Biography
Julie Katz Callaway
Julie was born and raised in Homewood. She graduated from John Carroll Catholic High School and received her undergraduate degree from the University of Alabama before receiving her law degree from the University of Alabama School of Law. She is celebrating her 25th year practicing law in the area of domestic relations and family law and practices throughout the state of Alabama. Before partnering with T. Shane Smith in their newly formed law firm Callaway Smith, Julie owned and operated her own boutique law firm catering to clients from all walks of life.
In addition to being an attorney, she is a certified mediator.
Julie is an active member of the Alabama State Bar and the Birmingham Bar Associations.
Julie is a mother to two amazing children, Hunter and Witt. When she is not working, she enjoys cooking, entertaining and traveling with friends and family.
Biography
T. Shane Smith
Shane was born and raised in Athens, Alabama. He graduated from Athens High School in 1994 and continued his studies at Auburn University, where he received his undergraduate degree in Psychology. From there, Shane attended the University of Southern Mississippi to receive his Masters in Psychology and then to Birmingham School of Law for his JD. Shane has been a member of the Alabama State Bar since 2007 and has practiced exclusively in the areas of family law and domestic relations for 15 years. He is a trained mediator, a trained parenting coordinator, and served for two years as Chair of the Family Law Section of the Alabama State Bar. Shane has served as director of the annual Divorce on the Beach conference and continues to serve on several committees with the Birmingham Bar Association, in addition to his civic activities. Shane is also a member of the American Bar Association.
Shane has been the owner of Steel City Law, LLC for the past six (6) years and is excited to announce his partnership with attorney Julie Callaway in their newly established law firm, Callaway Smith, LLC.
Shane is an avid traveler, reader, and spends the majority of his free time in his home kitchen. His trusty canine companion, Truman, travels to work with him every day and is a local expert on all things treat-related.
Q & A
How do you view the singular nature of family law?
“We don’t view family law as a singular in nature. The area of family law is diverse and requires extensive knowledge in the areas of juvenile law, Constitutional law, property law, probate law, and unfortunately, even criminal law, as it pertains to domestic violence. This practice area has remained fresh and interesting to both of us throughout our careers, and we are grateful to have our backgrounds and many years of experience to draw upon when working with divorce clients and their children.”
What special talents and sensibilities do you need to bring to the practice of family law?
“First and foremost, a family law practitioner must be patient, caring, and communicative with their clients. Divorce is scary. Custody proceedings are scary. Dividing one’s assets and preparing for the future is scary. It is our job, as attorneys, to listen, alleviate fears as we can, and gently guide our clients through these life changes. We keep clients abreast of not only their legal rights but also of the community resources available to them to help transition into a new phase of their lives. We tell every client that they hire us to do their worrying for them, and it is an honor to be entrusted to do such.”
What drew you personally to work in family law?
“Calling upon our own childhood experiences and unique perspectives on marriage, we were drawn to this field with a primary focus of helping the children of families of divorce cope and transition gently into their new normal. Divorce can be complicated, and it can be a very emotional process. Our shared goal as attorneys is to help our clients create function out of dysfunction and move forward healthy, whole, and secure in their future prospects.”
Callaway Smith, LLC
3000 Crescent Avenue
Birmingham, AL 35209
(205) 607-0225 • (205) 243-8080
No representation is made that the quality of legal services to be performed is greater than the quality of legal services performed by other lawyers.
