I currently practice law in Washtenaw County, Michigan with Kline Legal Group, PLC, where I handle primarily family law matters (divorce, custody, separate maintenance, paternity, child support). In addition to a busy litigation practice, I also work as a mediator, arbitrator and parenting coordinator. My other practice areas include plaintiff’s auto negligence litigation, personal injury, construction lien litigation, and driver’s license restoration. While Washtenaw County is where the majority of my cases are handled, I also have experience in Ingham, Jackson, Lenawee Livingston, Macomb, Monroe, Oakland and Wayne counties. I come by my love of the law naturally. My father, Leonard Kitchen, practiced law in Dexter, Michigan for over 35 years. Following my graduation from law school in 2004, I joined my father in Dexter where I assisted him in helping to wind-down his long-standing general practice in. In the year that followed, I hung my own shingle, and focused my practice on family law, criminal law, abuse/neglect proceedings, landlord/tenant matters, wills and trusts and other small business matters. In 2006, after having worked together as opposing counsels on two different cases that year, I was asked to join Kline Legal Group as an associate attorney. In my 12 years of practice, family law has remained my true passion. Divorce and custody issues are immensely stressful and yet the agreements parties reach through this process have the ability to impact them and their children for a lifetime. As has often been said, family law practitioners tend to see the best people on their worst behavior. I believe that to the extent I can help my clients see more clearly and make logical and appropriate decisions during what can be an emotionally overwhelming experience, the entire family benefits. In addition to my work with Kline Legal Group, I am very actively involved with the Washtenaw County Bar Association, serving as President for 2016-2017. I am also a Past President of the Washtenaw Region of the Women Lawyers Association of Michigan (2012/2013). In addition to my role in the local bar association, I am also active on a State-wide level. In 2015, I was elected by my peers to serve on the State Bar of Michigan, Representative Assembly for a two-year term. From 2009-2012, I also served in an elected position on the Family Law Council for the State Bar of Michigan. I earned my undergrad degree cum laude in psychology from the University of Michigan and my Juris Doctor degree from the University of Toledo College of Law, where I acted as the team leader for the advanced legal clinic, representing indigent clients throughout the greater Toledo metropolitan area. I am a recipient of the Institute of Continuing Legal Education’s Family Law Certificate. For each year from 2011 through 2016, I have been selected as a "Rising Star in Family Law" by Super Lawyers Magazine. Additionally, in 2013 I was awarded the State Bar of Michigan Kimberly Cahill Bar Leadership Award for my work in developing the WCBA Modest Means Program. This program affords lower-income individuals an opportunity for legal representation in family law matters at a reduced hourly rate.