Kathryn Smith Root

Kathryn Smith Root

also known as Kathy Root

5.0
Rating: 10.0

Licensed for 41 years

Divorce and separation Lawyer at Portland, OR
Practice Areas: Divorce & Separation, Child Custody, Child Support ... +2 more

115 NW 1st Ave, Suite 400, Portland, OR

About Kathryn

Biography

Practice Areas

Fees and Rates

We have not found any cost information for this lawyer


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Licenses

Licensed in Oregon for 41 years

State: Oregon

Acquired: 1985

Pro Bono - Active

No misconduct found

Location

Gevurtz Menashe Larson & Howe, PC

115 NW 1st Ave, Suite 400, Portland, OR, 97209

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Kathryn Smith Root's Reviews

Avvo Review Score

5.0 /5.0

7 Client Reviews

Filter Avvo Reviews (7) Refine reviews to match your needs. Use the filters to quickly surface reviews that align with your case or priorities.

Showing 1 - 5 of 7 reviews

Posted by Morgan | June 14, 2022 | Hired Attorney | Divorce & Separation

I had a very positive experience working with Kathy S. Root

I was recommended to Kathy S. Root for resolving a divorce case with a potentially complicated international child custody component to it. Kathy and her team were consistently courteous, professional, firm, and sober-minded, while also being empathetic regarding my experience and supportive of how I... wished the case to proceed. Working together, we were able to reach what I feel was a fair and equitable solution without the expense and upset of going to court, which I am very grateful for. Kristin Willis and her team helped with the final paperwork and filing, and were exceptionally responsive and prompt in that regard. There is nothing fun about getting divorced, but my experience working with the people at Gevurtz Menashe was very positive overall and I would recommend them to anyone in a similar situation.

Posted by Teresa | June 06, 2022 | Hired Attorney | Divorce & Separation

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!

I wish to offer my sincerest thanks, appreciation, and highest recommendation for attorney Kathryn S. Root, and her Gevurtz Menashe team (Associate Attorney Tracy Connor and Legal Assistants Linda and Marie) for their collective expertise, efforts, professionalism, patience, and understanding through...out their work on my legal case. It had been both confusing and stressful over the years, as I had initially attempted to get legal help to resolve problems in the original paperwork from other legal counsel, with no luck. In a final attempt, I feel very fortunate to have found and received the legal help and guidance from Ms. Root and her team. We worked through several challenging obstacles, explaining legal terms and steps required along the way, and then ultimately receiving the required military calculation information for final negotiations and terms of the final documents. The goal was to file clarifying divorce military benefits paperwork, for the outcome of a revised court order to receive these benefits. After much effort by all, we received this new court order. In the beginning, I also stated that I wanted a first priority placed on keeping my kids out of the entire process, out of respect and sensitivity for them, as they should not be caught in the middle of this situation. Again, Ms. Root and her team responded with compassion and understanding for my request, and we proceeded with that in mind. Throughout the entire process, I felt like I was respected and given full support. For the first time, I felt as though I could trust that my legal counsel had the shared desire, and professional expertise, to achieve our goal, and be successful. Therefore, and without hesitation, I highly recommend Ms. Root of the Gevurtz Menashe firm, and am forever grateful for her commitment to helping me get through this difficult ordeal successfully.

Posted by Susan | May 13, 2022 | Hired Attorney | Divorce & Separation

Guidance through a very complicated messy divorce.

Kathy Root was the stable behind my dramatic divorce 13 years ago/ which is still proceeding with other issues to this day. Her guidance, her calm, her experience and depth of understanding of the law , her mindfulness of protecting me, the feeling that the "firm " was behind me and supportive is pri...celess. She made sure I was taken care of and my ex would not be able to undo his responsibility which to this day he has been attempting. If you need a brilliant lawyer to guide you, look no further I can't thank her enough and Linda White her assistant at the time. She still is standing behind the scenes in yet another messy battle which Shannon Hall is mastering as well. I am so grateful.

Posted by Sarah | April 20, 2015 | Divorce & Separation

Highly Recommended

Ms. Root represented me in a Dissolution of Marriage case four years ago. She supported me in every decision, made correct recommendations based on her many years of experience, and I trust her. It was a difficult time. I have three children, who were very young. I got exactly what I wanted and n...eeded. I will always be grateful.

Posted by SARAH | March 21, 2014 | Divorce & Separation

recommended without reservation

Kathy was knowledgeable, efficient, precise and communicated well. I needed her services as advice in divorce mediation and she helped me find the information I needed to make informed choices. I found her an excellent resource.

See All Client Reviews

Kathryn Smith Root's Lawyer Endorsements

Endorse Kathryn
Paula G Kirby headshot
Paula Kirby

Family lawyer | Apr 19

Relationship: Other

"I am very pleased to endorse Kathy Root. I have worked with Kathy on American Bar Association activities for many years and have successfully referred clients to Kathy in Oregon. Kathy is a smart, talented attorney who is well-versed in divorce, family law and custody issues both at the national and international level. It is a pleasure to endorse Kathy to my colleagues."

Catherine E. M. Barker headshot
Catherine Barker

Family lawyer | Oct 02

Relationship: Co-worker

"I endorse this lawyer. Kathy and I worked together at Gevurtz Menashe. Kathy is incredibly knowledgeable about Family Law. She is a fierce advocate for her clients and has earned the respect of the legal community."

Albert A Menashe headshot
Albert Menashe

Divorce and separation lawyer | May 18

Relationship: Co-worker

"I endorse this lawyer."

Lynn M Myrick headshot
Lynn Myrick

Family lawyer | Jun 27

Relationship: Worked together on matter

"I endorse this lawyer for her skillful advocacy on behalf of clients nationally and internationally. Kathryn is deserving of her 'superb' rating. Lynn M. Myrick Grants Pass Oregon"

Kelly Kennedy Brown headshot
Kelly Brown

Unknown lawyer | Jan 17

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer."

Michael S. Waddington headshot
Michael Waddington

Family lawyer | Oct 22

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer."

View All Endorsements
Paula G Kirby headshot
Paula Kirby

Divorce and separation lawyer

Catherine E. M. Barker headshot
Catherine Barker

Family lawyer

Albert A Menashe headshot
Albert Menashe

Family lawyer

Steven M Zipper headshot
Steven Zipper

Estate planning lawyer

Experience

Rating:  10.0 (Superb)

Honors

2013

Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers Magazine

2012

Top 25 Women Oregon Super Lawyers, Super Lawyers Magazine

2011

Super Lawyer, Oregon Super Lawyers

2010

AV Preeminent 5.0 out of 5 Peer Review Rated, Martindale-Hubbell

2008

Super Lawyer, Oregon Super Lawyers

Work Experience

2014 - Present

Shareholder, Gevurtz Menashe Larson Howe, PC

2012 - 2014

Of Counsel, Gevurtz Menashe Larson & Howe, PC

2011 - 2012

Partner in Charge, McKinley Irvin

1989 - 2011

Partner, Johnston, Root & Leibenguth, P.C.

1985 - 1989

Associate Attorney, Johnston & Associates

Associations

2011 - Present

American Bar Association, Family Law Section, International Law Committee

Vice Chair

2008 - Present

Oregon Women Lawyers Foundation

Advisory Board

Oregon State Bar

Member, Family Law Section

American Bar Association

Member, Family Law Section

Multnomah Bar Association

Member

2004 - 2007

American Bar Association, International Law Committee

Chair

2003 - 2008

Oregon Women Lawyers Foundation

Board of Directors

1990 - 1991

Oregon Women Lawyers Association

Vice President

1987 - 1989

Multnomah Bar Association, Membership Committee

Chair

1987 - 1990

Oregon State Bar, Procedure and Practice Committee

Member

1987 - 1991

Multnomah Bar Association, Committee on the Status of Women in the Practice of Law

Member

Education

N/A

Northwestern School of Law

JD - Juris Doctor

N/A

Lewis and Clark College

BS - Bachelor of Science

Speaking Engagements

2006

Oregon Family Law Practice for Paralegals

Assisting with Child Custody Issues and Parenting Time Disputes

2005

Spring Conference

Legal Issues Relating to Litigation Under The Hague Abduction Convention

2001

Family Law Section Annual Conference

Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act

Languages

English

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