Marisa Douglas left New Hampshire for NC State—where she graduated magna cum laude with a degree in Criminology and a minor in Law and Justice—right at the end of COVID. While she hasn’t been in NC all that long, there’s a good chance you’ve already encountered her. Ever find yourself inching along cautiously in the slow lane when there’s a coating of ice or snow on the highway? Marisa’s the one confidently cruising past you in the fast lane, straight as an arrow, completely unaffected by the weather.

Remarkably, Marisa couldn’t tour the NC State campus or even visit Raleigh before deciding to enroll. Equipped with just Google Maps, her imagination, and the desire to attend school in a location with favorable weather and proximity to mountains and beaches, she made the leap. She’s never looked back.

Marisa first became interested in law during her internship with the NC Department of Adult Corrections. She wasn’t sure exactly where she’d land in the legal world, but she knew she liked the structure, the problem-solving, and the chance to help people move forward. Later, when she began working with children and families, everything clicked. Family law was the right fit. It gave her a way to use her attention to detail and strong communication skills to make a real difference for real people.

Before joining Triangle Smart Divorce, Marisa worked in roles that required equal parts patience, communication, and grace under pressure. As a Registered Behavior Technician, she supported children with autism, honing the calm focus and empathy she brings to every client she helps today. Later, she managed families, events, and the occasional toddler meltdown as a Lead Host at Over The Moon Play Space — experience that, as it turns out, translates surprisingly well to life in family law.

Marisa dangerously tilts the office in a decidedly Wolfpack-red direction. Though she attended NC State sight unseen, her first post-COVID tailgate sealed the deal and made her a passionate supporter for life.

Marisa splits her time between shopping, running, and weightlifting. A sprinter in high school, she’s now training for her first marathon, because apparently she doesn’t do anything halfway.

We’re thrilled to have Marisa as one of the first faces (and voices) clients encounter at Triangle Smart Divorce. Whether she’s greeting someone walking through the door or keeping a case moving behind the scenes, we know she brings the same steady pace and focus she uses on her training runs — always pushing forward, one step at a time.