Kathryn O'Connell

Education

• Juris Doctorate, University of Arizona James E. Rogers College of Law, 2021
  • Honors and Awards: Dean’s Achievement Award Scholarship
  • Dean’s List (fall 2019, fall 2020, spring 2021, fall 2021)
• Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy, Gustavus Adolphus College, 2019
  • Honors and Awards: Summa Cum Laude, National Merit Finalist Full Tuition Scholarship
  • Dean’s List (six semesters, 2016-2019)
  • President’s Honors List (2016-2019)

The Journey Here

Looking at Kathryn’s educational accomplishments, some things should jump out: consistent, persistent excellence. Kathryn took the LSAT (the test to get into law school) on a whim at the suggestion of her parents. She crushed it and was awarded scholarships to multiple schools vying for her attendance. Modern Law was no different. We wanted Kathryn at Modern Law. Before joining Modern Law, Kathryn’s legal journey led her to civil litigation, where she gained invaluable experience. She honed her skills in negotiating pre-litigation settlements, conducting meticulous factual investigations, and crafting effective legal strategies to champion her clients’ interests. Her background equips her to excel in her role as an advocate for families navigating complex legal terrain. She chose this field to merge her legal acumen with a genuine desire to bring meaning and purpose to her work. Family law offers her a unique opportunity to guide individuals through unfamiliar legal processes during challenging life transitions. Kathryn’s passion for family law was ignited during her time volunteering with the domestic violence law clinic in law school. Witnessing the strength and resilience of survivors, she used her legal knowledge to empower them to escape dangerous situations. This experience crystallized her commitment to helping individuals navigate the complexities of ending relationships that no longer serve them.

Balancing Empathy and Professionalism

Emotionally charged situations, such as divorces, require a delicate balance of empathy and professionalism. Kathryn excels in this regard. She approaches these challenging cases with empathy, understanding the profound sense of loss involved, and aids her clients by being knowledgeable, prepared, and unwavering in her support. Kathryn diligently stays updated on the latest developments and changes in divorce law. She keeps abreast of new caselaw, statutory amendments, and attends continuous legal education trainings. Her commitment to staying informed ensures she applies the most recent legal standards to benefit her clients effectively.

What It’s Like to Work With Kathryn

Kathryn aims for her clients to perceive her as a safe space for sharing their aspirations. She stands as their advocate, navigating the legal intricacies to achieve their goals. When working with Kathryn, clients feel heard, represented, and supported. Her manager Stacey Rogan, describes her as “no bark, all bite” or a “sneak attack”. Kathryn shows up to every meeting prepared, attentive, polite, compassionate and very very likable. She presents more like a kindergarten teacher or yoga instructor than a typical lawyer, but make no mistake about it, Kathryn is an outstanding lawyer.

Any client would be grateful to have this calm, cool, collected and brilliant mind on their team. In court, she is relentless. She persistently attacks in a direct, polite, kind and effective way.Her courtroom results speak for themselves. Perhaps because Kathryn’s style so starkly contrasts against the typical argumentative and combative attorney, her courtroom results have been nothing short of outstanding. Kathryn has won difficult motions, secured judgments for attorneys fees on behalf of her clients, successfully gotten clients sole custody, relocation, spousal maintenance and defended against false financial and custodial claims.

Kathryn’s clients describe her a excellent, organized, responsive and knowledgeable. She listens and asks probing questions to truly understand what her clients want. One client stated “Everything was great. I couldn’t be more happy with the outcome. Everything was wonderful from beginning to end. I spoke to Kathryn and I told her next time we meet I hope it’s in a social setting.”