LaTonya R. Askew, J.D., M.P.A., is the founder and managing partner of Askew Law & Mediation, LLC, a boutique firm specializing in family law and personal injury. With a Juris Doctorate from Florida A&M College of Law and extensive experience in various legal areas, including criminal, civil, and domestic law, LaTonya is dedicated to providing personalized representation to her clients. Passionate about family law, she handles cases involving divorce, child custody, support, and other domestic matters with compassion and expertise. Beyond her legal practice, Ms. Askew serves as an adjunct professor at Kennesaw State University and actively engages in community service. She is also a proud member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.
Q: What would you say is a case that made the biggest impact on you personally, or just garnered the the most impactful result?
A: We had a Black, Nigerian father that has three children. He came to us for divorce. His wife was so vindictive, she accused our client of molesting the youngest child. When DFCS got involved, hospitals got involved, and of course, there was nothing there. She cut off this man from communicating with his to children, what we call parental alienation. We had maybe a three day trial. My client got primary physical custody of his three-year old daughter, his seven-year old daughter, and his eight-year old son. Based on us getting a guardian ad litem, someone that’s the eyes and ears for the court when there’s any dispute, this woman said in her 14 years of being a guardian ad litem, she had never seen so much parental alienation. There had been so much brainwashing, these kids had to go into therapy. It was so sad. After a three day trial, my client got primary physical custody. The mother got no parenting time with the children. To see this black father prevail and get custody of his three babies was a win.
Q: Do you have to separate your emotions in order to do the work that you do?
A: This is why I’ve been found in contempt and threatened to be thrown in jail twice by two different judges, because I can’t separate my emotions from cases. And that’s one of my biggest problems. Because when these folks come to me, a lot of these fellas are using their mortgage money, their rent money, their cars, they’re borrowing from family and friends just to pay my attorney fees. So now how can you separate your emotions? I’m human. I’m not doing this for a check. And I do very well. I do this to help people because I have a brother who went through not being able to see his child. It’s personal.
I had a case out in Coweta County. The mother clearly had mental issues. We were dealing with a two and a three year old…two little black boys. I was representing the father, a black man. During the judges pronouncement of his order at the end of a two day trial, he said, ‘although I know dad would be a better parent, I’m from the old school. I think kids belong with their mothers.’ I wanted to appeal.
Q: What do you feel is one of the biggest misconceptions as it relates to the legal process that you would like to shed light on?
A: It’s the misconception that all Dads aren’t present and are dead beats. That all fathers can’t be nurturing and be the primary care taker of their children. That men aren’t involved in their children’s education! That’s the misconception. I have several children who write election letters in regards to who they wish to live with primarily. And they say Dad, and they don’t say Dad because Dad is easy, or Dad lets me do what I want to do. They say Dad because Dad comes to my PTA meetings; Dad comes to my tournaments. ‘I love my mom, but my mom has this going on, she has that going on.’ So that’s the misconception. That men can’t be nurturing or loving. I was watching the Wendy Williams Show years back, and she made a comment. She says if you lose custody of your child as a mother, you must not be a good mother? I don’t believe that. You can be a mother that’s a high profile doctor, attorney or whatever. You may not have as much time to spend with your child due to your career. This does not make you a bad mother…it makes you a busy mom. If you have a father that is willing to step up to the plate and assist you in areas where you fall short…let him. There’s nothing wrong with you. It just shows you have a career. A career that shows your children that anything is possible. A career that makes your children proud!
Q: What is your superpower?
A: I don’t have a superpower. I just have what God has blessed me to do. I just like helping people. I’ve never been somebody that likes to bully people. So my superpower I guess is just helping people and being sympathetic. I never tell clients ‘I know how you feel.‘ I’ve never been married. I don’t know how it feels. I try to listen to give advice. I’m a counselor. I counsel clients.
Q: Where do you see yourself, or your firm, in the next five or ten years?
A: I’m retired. I will be doing personal injury. I am certified as a guardian ad litem. I don’t see myself with a rolly bag rolling from trial to trial. No, I see myself doing exclusive mediations and personal injury. That’s where I see myself because when I have a child I want to be at home. That’s where I see myself in the next 10 years. On the next five years I’m living my best life. Being healthy, and being in the right state. Having peace of mind.
To stay connected to Attorney LaTonya Askew:
Facebook: Askew Law and Mediation
Website: Aksewlaw.com
LinkedIn: LaTonya Askew
Twitter: @askewlaw
