Catherine "Kate" Reese focuses her practice on the full spectrum of family law matters in the Northern Virginia and Montgomery County, Maryland regions. She has extensive trial experience in contested divorces, child custody and visitation matters, equitable distribution of assets, child and spousal support, and the negotiation and preparation of prenuptial and marital agreements. When Ms. Reese identifies matters that can be resolved more amicably and without litigation costs, 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. She makes it her duty to protect her clients, convey their stories to influential persons in the case, and negotiate the best outcomes possible for our clients given their circumstances. Ms. Reese is also known to be an aggressive and resourceful litigator when representing clients' best interests.
Affiliations
As the past president of the Virginia Women Attorneys Association, Judicial Nominations Committee member, prior Bar Council, Lawyer Discipline Committee Member, and 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 of 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 who promote integrity and competency while protecting the welfare of clients and their families.
Service
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. 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 Law Mediator.
Awards, Publications, & Speaking Engagements
2024
• Named as one of Northern Virginia Magazine's 2024 Top Lawyers
• Rated AV Preeminent® “The Highest Possible Rating in Both Legal Ability & Ethical Standards” by Martindale Hubbell
• Selected by her peers for inclusion in the 2025 edition of The Best Lawyers in America® in the field of Family Law
2023
• Listed as a Top Lawyer in Northern Virginia Magazine
• Named in The Best Lawyers in America® for Family Law
• Selected as a top lawyer in Super Lawyers (DC and VA): 2010 - 2023
• Listed in Best Lawyers
• Selected as one of the Best Law Firms by U.S. News and World Report
2022
• Selected as a top lawyer in Super Lawyers (DC and VA): 2010 - 2022
• Listed in Best Lawyers
• Selected as one of the Best Law Firms by U.S. News and World Report
2021
• Selected as one of the Best Law Firms by U.S. News and World Report
2020
• Leader of the Year for 2020 by Virginia Lawyers Weekly, as voted by her peers statewide
• Selected as one of "Washingtonians Top Divorce Lawyers"
• Best Lawyers in America in Family Law
• Best Law Firms by U.S. News & World Report
2019
• Selected as one of Washington D.C.'s Best Lawyers by Best Lawyers
• Best Lawyers in America Honoree
• Selected as Top 50 Women Attorneys In Virginia in Richmond Magazine
2018
• Selected as one of "Washingtonian's Best Lawyers"
• Northern Virginia Magazine 2018 Top Lawyer Winner
• Selected as a 2018 Top Lawyer by Super Lawyer
• Selected as Top 50 Women Attorneys In Virginia in Richmond Magazine
2017
• Selected for inclusion in the Best Lawyers in America Honoree in the field of Family Law from 2012 to 2017
• Selected as one of "Washingtonian's Best Lawyers"
2016
• Elected and unanimously approved by Council to the Fifth District Committee of the Virginia State Bar
• Selected for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America 2017 in the field of Family Law
• Member of the AAML Collaborative Law Committee
2015
• Recognized as a certified member of the National Board of Trial Advocacy (NBTA)
• Nominated as one of the 10 Best Attorneys for Virginia by The American Institute of Family Law Attorneys (AIOFLA)
• Best Law Firms by U.S. News & World Report
• Martindale Hubbell "AV" Preeminent Rating
2014
• Top 50 Women Attorneys in Virginia for 2014 by Super Lawyers
• Top 10 Attorney Award by National Academy of Family Law Attorneys, Inc.
• Nominated as Best Lawyers in America by Best Lawyers
2013
• Named a Super Lawyer by the Virginia Super Lawyers Magazine
• Nominated as Virginia Top 50 Women for 2013 by Super Lawyers Magazine
• Best Attorneys in Washington D.C. & Baltimore by Best Lawyers
• Best Lawyers in America Honoree
• Top Attorneys in Washington, D.C. & Baltimore by Best Lawyers
2012
• Influential Women of Virginia Honoree for 2012 by Virginia Lawyers Media
• Legal Eagle by Virginia Living
• Named a Super Lawyer by the Washington DC Super Lawyers Magazine
• Named a Super Lawyer by the Virginia Super Lawyers Magazine
• Martindale Hubbell "AV" Preeminent Rating
• Best Lawyers in America Honoree
• Honoree of the Martindale Hubbell "AV" Bar Register of Preeminent Women Lawyers
2011
• Named a Super Lawyer by the Washington DC Super Lawyers Magazine
• Named a Super Lawyer by the Virginia Super Lawyers Magazine
• Received her certification as a Virginia Supreme Court Family Mediator specializing in Juvenile & Domestic Relations District and Circuit Courts
• President of the Virginia Women's Attorneys Association
• Named a Top Divorce Lawyer by Northern Virginia Magazine
• Member of the Montgomery County, Maryland Bar Association
2010
• Named a Super Lawyer by the Virginia Super Lawyers Magazine, June 2010
• Named a Top Divorce Lawyer by Northern Virginia Magazine, June 2010
• President-Elect of the Virginia Women's Attorneys Association
• Member of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers
2009
• Named a Top Divorce Lawyer by Northern Virginia Magazine, December 2009
In 2014, Catherine Reese 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.
Member: Collaborative Dispute Resolution Professionals; Collaborative Professionals of Northern Virginia; International Academy of Collaborative Professionals, and Virginia Collaborative Professionals.
Member: Certified Family Mediator of the Supreme Court of Virginia (March 2011-present)
Member: Academy Fellow: American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, Virginia Chapter (March 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: 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: Montgomery County Bar (2011-present)
Member: Prince William County Bar (2007-present)
Member: Fairfax Bar Association, Family Law Section (1998-Present), Circuit Court Committee (2007-Present), Domestic Relations Sub-Committee (2007-Present)
Member: Legal Services of Northern Virginia, Board of Directors (2000-2003)
Member: Maryland State Bar Association, Family Law Section (1999-Present)
Member: District of Columbia Bar, Family Law Section (1999-Present)
