How much does it cost to hire Katherine for a adoption case?

Cost depends on the type of matter, the fee model (contingency, flat, hourly), and how contested the case becomes. Katherine walks through the likely range during the consult so there are no surprises.

Does Katherine offer a free consultation?

Katherine charges for the initial consult; that fee is credited toward representation if you retain Katherine's office. Some adoption attorneys offer free consults — check Katherine's current terms during booking.

How long do adoption cases in Maryland typically take?

Simple adoption matters can wrap in a few weeks; disputed cases can run 6–18 months from intake to resolution, longer if the matter goes to trial. Katherine gives a realistic estimate for your facts at the consult — vague answers here are a red flag.

Can Katherine take my case if I'm outside Bel Air?

Katherine is licensed in Maryland. Matters governed by Maryland law are the natural fit. Out-of-state matters are handled case-by-case, sometimes with local co-counsel. Ask during intake — Katherine will tell you if the case is a fit or refer you to someone closer to your court.

What should I bring to my first meeting with Katherine?

Bring every document that touches the dispute: contracts, correspondence, police or medical reports, filed pleadings, invoices, photographs, insurance letters. Also bring a written timeline of what happened, in your own words. Katherine will filter what matters — over-preparing at intake is always cheaper than needing a second meeting.

Is Katherine accepting new adoption clients right now?

Katherine's intake status shifts week to week. Submit the form; the office will confirm availability or refer the matter out.

Unclaimed · Is this you?

Katherine Kole Thompson, Adoption Attorney in Bel Air, Maryland

Over 33 years of legal practice · focused on Adoption, Alimony, and Car Accidents · 4.9/5 rating from 10 verified client reviews

PresidentatSchlaich & Thompson Chartered

Bel Air, MD

Practicing adoption in Bel Air since 1993.

33+: Years practicing
4.9 ★: 10 client reviews
3: Bar admissions

Practices in

Adoption Alimony Car Accidents Child Custody Child Support Criminal Defense +16 more →

Are you Katherine Kole Thompson?

This profile was built from public bar records and is still unclaimed. Claim it free to control your photo, bio, and fees — and get client inquiries sent straight to you.

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Quick answer

Katherine Kole Thompson is a president based in Bel Air, MD. The practice focuses on Adoption, Alimony, and Car Accidents. Katherine has over 33 years of legal experience. Currently practicing at Schlaich & Thompson Chartered. Rated 4.9 out of 5 from 10 client reviews.

Based in: Bel Air, MD
Experience: over 33 years
Known for: Adoption · Alimony · Car Accidents

Handles Adoption, Alimony, and Car Accidents matters from Bel Air, MD.
Over 33 years of practice as a licensed attorney.
Recognized with AV Preeminent.

Areas of practice

Legal matters Katherine takes on

Katherine concentrates on adoption, alimony, car accidents, child custody, and child support. Each area below outlines the kind of case Katherine handles, typical outcomes to expect, and how the intake process starts.

Adoption cases in Bel Air, Maryland

Katherine takes adoption matters in Bel Air, Maryland. Typical engagements include intake calls to scope the issue, review of any records or filings you already have, and a written strategy memo before Katherine agrees to represent you.

Alimony cases in Bel Air, Maryland

Katherine takes alimony matters in Bel Air, Maryland. Typical engagements include intake calls to scope the issue, review of any records or filings you already have, and a written strategy memo before Katherine agrees to represent you.

Car Accidents cases in Bel Air, Maryland

Katherine takes car accidents matters in Bel Air, Maryland. Typical engagements include intake calls to scope the issue, review of any records or filings you already have, and a written strategy memo before Katherine agrees to represent you.

Child Custody cases in Bel Air, Maryland

Katherine takes child custody matters in Bel Air, Maryland. Typical engagements include intake calls to scope the issue, review of any records or filings you already have, and a written strategy memo before Katherine agrees to represent you.

Child Support cases in Bel Air, Maryland

Katherine takes child support matters in Bel Air, Maryland. Typical engagements include intake calls to scope the issue, review of any records or filings you already have, and a written strategy memo before Katherine agrees to represent you.

Biography

Meet Katherine Kole Thompson — adoption lawyer in Bel Air

Katherine Kole Thompson has been a resident of Harford County for her entire life. She attended Harford Day School and the John Carroll School. Katie completed her undergraduate degrees in biology and psychology at Boston College in 1990, graduating cum laude and as a Scholar of the College. While at Boston College, she competed on the varsity swimming team and completed the Boston Marathon in 1990. Returning closer to home to attend law school at the University of Maryland, Katie graduated from law school in 1993 and was admitted to the Maryland Bar that same year. While attending law school full-time, Katie was a student attorney representing juvenile offenders, served as associate editor for The Business Lawyer Law Journal, and worked as a law clerk for two law firms. After graduating from law school, Katie worked for one year as the law clerk to the Honorable William O. Carr, Administrative Judge of the Circuit Court for Harford County. This allowed her to work in the Courthouse, become familiar with court personnel, and obtain first-hand knowledge of the local court’s inner workings. When Katie finished her clerkship with Judge Carr, she began her private practice in Bel Air, MD. Katie works in the areas of family law (divorce, custody, visitation and child support), criminal and traffic defense, and personal injury (auto accidents and medical malpractice). She also prepares wills, living wills and powers of attorney. Katie is licensed to practice law in Maryland, the District of Columbia (inactive) and the federal court system. Katie served on the Board of Directors of the Harford County Bar Foundation 1995-2015 (President from 1998-99). She served on the Board of Managers for Harford County YMCA (1998-99). Katie served on the Harford County Bar Association Executive Council from 2004-07. Katie currently serves on the Family Law Advisory Committee and the Bench/Bar Committee for the Harford County Bar Association. In 2015 Katie co-founded the Harford County Chapter of the Women’s Bar Association (President 2015-17). Katie is a statewide board member of the Women’s Bar Association of Maryland from 2018 – present. She is also President Elect of the Harford County Bar Association for 2018-19. Katie and her husband, Aaron, live in Harford County with their two daughters.

Katherine's approach to adoption cases

The kind of cases Katherine takes

Katherine reviews new inquiries case-by-case for adoption, alimony, and car accidents matters in Bel Air and the surrounding Maryland area.

Credentials

Education, bar admissions, and languages

University of Maryland
J.D. · 1993
Boston College
B.S. Biology · 1990

Jurisdictions

Katherine's state bar admissions

District of Columbia
1996 · ACTIVE
U.S. District Court,
1994 · ACTIVE
Maryland
1993 · ACTIVE

Katherine studied at J.D. in University of Maryland and B.S. Biology in Boston College.

Law school and academic background

Katherine completed J.D. in University of Maryland and B.S. Biology in Boston College. Formal legal training is one signal of substantive knowledge — the day-to-day practice Katherine runs in Maryland is where that training gets applied to real client questions.

Recognition

Recognition and thought leadership

Katherine has received 1 formal recognition from bar associations, industry bodies, and peer-review services.

AV Preeminent

Legal awards and honors

AV Preeminent.

Affiliations

Katherine's professional memberships and bar associations

Harford County
Former Executive Council Member), Maryland State and American Bar Associations District of Columbia Bar The Bar Foundation of Harford County (Board of Directors Former President · membership

Locations

Katherine Kole Thompson's office in Bel Air

Katherine's primary office is at 1318 East Churchville Road, Bel Air, MD, 21014-4707. In-person meetings are by appointment; a phone intake usually comes first.

Main office

Schlaich & Thompson Chartered

1318 East Churchville Road

Bel Air, MD 21014-4707

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Client feedback

Client reviews of Katherine Kole Thompson — 4.9/5 rating from 10 verified client reviews

Every review below is from a verified client of Katherine. Reviews cover communication, case outcome, and value — the three signals that matter most when comparing adoption attorneys in Bel Air.

4.9

10 client reviews

Client ratings are sourced from public records and editorial research. Reviews on LawyersListed are accepted from verified clients once Katherine Kole Thompson claims this profile.

Read all reviews

Hiring guide

How to hire Katherine Kole Thompson — what to expect in your first consultation

Working with a new adoption attorney should feel structured. Here's how the first two conversations with Katherine usually go, from the moment you request a consult to the day representation begins.

Consultation formats and pricing

Katherine charges for the initial consult. That fee is credited toward representation if you retain Katherine's office.

What to bring to your first meeting

Bring any documents you already have — police reports, medical records, filed pleadings, correspondence from an insurer, a copy of the contract at issue. If you're not sure, err on the side of bringing everything; Katherine will tell you what matters and what doesn't.

Questions to ask a adoption attorney in Bel Air, Maryland

A short list to run through before you commit: How many adoption matters have you handled in the last year? What's your fee structure? Who else in the office will work on this? What's your realistic estimate of timeline and range of outcomes? How do I reach you between meetings?

Fees & payment

Fees, payment methods, and consultation options for Katherine

Katherine discusses fees during intake so the arrangement fits the matter. Contingency, hourly, and flat-fee options are all common in adoption practice — ask which fits.

Hourly rates, contingency fees, and flat-fee options

Every adoption matter is priced differently. Simple document review might be a flat fee. Injury litigation is often contingency. Complex commercial disputes usually run hourly with a retainer. Katherine confirms the model in the engagement letter before any work starts.

Payment methods and payment plans

Katherine's office accepts standard payment methods. Ask about payment plans if the retainer is a stretch — many adoption practices work with clients on structured schedules.

Frequently asked

Frequently asked questions about Katherine Kole Thompson

How much does it cost to hire Katherine for a adoption case?
Cost depends on the type of matter, the fee model (contingency, flat, hourly), and how contested the case becomes. Katherine walks through the likely range during the consult so there are no surprises.
Does Katherine offer a free consultation?
Katherine charges for the initial consult; that fee is credited toward representation if you retain Katherine's office. Some adoption attorneys offer free consults — check Katherine's current terms during booking.
How long do adoption cases in Maryland typically take?
Simple adoption matters can wrap in a few weeks; disputed cases can run 6–18 months from intake to resolution, longer if the matter goes to trial. Katherine gives a realistic estimate for your facts at the consult — vague answers here are a red flag.
Can Katherine take my case if I'm outside Bel Air?
Katherine is licensed in Maryland. Matters governed by Maryland law are the natural fit. Out-of-state matters are handled case-by-case, sometimes with local co-counsel. Ask during intake — Katherine will tell you if the case is a fit or refer you to someone closer to your court.
What should I bring to my first meeting with Katherine?
Bring every document that touches the dispute: contracts, correspondence, police or medical reports, filed pleadings, invoices, photographs, insurance letters. Also bring a written timeline of what happened, in your own words. Katherine will filter what matters — over-preparing at intake is always cheaper than needing a second meeting.
Is Katherine accepting new adoption clients right now?
Katherine's intake status shifts week to week. Submit the form; the office will confirm availability or refer the matter out.

Areas served

Adoption attorneys serving Bel Air, Baltimore and Annapolis in Maryland

Katherine handles adoption matters throughout Maryland. Each city below is a direct link into the search page for verified adoption attorneys in that community.

More counsel

If Katherine's intake is full or the fit isn't right, these adoption attorneys in Bel Air handle similar matters. Every profile below is verified and open to consultations.