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.