Kate Nolen co-chairs the firm’s Pro Bono Committee, serving to organize and support the firm’s commitment to pro bono and community service. She combines the passions and talents of the firm’s attorneys with the vast pro bono opportunities available within the firm’s various office locations. Kate also coordinates in-house training on a wide range of topics so that the firm’s attorneys are fully educated and prepared to handle all of their pro bono matters.

She also handles some of the firm’s juvenile appointments, representing both parents and children in family court.

Prior to joining the firm, Kate was the Director of Legal Services at Jackson County CASA, a non-profit organization that represents the best interests of children in the family court system. At CASA, she managed the legal department and served as Guardian ad Litem on an array of family court cases. She also grew the volunteer attorney program through recruitment and training to increase the organization’s capacity, making them able to serve more children. 

Areas of Focus

Credentials

Education

  • University of Missouri-Columbia School of Law (J.D., 2006)
  • University of Missouri - Columbia (B.S., 2003)

Clerkship

  • Judicial Law Clerk to the Honorable Peggy Stevens McGraw, 16th Judicial Circuit Court, 2006-2008

Admissions

Bar Admissions

  • Missouri

Recognitions

  • Missouri Lawyers Media, "The POWER List: Family Law," 2021-2024
    • "Top 100: Family Law," 2022-2024
  • Impact of the Year Award, National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges, 2021
  • Missouri Lawyers Media, "Up and Coming," 2013
    • Mentor, 2019
  • KC Business Rising Star, 2014
  • Citizenship Award, Missouri Lawyers Weekly Women's Justice Awards, 2016

Accolades

Badge for

Presentations

  • Moderator, "Safety Planning and Reunification," Missouri Bar Annual Guardian Ad Litem Training, March 12, 2021
  • Speaker, "100% Pro Bono," Pro Bono Institute Annual Conference, March 27, 2019

Professional Activities

  • The Association of Pro Bono Counsel (APBCo), Co-President
  • Kansas City Metropolitan Bar Association, Bar Leadership Academy, Class of 2013
  • The Missouri Bar, Guardian Ad Litem Training, Speaker

Community Involvement

  • Association for Women Lawyers Foundation, Denise Hennings Connections, Mentor, 2013 - Present; Mentee, 2009-2013
  • Jackson County CASA, Advisory Board
  • Jackson County Family Court National Adoption Day, Executive Planning Committee, 2010-2015