Kate Simonds
Attorney at Law
Practice areas
Kate Simonds | Family law partner
Attorney Kate Simonds has extensive experience representing clients in divorce, high-asset division, child custody, and support matters. Kate combines a strong litigation background with a modern, solution-focused approach to help clients resolve cases thoughtfully while avoiding unnecessary conflict when possible.
Kate began her legal career in Racine, Wisconsin, where she successfully represented clients in hundreds of contested bench trials. Kate served as co-counsel in a landmark case establishing the standard for grandparent rights. By vote of the local judges, Kate was appointed by the court as a Guardian ad Litem, representing the best interests of children and vulnerable adults in family, probate, and juvenile courts.
Since relocating to Arizona in 2017, Kate has represented clients across Maricopa, Gila, Pima, and Yavapai counties. She brings substantial courtroom litigation experience and is known for providing clients with practical guidance, honest expectations, and strong advocacy when it matters most.
Kate earned her Juris Doctor from Michigan State University College of Law, where she also served as President of the Animal Law Society. During law school, she studied international and comparative law in Australia and New Zealand. Kate graduated summa cum laude from Lake Erie College with a degree in Equine Science.
Before entering the legal profession, Kate spent over a decade as a competitive dressage rider and instructor. Outside of her work, Kate enjoys traveling, road and mountain biking, outdoor activities, SCUBA diving, and training her German Shepherd Dog, Betty.
My job is to help clients develop and achieve their family law goals. Working together, we create solutions to the issues complicating their case. I’m a proponent of strategic settlement and mediation. But, when cases head to trial, I work with clients to ensure their best presentation of evidence is delivered to the Court.
She earned her law degree from Michigan State University in 2010. During her second year, she studied international and comparative law in Australia and New Zealand. She was also the President of the Animal Law Society.
After passing the bar exam, she returned to Wisconsin and practiced with a boutique family law firm. Kate developed a comprehensive litigation practice and was counsel in the landmark case that established the standard for grandparent’s rights in the state. Kate remains proud she served as a judge appointed Guardian ad Litem, representing the best interests of children and adults in probate, family, and juvenile courts. Kate taught trial strategy and Intro to Law at Carthage College, along with sitting as an associate mock trial coach and traveling to the tri-state region for competitions with the students. She also taught comparative law and was an international professor in New Zealand during the college’s study abroad program.
Kate relocated to Arizona in 2017 and has practiced family law in Maricopa, Gila, Pima, and Yavapai counties. She has extensive litigation experience including successful bench and jury trial experience. With experience and reflection, Kate represents clients with compassion and gives them a realistic approach to family law solutions.
In her free time Kate enjoys traveling, all things outdoors, SCUBA diving, boating, and training their German Shepherd dog. She advocates for a plant-based diet.