Practice areas: Family Law; view more
Licensed in Virginia since: 2001
Education: The George Washington University Law School
Selected to Super Lawyers: 2013 - 2026 
Selected to Rising Stars: 2010 - 2013 Call today:
703-883-8035
Maddox & Gerock, P.C.
2677 Prosperity AveSuite 200
Fairfax, VA 22031 Visit website
With over 25 years of experience in family law, Katharine is an accomplished litigator and negotiator. Her practice, and her passion, now centers on helping clients resolve their cases outside of litigation. As a Virginia Supreme Court–certified mediator, Katharine regularly serves as a mediator and represents clients in collaborative law cases. Katharine believes that parties are best served by reaching their own settlement agreements, rather than ceding control to the court system over the most important matters a spouse and/or parent may face. Her approach empowers clients to shape their own outcomes with dignity and autonomy.
Katharine is a longtime Fellow of the International Academy of Family Lawyers (IAFL), recognized by peers as among the most experienced family law specialists worldwide for international matters. She recently completed her term as President of the IAFL's USA Chapter (2025–2026), and has served on several occasions as a Virginia law expert in international cases litigated abroad. She is also a Fellow of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers (AAML).
Katharine is recognized as one of the Best Lawyers in America in Family Law, including in Family Law Mediation, and has been a Super Lawyer (Virginia) since 2013, including selection to the Top 100 Virginia Super Lawyers and Top 50 Women Virginia Super Lawyers . She is also named a Top Lawyer by Northern Virginia Magazine, "Legal Elite" by Virginia Business Magazine, and one of the 500 Leading Family Lawyers in the U.S. by Law Dragon.
Katharine has been consistently recognized by Doyle's Guide, an independent peer-review ranking, as one of just 14 attorneys named each year, in 2025 and 2026, to its Leading Family, Matrimonial & Divorce Lawyers list and its Leading High Net Worth Family Lawyers list for Washington, D.C. She also holds a "Superb, 10 out of 10" rating from AVVO.
Katharine was first published in 2004 and has since regularly contributed to publications, including co-authoring the Virginia chapter of the European Lawyer Reference Series volume, Family Law: Jurisdictional Comparisons. Other noteworthy topics include parent-child alienation, coercive control, and child relocation.
Katharine received her B.A. from the University of Virginia and her J.D. (with Honors) from The George Washington University. Outside the office, she is passionate about family, rescue dogs, reading, and cooking.
Practice areas
Family LawFocus areas
Alimony & Spousal Support, Child Support, Custody & Visitation, Dissolution, Divorce, Juvenile Law, Marital Property, Mediation & Collaborative Law, Same Sex Family Law
- 100% Family Law
First Admitted: 2001, Virginia
Professional Webpage: https://www.maddoxandgerock.com/attorney/katharine-maddox/
Bar / Professional Activity
- America Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers (AAML): According to www.aaml.org, membership in the AAML means the following: The attorney has demonstrated an active interest and competency in matrimonial law as evidenced by the fulfillment of criteria and standards as established by the AAML™ Board of Examiners and Board of Governors. The attorney is recognized by the bench and bar as a leading practitioner in the area of matrimonial law. The attorney has substantial experience and is able to handle complex matters relating to custody and support of children, property division and alimony or spousal support. The attorney has demonstrated substantial involvement in the matrimonial field and has endeavored to encourage the study, improve the practice, elevate the standards and advance the cause of matrimonial law.
- US Chapter of International Academy of Family Lawyers, Past-President
- Fairfax County (Virginia) Bar Association, Circuit Court Committee, Domestic Relations Sub-Committee, Member, 2009 - 2015
- Virginia Trial Lawyer’s Association, Membership Committee, Board Member, 2006
- Virginia Trial Lawyer’s Association, Young Lawyers Leadership Committee, Vice-Chair 2006
- Virginia Trial Lawyer’s Association, Young Lawyers Leadership Committee, Treasurer, 2004
- Virginia State Bar Association, 2001 - Present
- US State Department, Office of Children’s Issues, Member
- Fairfax County (Virginia) Bar Association , Circuit Court Committee, Member, 2009 - 2015
- Fairfax County (Virginia) Bar Association, Young Lawyers Division, Board Member, 2002 – 2005
- Virginia Trial Lawyer’s Association, Board of Governors, 2006
- Virginia Trial Lawyer’s Association, Young Lawyers Leadership Committee, Secretary, 2005
- American Bar Association , 2001 - Present
- American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers (AAML), Nominating Committee, Member, 2016 - Present
- Fairfax County (Virginia) Bar Association , Family Law Section, Member, 2001 – present
- Fairfax County (Virginia) Bar Association, Professionalism Committee, Board Member, 2004 – 2005
- Virginia Trial Lawyer’s Association, Membership Committee, Board Member, 2013 - present
- Virginia Trial Lawyer’s Association, Publications Committee, Board Member, 2006
- Virginia Trial Lawyer’s Association, Young Lawyers Leadership Committee, Board Member, 2002-2003
- Virginia, 2001
- International Academy of Family Lawyers (IAFL), Board of Governors, Member, 2010 - Present
Pro bono / Community Service
- Northern Virginia Pro Bono Law Center
Educational Background
- University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia, B.A., Bachelor of Arts, Major: Psychology, May, 1996, 2006
- George Washington University, J.D., 2001
Scholarly Lectures / Writings
- Best practices for attorneys in a post-covid virtual world., Best Practices for Lawyers in a Virtual World, American Bar Association, 2021
- International family law treatise; Virginia chapter., Family Law in U.S.: Virginia Overview, Thompson Reuters, 2020
- Procedural requirements and legal considerations related to relocation of children outside the Commonwealth of Virginia in family law matters., Relocation in Accordance with Virginia Law, The Journal of the Virginia Trial Lawyers Association, 2019
- Analysis of considerations with respect to the role of an attorney in parent-child alienation cases, Understanding and Litigating Parent-Child Alientation Cases, The American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers newsletter, January 2018, 2018
- International Academy of Family Lawyers (formerly International Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers), Hague Symposium (full day of education), Chair, 2015
- Hague Conference on Private International Law, Secretary General
- International Academy of Family Lawyers (formerly International Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers), Hague Symposium (full day of education), Chair, 2014
- International Academy of Family Lawyers (formerly International Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers), The Hague Convention, Moderator, 2011
- International Academy of Family Lawyers (formerly International Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers), Panel Member, 2010
- Virginia Trial Lawyers Association, Presenter, 2012
- Fairfax Bar Association, Presenter, April 2013
- Northern Virginia Magazine article titled Making the Case for Custody
- USA Today Father’s Day edition article titled More dads demand equal custody rights
- National Law Journal article titled Divorce Lawyers Without Boarders
- Relocation in Custody Cases: A History and the Present State of the Law, Journal of the Virginia Trial Lawyers Association
- Co-Author, Virginia chapter of the European Lawyer Reference Series, Family Law: Jurisdictional Comparisons
- Family Law: Jurisdictional Comparisons , (First Edition 2011; Second Edition 2012; Third Edition 2015)
- Co-author, Virginia chapter in the European Lawyer Reference Series: Family Law: Jurisdictional Comparisons
Honors
- Katharine is included as one of the Best Lawyers in America in the area of family law. https://www.bestlawyers.com/lawyers/katharine-maddox/255184, Best Lawyers in America, BestLawyers.com
- Super Lawyers: Selected as a Super Lawyer in Super Lawyers Magazine (Virginia), 2013 - present
- Northern Virginia Pro Bono Law Center: Maddox & Gerock named Pro Bono Law Firm of the Year.
- Super Lawyers: Selected as a Rising Star in Super Lawyers Magazine (Virginia), 2010 - 2012
- Student Chair, Academic Integrity Committee, The George Washington University Law School
- “Top Lawyer” in the area of family law by Northern Virginia Magazine
- Northern Virginia Magazine: 2017, 2015, 2013 and 2011 selected by Northern Virginia
- Law Association of Women: Student Bar Association Representative and Co-Events Director, The George Washington University Law School
- Strathmore's Who's Who, 2008 - 2009
- “Superb, 10 out of 10” from the AVVO ratings website
- Super Lawyers: Selected as a Super Lawyer in Super Lawyers Magazine (Washington DC), 2014 - 2015
- Moot Court Board membership, The George Washington University Law School
Awards
Avvo Client's Choice Award: This award is granted to attorneys with at least 5 reviews with 4+ stars in a given year on Avvo.com
These comments were made by fellow attorneys during the annual nomination process.
“Katharine Maddox is a bright and zealous attorney who brings a depth of experience and personal touch to each of her cases.”
Office location for Katharine Maddox
2677 Prosperity Ave
Suite 200
Fairfax, VA 22031
Phone: 703-883-8035
Selections
- Super Lawyers: 2013 - 2026
- Rising Stars: 2010 - 2013
