Kathleen McClernan is a partner in Williams, McClernan, & Stack LLC. We're one of the only woman-owned law firms in the area. We're dedicated to supporting our community. We offer the kind of personalized legal support and guidance you won’t get from larger firms. When you retain Williams, McClernan, & Stack LLC, our lawyers will meet with you to discuss the specifics of your situation and determine the best course of action. We’ll work with you every step of the way to make sure you’re getting effective legal representation.
She is the first female recepient of the Leadership in the Law Award, Generation JD in all of Southern Maryland. She was previously an Associate Attorney at a private law firm in 2013 after 6 years with the Office of the Public Defender. She served St. Mary's County as an Assistant Public Defender from 2007-2011 where she defended over 4,000 criminal and traffic cases in both the District and Circuit Courts. In 2011 she transferred to Washington County where she defended major felony cases (including murder, robbery, burglary, child abuse, sex offenses, etc).
Ms. McClernan is a graduate of the University of Arizona, a 2007 graduate of the University of Baltimore School of Law, and was admitted to the Maryland Bar in December of 2007. She is a current member of the Maryland State Bar Association, the St. Mary's County Bar Association, and Phi Alpha Delta Law Fraternity International. She is the former President for the St. Mary's County Bar Association and the current Mock Trial Coach for Leonardtown High School. She sits on the Board of Directors for the Center for Children and Community Mediation of St. Mary's County.
Ms. McClernan has completed courses in the handling of forensics, DNA, arson investigation, child abuse and safe examinations, mental health and competency issues, and social media issues.
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Chat withState: Maryland
Acquired: 2007
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22715 Washington Street, Suite 201, P. O . Box 188, Leonardtown, MD, 20650
Showing 1 - 5 of 7 client reviews from Avvo
Posted by Lily | January 28, 2026 | Hired Attorney
Kathleen is an awesome attorney. I was in a family court case and she helped us with our case. She made options clear and helped my custody case.
Posted by Kelly | October 25, 2016 | Hired Attorney
We hired Kathleen to develop our wills, advanced directives and trust. As a young family, we were not clear what details we needed to include and what was expected of us. Kat was patient, direct, and extremely helpful to us. She made the process relatively easy and helped us to make informed decision...
Posted by CarrieAnn | October 25, 2016 | Hired Attorney
As new parents to a young daughter my husband and I felt that it was time to put in writing our wishes should anything happen to the two of us. We employed Ms. McClernan to create and guide us through the process of creating a will, power of attorney, and advance directive. Ms. McClernan provided e...
Posted by Kristen Dorn Kennedy | June 4, 2015
Over the course of the past year, Ms. McClernan has become a trusted advisor and ally. She not only assisted me through every step of my separation and divorce, she worked tirelessly to ensure I received the rulings I deserved on both custody and the divorce. She was the perfect balance of calm and s...
Posted by anonymous | October 28, 2014
She worked hand in hand with me to determine my rights as a parent and what I deserved. She took all of my suggestions and implemented as well as she could. She truly understood the struggle I was going through trying to receive my child support and enforcing. She fought for me and my child as hard a...
"I had a case with Kathleen a few years ago in St. Mary's County. She is an excellent attorney and did a great job for her client. I would highly recommend her to anyone looking for a family law attorney."
"Ms. McClernan's professional reputation is well deserved as she zealously advocates for her clients regardless of their background or legal issue. She is a true litigator who can work any courtroom however, she can mediate a settlement when in her client's best interests."
Family lawyer
Family lawyer
2017
10 Best, American Institute of Family Law Attorneys
2016
Leadership in Law, Daily Record
2014
Top 40 Under 40, National Trial Lawyers
2016 - Present
Owner, The Law Office of Kathleen McClernan, LLC
2013 - 2015
Associate Attorney, The Law Office of D. Anne Emery & Associates, LLC
2007 - 2013
Assistant Public Defender, State Of Maryland Office Of The Public Defender
2016 - Present
Center for ChildrenBoard of Directors
2016 - Present
Community Mediation of St. Mary's CountyBoard of Directors
2015 - Present
Leadership of Southern MarylandAlumni
2015 - Present
Women's Bar Association of MarylandBoard Member
2007 - Present
Maryland State Bar AssociationMember
2007 - Present
St. Mary's County Bar AssociationMember
2002 - Present
Phi Alpha DeltaAlumni
2014 - 2016
St. Mary's County Bar AssociationPresident
2007
JD - Juris Doctor
2004
BA - Bachelor of Arts
English
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