Kathryn S. Stapleton

Kate represented me during an extremely difficult time — a DVPO and pending divorce case involving children. There were moments where she performed well, and I want to be fair: she shined during the DVPO hearing itself. However, the temporary orders hearing — the most important hearing to me, beca...use it determined my time with my children… this was a different story. We Had asked for a specific parenting plan, and when the Commissioner granted something different, Kate did not advocate for my position. She did not stand up and make clear that we were asking for something else. In that moment, I realized she had not done her homework. She did not truly know me, my family, or what my children and I needed. It was a huge disappointment. I am crying as I write this, because this has been the biggest disappointment I have faced thus far. What made it worse: after the hearing, she told me "You got everything you wanted." That was the furthest thing from the truth. If she had really known her client, she would have known that - clearly. I did raise this with the head of the firm, Elise Buie, who was wonderful and genuinely deserving of recognition. At that point, I truly wanted to improve communication with Kate so I could better advocate for my case. Unfortunately, I was met with further disappointment. When my ex violated the DVPO, I tried to call the firm. Kate did not answer that day, or the next. I didn't know how to advocate for myself, and called another firm (who were wonderful) and a victim hotline… after doing so found the courage to call the police. It was scary - and at no point did Kate guide meor to talk it through it even afterward. If it weren't for a victim hotline, I may not have called the police at all. When I tried to discuss how difficult this had been, the response from the firm was so dismissive it does not deserve words. In the days and weeks that followed, I was blamed for being “angry”, I was told I was sending too many emails - which was only to check in on the email after email or questions that weren’t unanswered. I finally stood up for myself, said this was unacceptable, and found a new attorney who I trust and has already given me excellent counsel The one silver lining: Marissa, Kate's paralegal. Marissa met with me when Kate was unavailable, and I came to realize she knew my case better than Kate did. She was attentive, prepared, and genuinely present in a way that made a real difference. She deserves recognition - she was excellent, and this review would be incomplete without saying so. Thank you Marissa.

As a professional in the area of high conflict divorce and custody where addiction, violence and personality disorders are at play, I have had the privilege of supporting many families through eviscerating circumstances towards peace. As a result, I have also had the experience of working with over ...a hundred family law attorneys. Often family law attorneys are overextended and commit to being hired by clients they know they aren’t a good fit for. Or allow themselves to be hired and when the case exceeds their expertise continue without bringing in others to the team that could best support their client. Ms. Stapleton is the opposite of the above stated common scenarios. Ms. Stapleton is the quintessential professional in addition to being compassionate, brilliant and caring. Part of being brilliant is knowing when your efficacy could use subject matter experts with deep well knowledge in areas that will benefit your client. Ms.Stapleton adds subject matter experts to her team, frequently at her own expense, to make sure everything being attended to is beyond approach and/or sustainable argument. This is not common. Upon countless occasions I have seen attorneys commonly take on a case even knowingly outside their expertise and after things are underway - tell the client to research their options or circumstances. The last thing a client needs is a highly paid hired expert to out resource their work back to them- particularly amidst such distress where basic daily survival is an accomplishment. Ms.Stapleton would never, I repeat, never abandon a client or resource legal work back to them. Most attorneys over extend themselves to keep their billable time optimal, at the sacrifice of their client. Ms.Stapleton would never do this. She maintains a client base that allows maximum efficacy to the point you truly feel you are her only client. In addition to being a professional in the field, I have been one of Ms.Stapleton’s clients. My case was complex, nuanced, lengthy- and took unexpected twists into the need for immediate protective orders for myself and my children due to unanticipated violence and other types of criminal conduct. Ms.Stapleton was unflappable. She brought in additional experts deftly and stayed ahead of the situation. With Ms.Stapleton I knew I was being advocated for and that beyond all else she truly had the best interest of myself and my children in mind. Hire her. You will be grateful to yourself for doing so. I guarantee it.

The BEST attorney I have ever had the pleasure of working with. I would highly recommend her to any of my friends and family! Kate consistently stayed on top of our case, maintaining the integrity of our case even during difficult times experienced by my family. Her professionalism is above par an...d I would hire her again in a heartbeat!