Margaret Chesney

Margaret Chesney is a Memphis family law lawyer and Senior Litigation Attorney who helps clients navigate divorce and other domestic relations matters. Her practice centers on family law and emphasizes direct communication, preparation, and client participation in major decisions. She works with individuals facing difficult family transitions and develops strategies based on their goals. She is licensed in Tennessee and New York and brings extensive experience to negotiation, mediation, and litigation.

Chesney earned her J.D. from the University of Memphis Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law. She received her B.A. in English from the University of Pennsylvania. Her education provided a strong foundation in legal writing, analysis, advocacy, and problem-solving. This training supports her ability to evaluate family disputes, explain legal options, prepare cases for negotiation or court, and communicate effectively with clients throughout the legal process.

Chesney has spent most of her career practicing family law. Her broader background includes three years of commercial litigation and one year handling family and general practice matters. She is listed as a Tennessee Rule 31 Family Mediator and completed specialized training involving domestic violence issues. Her experience helps her approach disputes through negotiation when appropriate while remaining prepared to litigate when a case requires judicial resolution.

Margaret Chesney has maintained active involvement in state, national, and local legal organizations. She belongs to the American, Tennessee, New York, and Memphis Bar Associations. She served on a hearing committee of the Tennessee Supreme Court’s Board of Professional Responsibility and completed two appointed terms. She has been a Fellow of the Memphis Bar Foundation and previously served on the Memphis Bar Association Young Lawyers Division Board of Directors.

Law Office Affiliations

• Senior Litigation Attorney, Cordell & Cordell
• Member, Tennessee Bar Association
• Member, New York State Bar Association
• Member, American Bar Association
• Member, Memphis Bar Association
• Fellow, Memphis Bar Foundation
• Member, American Bar Association Trial Advocacy Institute

Licensed State

• Tennessee
• New York

Education

• University of Memphis Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law
  Juris Doctor (JD)
• University of Pennsylvania
  BA in English

Awards & Badges