Meet Kathryn Dent, Family Law Attorney
Kathryn Dent never backs down, even with the most difficult of cases. President Theodore Roosevelt’s famous quote — Speak softly and carry a big stick; you will go far — resonates with her in practice. She works as hard as possible to resolve her client’s cases efficiently and cost-effectively, bringing a willingness to work with the other party’s attorney amicably and collaboratively. However, if litigation is unavoidable, Kathryn loves nothing more than to be in the courtroom. She works relentlessly and without intimidation to protect her client’s best interests. Always the first attorney to arrive at the courthouse, Kathryn puts in the time and preparation to bring successful resolution for her clients.
Divorce and other family law matters almost always start a major transformation in a person’s life. Kathryn tells her clients that while she can’t control what has happened in the past, together they can look towards the future and overcome any obstacles necessary to create a fresh start. She believes direct communication is paramount to a strong attorney-client relationship, counseling her clients every step of the way. Her significant experience in family law as well as in criminal defense, bankruptcy, and civil litigation allows her to bring a unique perspective to think outside of the box with each case.
Through both her undergraduate education and law school, Kathryn’s hard academic work earned her academic scholarships, Dean’s list honors, and a place at the top of her classes. While earning her Juris Doctor from Hofstra University School of Law, she participated in Moot Court, served on the Student Bar Association, and was an articles editor for Hofstra’s Labor and Employment Law Journal. Kathryn also interned for the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York, the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Western District of Texas, and the King’s County District Attorney’s Office.
After graduating, Kathryn first practiced in Texas for two private law firms gaining a wide range of legal specialty and significant experience with bench and jury trials. Realizing her passion for the courtroom, Kathryn began practicing for a national domestic litigation firm in its Austin, Texas office, and she later relocated with the firm to Philadelphia. In this role, she not only honed her trial skills, but also attained extensive dispute resolution experience, having guided cases through mediation and arbitration. Kathryn has developed a niche for family law, which she has exclusively practiced since 2017. Kathryn joined Petrelli Previtera in 2019 and works out of the firm’s Philadelphia office. She is admitted to practice in Pennsylvania and Texas.
Education
- Juris Doctor, Hofstra University, 2011
- Bachelor of Science, University of Delaware, 2007
Professional Associations
- Member, Nicholas Cipriani American Inn of Court
- Member, Philadelphia Bar Association
Jurisdictions Admitted to Practice
- Pennsylvania, 2013
- Texas, 2011