CATHERINE REESE
FAIRFAX, Virginia 22033
United States
Profession(s)
Lawyer, Attorney, MediatorCatherine “Kate” Reese focuses her practice on the full spectrum of family law matters in the Northern Virginia and Montgomery County, Maryland regions. Ms. Reese identifies matters that can be resolved more amicably and without the costs of litigation. She highly recommends alternate dispute resolution options such as mediation, arbitration, and collaborative law.
Ms. Reese is a Virginia Supreme Court Certified Family Law mediator and an experienced collaborative law attorney, who has gathered over 25+ years of experience in Family Law. She makes it her duty to protect her clients, convey their stories to influential persons in the case, and to negotiate the best outcomes possible for our clients given their circumstances. Ms. Reese has extensive trial experience in contested family law matters, and in the negotiation and preparation of settling cases using the collaborative law, mediation, and mental health tools of prenuptial and marital agreements. Ms. Reese is also known to be an effective and resourceful litigator when representing clients’ best interests.
Professional Activities
As the past president of the Virginia Women Attorneys Association, Judicial Nominations Committee member, current Bar Council, Lawyer Discipline Committee Member, NBLSC Board Certified Family Trial Attorney, Chair of the Rules Subcommittee of the Standing Committee on Lawyers Discipline, and a member of the Fairfax Bar Association serving on the Circuit Court Committee, involved in family law sections and sub-committees, Ms. Reese has had the opportunity to develop relationships with many members of the bench and bar. These relationships allow her to better serve her clients by being able to evaluate her arguments and case presentation to best suit her audience. In doing so, she makes every effort to maximize the possibility for a winning outcome for her clients. Ms. Reese's dedication to providing quality service to her clients is further demonstrated by her induction into the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers as an Academy fellow in the Virginia Chapter. This prestigious honor reflects how AAML members are recognized as leading professionals in the family law field that promote integrity and competency, while protecting the welfare of clients and their families. In addition to projects she is involved in related to her affiliations, Ms. Reese has served a three-year term as a Board of Directors member of the Legal Services of Northern Virginia (LSNV) as the VWAA representative where she served as the 25th Anniversary Gala Chair, and she has provided pro bono services through LSNV and the Fairfax Bar Association. Ms. Reese also serves as a Neutral Case Evaluator by appointment of the 19th Judicial Circuit and a Virginia State Bar Certified Family Mediator. Ms. Reese has also moderated a panel of Judges for the Gathering Your Tools: How to Build to Judgeship at the VWAA annual conference, featuring the following Judges: The Honorable Sarah Deneke; The Honorable Becky J. Moore; The Honorable Constance H. Frogale; Substitute Judge Mary C. Gibbs; and Retired Judge Karen A. Heneberg. AWARDS: ~Selected for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America 2012 - 2022 in the field of Family Law ~Best Law Firms by U.S. New & World Report, 2015-2022 ~Regularly a Top 50 Women Attorneys in Virginia by Super Lawyers, and DC and VA Super Lawyers honoree ~Recognized as a certified member of the National Board of Trial Advocacy, 2016 ~Nominated as one of the 10 Best Attorneys for Virginia by The American Institute of Family Law Attorneys, 2015 ~Martindale Hubbell “AV” Bar Register of Preeminent Women Lawyers, 2012 - 2022 ~Influential Women of Virginia Honoree for 2012 by Virginia Lawyers Media ~Regularly Named a Top Divorce Lawyer by Northern Virginia & @Washingtonian Magazines ~Member: American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers (2010-present) ~Member: Virginia State Bar, Council for the 19th Judicial Circuit (July 2009-June 2012), Standing Committee on Lawyer Discipline (July 2009-June 2012), Judicial Nominations Committee (July 2005-June 2008), Family Law Section (1998-Present) ~Member: Prince William County Bar (2007-present) ~Member: Montgomery County Bar (2011-present) ~Member: Fairfax Bar Association, Family Law Section (1998-Present), Circuit Court Committee (2007-Present), Domestic Relations Sub-Committee (2007-Present) ~Member: Maryland State Bar Association, Family Law Section (1999-Present) ~Member: District of Columbia Bar, Family Law Section (1999-Present) ~Member: Virginia Women's Attorney Association, President; Northern Virginia Chapter (2003-2004) and Secretary (2002-2003), State Treasurer (July 2009-June 2010), Assistant State Treasurer (July 2006-June 2008) ~Member: Legal Services of Northern Virginia, Board of Directors (2000-2003) ~Member: Certified Family Mediator of the Supreme Court of Virginia (March 2011-present) ~Member: Virginia Equality Bar Association, 2017 – Present. ~Member: LGBT Bar Association of DC, 2017 – Present. ~Member: Business Network International, 2017- Present.Undergraduate Education
University of Maryland College Park, B.A. in Criminology and Criminal Justice, 1994-1995
Postgraduate Education
Argosy University, Masters in Counseling, 2019
Professional Education
The Catholic University of America, Columbus School of Law, Juris Doctor, 1995-1998
Comments
I have been a family law attorney for over 25 years, and I truly appreciate how the litigation process does not meet all the needs of a family. Serving as a participant as well as a mediator, I have seen the advantages of that process, but I feel that the collaborative approach offers much more to families in need, so I am very pleased to offer this service to my clients. I hope that with encouragement and support, families, especially those with children, will choose this option as it offers the best opportunity for growth and healing.