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Amy Hayes Kennedy

Family Attorney at Salt Lake City, UT

2.0   1 review
  • Licensed for 26 years
    State UT
    Acquired 1997
    Status
    Active No misconduct found

We have not found any instances of professional misconduct for this lawyer.

About Amy

Learn Amy’s areas of practice.

4
Practice areas
  1. Family
    60%
    My family law practice includes divorce, separation, common law marriage, complex and high asset marital estates, child custody, child support, alimony (spousal support), premarital agreements, cohabitation agreements, and essential estate planning,

  2. Divorce and separation
    15%
    I am an experienced, compassionate, and creative family lawyer. I am a fellow of the prestigious American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers (AAML). I prefer to use mediation and collaborative law to solve even the most complex matters for my clients.

  3. Marriage and prenuptials
    15%
    I draft and advise clients on premarital (prenuptial) agreements and cohabitation agreements.

  4. Estate planning
    10%
    My experience as a family lawyer gives me the knowledge, perspective, and wisdom needed to create truly personalized estate plans for my clients that meet their unique needs and honor their values. I work on a flat-fee basis for all estate matters.

If I have learned one thing since I began my legal career over 20 years ago, it is that people seek personalized solutions for their families.  Whether helping resolve a complex family law matter or putting together an estate plan to create a more certain future, I help my clients achieve their goals and honor their values.  As a fellow of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, I am recognized as one of the best family lawyers in the nation.  Let me put my experience to work for you and your family.

Experience Matters

Family law has been the central part of my practice since day one and along the way, I have figured out what works and what does not.  With every step taken toward the courthouse, options become more limited.  I prefer to use mediation and collaborative law to address even the most complex family law matters because this allows me to find a creative solution for my clients.  Sometimes going to court is necessary and as an experienced litigator, I take a firm yet compassionate approach because judges hate theatrics and family relationships will long outlast litigation.  

In addition to divorce and separation matters, I also assist clients with drafting and reviewing premarital agreements and cohabitation agreements.

Planning a Secure Future

A few years ago I added estate planning to my practice because I discovered that very few people have an estate plan but everyone needs one.  Perhaps it's because no one likes to think about death, the possibility of a serious, debilitating illness, or leaving loved ones behind is why many people put off estate planning.  I offer common sense solutions tailored to client's needs and, most importantly, peace of mind once the estate plan is in order.  Unlike some attorneys who only draft documents and leave you to figure out the rest, I walk you through every step of the planning process.  I assist clients with wills, trusts, powers of attorney, and health care directives.  All of my estate planning work is performed on a fixed fee basis.  No more excuses!

Our firm's main office is in downtown Salt Lake City and we have a branch office in Park City where I also meet with clients upon request.

Photos and videos

With over 20 years of experience, Amy Kennedy is recognized as a top family lawyer.  Clients turn to her to provide solid solutions for the most complex issues that arise in their family law matter with unmatched excellence, expertise, and care.

Contact Amy

Similar lawyers nearby

Dart, Adamson & Donovan
257 E 200 S Ste 1050
Salt Lake City, UT, 84111-2048

Reviews

2.0 / 5.0
  1 customer review
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Posted by anonymous | November 2, 2020
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired Attorney
Would not recommend
Amy was hired to represent my elderly Mom. She assured us she could help with our case because it was a large firm & if she were out of the office another attorney would help. It went to mediation, she did not intervene on our behalf, did not speak up for my mother. My brother & father took over $600,000.00 of their joint money from sale of a cabin & annuities. Amy said nothing. She was preoccupied with her sick mother. While understandable, I was also dealing with a sick mother. Amy forgot key points & was unavailable most of the time. Not once did she publicly stand up to the judge or the opposing lawyer. In fact her correspondence with him was usually asking about his family. If she did bother to offer advice & we followed it, we ended up paying some of the opposing attorney’s fees. A years litigation can not fit in this tiny review. We will never use her again, nor will we recommend her for any litigation. Since she is a partner, we will not recommend this firm.
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Cost

Rates
  • Hourly Rates $ 300-300 per hour
  • Retainer Always
Payment methods
Cash, Check, Credit Card

Resume

AVVO RATING 10.0 (Superb)

Work Experience

  • Partner
  • Dart, Adamson & Donovan
  • 2000 - Present

Education

  • University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law
  • JD - Juris Doctor
  • 1997
  • San Jose State University
  • BA - Bachelor of Arts
  • 1993

Legal Cases

  • Ouk v. Ouk
  • Trial Court decision affirmed and fees awarded for successful defense of appeal.
  • Strauss v. Tushman
  • Successfully defended appellee.

Associations

  • American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers
  • Fellow
  • 2016 - Present
  • Utah Supreme Court Ethics & Discipline Committee
  • Panel Member
  • 2015 - Present
  • Legal Aid Society of Salt Lake
  • Trustee, Chair of Board of Trustees
  • 2014 - Present
  • International Academy of Collaborative Professionals
  • Member
  • 2006 - Present
  • Utah Association of Collaborative Professionals
  • Chair
  • 2001 - Present
  • Utah State Bar
  • Member
  • 1997 - Present
  • Salt Lake County Bar Association
  • Member
  • 1997 - Present
  • Women Lawyers of Utah
  • Member
  • 1997 - Present
View all associations

Languages Spoken

  • English

Honors and Awards

  • Legal Elite - Family Law
  • Utah Business Magazine
  • 2017
  • Legal Elite - Family Law
  • Utah Business Magazine
  • 2016
  • Rising Star
  • Super Lawyers
  • 2011
  • Rising Star
  • Super Lawyers
  • 2009
  • Rising Star
  • Super Lawyers
  • 2008
  • Young Lawyer of the Year
  • Utah State Bar
  • 2003
  • Civil Rights and Liberties Award
  • University of Utah College of Law
  • 1997
  • David T. Lewis Clinical Award
  • University of Utah College of Law
  • 1997
View all awards

Publications

Speaking Engagements

  • Women Lawyers of Utah
  • Personal Estate Planning for Busy Women Lawyers: No More Excuses!
  • 2018
  • These Are My Wishes - Health Care Directives
  • These Are My Wishes
  • 2016
  • Utah State Bar New Lawyer Training Program
  • Introduction to Family Law
  • 2012
  • Utah State Bar Convention
  • There is Such Thing as a Simple Divorce
  • 2010
  • Utah State Bar Fall Forum
  • Divorce Basics
  • 2006
  • Equitable Distribution in Divorce Settlements in Utah: Valuation, Taxation and Other Issues
  • Equitable Distribution in Divorce Settlements in Utah: Valuation, Taxation and Other Issues
  • 2002
View all speaking engagements

Attorney endorsements

Received (4)
Given (1)
Endorse Amy
Family Attorney | May 10
Relationship: Opposing Counsel on matter
"Amy is fantastic. If you want a smart, hard working litigator, who will steer you towards a good settlement, Amy is for you."
Family Attorney | Apr 08
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
"Amy is a top-flight family law attorney whom I have known and worked with in various capacities for many years. I have the utmost respect for her and her skills. She also gives back to the community as chair of the Legal Aid Society board of trustees."
Family Attorney | Apr 06
Relationship: Opposing Counsel on matter
"Amy is a stellar advocate. I have been against Amy on multiple cases, and observed her in court on other matters. Her demeanor - both inside and outside of the courtroom - is professional, persuasive, and compelling. Amy has a tremendous knowledge and understanding of Utah family law, and I endorse her without reservation."
Unknown Attorney | Apr 04
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
"An excellent lawyer who treats clients with patience, care, understanding, and utmost professionalism - an even better person and I wholeheartedly recommend for future services."
Salt Lake City Family Lawyer Amy Hayes Kennedy
Amy Hayes Kennedy
Family Attorney
Salt Lake City, UT
Licensed for 26 years