Kate Smith Named to The Best Lawyers in America® 2027 for Family Law

We’re proud to share that Attorney Kate Smith has been recognized in The Best Lawyers in America® 2027 for Family Law and Collaborative Law: Family Law.

Kate has now been recognized by Best Lawyers every year since 2024. The recognition is based on peer review, with attorneys evaluated by other lawyers practicing in the same geographic region and legal field. Best Lawyers describes its 2027 edition as a peer-reviewed recognition of attorneys across the United States.

For Kate and our firm, this recognition is meaningful because family law is a field where experience, judgment, and the ability to handle difficult situations matter every day.

A Recognition That Reflects Two Sides of Family Law

Family law does not always follow one predictable path.

Some divorces can be resolved through negotiation or mediation. Others involve significant property, business interests, custody disputes, or disagreements that require litigation. The approach that makes sense depends on the people involved, the issues in dispute, and what needs to be protected.

Kate’s recognition in both Family Law and Collaborative Law: Family Law reflects her experience working with clients across those different circumstances.

For couples who are able to work together toward an agreement, collaborative divorce may provide an alternative to traditional litigation. For cases where negotiation is not enough, an experienced family law attorney must also be prepared to advocate for a client's interests in court.

That range of experience can be particularly valuable when a divorce involves several legal and financial issues at the same time.

More Than Two Decades of Legal Experience

Kate Smith has spent more than two decades building her practice around family law and dispute resolution.

She earned her J.D. from Texas Wesleyan University School of Law in 2004 and later earned an LL.M. in Dispute Resolution from Pepperdine University School of Law.

Kate is also Board Certified in Family Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. Board certification requires qualifying experience, continuing legal education, peer and judicial evaluations, and successful completion of a written examination.

For clients, credentials like these are useful because they provide context when comparing attorneys. But experience also means knowing how those credentials translate into actual legal strategy.

A divorce may involve much more than the divorce itself. Property division, retirement accounts, business interests, child custody, child support, and spousal support can all become part of the process.

Having an attorney who understands how these issues interact can make a significant difference in how a case is approached.

Experience With Complex Divorce Matters

The Law Offices of Kate Smith assists clients with a wide range of family law matters throughout Southlake, Colleyville, Keller, Grapevine, and surrounding communities in Tarrant County.

That includes matters involving high-asset divorce, property division, child custody, child support, spousal support, mediation, and collaborative divorce.

What Should You Look for When Choosing a Family Law Attorney?

Professional recognition is one factor people may consider when researching a lawyer, but it should not be the only one.

A good starting point is to look at an attorney's experience in the type of matter you are facing.

Are you dealing with a contested divorce? A custody dispute? Complex property or business interests? Are you hoping to resolve your case through negotiation or mediation? Or do you believe litigation may be necessary?

The answers can affect the type of representation you need.

It is also worth considering whether the attorney understands both the legal and practical consequences of the decisions being made. Family law cases often affect finances, parenting arrangements, living situations, and long-term plans.

Those decisions deserve careful attention.

Proud to Share This Recognition

Being named to The Best Lawyers in America® 2027 in both Family Law and Collaborative Law: Family Law is an honor that Kate and our team are proud to share.

It adds to a career built on years of legal experience, continued professional development, and a commitment to helping clients navigate difficult family law matters.

Most of all, we are grateful to the clients who have trusted Kate during some of the most important transitions of their lives.

If you are considering divorce or facing another family law matter in Southlake, Colleyville, Keller, Grapevine, or elsewhere in Tarrant County, we invite you to learn more about your legal options.

Contact the Law Office of Kate Smith to schedule a consultation.