Megan: Welcome to SheBoss, where we celebrate fierce, trailblazing women making waves in our community. I’m Megan, and if you’ve ever wondered how these incredible women juggle it all—family, careers, passion projects—you’re in the right place. So grab your coffee, maybe a little wine (no judgment here), and let’s dive into their stories. Spoiler alert: it’s going to be a mix of wisdom, laughter, and a few truth bombs. Ready? Let’s get started.
I am thrilled today to be joined by Amber James, owner of New Beginnings Family Law. I’ve had the absolute pleasure of getting to know Amber over the past couple of months. After sitting down and chatting with her, I was just blown away by her story and the impact she’s making in our community. Thank you so much for carving time out of your day to join us.
Amber: Oh Megan, thank you so much for having me. It’s a pleasure to be here.
Megan: I want to pull out all the threads of what you do because I’m honestly fascinated by your field—not only from the outside looking in, but also from personal experience. Let’s start with a little bit about you. Where are you from? What brought you here?
Amber: I’m originally from Wisconsin. Our house burned down when I was a child, and my dad moved us to Alabama because he said he’d never live in a place where it snowed again. It was 20 below the day our house burned down. So we moved to Alabama, and of course, it still snowed. My mom had family in the Gadsden area, so we settled near them. Eventually, we moved again for my dad’s work, and that’s where I finished school. I went to Susan Moore High School, then UAB for undergrad and my master’s, and later attended Birmingham School of Law at night.
Megan: That’s quite a journey. What drew you to law?
Amber: My dad and I used to watch Perry Mason and Matlock together. I fell in love with the idea of law through those shows. My dad was disabled at times, so he stayed home with me, and we’d watch those shows and talk about the cases. He’d ask me, ‘Who do you think did it?’ and I’d guess, even as a little kid. It was our bonding time.
Megan: I love that. It’s so special that he exposed you to that kind of thinking at such a young age.
Amber: Yes, it really shaped me. But life happened. I got married young, and that relationship made me doubt myself. I didn’t think I was smart enough to go to law school. It wasn’t until later in life that I finally pursued it.
Megan: What was the turning point?
Amber: I was lost. I had a music degree and a master’s in business, but didn’t know what to do. I applied for an FBI internship, made it to the final round, but didn’t get it. I didn’t have the connections for recommendation letters. So I went back to school to delay student loans and took a constitutional law class. My professor told me I was wasting my time and needed to be in law school. I told him I couldn’t afford it, had a toddler, and was going through a rough marriage. He said, ‘You don’t have to quit working. Go to Birmingham School of Law at night.’ That conversation changed everything.
Megan: That’s incredible. So you went for it?
Amber: I did. I found a job in a personal injury law firm and went to law school at night. Eventually, a friend told me to go talk to Judge Ferguson about a job. I wasn’t even looking, but I went. Judge Ferguson had signed my divorce decree, though I didn’t know him personally. He hired me on the spot. That’s where I fell in love with family law.
Megan: What was it about family law that resonated with you?
Amber: The pain. Real pain. I saw children testify, parents go to jail for not following court orders. I saw my now-husband go through a horrible divorce, fighting to see his child. I knew I wanted to help people through that pain.
Megan: Did you always plan to start your own practice?
Amber: Not at all. But when I moved to Decatur, small firms didn’t want to hire a new lawyer. My husband had a stable job and encouraged me to start my own practice. That was 18 years ago.
Megan: What makes New Beginnings Family Law different?
Amber: We understand that clients don’t come to us with legal problems—they come with personal problems that have legal solutions. We take a team approach. Every client has five lawyers rooting for them. We want them to have a better life, to reflect on what went wrong and how to move forward. It’s about healing, not just legal outcomes.
Megan: That’s powerful. What are some common mistakes people make during divorce?
Amber: 1. Not listening to their attorney. Courts often favor 50/50 custody unless there’s serious evidence otherwise. Fighting that without cause is costly and damages co-parenting.
2. Not planning financially. Many rely on alimony without a backup plan. Judges want to see a plan for independence.
3. Ignoring the emotional impact on children. Kids are resilient, but divorce is devastating. Parents need to be aware and supportive.
Megan: Do you ever counsel clients to reconsider divorce?
Amber: Absolutely. I ask, ‘What have you tried to save your marriage?’ Counseling? Date nights? Are you still friends? Sometimes it’s just hurt feelings. Judge Ferguson used to ask couples, ‘Have you done everything you can?’ Divorce is like a rollercoaster—you can pause and get off if you choose.
Megan: That’s such a good analogy. Is there a moment in your career that validated your path?
Amber: Two come to mind. One was a case of parental alienation where the dad reminded me of my husband. We won joint custody, and it was a huge win. The second was a contested adoption. It was emotionally intense, but my clients went home with their baby. I’m still close to that family. But I also felt the pain of the other side. You can’t spike the ball in those moments.
Megan: That’s such a thoughtful perspective. What do you do in your free time?
Amber: Date nights with my husband are a must. We love Purveyor, Mazzara’s, and Street Wine Shop. I’m active in the Women’s Business Council and sing in the praise band at church. I’ve also started Lutheran Early Response Team Training to help in disaster areas. Manual labor is good for the soul.
Megan: I love that. We’re both in Madison—we should definitely get together more often.
Amber: Absolutely!
Megan: Thank you so much, Amber. Your story is inspiring, and what you do is so critical. It makes a huge difference.
Amber: Thank you, Megan. I appreciate you letting me share my story.
Megan: And thank you all for joining us. We’ll see you next time.