Kourtney Nemesia Bernard-Rance

Biography

Kourtney Bernard-Rance was born and raised in East Brunswick, New Jersey. Although originally intending to study child psychology, Kourtney ultimately received her B.A. in family and child Studies from Montclair State University. Between her newly-recognized passion for working with families and children, and an internship with a nonprofit child advocacy organization as an assistant policy analyst, Kourtney decided her true career aspirations resided in the practice of law.

Kourtney attended the Maurice A. Deane School of Law at Hofstra University in Hempstead, New York. Believing that family law was destined to be her specialty, Kourtney took advantage of the extensive family law opportunities available through Hofstra University. Kourtney served as a senior staff member of the law school’s family law journal. Additionally, Kourtney interned for several legal service providers, where she gained valuable experience representing a range of clientele, from victims of domestic violence pursuing temporary protective orders to immigrant youth seeking legal status in the United States. Towards the end of her legal studies, Kourtney earned the Jonathan Roppolo Memorial Award in recognition of her efforts as an intern for the law school’s child and family advocacy clinic.

From law school, Kourtney made her way down to Atlanta in 2018. She officially began her legal career as a real estate attorney but quickly realized real estate was not where her heart truly belonged. Kourtney knew her skillset was more suited to the practice of family law. She currently acts as Managing Attorney in Lawrenceville and Forsyth. Kourtney and the Forsyth team were proudly recognized by Forsyth County News as 2022’s Best of Forsyth’s “Best Divorce Attorney.”

Kourtney is active in her professional community by serving as a Board Member for Soulstice, Inc., looking forward to the organization’s Moot Court Competitions for middle school and high school students. Kourtney has also been a featured speaker for many organizations such as the Jamaican Chamber of Commerce of Atlanta where she discussed perseverance through COVID and how The Manely Firm has served the community in normal times, but more specifically through the pandemic. In addition, she provided the 2023 opening welcome address as the Firm’s Title Sponsor representative for the Siemens Mobility Tour hosted by Forsyth County Chamber of Commerce International Engagement Committee. Kourtney was proudly highlighted on a national stage by her alma mater Hofstra Law. Hofstra did an alumni profile featuring Kourtney detailing her law school experience, accomplishments, and what led her to The Manely Firm and family law. She has also had the pleasure of being a guest on Forsyth County RadioX podcast discussing trending International and Domestic Family Law topics.

Kourtney was selected as one of the Super Lawyers Rising Stars for 2022-2025. She is active in Forsyth County Chamber of Commerce events and activities, recently representing the firm as Title Sponsor of the United States India Business Summit/Kamstrup Tour presented by The Forsyth County Manufacturing Society.

As an attorney with The Manely Firm, P.C., Kourtney relies on her passion for family law as she undertakes one of the firm’s foremost initiatives: putting families first by helping them achieve positive resolutions of their complex legal issues.

Areas Of Practice

• Family Law

Bar Admissions

• Georgia, 2018
• Georgia Court of Appeals, 2021

Education

• Hofstra University School of Law, Hempstead, New York
  • J.D. – 2017
  • Honors: Dean’s List
  • Honors: Family Court Review Vol. 54, AFCC Cooperation and Alumni Relations Manager
  • Honors: 2017 Jonathan Roppolo Memorial Award Recipient
• Montclair State University, Montclair, New Jersey
  • B.A. – 2013
  • Honors: Dean’s List
  • Major: Family and Child Studies with Concentration in Family Services

Languages

• English