Meet the Attorneys

Christopher L. Meacham

Chris was born in New Jersey and raised both there and in Charlottesville, Virginia. He graduated from Seton Hall University with a Bachelor's of Arts degree in English. Later, he attended the University of Maryland School of Law and graduated second in his class. Subsequently, he completed a one-year course of study at the Judge Advocate General School at the University of Virginia and received the civilian equivalent of a Master of Laws degree.

Chris was commissioned in the United States Army and served in several overseas commands. His last duty assignment was the Deputy Staff Judge Advocate/Acting Staff Judge Advocate at Fort Benning, Georgia. Chris left the military for a position as Vice President and General Counsel for Martin Theaters, Inc., now known as Carmike Cinemas, Inc., a subsidiary of Fuqua Industries, Inc.

In 1984, Chris entered the private practice of law and shortly thereafter established the law firm now known as Meacham & Earley, P.C. Since that time, he has worked in numerous areas of law with an emphasis on corporate, business, employment and labor law. Chris was appointed by Governor Joe Frank Harris as Special Master to hear and adjudicate labor and employment claims filed against the State of Georgia, and was also appointed the Chairman of the Personnel Review Board for the Consolidated Government of Columbus, Georgia. He is presently licensed to practice law in the States of Georgia, Maryland, and New Jersey.

Chris has two children. He is a member of Saint Patrick's Catholic Church and is involved in several activities within the community. Chris is committed to using his broad range of experience and extensive community contacts to fully represent the best interests of his clients.

Email: clmeacham@mejlaw.net

Karen M. Earley

Karen was born in Aurora, Illinois, and then relocated to Moline, Illinois, as a teenager. She attended Illinois State University on an athletic scholarship, receiving her Bachelor's of Science degree in Business Administration in 1979. Karen later attended Depaul University College of Law in Chicago and graduated in 1982 with a Doctor of Jurisprudence degree.

After graduation from law school, Karen worked as an associate attorney with the firm of Guerard, Kalina, Musial, and Varchetto concentrating her practice in residential and commercial real estate. She moved to Columbus in April 1990 and joined the law firm of Meacham and Flowers, as an associate. In January 1992, she became a partner specializing in residential and commercial real estate. Karen is currently licensed to practice law in Georgia and Illinois and frequently attends continuing legal education programs in real estate and related areas.

Karen has two children. Karen and her family are members of St. Anne's Catholic Church. She is involved in the real estate community in Columbus, and she is a regular speaker and panelist for civic programs involving real estate financing and home ownership.

Email: kmearley@mejlaw.net

Richard M. Kemmer

Richard M. Kemmer, III was born in Mobile, Alabama, and grew up in Phenix City. He received his Bachelor of Science degree in Economics from the University of Alabama in 2007. As an undergraduate, he was awarded the "Outstanding Undergraduate in Economics" award and was a member of the Jasons Honor Society. Richard also taught a Microeconomics course during his senior year.

Richard attended the University of Alabama School of Law. As a law student, he competed in the John T. Marshall Moot Court Competition. Richard gained a wide range of legal experience clerking for the firms of Kemmer & Kemmer, P.C. in Centreville, Alabama, and Spruell & Powell, LLC in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. He joined our firm in April 2010 and maintains offices in Phenix City and Columbus.

Email: rkemmer@mejlaw.net

Ray Tillery

Ray Tillery was raised in a suburb of Columbus, Ohio, in a small town called Gahanna. He graduated Magna Cum Laude from Saint Augustine's College in Raleigh, North Carolina, in 1986 and received a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration. In 1990, he received his Juris Doctor degree from West Virginia University College of Law. He is a member of the State Bar of Georgia, where he serves on the Family Law Section and Military Law Section. His military education includes graduating from the Quartermaster Officer Basic Course in 1993 and the Judge Advocate General Officer Basic Course in 1994.

Career Highlights: Ray started his military career at the 25th Infantry Division, Schofield Barracks, Hawaii, where he first began specializing in family law by counseling soldiers and family members as a Legal Assistance Attorney with the Office of the Staff Judge Advocate. Next he served as the primary family law attorney with the 82nd Airborne Division, Fort Bragg, North Carolina. Ray completed his initial active duty as a Trial Defense Attorney at Fort Benning, Georgia. Upon leaving active duty in 1998, Ray remained in the JAG Army Reserve and went into solo practice in Atlanta, Georgia. In civilian practice, his areas of concentration were family law, multimedia law and personal injury law. Shortly after 9-11, Ray volunteered for active duty in support of the War on Terror. Following his tour of duty as an anti-terrorism attorney during 2002, he was promoted to the rank of Major in the JAG Army Reserve and became a civilian family law attorney with the Office of the Staff Judge Advocate, Fort Benning, Georgia. Major Tillery volunteered for active duty again in 2007 and retired from the Army in the summer of 2010. In August 2011, Ray completed his career with the Army as a civilian Legal Assistance Attorney with the Office of the Staff Judge Advocate, Fort McPherson, Georgia, where he specialized in family law.

Ray is a highly sought-after speaker and has lectured extensively on the subject of military family law throughout the Southeast United States. Ray is an avid supporter of the YMCA of Metropolitan Columbus and an active member of his church, Kingdom Metropolitan Worship Center. Ray is married to Joycelyn Michelle Tillery, formerly of Geneva, Alabama. They have three children, a son, Reginald, and two daughters, Reagan and Rhema.

Email: rtillery@mejlaw.net