Kara Marie Bellew

I have been a partner at Rower LLC since its inception in 2017. I have been practicing exclusively in the field of matrimonial and family law since 2005.

I began my legal career at Sanctuary for Families, where I managed a high volume of contested matrimonial and family law cases that required me to appear before the judges of New York and Kings County on matters including orders of protection, custody/visitation, and contested divorce. My experience at Sanctuary for Families not only taught me about the complex nature of domestic violence, but also shaped my commitment to client-centered advocacy. I have parlayed that into my private practice, where I handle a caseload of high-conflict divorce cases, often involving complex custody issues and domestic violence.

While I believe clients often achieve the best outcome when they can reach a settlement, I do not hesitate to engage the court system when necessary. Strategically knowing when to do so, and when to keep a case out of court, is a skill I have sharpened over the past 20 years of practicing in this field. I am a tenacious litigator, having tried numerous custody and financial cases in the Supreme and Family Courts of Manhattan, Brooklyn, and Westchester. I have also successfully argued before the Appellate Division of the First Department in both 2021 and 2022.