Kathryn Smith Root JD ’84 BA ’80, wins national public service award

Kathryn Smith Root JD ’84, BA’80, was awarded the Department of Homeland Security United States Coast Guard Public Service Commendation on October 15, 2015, during the American Bar Association’s Family Law Section Fall Conference, held in Portland, Oregon. This commendation was awarded in recognition of “notable services that have assisted greatly in furthering aims and functions of the Coast Guard.” Kathy is a dedicated leader who has devoted her professional career to assisting others. Her 30 years of managing various charitable and professional pursuits, pro bono counseling, and work as a family law attorney made her a worthy recipient of this honor. This award recognizes her sustained contributions of service and exceptional efforts with the U.S. Coast Guard’s Thirteenth District’s Legal Assistance program from 2001 to 2015.
 
As a Shareholder at Gevurtz Menashe, Kathy and focuses her family law practice on divorce and post-divorce cases involving complex property and financial issues, interstate and international child custody disputes, Hague child abduction matters, and relocation. She is a leading authority on interstate and international custody in the US, having handled more than 100 contested interstate custody cases. Kathryn also litigated the first petition filed in the United States District Court for Oregon under the Hague Convention in 1997, and she is highly knowledgeable about international divorce and child custody disputes.