyment. After a year of being an attorney, I decided to relocate from Boston to Atlanta to pursue my career as a criminal prosecutor. After working around the clock for  years, I realized my passion was for litigation and helping people not necessarily for criminal prosecution. By coincidence,  I met Attorney Joi Fairell and her family, and she told me about her firm. After meeting her I researched The Fairell Firm and hoped that one day I would be fortunate enough to work for her. After a few months passed, while searching for a new position I came across an attorney posting for the Fairell Firm. After going back and looking at it every day for at least a week I decided to take a leap of faith and apply, and I was fortunate enough to be chosen for an interview.

While preparing for the interview I hoped that I made a positive impression on Attorney Fairell and that she would remember me. Sure enough, she did and I was offered a position as an Associate Attorney. After hearing about the great work that The Fairell Firm does in the courtroom, the family atmosphere, and the innovativeness I accepted her offer without hesitation. I now know first hand that all the great things I heard about the firm are indeed true.  I am beyond blessed to have the opportunity to work with such a great team who truly go above and beyond to provide excellent service for our clients and a family atmosphere for the staff members.

Melissa Knott

Attorney

When people ask, "Why law?" my answer is simple: the law touches every aspect of our lives, and it should be accessible to everyone. No one should be denied justice because they lack money or status, nor should anyone be treated as less than human in legal settings because of their life circumstances.


Melissa is an attorney driven by a deep calling to advocate for others - a purpose she firmly believes was placed on her heart by God. With a passion for justice and an authentic desire to see others thrive in life, she views her work as an opportunity to reflect Christ’s teachings in action. Whether in the courtroom or the community, she seeks to embody grace, integrity, and faith.

Outside of her legal practice, Melissa enjoys spending time at the gun range, exploring new cultures through travel, and cherishing moments with the people who matter most.

Mariah Mitchell

Attorney

As a child growing up in a multicultural household, I was raised with a unique blend of traditions and values. My mother, who is Japanese and Chinese, and my father, who is African American, instilled in me the importance of hard work, perseverance, and respect for others. My upbringing was also shaped by moving abroad, but Atlanta will always be my first home, with Japan as my second. These diverse experiences influenced my worldview and continue to shape how I approach my work and relationships.



Like many children of my generation, it seemed like I only had two career options: doctor or lawyer. That decision seemed simple enough to my 12-year-old self, but one childhood incident sealed my fate. One afternoon, I was playing with a knife and a wooden ruler—doing something I shouldn’t have been doing—and accidentally cut myself. I immediately fainted, and my dad caught me just before I hit the floor. That moment made it clear: the medical field wasn’t for me. But what did it mean to be a lawyer? At that age, I didn’t know much beyond the title and the promise of financial stability.

As I grew older, I began to realize that the legal field was my calling. I went on to earn my Bachelor of Arts in Japanese Language and Literature at the University of Georgia, becoming fluent in Japanese, and then pursued my Juris Doctorate at the University of Alabama School of Law. There, I discovered my passion for service and justice. I worked in the Family Law Clinic and Elder Law Clinic, clerked for Judge L. Scott Coogler of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Alabama, and served on the National Board of the National Black Law Students Association. My dedication was recognized when I received the Dean’s Community Service and Pro Bono Awards.

After law school, I began my career in personal injury law, primarily working on auto-accident cases. I loved the work, but when my daughter was born, I sought a more family-oriented environment with a balanced schedule. I transitioned to working as a prosecutor in Gwinnett County and later Fulton County. Each role taught me something valuable, but deep down, I always dreamed of building something of my own.

When the time felt right, I started my own law firm, focusing on personal injury and contracts. While I was proud of what I accomplished, I quickly realized that running a firm wasn’t for me. The administrative demands were overwhelming, and I missed the sense of community that comes from working with a team. I also found myself questioning my purpose. I felt lost, unsure of who I wanted to be. That’s when I turned to my faith.

In August 2024, my life changed when the Holy Spirit entered my heart. I knew it was time to make a change, and I began searching for a new opportunity. That’s when I found The Fairell Firm. At the time, my only experience with family law was through my law school clinic and my own personal experiences with my parents’ divorce and a custody battle with my daughter’s father. Those experiences left me traumatized, and I never thought I’d venture into family law. But something about The Fairell Firm spoke to me—the work environment, the culture, and the mission. I decided to take a leap of faith.

From the moment I joined The Fairell Firm, I felt at home. I fell in love with the firm, the staff, the clients, and the area of law. Family law has not only allowed me to grow as an attorney but also as a mother and a friend. I now see this work as my ministry. I truly believe that as a woman of God, I am here to serve others to the best of my ability. Representing my clients is an honor, and I am committed to helping them through some of life’s most difficult moments.

I am excited for this new chapter in my life and grateful to be part of a firm that aligns with my values. I am proud to contribute to the Spirit of Excellence that defines our firm.

Shanna Diamond

Of Counsel and Mediator

In the journey of our lives, there are people, events, and circumstances that shape who we are and who we are destined to be.  It is these things that awaken the beasts in us, show us what we’re made of, and lead us to our passions.  Even in the instances when we lose our way, we always can be lead back to home.

In the year 1995, I met Clair Huxtable.  She was a strong, beautiful, intelligent, hard working woman and mother.  Claire was an attorney who juggled a successful career with family life effortlessly.  I wanted to be her.  I admired her strength and intelligence.  She was the first attorney I’d ever known of.  Of course she was a fictional character on the television series, “The Cosby Show”, but my eyes lit up whenever I saw her.  I soaked in everything she did and knew that was the kind of woman I wanted to be.  From then on every time I was asked what I wanted to be when I grew up, the answer was easy: “a lawyer”.  Every career day my mother had me dressed in my best business suit with my toy briefcase in tow, and you couldn’t tell me I wasn’t a lawyer!

In 2007, I met a small but mighty judge in my hometown of Albany, GA.  I began working in his private practice office as an intern while I completed my undergraduate degree.  I worked diligently and learned as much as I could.  I gained working knowledge of the practice of criminal law, family law, and personal injury.  This judge noticed my drive, perseverance, and work ethic and became my mentor.  When the time was right, I was hired as a legal assistant.  I worked my way up the chain, and at one point, was the sole employee handling everything from office management to paralegal duties all alone.  I am still to date his highest paid legal assistant in the history of his practice, due to my hard work and negotiating skills.

I left the judge’s office after completing my master’s degree to strike out on my own as a business owner.  I created my own corporation, established a business, and worked it well, all while maintaining a household and raising a son.  During the course of these years, life happened.  My then marriage fell apart, my second son was stillborn, and my financial stability suffered greatly in the wake of divorce and medical expenses.

Throughout it all, I continued to fight.  I refused to give up.  I became a woman surviving: handling a household, raising a son, running a business, battling foreclosure, and working to provide….all alone.  And I emerged victorious.

In 2014, I had the privilege of being reintroduced to my first passion.  I received a phone call and was asked to come back to the judge’s law office to help run the practice and get it back in shape.  As I stepped foot back in that office, began working with my mentor again, and began engaging with clients again…. the fire in me was rekindled.  I realized what my passion was and what I was built for.  My heart was back at home.  I enrolled in law school, packed up my belongings, and my son and I were off to begin the life we were destined to live.  During my law school tenure, I was fortunate enough to have the opportunity to obtain my mediation certification.

I believe I was destined to be an attorney.  I was created to help others and be an advocate for justice.  I was shaped and formed in power and humility.  Because I’m a boy mom, to put it in Spider Man’s words, “with great power comes great responsibility.”  After having walked through the fire in my own personal life, having felt for myself what the heat of the flames feel like, I am uniquely positioned to help my clients make it through their own fires.  It is my duty to do for others as some have done for me, with compassion, understanding, and a fight that just won’t quit.  My goal is to walk with my clients through the fire and encourage them that life does not end where you are.  I encourage my clients that your best life is yet to be lived.  How do I know?  I’ve lived it.

I am a fighter, an overcomer, and a conqueror.  Becoming an attorney has given me the ability to change lives, empower, help heal brokenness, and help rebuild futures.  Advocating for clients and caring for people are my ministries.  I chose long ago to dedicate my life to service as my mother, grandmother, and aunts have done before me.  I am blessed that my journey has ultimately led me to meet Joi Fairell and become a part of the Fairell Firm family where all team members share the same values, work ethic, and passion for people.  We have all dedicated our lives to the service of others, and have committed to do so excellently.

Hannah Alexander

Office Manager

As children, we are constantly asked what we want to be when we grow up. I can only remember one thing I wanted to be, and that was a veterinarian. I love animals and caring for them, so I thought it would be a fantastic career. Of course, in my child-like eyes, hanging out with puppies all day didn’t sound like a bad way to earn a living. Fast forward to my junior year in high school, where I was offered an opportunity to intern at my dog’s veterinarian’s office for the summer. I absolutely loved it, and it confirmed that I was on the right path. However, once I graduated and was offered a full-time Kennel Assistant job, I soon realized my dream career and fun summer internship were not as they seemed. I did not end up liking what I did, and even though there were puppies, there were a lot of sick animals, too, and it was heartbreaking. I could have gotten used to all that, but when I started college, chemistry was the death sentence to my once-cherished dream of being a veterinarian. I continued going to school, but without a major, I was now in young adult limbo.

During this time, I met a guy who had a daughter from a previous relationship. I quickly learned the complex structure of a split family when mixed with the legal system. He was in the middle of a custody battle; this was my first exposure to family law. I was only 19 and working on my paralegal degree. I took what I knew and jumped into helping him with his case. He had hired a lawyer well before I came into the picture, but it was evident that his lawyer was not doing anything with the case, so I decided to help him look for a new law firm.

One of my professors highly recommended The Fairell Firm. When we met with The Fairell Firm, I was impressed by them, and the firm was impressed by what I had done with his case. The day after we met about that case, I received a call asking if I was interested in interning for the firm. The firm went on to win that custody case, and I progressed from an intern to paralegal and now office manager since joining the firm in 2016.

During my time at the firm, I have worked directly with Attorney Fairell on creating a client experience founded in excellence. Each day it is our mission to serve every client and every case with care and expertise. I have loved seeing the firm grow and set standards of excellence over the years.

Benjamin Delija

I joined The Fairell Firm team as a Paralegal in 2022 as the first male employee in the history of the firm.   

Born amid a civil war that broke up former Yugoslavia, my family and I sought refuge from the horrors of the time and immigrated to the United States. With no more than a suitcase each, we embarked on a journey to start a new life. My childhood in this country was quite different from that of others’; while other children were playing outside, I remember translating documents related to banks, immigration, and other important documents a child had no business reading. At 8 years old, I was writing checks and helping my parents with their taxes. Although I would probably have preferred playing outside, I knew that my parents needed me and that I had a responsibility to come through for them.

As I grew older, I had no doubt that my purpose in life is to serve the community by being this beacon. Since I enjoyed simplifying complicated processes, I felt I had the responsibility to share this passion and knowledge with the community. During my senior year at Georgia State University, I began interning with the Division of Child Support Services (DCSS). It was a perfect fit to fulfill my need to explain complicated processes. I mastered all functions of the agency and quickly became the office manager for one of the biggest child support offices in the state.



After 5 years of progressing that County DCSS office to one of the most efficient offices in the state, I realized that the DCSS process is flawed, overburdened, and that the only way to improve the process in totality is to adjust the laws. I was tired of speaking to clients whose cases were not being worked sufficiently, who were told the only way to see progress is if they obtained a private attorney. This was when I realized that the best way for me to continue to help my community was to join the legal field in a private capacity. I began working as a corporate paralegal helping businesses navigate the rules and regulations of owning a business, and quickly transitioned back into family law when I came across the Fairell Firm. I instantly realized that this firm accepts nothing less than excellent which is exactly what the community needs in the realm of family law. My passion and skills are perfectly aligned with the firm’s goal and ultimately our community will benefit the most.

Darshan Pappu

I was born and raised in Gurgaon, India, where my parents served as missionaries. Growing up in a Christian home, I learned early on the importance of sharing the love of Jesus through service to others. Our home was always busy with church events and/or meaningful interactions with others who shared my parents' mission and calling.

During my early years of high school, I was inspired by a family friend who was a judge. Hearing him share about his work sparked my interest in the legal field, and that interest has only grown over time. In 2017, I took a leap of faith and enrolled in a Christian university to pursue a degree in Business Administration with a minor in Paralegal Studies. Choosing to earn a secular degree was a new and somewhat overwhelming decision for me, especially since all my older siblings had pursued degrees in Theology. Adjusting to a new academic and cultural environment was challenging, as it was vastly different from what I had known. However, with much prayer and support, I was successfully able to graduate in 2022.

In 2023, I married my amazing Cuban wife, and together we are excited about the future. I am currently preparing to take the next step toward my goal of attending law school. Through it all, our desire is to continue to stay committed to following God’s will in our lives as I pursue this calling.

Patti Reed

Bio Coming Soon.