TEAM SPOTLIGHT
THE HEART OF THE TEAM

From Homestead to Headquarters

There’s a paralegal working from her immaculate Florida home right now—probably with the ocean breeze coming through the window, ceiling fan going overhead, a Miami Dolphins flag somewhere in sight, and a case file organized so perfectly you could find any document in under thirty seconds.

That’s Amy Burge. And if you’ve worked with Cape Fear Family Law in the last decade, there’s a very good chance she’s touched your case, calmed your nerves, or made sure your attorney had exactly what they needed exactly when they needed it.

We are thrilled to announce that Amy Burge is the recipient of Cape Fear Family Law’s 2025 Client Success Award for Support Team Member.

Amy didn’t just meet the standard. She is the standard.

A Decade of Getting It Done

Here’s something not everyone knows: Amy Burge has been with Cape Fear Family Law for over ten years.

She was here when the firm was Janet, Amy, and one other paralegal. She watched it grow into the organization it is today—multiple offices, dozens of team members, hundreds of families served every year. Through every stage of that growth, Amy was there. Organizing. Preparing. Making sure nothing fell through the cracks.

Janet’s Right Hand

If you want to know what Janet Gemmell thinks of Amy Burge, she has never wavered. Amy is Janet’s right hand—and has been for years.

When Janet needs trial preparation handled flawlessly, she calls Amy. When hundreds of documents need to be requested from clients and counsel, organized, and assembled for court, Amy is the one who makes it happen. When someone needs to confirm whether you’re on the court calendar or not, Amy is your contact.

She learned early on that if you can keep the attorneys talking, the case is likely to settle quicker with better outcomes for both sides. That’s not just administrative skill. That’s wisdom.

What Her Colleagues Say

The peer recognition tells the story of someone who is indispensable:

• Cassandra Thompson: “For being that baddie in charge.” #possessintegrity
• Jessica Arthur: “For helping when one of our stressed out clients needs a lot of reassurance.” #clientfocused
• Allie Moore: “For making a particularly anxious client VERY happy and keeping her calm.” #empathetic
• Adrian Davis (Chief of Operations): “Thank you Amy! You are the rock star, taking care of our clients!”
• Ashly Futch: “For everything, always.” #gettingitdone #accountable #knowledgeable
• Lisa: “Thanks for your assistance and being there to have your brain picked.” #mentor

The Wisdom of Not Engaging

Amy takes on many challenging assignments, but one she finds especially meaningful is working with clients to help them understand the importance of not engaging in further conflict.

“It’s a natural reaction to want to defend yourself when you’re going through a divorce,” Amy says. “But in this job, I see how vital it is to stop engaging in conflict that keeps the case from settling.”

When asked how she knows she’s done a good job, Amy’s answer is simple: “Most of the cases we see involve children. They are the top priority. When things work out best for the children, I feel we have the best possible outcome.”

Florida Life

And speaking of family milestones: Amy is a brand new grandmother! Her two grown boys have made her a proud grandma, and if you think Amy’s heart was big before, just imagine it now.

When she’s not working or spoiling grandbabies, you might find her cheering on her beloved Miami Dolphins (Fins up!), playing in her local dart league, or heading out to local beach for some shore fishing. She grew up in Homestead, Florida—about as far south as you can get on the mainland. The beach is in her blood. The sunshine is in her soul. And the work ethic? That’s all Amy.

• Highest support-staff profit percentage
• Outstanding consistency
• Exceptional task execution and reliability
• Top performer whose work directly elevates client outcomes

Why Amy Matters

There’s a reason Amy is one of Janet’s favorite people. There’s a reason colleagues across the firm turn to her when they need help. There’s a reason clients feel calmer after talking to her.

Amy Burge makes a difference every single day.

She doesn’t do it for the recognition. Heck, she would probably would rather hide then come up front of any organization for an award. She does it because that’s who she is—someone who cares deeply about getting things right, about being there when people need her, about making sure every detail is handled so that families can move forward with their lives.

Congratulations, Amy.

You are needed. You are appreciated. And you are exactly right.

“Most of the cases we see involve children. They are the top priority.
When things work out best for the children, I feel we have the best possible outcome.”
— Amy Burge

Ready to work with a team that puts clients first?

Schedule a consultation today.

• No Attorney-Client Relationship: Reading this blog or downloading any related resource does not create an attorney-client relationship. That relationship is formed only when a written engagement agreement is signed by both parties.
• Information, Not Advice: This content is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Every equitable distribution case is fact-specific, and outcomes depend on the particular assets, debts, marital history, and county involved.
• No Guarantee of Results: Past case outcomes do not predict future results.
• Office Responsibility: Cape Fear Family Law is responsible for the content of this advertisement. Our principal office is located in Wilmington, North Carolina, with additional offices in Durham and the Jacksonville/Camp Lejeune corridor.