Mary Kate began her career in family law, clerking for the Women’s Divorce and Family Law Group. As a law clerk to one of the firm’s managing partners, Mary Kate gained valuable insight into a vast array of family law issues, from simple, uncontested divorces to complex custody disputes. After obtaining her Juris Doctor from DePaul University College of Law, the managing partners hired Mary Kate as an associate attorney, where she now concentrates her practice exclusively on the litigation of family law matters, including divorce, custody, parenting time, child support, guardianship, and adoption.
Before beginning her legal career, Mary Kate graduated with Honors from St. Francis Xavier University in Nova Scotia, Canada, majoring in Political Science and minoring in Psychology. Mary Kate routinely relies on this background in psychology when working with her clients during what can be a very emotional period in their lives. During Mary Kate’s final semester of law school, her drafting and litigation skills were recognized when she was given the prestigious CALI award for academic excellence for her Family Law Legal Clinic.
Prior to law school, Mary Kate worked for the City of Grand Rapids Treasury Department, processing incoming financial transactions for the city government. While there, Mary Kate was exposed to financial issues that now assist her in the litigation of complex financial disputes. During law school, Mary Kate interned at the Cook County Domestic Violence Courthouse, where she aided victims of domestic violence in acquiring orders of protection. As a result, Mary Kate recognizes the importance of advocating strongly for individuals who are in abusive and manipulative relationships.