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Katy M. Gronowski

Divorce and separation Attorney at Walnut Creek, CA

5.0   14 reviews
Virtual consultation available
Virtual consultation available
  • Licensed for 35 years
    State CA
    Acquired 1987
    Status
    Active No misconduct found

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

About Katy

Learn Katy’s areas of practice.

3
Practice areas
CERTIFIED FAMILY LAW SPECIALIST, CA STATE BAR AND BOARD CERTIFIED IN FAMILY LAW TRIAL ADVOCACY, NBTA

Awards

Client's Choice 2015
Client's Choice
2015

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Katy M. Gronowski

Reviews

5.0 / 5.0
  14 customer reviews
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Client's Choice 2015
Client's Choice
Client's Choice is an Avvo award granted to attorneys with a significant number of client reviews over 4 stars in a given year.
Posted by Gretchen | August 9, 2013
Excellent lawyer
It's hard to believe Katy is a lawyer. She is so compassionate and is genuinely concerned about her clients. She has spent several hours on the phone with me answering questions, even though I had not retained her as my lawyer at that time. While she listens to and will "fight" for your priorities, she also provides sound advice and won't drag you through a long legal battle for a lost cause. She is very bright and understands the law. I highly recommend her for anyone who wants to make this process as pain-free as possible.
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Posted by JacquettaBardacos | May 5, 2013
A top notch attorney
Katy is a top notch attorney who holds herself to the highest professional standards.
Posted by Michele | October 14, 2020
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired Attorney
Stand by me....
Finding yourself in an unknown and vulnerable position is how I would imagine most people are when they find themselves confronted with a divorce. I found myself unprepared emotionally as I never believed this would happen to me. I was lucky enough to get a reference from a family friend who recommended a lawyer he knew in Walnut Creek whose reputation was good. From the first moment I met with Katy Gronowski, I felt the comfort of her expertise and knowledge of procedural divorce law. She never once disappointed me in her follow up, attention to detail, and advice regarding what battles are worth pursuing. She stood side-by-side with me at every court appearance. I was even awarded a special decision at the last hearing due to her indefatigable efforts to get justice for me. I recommend her highly.
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Posted by Josh | September 1, 2020
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired Attorney
Extremely pleased
Handled my divorce. Very competent, fair, and honest throughout my entire divorce process. Timely with all communications in response to other counsel as well as myself. Really cannot say enough good things about both her law abilities and her attention to me the customer. Extremely pleased and gracious to have had her navigate me through a very difficult time
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Posted by LC | June 19, 2020
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired Attorney
Katy Nailed It!
I brought Katy on at the last minute not having funds to hire legal council prior to prepare for an ugly ongoing family law trial. Katy was able to quickly review and absorb my pre-trial work and make our case which the outcome could not have been better. She is calm, cool and collected at all times, which was so helpful during such a stressful and heated situation. She kept me focused and calm which is what you need heading into a trial. She knows that law, is quick and efficient. I'd hire her again anytime I have a family law matter.
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Posted by Matt | July 23, 2015
Excellent representation and practical advice
Katy represented me through the nearly three years it took to finalize my divorce. At first, it appeared that it would be uncontested, so Katy just provided what I requested, which was a sounding-board in the background while I performed the negotiations. As issues arose, I had her take the lead and work through the complexities of the financial aspects with opposing counsel. Throughout the process, Katy made good suggestions on how to address each issue. Her gentle, non-aggressive demeanor was instrumental in helping to get my very hesitant ex to the finish line. Thirteen years later, I still call Katy occasionally with a question about support or custody and she actually recalls my situation (and even my children's names) with enough clarity to provide quality advice. Compared with any of my friends' divorce experiences and costs, I feel that I really lucked out finding Katy.
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Posted by Carmina | June 19, 2015
Professional and Personable
Katy M. Gronowski is a very classy lady and great attorney. Aside from the basic qualifications that we all look in lawyers i.e. trust, experience, and knowledge of Family Law. Katy is a great story teller. She listened with a sincere concern for the tiny details in my mother’s story. She has great communication and people skills. Ultimately you want someone to represent you, to tell your story as if you were telling it to the judge. (Used Katy’s services for my mother’s divorce) Katy was always available and answered my questions in a timely manner. She would advise on the pros and cons of the situation as we went along. Katy’s demeanor was calm, which was great for us, since this was a very stressful situation, which included dealing with the opposing attorney as well. Not only because of the process but also because of our locations, she is in Northern California and we are in Southern California. She explained the law to its simple form. We are very pleased with the outcome. I highly recommend Katy M. Gronowski for your case.
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Posted by anonymous | May 22, 2015
Best Attorney Ever
"I have met with a dozen attorneys over the many years of my troubled marriage. NOW, I am ready to get a divorce. Katy Gronowski is the BEST attorney I have seen to date. Her demeanor is lovely and professional, but she can "turn up the heat if she needs to". Her knowledge of family law and divorce and years of experience are highly impressive. Katy gave me the precise information that I needed, such as monthly alimony estimates, etc. and some great advise. She also gave me some helpful leads for the process of divorce, such as names of mediators and financial planners. I feel very confidant about getting the best results of my divorce, knowing that Katy is in my corner. LOVED, LOVED, LOVED KATY!
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Posted by Jenny | February 9, 2015
Talented and Trustworthy Attorney
I highly recommend Katy (Gronowski Law Offices). Katy has a comforting confidence that helped me get through a very difficult case. She is very supportive and always returns all of my calls and emails on the very same day. I would not hesitate to recommend such a highly talented and qualified attorney. Katy has a professional, yet personal touch that helped me get through a very emotional situation.
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Posted by anonymous | February 6, 2015
Dedicated & Caring
Katy was always available when needed, even if out if the office she would make her self available if needed. Ofcourse I was not her only client, however I alway received the attention and services as if I was, never ignored or made to feel less important. She also cares very much for her clients and children involved and because of that goes above and beyond to make sure that the children's best interest is always first
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Posted by anonymous | December 31, 2014
Can't say enough good things about Katy!
She was the best choice I made. Katy always knew how to handle the complexities of family law. She was able to make things better than I expected. Katy is smart and kind. She truly cared about what she achieved for me in both the short and long term. Katy is sharp. She is quick to pick up on things others miss. Katy was quick to answer my questions efficiently and accurately. She has a great approach when working with the attorney for the other person. Katy is in your corner both with you and for you.
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Posted by Robert | December 29, 2014
Highly Skilled Attorney
I used Katy on three seperate cases. She did an excellent job every time and I would not hesitate to use her again. Katy is an excellent attorney.
Posted by John S. | August 23, 2014
Very competent and comprehensive representation of all aspects of your interests, not just the one case
I am a member of the California Bar, now inactive, having previously practiced in General Civil (mostly personal injury) law for 14 years before leaving California for Georgia. My older adult autistic son had informal visitation with me for eight years when my ex- pulled the plug on any visitation beyond her whim. I went nuts, literally... so did my son... and I made the classic error of trying to represent myself in this highly nuanced, to say nothing of emotionally and financially toxic, area of law. I made some (in retrospect) unbelievably bad errors... seemed like good ideas at the time!... and managed to get my ex-, her attorney, the Department of Child Support Services, and the Court Clerk (if not the Court itself) pissed off at me big-time, ultimately leading to the denial of all visitation with my son and the garnishment of my financial life-blood. In other words, a mess a mile high and just as wide. I serendipitously found Katy, and the first thing she did for me was simply (and critically) to calm me down. I came to her as "the expert" in my own situation, and rather than whack me upside the head with the criticism that I clearly was not any such thing, she broke the situation down into simple steps that I could follow towards repairing the damage done and moving to a good conclusion, and along the way noted, "oh, and here it might have been better to...", thus teaching me as much as representing my best interests. Katy keeps the long view in her advice and steps taken, even while (as in my case) what was transpiring was a continuous set of fires big and small that had to be put out along the way. She eased back the rancor that had developed among the parties, whereas I've seen in my legal life so many attorneys who delve into a case's minutia so much that mountains are made of molehills and the hopes of a reasonably quick settlement disappear. Before I hired Katy, I had started way too fast and had gone way too far for the case to come to an easy resolution, and it turned out to be expensive beyond what I had hoped, and none of that was Katy's fault. Quite the contrary, she always included in her continuing advice recommendations for limiting costs and fees, not just for me, but for the other parties as well... a holistic view that in the family law context is critical to a resolution that all can live with, especially where there is a child involved with special needs. Katy kept her fees to the minimum possible under the circumstances, including the fact that she is a lawyer of considerable experience and success. To me as a client, the matter seemed destined for trial, and she kept me appropriately prepared for that eventuality, but also reminded me that it was in everyone's reasonable interest to settle. She was absolutely tenacious when it came to drawing appropriate lines in the sand, not only vis-à-vis my angry ex- and her not-very-often-paid counsel, but also when having to oppose the more obstinate positions taken by the government bureaucracies involved. Despite all of the above complications, and a lot more I don't have the inclination to go on about, Katy helped me come to a livable conclusion as to all issues, and kept her total fees less than those I would have normally paid had I been smart and put the thing in the hands of an attorney so that it was done right to begin with. I am paying the same support as before (when it had looked for awhile like I would be paying double into the indefinite future, PLUS owe back-payments on allegedly underpaid past support) and all other debts were declared null and void between me and my ex-. Most importantly, despite the (continuing!) existence of a demoralizing and on-point Court of Appeals precedent, Katy convinced opposing counsel and thus my ex- to include in the ultimate Court Order Upon Stipulation agreement to continuing visitation on a regular, and not haphazard, basis. I could not give anyone a more hearty recommendation than that I give to Katy.
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Posted by Regina | May 8, 2013
I refer my former clients to Katy
I recently retired from practicing family law. I refer all my former clients to Katy. She has good people skills and trial experience in addition to being a certified specialist in family law. My former clients report being very pleased with Katy's legal services. I highly recommend Katy for any family law issue from custody and support to division of property matters.
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AVVO RATING 10.0 (Superb)

Work Experience

  • Partner
  • Gronowski Law Offices, LLP
  • 1999 - Present
  • Adjunct Professor of Family Law and Community Property
  • JFK University School of Law
  • 2003 - 2006

Education

  • Santa Clara University
  • JD/MBA - Juris Doctorate and MBA
  • 1987
  • University of California - Berkeley
  • B.A.
  • 1982

Associations

  • Associaton of Certified Family Law Specialists
  • Attorney member
  • 2008 - Present
  • Contra Costa County Bar Association
  • Member
  • 2001 - Present
  • Family Law Section, Contra Costa County Bar Association
  • Member
  • 2001 - Present
  • State Bar of California
  • Attorney member
  • 1987 - Present
  • Family Law Section, CCCBA
  • Secretary and Board member
  • 2007 - 2008
  • Contra Costa County Bar Association, Women's Section
  • President
  • 2003 - 2004
  • Contra Costa County Bar Association, Barristers
  • Judge Pro Tem Coordinator and Treasurer
  • 1992 - 1997
View all associations

Languages Spoken

  • French
  • Farsi

Honors and Awards

  • Board Certified in Family Law Trial Advocacy
  • National Board of Trial Advocacy
  • 2015
  • Client's Choice Award
  • AVVO
  • 2015
  • Certified Specialist - Family Law
  • State Bar of California
  • 2006
  • Graduated with departmental and university honors in both majors
  • U.C. Berkeley
  • 1982
View all awards

Publications

  • Associate Editor
  • Santa Clara Law Review
  • 1986

Speaking Engagements

  • Pro Per Clinic
  • Finishing Your Dissolution
  • 2009
  • Contra Costa County Superior Court
  • Starting your dissolution
  • 2008
  • JFKU School of Law
  • Family Law Seminar
  • 2006
  • JFKU School of Law
  • Community Property
  • 2005
View all speaking engagements

Attorney endorsements

Received (16)
Given (17)
Endorse Katy
Divorce and separation Attorney | Apr 12
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
"I endorse this lawyer's work. Katy Gronowski works hard for her clients, and gets great results. She really cares for her clients, and it shows in the passionate way that she advocates for them. If she is your lawyer, you are certainly in good hands."
Unknown Attorney | Jan 16
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
"I endorse this lawyer."
Unknown Attorney | Sep 10
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
"I endorse this lawyer."
Family Attorney | Aug 31
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
"I endorse this lawyer. Katy is well respected in the avvo community."
Family Attorney | Oct 16
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
"I highly endorse Mrs. Gronowski. Truly exceptional and caring attorney who achieves great results in representing clients! I want all people to contact her for help first."
Divorce and separation Attorney | Oct 14
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
"I endorse this fine and well respected lawyer."
Criminal defense Attorney | Oct 13
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
"I endorse this lawyer."
Family Attorney | May 05
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
"Hiring an experienced family law attorney is the best way you get peace of mind when dealing with custody , visitation, spousal support, etc. Having a family law attorney's services helps ensure that nothing is left out of your case/claim or matter, which means that costly mistakes won't come back to bite you later. I endorse this lawyer . -Anthony Munoz, Esq."
Child custody Attorney | Jan 13
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
"I endorse this lawyer."
Divorce and separation Attorney | Oct 08
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
"Attorney Katy Gronowski is a strong advocate for her clients and a respected member within the legal community. Fully endorse."
Unknown Attorney | Oct 03
Relationship: Other
"I endorse this lawyer. She knows her stuff when it comes to family law."
Unknown Attorney | Sep 24
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
"I endorse this lawyer."
Divorce and separation Attorney | Sep 11
Relationship: Other
"I endorse this individual as a highly respected and knowledgable lawyer in their practice."
Unknown Attorney | Jun 18
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
"I endorse this lawyer."
Family Attorney | Jun 12
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
"I endorse Katy. He is a highly skilled attorney that is well respected in the legal community."
Family Attorney | Nov 06
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
"Katy knows the nuances of family law. She is a terrific mentor to newly practicing attorneys and a great person to run an issue by to make sure you are on the right track. Katy is a person of high integrity and I trust her opinions."
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Walnut Creek Divorce and separation Lawyer Katy M. Gronowski
Katy M. Gronowski
Divorce and separation Attorney
Walnut Creek, CA
Licensed for 35 years
Virtual consultation available