A Trusted Ally
For nearly two decades, Lynda Hinkle has been a strong advocate for clients in all areas of family law.
Because she entered law school with previous experience in casework and education and a desire to help people resolve difficulties through creative solutions, Lynda Hinkle was almost immediately drawn to family law as a preferred practice area. Sixteen years into her career, she still feels connected to the specialty, despite the many challenges she regularly faces while representing clients going through divorce, child custody disputes, domestic violence cases and more.
“I think every family lawyer, if they’re honest, will say there are days when they want to bang their heads into the wall,” Hinkle says. “People can turn on you even when you’re doing the best possible work for them, because they’re emotional and it’s a stressful time for them. So it’s difficult work, but it’s also incredibly rewarding because of the people we’re able to help and their children, who we are able to advocate for as well. It’s really amazing to have the opportunity to make sure that someone is safe in their life and can go ahead and build something beautiful with it.”
Hinkle has been pursuing that goal since 2009, when she founded The Law Offices of Lynda Hinkle right out of law school. She serves all of South Jersey but with a primary focus on Burlington, Camden and Gloucester counties. Her firm can assist clients in all aspects of family law, estate planning, litigation and administration, and guardianships.
Many of those practice areas come with a client base that is struggling with trauma, and Hinkle strives to bring a trauma-informed, practical approach that focuses on key client objectives.
“Sometimes people are so caught up in the emotion of the situation, which is more than understandable, particularly when there is a lot of trauma in the family,” she says. “I do endeavor to have a very trauma-informed practice that addresses the fact that people sometimes aren’t making the clearest decisions when they’re also struggling emotionally. So I look at what they want now, but I also want to talk to them about what’s realistic and what they’re going to want in the future, when the emotion dies down and they’re faced with the financial or practical consequences of the decisions they’ve made early on.
“I try to get people to focus on things they can do within the context of the system of laws we have to get the best result. Maybe what they really want is an apology or validation, but that’s not what the system is built for.”
January is often referred to as “divorce month,” as people wait for the holidays to pass before initiating the process. Those who need guidance will receive nothing but care and support from Hinkle and her team, with a promise to communicate regularly to keep them in the loop, honesty about what they can expect out of their case and no unnecessary, added costs.
Hinkle focuses on what’s best from the client even from the consultation. “There have definitely been lots of times when I’ve been in a consultation and the person is very upfront about the fact that they’re not sure yet, in which case there is going to be no pressure here,” she says. “I want them to know what they’re looking at in terms of the financial and legal consequences, and to make plans for those consequences. Sometimes they just don’t know if they’re ready, and if they’re not sure, I’m always going to encourage them to take some time and if possible to maybe get into some counseling. It’s never a bad idea to plan for it if you think it’s a possibility. You can always abandon those plans, but the more prepared you are, the better and safer you’re going to feel when you finally step out, if you do.”
The firm, which has locations in Marlton and Turnersville, also consists of associate Alex Pugh, two experienced paralegals and a robust support staff.
“I have the most amazing team,” Hinkle raves. “I feel very blessed because I know that each and every one of them is dedicated to the clients, believes in what we are doing, and is truly striving to be better every day and to represent the firm and our clients in a way that is professional and compassionate. And we work hard to be inclusive and make clients feel respected, including our LGBTQ clients who sometimes do not land in safe spaces when hiring a lawyer.”
Outside of the office, Hinkle is active in several bar associations, including being a trustee for the Camden County Bar Association and involved with the National LGBTQ Bar. She also authored the book, Breaking Up: Finding and Working with a New Jersey Divorce Attorney, which is available for a free download on her firm’s website.
“I think it’s important for people to have as much information as possible,” she says. “It’s a free resource and I hope people take advantage of it. Even if they don’t hire me, perhaps it’s something that can help them take steps in the right direction for their own life.”
The Law Office of Lynda Hinkle
Marlton and Turnersville
(856) 227-7888
