Divorce Matters

Kathlyn Laraway is an attorney who cares deeply about understanding her clients' goals and needs as they navigate the rough waters of family law disputes. Kathlyn has participated as counsel in over 100 mediations, successfully representing her clients' best interests. She has represented clients in matters such as post-decree work, modification of child support and parenting time, divorces, and litigating the enforcement of court orders. She knows the court system and how to guide you through the process.

Kathlyn is also a trained mediator who believes it is a very important process that can sometimes be undervalued in the divorce community. Many divorces are handled through mediation and are settled in the process. Having been an attorney representing one party in many cases, Kathlyn has the knowledge and experience to expertly oversee the process as a mediator.

Not only does Kathlyn practice family law and act as a mediator, but she can also fight for you in court regarding civil matters. She has experience handling domestic relations cases, replevin cases, partition actions, actions involving partnerships, joint ventures, civil theft, defamation, wrongful eviction, civil conspiracy, tortious interference with contract, and breach of contract.

Kathlyn cares about helping men and women during a time in their lives when they need help the most: going through a divorce or child custody dispute. She has years of experience representing her clients and cares most about helping them traverse the process of divorce, family matters, civil matters and mediation.

Family law matters are personal, emotional and frequently involve complex legal or factual issues. I take pride in helping men and women through the process. I focus my practice on family law issues including complex dissolution of marriage actions, allocation of parental responsibility cases, asset preservation, child support, parenting time disputes and adoption.

Understanding and navigating a legal process can be a stressful experience. I work with my clients to formulate a strategy tailored to their needs and expectations. Clients are my primary concern.

Many family law matters can be amicably resolved after careful analysis of all potential factors. I am a firm believer in amicable settlement to both maximize my client's position and provide cost-effective resolution. When matters cannot be amicably resolved, I have extensive litigation experience and advocate aggressively for my clients.

Bridget T. Finn is a dedicated family law attorney who truly cares about the outcome for her clients. After graduating with her psychology degree, Bridget decided to give back to her community and volunteered with the AmeriCorps, helping inner city youth build hiking trails.

It was then Bridget decided to attend the University of St. Thomas School of Law, where she went on to graduate on the Dean's List in Domestic Violence Law. While in school, she worked as a legal intern under Judge Janet N. Poston and clerked with a family law firm.

After graduating, she began working at the Rocky Mountain Children's Law Center where she worked with children as Guardian ad Litem, advocating for their best interests in cases where the child needed protection or developing co-parenting plans during contentious and often violent divorces. As Guardian ad Litem, Bridget drafted reports and recommendations for the Court in these cases, fighting for the best interests of the child.

While working as Guardian ad Litem Bridget also worked with a family law firm handling cases involving divorce, child support, modifications of parenting time, contempt and protection orders. She handled cases from consultation through to dissolution in all matters of domestic relations matters.

Bridget joins Divorce Matters ready to represent her clients' interests, backed by her experience as both Guardian ad Litem and attorney at law. She has the experience to protect your rights when navigating a divorce and the knowledge to handle child custody matters.

When she's not representing her clients, Bridget takes advantage of living in our beautiful state of Colorado. She loves camping, hiking and snowboarding. The mountains were the reason she moved to Colorado two years ago and they are the reason she stays.

Ashley L. Balicki joins Divorce Matters as an attorney who has focused her career in the area of family law. Her drive to be an attorney began at a young age but her passion for family law came after she majored in psychology and realized she wanted to help people who are going through what is often a very difficult time.

It is because of this focus that Ashley began interning at a family law firm during her senior year of her undergraduate program. She would continue to clerk with this law firm throughout her law school career.

During law school, Ashley interned for a Justice of the Indiana Supreme Court. During this time, Ashley fostered an interest in appellate work and has since developed her appellate practice such that she has published opinions and has assisted in oral arguments at both the Court of Appeals and Supreme Court levels.

Ashley is a compassionate, yet aggressive advocate who has devoted her entire legal career to family law and appellate matters. She has represented a wide array of clients, handling all matters of family law from beginning to end including high asset marital estates, high conflict custody matters, parenting time, child support, guardianships, relocations, pre-nuptial and post-nuptial agreements, modifications, appeals, and post-dissolution matters.

Although Ashley advocates mediation as a means of settling matters, she is also an experienced litigator who has appeared in courts throughout the state.

After moving to Colorado Ashley joined Divorce Matters. Ashley is a compassionate, yet aggressive advocate who has devoted her entire legal career to family law and appellate matters. Her experience and breadth of knowledge make her a valuable asset when you are facing a divorce. Ashley became a family law attorney because of her passion to help others and that is still the focus of her practicehelping those going through domestic matters ensure that they are protected.

When going through a divorce, it is common to worry about how you will get through the process there is so much to consider, from how it will affect your children, to figuring out personal finances, the division of assets, and what will happen to your home. It is important to have an experienced family law attorney on your side to help take care of these concerns so you can focus on you and your children.

David H. Kalisek joins Divorce Matters having dedicated his career to guiding his family law clients through some of the toughest times in their lives. With nearly seven years of family law practice, David has experience with even the most complex family law issues and can expertly handle your case. David seeks to see his clients through these difficult transitions smoothly, by taking on the tough matters with compassion, as well as tenacity and strength.

After graduating from the University of Nebraska College of Law, David stayed in his native state and gained valuable family law and other litigation experience as an associate attorney with two Nebraska firms. When the opportunity came for David to exclusively practice family law in Seattle, where he would be able to explore his love of the outdoors, he jumped at it. David solely practiced family law for several years in Seattle, handling several high-profile cases involving professional athletes and corporate executives.

Moving to Colorado was an easy decision for David, with the access to all of the outdoor activities he enjoys such as fly fishing, snowboarding and hiking in the mountains. Living in sunny Colorado, David is able to explore all of his passions, while still being able to continue his family law practice.

Attorney Justin Oliver is an energetic and experienced attorney who truly cares about his clients. He originally began his college career studying sociology and social justice because he always knew he wanted to help people and make a difference in their lives. Eventually, he realized he would be able to do more if he were to enter the legal profession. His journey to becoming an attorney was always grounded in his desire to be an advocate for those who need it most.

While attending Drake University Law School Justin worked for the Iowa Legal Aid as an intern assisting low-income clients with their legal matters. It was there that he began to shape his legal practice into what it would become today, primarily focusing on helping these clients through family law proceedings. Shortly before graduating Justin joined the Assistant District Attorney’s Office where he gained valuable insight into the justice system as a prosecutor.

After moving to Colorado Justin founded Oliver Law where he focused solely on family law. He dove head first into his work, helping his clients in the greater Fort Collins area through some of the most difficult experiences of their lives. Justin takes the stress and pain of divorce off of his clients’ backs by expertly guiding them through the divorce process and making sure he is there for them every step of the way.

He now joins our Divorce Matters team at our Fort Collins location where he continues to be a zealous advocate for his clients, providing them with the highest quality legal representation and service.

When Justin isn’t advocating for his clients, he spends his time enjoying all of the beautiful outdoor activities that Colorado has to offer. His hobbies include hiking, kayaking, mountain biking and live music. Originally from Maine, Justin traveled across the United States until he found himself at Copper Mountain and decided Colorado was where he was going to stay. With just a brief departure for law school, Justin’s roots are now firmly planted in Colorado.

Joe Williams never knew a time when he didn’t want to become an attorney. His mother was a paralegal and growing up he was always at the office surrounded by attorneys and the law. Being completely immersed in this environment from such a young age, it’s no wonder that he is now a dedicated and accomplished lawyer.

Joe grew up in Greeley, Colorado, graduating from Greeley Central High School and attending Colorado State University for his undergraduate degree. In fact, Joe lived in the shadow of the CSU football stadium where he attended many games and to this day supports the CSU Rams.

He went on to attend Drake Law School, gaining invaluable experience interning with the District Attorney’s office as well as with a personal injury firm. While in Iowa Joe was a part of a legal team whose arguments established new case law in the area of DUI testing.

After graduating law school Joe returned to Colorado with his family and settled down in his hometown of Greeley. He began practicing personal injury for a large Denver law firm but knew that he wanted to practice family law. The timing was perfect when he joined attorney Justin Oliver, practicing family law in Fort Collins.

Joe understands the importance of what is at stake in a family law case because he has a family of his own. This understanding and empathy focuses Joe in his family law practice, giving him the ability to understand his clients’ concerns while reassuring them with his knowledge of the law. He is a tireless advocate for all of his clients in Fort Collins and the surrounding areas with Divorce Matters.

When he isn’t representing his clients, you can find Joe building computers or mixing up a new batch of home brewed beer, and he stays active through mixed martial arts such as jiu-jitsu. However, Joe enjoys spending the majority of his free time with his wife and two young children.

Attorney William Taylor began the path towards his legal career back at Bear Creek High School in Lakewood, CO, where competing in mock trial for four years helped him to realize his passion for litigation. There was no looking back after that, where even as an undergrad at Boise State University he was the Vice President of Pre-Law Society, helping students prepare for law school.

After leaving Colorado for his undergraduate degree, William returned to attend law school at the University of Denver Sturm College of Law. During this time William made his mark at DU, throwing himself into many of the student organizations to gain as much experience and exposure to the law as possible. William was the Editor-in-Chief of the Sports & Entertainment Law Journal and President of the Sports & Entertainment Law Society, and also competed on the MLB Arbitration and NBA Negotiation Teams. He was also the Director of Judges for the Student Trial Lawyers Association, the Vice President of Judge Recruitment for the Moot Court Board, and an Assistant Coach for the University of Denver’s undergraduate mock trial team. William has since taken over as the Head Coach for DU’s undergraduate mock trial team.

William’s incredible involvement in student organizations did not prevent him from showing his academic prowess, however, graduating with the distinct recognition of Order of the Coif, an honorary scholastic society that is nationally recognized amongst law schools for those who graduate in the top 10% of their class. Additionally, in his third year of law school, William worked in a year-long clinic where he devoted an average of 35 hours of work per week for his clients. He was awarded with the Student Attorney of the Year Award for his dedication to his clients and his legal prowess over the course of the year.

William’s work at Thomas & Associates began as a law clerk following his first year of law school, where his first case was a particularly complex domestic matter on its third appeal. Over the two years William clerked with Thomas & Associates, he gained valuable insight into the complex workings of the law by handling four successful appeals in the areas of domestic and civil law. He was also able to participate in countless criminal, civil, and domestic trials, as he assisted the attorneys with legal research, trial preparation, and the like.

As an attorney with Thomas & Associates, attorney William Taylor looks to continue his civil, domestic, and criminal defense work with the firm, diving head first into his case work to zealously advocate on behalf of his clients.

Brooke J. Shafranek joins our team at Divorce Matters to represent her clients in domestic relations matters, including dissolution of marriage, child custody, modifications of parenting time and child support, and parenting time restrictions. She understands that her clients are often going through some of the most difficult times in their lives, and feels it is a privilege to be called upon to help them navigate the often confusing and complex legal systems in the most effective manner. Brooke’s strength lies in her ability to empathize with her clients while still being able to separate the emotions from the rational legal decisions that need to be made to advocate on behalf of the best interests of her clients. She gives her clients a voice through her legal expertise in and out of the courtroom.

Brooke began her collegiate career at North Carolina State University where she graduated as valedictorian. While going to college and maintaining a perfect 4.0 she also worked for the Walt Disney Company as a Guest Experience Services Correspondent where she spent her time crafting creative resolutions to guests’ post-visit concerns. This often entailed partnering with legal and guest claims departments. These problem-solving and communication skills served Brooke well as she carried them through to her work as a family law attorney.

Brooke then went on to the University of Florida where she graduated law school in the top 15% of her class. While attending law school full-time she also excelled at several different internships assisting with pre-trial conferences, hearings, depositions, legal memorandum and client meetings. Brooke was awarded the Outstanding Achievement Pro Bono certificate after completing over 105 hours of volunteer legal services. After graduating Brooke worked for a Denver family law firm before coming to Divorce Matters, where she continues her family law practice.

When Brooke isn’t representing her clients, she enjoys spending her time traveling and enjoying all of the outdoor activities that Colorado has to offer. She can often be found cheering on her favorite football and hockey teams!

Attorney Kimberly N. McIver joins Divorce Matters as a zealous advocate for her clients in their family law cases. Attorney McIver’s approach is to gain an understanding of her client’s goals so that she can provide them with all of their options and possible outcomes. She believes that her clients are the best decision makers in their cases because every decision made is going to affect their lives. Kimberly sees it as her role to provide her clients with the options and strategies and the legal knowledge to make those informed decisions.

Kimberly has always wanted to give people a voice in the legal system and this drove her decision to pursue a legal career. Helping people navigate the court system and assist in getting them a fair and reasonable outcome that they will be happy with has always been her goal. While in law school, Kimberly interned at the Women’s Bar Foundation assisting clients with their family law cases. She also worked in the family law clinic in her third year of law school.

After graduating law school Kimberly began working with Dove, a multidisciplinary domestic violence organization, where as an attorney she worked with victims of domestic violence with their cases involving high conflict custody, child support, parenting time, contempt hearing and removal cases. Kimberly was also extremely active within the organization, running monthly workshops, attending quarterly roundtables with other legal services agencies, and attending Family Law Task Force meetings.

Following her work with Dove, Kimberly continued her family law practice with Sugerman Rogers where she dealt with cases involving more complex division of assets and discovery disputes. She also began working as a volunteer attorney through the Volunteer Lawyer’s Project where she helped provide legal assistance to pro se litigants in family law matters on a limited representation basis.

Kimberly joined Divorce Matters to continue her family law practice here in Colorado where she provides her clients with the best possible legal representation. Family law is her passion, and she has been in this field throughout her legal career. When she isn’t advocating for her clients in the courtroom, she enjoys skiing, camping and spending time with her family.