Katherine Harrell

Managing Partner
Legal Assistant
Liz Hott
414-982-2855

Katherine Harrell

Managing Partner
Managing Partner
Legal Assistant
Liz Hott
414-982-2855
Legal Assistant
Liz Hott
414-982-2855

If you wish to send us electronic mail, please be aware that the act of sending electronic mail to Stafford Rosenbaum LLP does not, in itself, create an attorney-client relationship. Unless you are already a client of the firm, your electronic mail will not be privileged and may be disclosed to other persons. If you are a client of Stafford Rosenbaum LLP, please remember that electronic mail on the Internet is not secure. You should not include sensitive, confidential information in unencrypted e-mail messages.

On the Job

Attorney Katie Harrell’s Practice

Attorney Katherine Harrell is the managing partner at Stafford Rosenbaum LLP, working primarily from the firm’s flagship office in Madison. Katie joined the firm’s Board of Directors in 2021, and she was elected to the position of managing partner in 2024.

Katie began private practice in 2008, specializing in family law from the start. Her 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, 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. She 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. Her 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. She 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.

Katie is admitted to practice in Wisconsin. She also has a presence on Avvo, FindLaw, Super Lawyers, and Lawyers.com.

Katie’s 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.

Katie’s Professional Recognitions and Awards

  • Life Fellow, Wisconsin Law Foundation (2023)
  • 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)

Katie’s 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