Katharine Wesley Maddox

Katharine Maddox is a world class family law attorney. My case was quite complex, with myriad twists and turns, and at every step I couldn’t have been more pleased to have Katharine as advocate for my children and for me. Thanks to Katharine’s tireless efforts, and the deep respect that judges i...n both the Juvenile & Domestic Relations and Circuit Courts have for her and her work, I was awarded sole physical and legal custody of my children, then 18 months and 7 years old respectively. By no means was this a likely outcome given that I’m the Father, and a full-time senior executive. Katharine made it clear from the beginning that she saw herself as an advocate for the best interests of the children. She expressed her frustration that while almost every parent says that the well-being of their children are their first concern, often in divorce and custody cases it becomes secondary to all manner of emotion and vindictive pettiness. Katharine worked diligently with me, the Mother of my children (via her attorneys), my children, the experts, and the Courts and never let anyone forget that the children’s best interests should be protected. However, that did not, in any way, at any time, interfere with her being a fierce advocate on my behalf. Another remarkable thing about Katharine was her willingness, and in fact eagerness, to include me as part of the legal team. Unlike other legal situations to which I’ve been party, both personally and professionally, Katharine encouraged me to take an active and integral role in strategizing about my case. I’m an accomplished professional in my own field, and I would not have felt comfortable as a bystander, simply asking questions and writing checks. I knew that if things had not gone my way, it wouldn’t have been because I didn’t have a phenomenal attorney who allowed me to roll up my sleeves and participate in the actions which had such serious consequences for my children and for me. Further, an attorney’s staff is a reflection of them and their work. Every single person in Katharine’s firm, from her colleagues, to paralegals, to administrative and billing support personnel are consummate professionals who are effective, efficient, and above all, compassionate. A divorce is a death, and often an expensive, emotionally charged death that takes way too long. At no time, even on my darkest days, did I encounter anything but genuine and supportive care from Katharine’s staff and colleagues. I remarked more than once that it was sort of amazing that I always felt as if I was their only client. Finally, an attorney must have the ability to tap outside resources when needed, to engage in and assist with a case. Katharine’s network is of the highest caliber. When I observed the immense respect that the Courts had for experts Katharine brought into the case, I knew that my kids and I had a unique advantage. Great people work with and for great people, and Katharine’s extended team reflects that. I’ve been in combat, yet never experienced anything as daunting and scary as the prospect of not being able to protect my children. Thanks to Katharine, they are thriving. On the occasion of various milestones - graduations and birthdays, etc. - I send Katharine pictures of my children with my sincere thanks that they are able to live their best life thanks to her determined, focused, legally-adept, fair-minded, empathetic, and fierce advocacy for them and for me. Without any hesitation, I’ve referred many friends and colleagues to Katharine, and will do so as long as she is in practice. There is no finer family law attorney in Northern Virginia than Katharine Maddox.

I feel very fortunate to have found attorney Katharine Maddox and that she accepted to take my case. I had hired another attorney initially and was not really happy with his work. I began to look for a replacement. Katharine came highly recommended from another attorney. Switching attorneys in the mi...ddle of a divorce process is scary. Katharine did not skip a beat, which made for a very smooth transition. She made an extremely stressful, scary and messy process bearable. I felt well taken care of from the very beginning. I was impressed with how effective Katharine can be and still deliver such high quality work. She would not take up valuable time unless absolutely necessary. Information sessions were to the point. Katharine has a penchant for impeccable structure and attention to detail. She also had junior attorneys that could do some ground work to help with cost. My former attorney had advised me against asking for full custody, even though I had repeatedly expressed this was my preference, and for very good reason. Receiving resistance from my former attorney I gave up on that idea. It did not take long after Katharine had a chance to review my case that she asked if shared custody was really what I thought was best for my daughter? I did not think so. She said that she thought that full custody would be very reasonable in my case. I ultimately won full custody. A client will have a very powerful and conscientious partner in Maddox & Gerock. I feel I still have, should I need it in the future. I am completely confident that Katharine will get done whatever is legally possible, to serve the interest of myself and my daughter. Katharine is passionate about her work. It shines through. I believe it gives her that extra edge that definitely my first attorney was totally lacking. I highly recommend Katharine and her firm.

Katharine Maddox is an excellent attorney. She carefully weighs all pros and cons and gives you the best advice for your CHILD not necessarily what you want to hear. This was very important to me because I felt well prepared for all negotiations, depositions and court appearances. It is also very ...easy to get caught up in the arguing and fighting of a child custody and child support case and she never took the focus off my daughter. You can never be 100% sure how a judge will rule but she gave me realistic options of what to expect. Many other attorneys I met with simply told me what I wanted to hear NOT what I needed to hear. I retained Ms. Maddox over three years ago and it was the best decision I ever made. Litigation is very stressful and hard and she really carried a lot of that burden so that I could focus on my family. Ms. Maddox is extremely thorough with a meticulous attention to detail that definitely made a huge and apparent difference in court. She was on top of each detail and knew my case forward and back even though I was far from her only client. Ms. Maddox never made me feel rushed or ignored. All calls and email were returned or replied to in a timely fashion and she answered each question in detail. I do not think I could have gotten through the last 3 years of litigation without her as my attorney. No matter how flustered or frustrated I got with the situation she always listened and gave me sound advice. I truly trust her opinion (so much so that now when things come up I don't even question what the right call is - she always has had my best interest and the best interest of my daughter in mind). Even if I do not question her she always explains the situation thoroughly and double checks before sending anything out on my behalf. I cannot say enough positive things about her. I have always felt well taken care of and I cannot stress enough what having an amazing lawyer does for you in the long run of going through litigation.