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Kathryn J. Laffey

A female professional wearing a blue top
A female professional wearing a blue top

Kathryn J. Laffey is a partner at WhitbeckBennett, working at our Wilmington, Delaware office. Ms. Laffey graduated from Longwood College in Virginia with a Bachelor’s degree in Social Work. After two years of employment as a social worker/school counselor, she attended Notre Dame Law School. Ms. Laffey was a Delaware Family Court law clerk until entering private practice, where she has worked almost exclusively in the domestic relations field for over 35 years.

Ms. Laffey has appeared and successfully argued before the Delaware Supreme Court on numerous occasions. She has also been active in the Delaware State Bar Association on many committees and served as Chairman of the Family Law Section and as Vice-Chair of the Alternate Dispute Resolution Section. She frequently presents on Family Law issues at the DSBA Family Law Fundamentals and annual Family Law Update seminars as well as for Family Court mediation training for attorneys. Kathy frequently volunteers her services in representing children as Attorney Guardian ad litem through the Office of the Child Advocate and private parties through Delaware Volunteer Legal Services and the Victims Advocacy Program. 

Kathryn was one of the first attorneys mediating divorce and custody matters in the State of Delaware since receiving formal Family Mediation training in 1992 and is the Director of Family Mediation Services, an alternative to the adversarial divorce court system. She has been a member of the Academy of Family Mediators, which merged with other national conflict resolution organizations, and is now known as the Association for Conflict Resolution.

Name: Kathryn J. Laffey

Title: Partner

Law School: Notre Dame Law School, J.D., 1982  

College: Longwood University, BSW in the field of Social Work, 1978

Admissions: Delaware

Affiliations: Delaware (Member: Family Law Section, Chairman, 1991-1993; Judicial Appointments Committee, 1993-1998) and American (Member, Family Law Section) Bar Associations; Melson-Arsht Inn of Court; Delaware Commission for Women (Chair, 1998-2002; Commissioner, 1995-2002); Association of Family and Conciliation Courts; Parenting Coordination Council of Delaware (Founding Member)

5 yellow stars displayed in a row

“I worked with Kathy on a very complicated and emotional divorce and custody. My case was difficult for a variety of reasons and Kathy was able to navigate through all the difficulties and constantly reassure me that everything was going to be okay. And, she was right. She was very responsive to all my questions, and I had tons. I never had a problem reaching her and talked to her “after hours” a lot as well. I truly felt she cared about the wellbeing of me and my children. She prepared me fully for every court hearing and clearly explained all the different processes within the family court. I would 100% recommend her to anyone seeking an attorney. Her years of experience are very evident in her work. A+++”

Erin
Wilmington, DE

“Kathryn was very empathetic and knowledgeable in explaining my rights and helping me resolve what I thought would be a real battle for custody of my kids.”

Francis
Wilmington, DE

“Kathy was my lawyer during an incredibly contentious divorce and dissolution. She came highly recommended, and I’m so glad I chose her to represent me…She went to bat for me over and over. We only met face to face a few times including a grueling hearing, but we had a good connection and I always felt I could trust her expertise and knowledge, combined with her quiet and confident, yet tough demeanor. I consider Kathy a friend, and I would recommend her absolutely.”

Barbara
Wilmington, DE

“During the entire process Kathy was professional and supportive of the emotional battle we would endure. She always answered my questions and made sure I understood each step. I can’t thank her enough for all she has done for my family.”

Anonymous
Wilmington, DE

“Kathy was my lawyer during an incredibly contentious divorce and dissolution. She came highly recommended, and I’m so glad I chose her to represent me…She went to bat for me over and over. We only met face to face a few times including a grueling hearing, but we had a good connection and I always felt I could trust her expertise and knowledge, combined with her quiet and confident, yet tough demeanor. I consider Kathy a friend, and I would recommend her absolutely.”

Tracy
Wilmington, DE

“Today’s meeting is letting us breathe again. Thank you for getting us in and thank goodness Kathy was clear and kind in one of the worst conversations we have ever had.”

Christine G.
Wilmington, DE