Kara M. Bellew

Partner

Kara has been a partner of Rower LLC since its start in 2017 and has been practicing exclusively in the field of matrimonial and family law since 2005. As both a seasoned litigator and a trained mediator, Kara is uniquely suited to help clients resolve their divorces in a way that is right for them.

Prior to joining Rower LLC, Kara was an associate at Miller Zeiderman Wiederkehr & Schwarz LLP, where she gained valuable litigation experience in both Westchester and Manhattan and deepened her understanding of complex financial cases. Kara began her legal career in family law at Sanctuary for Families, Center for Battered Women’s Legal Services. During her ten-year tenure there, Kara managed a high volume of contested matrimonial and family law cases that required her to appear before the judges of New York and Kings County on matters including orders of protection, custody/visitation, and contested divorce. Kara’s experience at Sanctuary for Families not only taught her about the complex nature of domestic violence, but also shaped her commitment to client-centered advocacy.

Kara is a patient and steadfast advocate for her clients. As one client stated, “Kara’s command of the law, strategic thinking, client advocacy, compassion, and honesty are but a few of the reasons that she distinguishes herself.” Another client expressed his appreciation for Kara’s “guidance, professionalism and grace…I could count on her to guide me through the process with honesty, integrity, respect, and always in good faith.” Another client said, “When you hire Kara, she represents you to the fullest and deeply appreciates that your life and the lives of your children are in her hands.”

While Kara believes clients often achieve the best outcome when they can reach a settlement, she does not hesitate to engage the court system when necessary. Kara is a skilled and tenacious litigator, having tried numerous custody and financial cases in the Supreme and Family Courts of Manhattan, Brooklyn, and Westchester. She also successfully argued before the Appellate Division of the First Department in both 2021 and 2022. In May of 2017, she attended the National Family Law Trial Institute, an intensive eight-day trial skills training course, in Houston, Texas. Kara returned to the National Family Law Trial Institute in May 2022 and completed an intensive course in advanced custody litigation.

 Kara recognizes that certain clients may benefit from a less adversarial process, one that is grounded in collaboration and conducted outside of a courtroom. As a mediator, Kara works with couples by helping to facilitate their communication in an effective manner and assisting them in reaching an agreement that feels fair to both of them. Kara trained in mediation at the Center for Understanding in Conflict where she participated in the intensive forty hour Working Creatively with Conflict training.

Kara has a strong commitment to pro bono legal services and volunteerism. In June 2023, she joined the Board of Directors at Sanctuary for Families. She twice ran the New York City Marathon to raise money and support for Sanctuary for Families, in addition to which she has taken on pro-bono cases on behalf of indigent victims of domestic violence. Kara was named a Super Lawyer in 2023 and is a member of the New York State Bar Association, and the New York Women’s Bar Association.

Kara is a 2004 graduate of Northeastern University School of Law. In 2000, she earned a Master of Social Work from Boston University. In 1998, Kara graduated from Saint Joseph’s University, where she majored in psychology. She lives in Westchester County with her husband and children. In her spare time, Kara loves playing tennis, practicing yoga, and spending as much time as possible on a beach.

646.437.7738    kara@rowerllc.com

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