Overall Rating
This is an aggregated review score of Avvo and Lawyers.com reviews.
This is an aggregated review score of Avvo and Lawyers.com reviews.
4.8 /5.0
12 Client Reviews
$ 625-650 per hour
PRO
Kathryn DeVane Hamilton
also known as Kathryn Hamilton, Kate Hamilton
Virtual Consultation Available
About Kathryn
Biography
Kathryn DeVane Hamilton has been practicing law in Florida and Washington states since 1998. Kathryn founded The Hamilton Law Firm in 2008 and became a partner at Hamilton O'Neill PLLC in 2022. Prior to establishing the Law Firm in 2008, Kathryn began her extensive litigation career as a trial attorney at the Miami-Dade County Public Defender’s Office trying over forty trials. Her zealous representation led to acquittals or the dismissal of charges for many clients facing years in prison. In 2001, Kathryn focused her sights on family law litigation and joined the prestigious Miami family law firm, Kutner and Associates where she sharpened her civil litigation skills representing public figures, business owners, entrepreneurs and professionals.
When Kathryn founded the Law Firm, she focused her representation on providing strategic, compassionate and tenacious representation to her clients in all areas of domestic relations, including dissolution of marriage, equitable property distribution, alimony and child support, paternity, child custody and parenting plans, prenuptial and postnuptial agreements and domestic violence, among others. Kathryn recognizes that the decisions she guides her clients to make are among the most important choices in their lives with both short and long term implications.
Kathryn’s approach to practicing family law has resulted in numerous successes and honors for her excellence in the field of family law, including:
Rating of AV Preeminent by Martindale Hubbell, the highest rating awarded based upon reviews from her peer attorneys, judges and clients for her professional excellence, legal abilities and ethical standards.
Selected as Super Lawyer in Family Law – rated top 5% of lawyers in Florida since 2017.
Recognized by Best Lawyers in America as a Top Attorney in Family Law since 2019.
Ranked as “Best Law Firms” in family law by U.S. News & World Report - Best Lawyers since 2020.
Selected by Florida Trend as Legal Elite in Family Law since 2022.
Selected as a 2020 Woman Leader in the Law by ALM.
Rated "Superb" by Avvo as a Family Law Attorney since 2012.
Named a Rising Star by Super Lawyers for 4 years, a distinction for only 2.5% of the lawyers in Florida.
Named Florida Outstanding Young Lawyer by Florida Top Attorneys in 2013 and 2011.
Kathryn is a founding member of the Miami-Dade Chapter of American Academy for Certified Financial Litigators. In 2017, she was appointed by The Florida Bar Family Law Section for two terms to serve on the Rules and Forms Committee. She has been published in several national and state publications and has lectured on family law to fellow attorneys.
Originally from Seattle, Washington, Kathryn earned her Bachelor of Arts in Society and Justice at the University of Washington in 1995 before moving to Miami, Florida to study at the University of Miami School of Law. She earned her Juris Doctorate in 1998 from the University of Miami, after winning the 1996 Moot Court Board Competition, was selected as a member of the prestigious Moot Court Board and received Honors in the Litigation Skills Program. Kathryn is a member of the Family Law Section of the Florida Bar and has been a member of the Florida First Family Inns of Court since 2002. Kathryn is a supporter and sponsor of ICU Baby, an organization devoted to assisting families and babies that are born to the Neo-Natal Intensive Care Units in South Florida. She has been a member of Junior League Miami and the Humane Society.
A boutique family law firm concentrating in complex or high asset family law matters.
Practice Areas
5
Practice Areas
Divorce and Separation
35%
Family
35%
Marriage and Prenuptials
15%
Alimony
10%
Fees and Rates
Cost
Hourly Rates
Payment Methods
- Cash
- Check
- Credit Card
Awards
Licenses
Licensed in Washington for 26 years
State: Washington
Acquired: 1999
No misconduct found
Licensed in Florida for 27 years
State: Florida
Acquired: 1998
No misconduct found
Location
Kathryn DeVane Hamilton's Reviews
Showing 1 - 5 of 11 client reviews from Avvo
Posted by Amanda | January 23, 2020 | Hired Attorney
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Excellent care and service
I can’t say enough good things about the care and attention to detail that Ms. Hamilton took with my child custody case. My situation was extremely difficult and emotional. Ms. Hamilton instantly knew what the right course of action would be and took the time to make sure that I got the best poss...
Posted by Polina | April 17, 2019 | Hired Attorney
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Experienced, supportive and highly recommended attorney.
Kathryn is thorough, detail oriented, knowledgable in family law and very supportive. She has high ethical standards and from my experience never hesitated to litigate. She fought for me to the end and beyond. She guided me through these difficult times and included a safeguard plan for the future fi...
Posted by Naomi | December 14, 2016 | Hired Attorney
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Top Notch Attorney
Kate, is extremely knowledgeable in family law, tenacious and cares about her clients. A combination that is rare to say the least. She guided me through a very tough time and I am grateful for her service as an attorney and as a person in general.
Posted by anonymous | November 20, 2016 | Hired Attorney
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
A class act, respect for herself and clients, relentless in battle.
Kathryn Hamilton is an excellent and keen family law lawyer. Her attitude and sharp intellect as well as her silence skills keeps opposition guessing and on edge. Every legal strike brought against your spouse will be a win in the court room when Katherine Hamilton is in the house. Its all about the...
Posted by Jen | May 18, 2016 | Hired Attorney
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Nothing but the BEST!!!
Kate & staff are absolutely amazing!! It was a pleasure working with them. They constantly kept me informed of all that was going on. Kate isn't an attorney to milk her clients. She's fair, honest & considerate. It's hard to find someone who is willing to go out of their way for their clients. My cas...
Kathryn DeVane Hamilton's Lawyer Endorsements
"I endorse this lawyer. Kate Hamilton is very knowledgeable and professional."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"Ms. Hamilton is an extremely competent and professional attorney. I have known her for many years and have litigated against her and her firm. I endorse this lawyer and think very highly of her and her skills."
"Kathryn Hamilton is an outstanding family lawyer. She is detail oriented and provides superior representation. I worked with Kathryn for several years and highly recommend her."
"I endorse this lawyer. Kate is among the top family law attorneys practicing in South Florida. I have referred clients to Kate and the results were always excellent."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"I endorse this lawyer. Ms. Hamliton is a tireless advocate for her clients. I highly recommend Ms. Hamilton for any complex family matter."
"I endorse this lawyer's work. I've known Kathryn for over 10 years. We worked together briefly at the Public Defender's Office in Miami. I have always found her to be a zealous advocate for her clients. Kathryn has excellent courtroom skills, the legal knowledge to match and she really cares about her clients."
Liliana Loebl
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Rand Lieber
Family lawyer
Experience
Honors
2025
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2024
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2023
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2023
Best Lawyers- Family Law, Best Attorneys in America
2022
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2022
Best Lawyers- Family Law, Best Attorneys in America
2022
Florida Legal Elite, Florida Trend Magazine
2021
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2020
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2020
Haute Lawyer of Florida, Haute Living
2020
Selected Best Lawyers in Family Law Florida, Best Lawyers in America
2020
Top Woman in Law, ALM
2019
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2019
Selected Best Lawyers in Family Law in Florida, Best Lawyers in America
2018
Super Lawyer, SuperLawyers
2017
Super Lawyer, Florida Super Lawyers
2013
Rising Star, Super Lawyers
2013
Florida Super Lawyers Rising Star, Super Lawyers
2013
Florida's Outstanding Young Lawyers, Florida Top Attorneys, American Registry
2011
Florida's Outstanding Young Lawyers, Florida Top Attorneys, American Registry
2011
Rising Star, Super Lawyers
2011
Florida Super Lawyers Rising Star, Super Lawyers
2010
Florida Super Lawyers Rising Star, Super Lawyers
2010
Rising Star, Super Lawyers
2009
Florida Super Lawyers Rising Star, Super Lawyers
2009
Rising Star, Super Lawyers
N/A
AV Preeminent Rated, Martindale-Hubbell
Work Experience
2022 - Present
Partner, Hamilton O'Neill LLC
2008 - Present
Founding Partner, The Hamilton Law Firm
1900 - Present
Member, Hamilton O'Neill
2001 - 2008
Attorney, Kutner and Associates
1998 - 2001
Trial Attorney, Miami Dade County Public Defender's Office
Associations
2016 - Present
ICU BABYSponsor, Hostess
2002 - Present
American Inns of Court
2002 - Present
Family Law Section - Florida Bar
1998 - Present
Florida Bar
1998 - Present
Washington State Bar Association
2012 - 2012
Therapy Dogs
2009 - 2012
Junior League of Miami
Sample of Legal Cases
Herman v. Herman
Alarcon v. Alarcon
Education
1998
University of Miami School of Law
JD - Juris Doctor
1995
University of Washington -Seattle
BA - Bachelor of Arts
Speaking Engagements
2014
Divorce Law Guide From A to Z
Case Assessment and Vital First Steps; Filing for Divorce and Pretrial Motions; Mediation, Arbitration, Negotiation and Trial
Publications
2006
Family Advocate (ABA)
Successful Mediation Techniques
2005
Florida Chapter- American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers
The Art of Mediation: Client Preparation
Languages
English
Activity
Legal Answers