Carla's parents always said growing up that she could argue with a wall and win. After practicing on sheetrock and her brother for years, Carla moved on to the University of South Carolina, where she graduated with bachelor's degrees in political science and religious studies and with honors from South Carolina Honors College. While at Carolina, Carla was active in student government and various campus organizations and was honored with the Steven N. Swanger Leadership Award as a senior – the university's second-highest student honor. Carla worked in several law firms during college and interned one summer for the Governor of South Carolina. She received her law degree from the University of South Carolina School of Law, where she was an Articles Editor for the South Carolina Law Review and a member of Order of the Wig and Robe. During law school, Carla worked as a summer associate for a large law firm in Greenville.

Carla opened Patat Law Firm in August 2011. Since then, she has narrowed her practice areas to focus primarily on her true passions of family law, estate planning, and probate administration. Carla enjoys helping clients address issues that relate to the composition and well-being of their family, including divorce, custody, family adoptions, child and spousal support, planning for death and incapacity, and transferring assets after a loved one has passed. She believes that the family is the most important unit in society and takes pride in guiding her clients through legal processes that can affect their families for decades to come. She understands that family health depends on a host of situations and outcomes both in and out of the courtroom. Carla is a passionate advocate for her clients and prides herself on being a trusted partner even after the case concludes.

Carla is a native of Greer who enjoys traveling, reading, photography, and scuba diving. She has visited 27 countries and 4 continents and often ventures out on her own. She lives in Greer with her Jack Russell Terrier and her cat who thinks he is a dog.

Bar Admissions

South Carolina, 2010

Professional Affiliations

South Carolina Bar Association

Greenville County Bar Association

Solo and Small Firm Section, South Carolina Bar Association

Family Law Division, South Carolina Bar Association

Business Network International (BNI)

Education

University of South Carolina

-B.A. Political Science 2007, summa cum laude

-B.A. Religious Studies 2007, summa cum laude

-With honors from South Carolina Honors College 2007

-Phi Beta Kappa (alumna)

University of South Carolina School of Law

-Juris Doctor 2010, cum laude

-South Carolina Law Review (alumna), University of South Carolina School of Law

Articles Editor, Volume 61