Kristen Devaney

Kristen Devaney has been an associate with Keith, Shapiro & Ford since 2015.  She began her career first as a law clerk and then as a practicing attorney in the areas of divorce and family law for several years before joining the firm.

Kristen represents clients at all stages of the proceeding, drafting all litigation documents, engaging in motion practice, participating in court conferences and settlement conferences, presenting emergency applications, conducting hearings, and preparing for trials.  She is adept in all areas of matrimonial/family law, including custody, child support, maintenance, relocation, orders of protection, equitable distribution of the assets, identifying marital and separate property, dividing retirement accounts and pensions, college contribution,

prenuptial/postnuptial/separation agreements, or enforcement and/or modification of a prior order.

Kristen’s experience has overflowed into adoptions, which is a field of law that she is deeply passionate about.  She has built a strong rapport with the Court such that she can make the adoption process as seamless as the end result is joyous.

While recognizing the need to litigate, Kristen also takes pride in bringing contested matrimonial matters to resolution.  She is a strong believer in obtaining favorable and creative solutions to resolve the terms of a divorce rather than engaging in expensive and protracted litigation.  To that end, she works with clients and adversaries to reach a meeting of the minds in a way that protects the clients’ rights and also allows clients to close this difficult chapter in the most cost-efficient yet productive manner possible.

Kristen graduated from Dartmouth College in 2006.  She spent two years working as a litigation paralegal for Dewey & LeBoeuf in Manhattan  (formerly LeBoeuf, Lamb, Greene & MacRae LLP) before attending Catholic University Columbus School of Law and matriculating in 2011. While in law school, she served as a Note and Comment Editor of the Catholic University Law Review and as a Research Assistant for a highly established professor specializing in crimes against women and children.  She participated in two law clinics during her tenure at law school, affording her the opportunity to litigate at D.C. Superior Court and represent young children facing legal ramifications.

Every divorce and familial issue is different and every person’s reaction to these circumstances is different.  Kristen approaches every individual case with the goal of bringing closure to this difficult time with sensitivity and sensibility combined with professional, aggressive, and zealous representation.

Admissions

  • New York, 2012
  • New Jersey, 2011

Education

  • Catholic University Columbus School of Law, J.D., 2011
  • Dartmouth College B.A. Government, B.A. English, 2006

Professional affiliations and memberships

  • Nassau County Bar Association
    • Member, Matrimonial Law Committee
    • Member, Family Court Practice and Procedure Committee
    • Member, Adoption law Committee
  • New York State Bar Association
    •  Member, Family Law Section