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Our Team

"If you are searching for a lawyer to represent you, that will treat you as if you were the only client, has unlimited legal knowledge, has a heart bigger than you can imagine, is down to earth and amazingly friendly, cares deeply about your situation and your desired outcome (this list could continue for quite some time) … then look no further than Bree Sullivan-Howell."

About

Our mission at the Sullivan Firm is to give each case the thorough attention and personal service it deserves.  Ms. Sullivan-Howell has been practicing law since 2002 and formed this firm in 2005.  Family Law and Personal Injury cases are her specialty.   

 

With a proven record of providing quality legal services for hundreds of satisfied clients in the South Georgia area, our team stands ready to assist you with your legal needs.  As our client, you can be assured that you will receive not only zealous advocacy but also courteous and professional attention as we guide you toward the most positive resolution possible for your unique situation. 

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Bree Sullivan-Howell

Attorney at Law

Attorney Bree Sullivan-Howell was born and raised in South Georgia. After graduating with honors from Deerfield-Windsor School in Albany, Ms. Sullivan-Howell matriculated to the University of Georgia, where she graduated from the UGA Honors Program with a perfect 4.0 grade point average in Journalism/Public Relations, First Honor Graduate, Summa Cum Laude, with honors, in 1999. Ms. Sullivan-Howell's academic success brought with it memberships in such honor societies as Phi Beta Kappa, Golden Key National Honor Society, Omicron Delta Kappa, Phi Kappa Phi, and Order of Omega Greek Honor Society.

While a student at the University of Georgia, Ms. Sullivan-Howell was named one of ten Outstanding Senior Leaders and was awarded a 1997 National Leadership Award from Delta Epsilon Iota Honor Society. She also represented UGA's athletic department in UGA football recruitment efforts, was a member and philanthrophy chairperson of Kappa Delta Sorority, and was a member of Mortar Board. Perhaps her best preparation for law school and, ultimately, a career as a litigator came when she was selected to serve as Defender/Advocate on UGA's University Judiciary. Ms. Sullivan-Howell served as an intern in the Washington, D.C., offices of the late U.S. Senator Paul Coverdell and U.S. Representative Nathan Deal, who went on to become Georgia Governor.  While working on Capitol Hill, Ms. Sullivan-Howell attended and completed a course of study with the Institute on Political Journalism at Georgetown University. Ms. Sullivan-Howell worked two years during college as a file clerk in the Athens law firm of Fortson, Bentley & Griffin, P.A. before matriculating to law school in 1999.

Ms. Sullivan-Howell academic success and leadership while an undergraduate earned her a full scholarship to attend law school at Mercer University's Walter F. George School of Law. While there, Ms. Sullivan-Howell distinguished herself as a top student, graduating Cum Laude in 2002 and receiving CALI Awards For Excellence in First Amendment Law, Environmental Law, Taxation of Tax-Exempt Organizations, Appellate Practice and Procedure, Advanced Legal Research, Legal Writing I and Legal Writing II. Ms. Sullivan-Howell also received Faculty Awards for Excellence in Legal Writing I and Legal Writing II and was named to the school's Dean's List. Outside the classroom, Ms. Sullivan-Howell participated in the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program helping needy people complete income tax returns and was active in the Federalist Society. She also served as Vice President of Mercer's chapter of Christian Legal Society and gained invaluable experience as an intern to the late Honorable Duross Fitzpatrick, Judge, U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Georgia in 2001.

After her admission to the Georgia Bar in 2002, Ms. Sullivan-Howell accepted a position as an associate with the Macon firm of James, Bates, Pope & Spivey, LLP, (now known as James Bates) where she worked as a commercial and business tort litigator.  Ms. Howell relocated from Macon to Thomasville in 2005.

Ms. Sullivan-Howell formerly served as a Board member for Family Enrichment Group, Inc., the Thomas County affiliate of CASA Georgia, Inc., an organization which provides child advocacy services in Georgia's Juvenile Courts. She is also an active member of the Women's Forum, a subsection of the Thomas County Chamber of Commerce, and has presented legal information programs for Boy Scouts and women's small groups in Thomasville.   Ms. Sullivan-Howell has served as a competition judge and advisor to the Scholars Academy team in Georgia High School Mock Trial proceedings. Ms. Sullivan-Howell is a member of the Georgia Bar's Section on Family Law and the Thomas County Bar Association. Ms. Sullivan-Howell has served for many years as Chairperson for the Advisory Board to Southwest Georgia Technical College's program in Paralegal Studies.

The American Institute of Family Law Attorneys named Ms. Sullivan-Howell one of the Ten Best Family Law Attorneys in Georgia. Positive feedback from clients has earned Ms. Sullivan-Howell an Avvo Client's Choice badge on www.avvo.com.

Ms. Sullivan-Howell is admitted to practice in all Superior Courts of the State of Georgia, the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Georgia and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit, Washington, D.C. She is an active member of Thomasville First United Methodist Church, where she sings with the Worship Team.

Ms. Sullivan-Howell published her books Crush Your Divorce & Keep Your Faith, Crush Your Comeback and Devotional for the Divorcing in 2024.

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Leigh Ann Durfey

Personal Injury Paralegal

Leigh Ann Durfey has nearly two decades of attorney support experience.  With a heart for client service, Leigh Ann is a real asset to our practice.  She also serves as our accounts receivable clerk and personal injury paralegal. When Leigh Ann is not working, she enjoys spending time with friends and family, reading, watching movies, Bible study and walking. 

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Nicole Dean

Family Law Paralegal

Nicole Dean is a native of Germany.  She immigrated to the United States in 2006 and became a U.S. citizen in September 2013.  She worked for seven years at a large law firm in Valdosta, Georgia, before joining our firm in 2013 as Family Law Paralegal.  

 

Nicole studied law in Germany before her move to America.  In 2010, Nicole obtained her Associates Degree in Paralegal Studies from Ashworth College.  Nicole has experience working with attorneys in multiple areas of law and brings this vast knowledge base to our firm.   When she is not working, Nicole enjoys spending time with her family and friends, traveling, and attending concerts.

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Claley Harrell

Receptionist/Legal Assistant

When you walk through our door, the first thing you will see is Claley Harrell’s smiling face.

Claley is a graduate of Cairo High School and currently studying Criminal Justice and Business Administration at Troy University. After completing her studies at Troy, Claley will pursue a degree in Paralegal Studies. 

 

Claley is a member of National Honor Society, Trojan Leadership Team, Alpha Lambda Delta Honor Society, and Chi Omega Sorority. She has also been named to the Chancellor’s List, a prestigious honor for Troy students who maintain a 4.0 GPA. 

In her spare time, Claley teaches twirling lessons to high school and middle school majorettes, spends time with friends and family, and enjoys travel and music. Claley is an active member of First Baptist Church in Cairo. 

"Ralph"

Office Dog

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"Danny"

Office Dog

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Crush Your Divorce®

Subscribe below and be among the first to know when Bree Howell's new book hits the shelves. In Crush Your Divorce ®, Bree shares her personal journey through divorce and insights from her career as a leading divorce attorney to help you navigate your own challenges.

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