Joan-Marie Kettell Dean

Joan-Marie came highly recommended from a friend who hired her for their adoption. She is a top notch attorney for Family Law and was an amazing divorce attorney for me. Joan-Marie helped me to understand the divorce process and gave me solid, sound advice throughout my divorce. Her staff is very ...friendly and helpful and returned my calls and emails quickly. I would recommend Joan-Marie to anyone needing a knowledgeable, hard-working Family Law Attorney.

Been thru many court actions related to my custody case with Joan-Marie. Feel fortunate that I have used her. Been accused by daughter's mother of numerous things - DHR has quite a case folder. Although I've been innocent what usually matters is the quality of the lawyer. Eight years ago I was li...mited to a few hours a week of supervised visits at Family Services and I now have almost 50/50 visitation. I believe a good portion of this is Joan-Marie's courtroom skills - very good and getting people to admit things and look foolish - and negotiating ability. She is expensive but I've been fortunate enough to afford it. She is slow to respond to emails and calls, but that doesn't mean she isn't following up; usually it means she is not billing a person for status update emails. I have recommended her to a few friends over the last 7 years. Have another hearing in Jun and may have update after that.

I first hired Ms. Dean 10 years ago, on two separate recommendations from friends who both happen to be judges. One of them spoke very highly of her knowledge of the law and said she would give me trustworthy advice in my (unexpected) divorce. The other gave me Ms. Dean's and another attorney's names..., but said Ms. Dean would do a better job for me in court than anyone else. I chose to hire her then and have not regretted it. Through no fault of hers, we have been back to court every few years and every single time she has won my cases. While we all like to believe the law is on the right side (ours), it is not alway easy to prove and I have been very grateful for her representation. I have had easier, and more difficult, attorneys to contact, but I'm not looking for a BFF. Her office staff is highly competent and courteous and she's got a lot of work; one should expect that. If you are looking for someone to stay on the phone and hold your hand, go somewhere else. If you want a bulldog in the courtroom, it is well worth the price of admission to see her in action. I would certainly not like to be on the other side.