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On the Job

Attorney Katherine Harrell began private practice in 2008, specializing in family law from the start. In January 2016, Katie joined Stafford Rosenbaum LLP, and in 2021, she was elected to the firm’s Board of Directors, overseeing its human resources, succession planning, and diversity and inclusion goals. Based in the Madison office, Katie’s practice concentrates on divorce litigation, cooperative divorce, legal separation, child custody and placement, paternity, child support, third party visitation, and the drafting of prenuptial or marital property agreements. Katie is trained in and practices collaborative divorce law. Collaborative law is a unique, reasonable approach to handling some family law matters based on a commitment to avoid litigation, provide open and honest communication, and engage in collaborative problem-solving. Katie is also frequently appointed to serve as a guardian ad litem in family law matters in Dane County, and she often acts as a parent coordinator in post-judgment cases.

Katie recognizes that welcoming an attorney into your family life can be a challenging and vulnerable experience. Katie’s approach is to provide thorough yet patient service to her clients. She believes the best way to help a client is to offer them an efficient way to get through a difficult part of life.

Katie seeks to find resolution where there is conflict. She tries to work cooperatively but assertively, minimizing the costs related to litigation. Katie has a patient and kind demeanor and believes that friendliness, humor, and timeliness enable her to build strong relationships with clients, opposing counsel, and decision-makers. Katie seeks to provide her clients with a clear understanding of their situation, while helping them find best possible outcomes.

As a parent to two, Katie can relate to clients who want nothing more than to prioritize what is best for their children. Katie’s personal experience with her family helps her continue to offer high quality representation to those navigating major changes to their family.

Whether you are in need of a lawyer for a legal separation, divorce, a child-related matter, or you are planning for your future, you and your family can count on Attorney Katie Harrell to provide exceptional service with understanding and patience in mind.

Attorney Katie Harrell also has a presence on Avvo, FindLaw, Super Lawyers, and Lawyers.com.

Education

Lawrence University, B.A. Geology
University of Notre Dame, Ph.D. Geological Sciences, focusing on Aqueous Geochemistry
University of Wisconsin Law School, J.D.

Professional Recognitions and Awards

Super Lawyer – Family Law (since 2022)
Dane County Bar Association Pro Bono Community Partner Award (2021)
Wisconsin Law Journal Leader in the Law (2020)
Super Lawyers Rising Star (2016-2017)

Memberships and Involvements

State Bar of Wisconsin
Dane County Bar Association – Director at Large, June 2019- present
Legal Association for Women
Collaborative Family Law Council of Wisconsin
Dane County Collaborative Group
Dane County Family Law Group
Dane County Veterans Law Center
Dane County Foreclosure Assistance Clinic
Dane County Family Law Clinic

Off the Job

Katie, her husband, Phil, and their sons live in Fitchburg. Katie and Phil met in their native Oshkosh while they were coaching T-ball and softball. Their fondness of softball continues today, as they play in a coed softball league on Friday nights in the summer. Katie and Phil are both avid sports fans and enjoy having friends over in their home to watch Packer games. Katie enjoys reading, running, visiting family in Oshkosh, and relaxing with her family in their backyard.

Favorite sports: Packer football, Badger football, Badger basketball, Brewers baseball, Notre Dame football
Favorite music: Country (and Western) music
Favorite food: apple fritters from Greenbush bakery
Favorite getaway: annual trip with the family to the deer camp near Eagle River, Wisconsin
Favorite seasons: everything but winter
Favorite book: (currently) Unbroken

Community Involvement

Family Law Assistance Center, Volunteer
Stafford Rosenbaum United Way Committee, Member

Recent Blogs

Filed Under: Appellate Law

U.S. Supreme Court to Clarify State’s Treatment of Military Disability Benefits in Divorce Case

By: Katherine Harrell Janice Bensky

Christopher Hughes, Paul Kent, Richard Nordeng and Daphne Webb have been selected for "Best Lawyers 2015 Lawyer of the Year". Only a single lawyer in each practice area and designated metropolitan area is honored as the “Lawyer of the Year,” making this accolade particularly significant.

Feb 23, 2017 in Blogs

Filed Under: Appellate Law

Attorney Fee Award Resulting from Overtrial is Non-Dischargeable Domestic Support Obligation

By: Katherine Harrell

Stafford Rosenbaum LLP is pleased to announce that Susan K. Allen has been named the firm’s Litigation Team Leader. Previously, the group was led by Ted Waskowski, who is a senior partner at the firm.

Oct 06, 2016 in Blogs