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.