Kathy L. Portnoy

I do not do reviews often in positive or negative and truly not sure where to begin or how far back to go. I have read some of the reviews out there any anyone who wants insight from my experience with Kathy please feel free to contact me. I am the dad of 2 boys and their biological mom has multi...ple diagnoses mental illnesses. I have been in a 5 year on and off legal struggle where I, dad, always maintained majority of parenting time and all final decision, but it was still a huge struggle on so many levels. My previous lawyer was convinced that the boys mom just had addiction issues and I could never get my attorney to see the mental struggles that had gone undiagnosed for years in marriage and divorced years. After a 10-13 police incident that thankfully only caused mental trauma for the boys and no physical harm I knew I needed a new attorney who would fight harder and focus on the root issues. After talking with several for recommendations I contacted Kathy Portnoy. The first conversation with her was easy to hear how much she cared, how hard she would work to protect my kids and family. She worked tirelessly to protect the boys and the rest of my family. We spoke at all hours of day and night as it was important to shield the kids from the conversation so often we spoke at 9pm after kids in bed. She guided me through custody evaluation, discussed therapist recommendations, helped with any aspect on this journey I needed...even when I didn’t know what I needed. She knows so many different experts and the different nuances of each to steer me towards or away from. Kathy may have felt like a therapist at times and letting me vent with frustration of the situation and always had a calm demeanor to her that gave me trust to follow the process and be patient. Yesterday we finished court and received a result that will protect the kids and give me my life back to focus more on the joy of being a great parent. None of it would have been possible without Kathy. Kathy is someone I will consider a friend for life and although my boys will never know it their lives will be much better because of Kathy's care and efforts for the boys...simply amazing through such a complex and terrible situation. I would recommend Kathy Portnoy to anyone custody situation no matter how complex or routine. If you have any question of that please contact me and I will openly share more. Thank you again Kathy!

I was referred to Kathy Portnoy by the best defense attorney in the country! I quickly realized she is his gold standard equivalent in the family law arena. Kathy took my call one night ..spent hours listening to my circumstances ..and did not run! Instead she relished the challenge. Kathy untan...gled exhaustive legal mishaps that predated her representation. She transformed my protracted, muddy custody case into a clear blueprint for success. Undeterred, patient, and creative! Kathy did what only the best attorneys can do for their most anxious clients. She managed a potent legal approach ..while also managing me! I am so grateful for this resolution. Thank you Attorney Kathy Portnoy!!!

I've held off since 2008 in reviewing this lawyer believing that she might choose to do better for others after being confronted and sued. I regret waiting this long. She has led many good parents into danger, causing them to lose children and the ability to fight for their children. She is not alone... in this as we now know. Her failures are protected by connected lawyers who are able to cover up lies in court, causing the Appellate & Supreme Court to rule on incomplete & inaccurate records. It's a shame, but that's just how it is. Avvo is not as reliable as it could be, because damaged parties are intimidated into not challenging professional misconduct or billing fraud. Pay attention to pending & past news media reports; what Kathy did on my case is very common, but most cases do not involve 2M in damages from being put in a position to have to buy back your own children. How did this happen? She would not let me see the child custody evaluator's report, for starters. Had I seen that report, given the available, visible evidence in hand, the outcome would have been much better for me and for my children. Additionally, she and her associate were running a "dating service" of sorts, introducing vulnerable clients to each other, while withholding funds for support, running them into debt, withholding needed & available protections and more. Avoiding temporary hearings for months, lying to the court to further destabilize the client, all to create a situation where they and their friends could makes tens of thousands managing an unnecessary child custody fight. These types of cases are the norm for them, and there is no consideration for the trauma caused to confused but trusting clients, let alone for the stress caused to children...when it could all be avoided. Please choose more wisely than I did.

Kathy Portnoy from the start was trustworthy and thorough. Her competence was excellent as was her knowledge of the law and what was best for my children. Her advice was based on years of experience, not in anger or retaliation and this has made the lives of my children, my own and my ex-spouse's a ...far more quality experience. I have not one regret at having chosen Kathy Portnoy to represent me and highly recommend her.

Having interviewed many attorneys I chose Kathy Portnoy. She is brilliant, compassionate and dedicated to ensure that the best outcome possible could be attained with the least hassle. Her character was most apparent when she advised me not to "win" the case but to settle because it would be in the b...est interest of my children. At the time I couldn't understand but she assured me what would be best... and she was right without any doubt. My current situation is the best it can be for my children (half-time custody) and a relatively amicable settlement with my ex. My children are learning for themselves about both their parents and are growing well. Life is too short to foster bitterness and to cause anguish to children. Kathy's reputation was very apparent among the judges and her colleagues. She's very tough when she has to be but also very considerate and personable. I always felt that I had confidence in her and highly recommend her (and her able staff) to anyone in need of solid and ethical representation.