Joan-Marie Kettell Dean

I had an extremely long drawn out divorce that resulted in me switching attorneys, and the difference was night and day. Joan was great to work with, provided sound advice, and represented my interests with great professionalism even though the opposing counsel and opposing client did not always tak...e the high road. Joan was able to get a resolution to my pending divorce that allowed me to move on with my life. I would recommend her to anyone that faces the unfortunate reality of divorce.

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.

I hired Joan-Marie to handle my divorce and I could not have been happier with the personal attention that I received, the outcome of the divorce, and follow-up that's taken place in the years to follow. I had been married for over 11 years of my military career, with two small children, when I foun...d myself going thru a divorce. Joan-Marie went out of her way to talk me thru the process, was expert on Alabama divorce law, and understand the implications of military service in a divorce. She places the needs of her clients above those of her self and always makes the time to meet or talk on the telephone. I could not have had a better experience and outcome. Through her understanding of law and negotiation efforts, I was able to retain 100% of my military retirement and a substantial amount of my assets. When my ex-wife asked for additional child support 6 years following our divorce, I again turned to Joan-Marie. Although I was required to pay more child support, since my salary had increased, Joan-Marie provided expert advice and documentation to ensure the modification was reasonable. The qualities that I like best about Joan-Marie is that she's straight forward and honest. She knows the law and will be honest about the pros and cons of any legal action. She is sensitive to the emotional ups and downs of going thru a divorce. Joan-Marie is absolutely the "best of the best" and I highly recommend her to those who are faced with divorce!

Ms. Sullivan came recommended to me by another attorney in town. Given the circumstances surrounding my divorce and subsequent child custody proceedings, I could NOT have made a better choice. Her knowledge of the law, her vested interest in my well being, as well as my son's, her empathy regarding m...y experiences and her stellar representation of my case contributed greatly to a very positive outcome! I would not hesitate to recommend her to any person in search of a qualified and professional attorney in north Alabama.

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.