Kathryn J. Boortz
Kathryn grew up in Marietta, Georgia, where she was taught the importance of helping others and serving her community. At a young age she aspired to become a judge, and her father lovingly encouraged her to first consider becoming a lawyer. With this goal in mind, Kathryn worked diligently in college and ultimately graduated Summa Cum Laude from the University of Georgia’s Honors Program with a degree in Public Relations. She received the George Abney Academic Achievement Award in Journalism, was named a Richard B. Russell Leadership Fellow, a First Honor Graduate, and was selected into the Leadership UGA program. From there, she went on to pursue a law degree at the University of Georgia’s School of Law. During law school, she served as a Student Senator and participated in the Mel England Mock Trial competition.
While in law school, Kathryn had the honor of clerking for one of the state’s most respected criminal defense attorneys. During this clerkship, Kathryn learned that as a lawyer, one could be creative and think outside of the box to achieve just and favorable resolutions. Kathryn also broadened her experience in the practical, hands-on aspect of the law by participating in the law school’s Public Interest Practicum. Kathryn learned the art of how to counsel and serve clients and above all, learned that there was a place for compassion in the practice of law. Kathryn proudly accepted the Public Interest Fellowship award for her efforts in the program.
After law school, Kathryn served as an Assistant Public Defender for the Metro Conflict Defender’s office in Fulton County. She handled a variety of cases from theft to homicide, many of which she successfully tried before a jury. Kathryn cultivated excellent relationships with her clients and was well respected amongst colleagues, judges, opposing counsel and court personnel.
Upon leaving the public sector, Kathryn accepted a position with a prestigious boutique law firm in Atlanta. During her tenure, Kathryn represented clients all over the state of Georgia. She also had the privilege of working with children and their families in the juvenile court system. Kathryn quickly gained a reputation as a skilled negotiator, and her “outside of the box” way of looking at legal issues allowed her to craft unique and creative resolutions for her clients. She also honed her skills in counseling clients faced with extremely tough decisions in providing them compassion and support. While working in the private sector, Kathryn was featured in the Fulton County Daily Report and CBS Atlanta’s Tough Questions segment. She also served as the co-chair of the State Bar of Georgia’s Young Lawyer’s Division Criminal Law Committee, and was selected for the prestigious 2011 Young Lawyers Division Leadership Academy. In addition, throughout her legal career, Kathryn has served as a leader in her community. She was a member of the Junior League of Atlanta’s Community Outreach Council and was the Chair of the Political Affairs Committee. Kathryn organized the Annual Day at the Capitol and mentored elementary students in the Families First F.A.S.T. (Families and Schools Together) program.
Kathryn is also a highly esteemed member of the Atlanta and national legal community. She is an AV Preeminent attorney, the highest rating given by Martindale-Hubbell, the leading independent attorney rating entity. A rating of this caliber is only given to attorneys that have achieved the highest level of integrity, ethical standards, and professionalism, and is based on the attorney’s peers in both the bar and judiciary. Kathryn was also chosen as a Top 100 Trial Lawyer in the state of Georgia by the National Trial Lawyers professional organization. In addition, she was named one of the “Top 10 Criminal Defense Attorneys Under 40” in Georgia by the National Academy of Criminal Defense Attorneys. The organization presented Kathryn with this award based on the “hard work and dedication [she] has shown in protecting the rights of the accused.” Kathryn has also received the highest rating, a 10.0, (“Superb”) as well as the 2014 Client’s Choice Award, on Avvo, a respected national attorney rating group.
In June 2013, Kathryn founded Boortz Law, LLC. Boortz Law was formed so that Kathryn could focus on the area of law that resonates with her gifts of compassion and creativity as a counselor to her clients. Kathryn has dedicated herself to helping families and juvenile clients maneuver the complex and daunting legal system. She is honored to be the trusted advisor of her clients. Always empathetic to the situations her clients are facing, Kathryn has the unique ability to put her clients at ease, while still wearing the hat of a tenacious and aggressive advocate. Kathryn is admitted to practice in all of Georgia’s state and juvenile courts, the Georgia Court of Appeals, the Georgia Supreme Court, and the United States District Court for the Northern District of Georgia.
Kathryn lives in Atlanta with her husband, young son and daughter and energetic yet old mixed lab. She is currently a board member of the Virginia-Highlands Morningside Parents Association, serving as the Community Outreach Chair and also serves on the Haygood Preschool Auction Committee. Kathryn is an avid reader and loves going to the library with her children, running and traveling.
Kathryn grew up in Marietta, Georgia, where she was taught the importance of helping others and serving her community. At a young age she aspired to become a judge, and her father lovingly encouraged her to first consider becoming a lawyer. With this goal in mind, Kathryn worked diligently in college and ultimately graduated Summa Cum Laude from the University of Georgia’s Honors Program with a degree in Public Relations. She received the George Abney Academic Achievement Award in Journalism, was named a Richard B. Russell Leadership Fellow, a First Honor Graduate, and was selected into the Leadership UGA program. From there, she went on to pursue a law degree at the University of Georgia’s School of Law. During law school, she served as a Student Senator and participated in the Mel England Mock Trial competition.
While in law school, Kathryn had the honor of clerking for one of the state’s most respected criminal defense attorneys. During this clerkship, Kathryn learned that as a lawyer, one could be creative and think outside of the box to achieve just and favorable resolutions. Kathryn also broadened her experience in the practical, hands-on aspect of the law by participating in the law school’s Public Interest Practicum. Kathryn learned the art of how to counsel and serve clients and above all, learned that there was a place for compassion in the practice of law. Kathryn proudly accepted the Public Interest Fellowship award for her efforts in the program.
After law school, Kathryn served as an Assistant Public Defender for the Metro Conflict Defender’s office in Fulton County. She handled a variety of cases from theft to homicide, many of which she successfully tried before a jury. Kathryn cultivated excellent relationships with her clients and was well respected amongst colleagues, judges, opposing counsel and court personnel.
Upon leaving the public sector, Kathryn accepted a position with a prestigious boutique law firm in Atlanta. During her tenure, Kathryn represented clients all over the state of Georgia. She also had the privilege of working with children and their families in the juvenile court system. Kathryn quickly gained a reputation as a skilled negotiator, and her “outside of the box” way of looking at legal issues allowed her to craft unique and creative resolutions for her clients. She also honed her skills in counseling clients faced with extremely tough decisions in providing them compassion and support. While working in the private sector, Kathryn was featured in the Fulton County Daily Report and CBS Atlanta’s Tough Questions segment. She also served as the co-chair of the State Bar of Georgia’s Young Lawyer’s Division Criminal Law Committee, and was selected for the prestigious 2011 Young Lawyers Division Leadership Academy. In addition, throughout her legal career, Kathryn has served as a leader in her community. She was a member of the Junior League of Atlanta’s Community Outreach Council and was the Chair of the Political Affairs Committee. Kathryn organized the Annual Day at the Capitol and mentored elementary students in the Families First F.A.S.T. (Families and Schools Together) program.
Kathryn is also a highly esteemed member of the Atlanta and national legal community. She is an AV Preeminent attorney, the highest rating given by Martindale-Hubbell, the leading independent attorney rating entity. A rating of this caliber is only given to attorneys that have achieved the highest level of integrity, ethical standards, and professionalism, and is based on the attorney’s peers in both the bar and judiciary. Kathryn was also chosen as a Top 100 Trial Lawyer in the state of Georgia by the National Trial Lawyers professional organization. In addition, she was named one of the “Top 10 Criminal Defense Attorneys Under 40” in Georgia by the National Academy of Criminal Defense Attorneys. The organization presented Kathryn with this award based on the “hard work and dedication [she] has shown in protecting the rights of the accused.” Kathryn has also received the highest rating, a 10.0, (“Superb”) as well as the 2014 Client’s Choice Award, on Avvo, a respected national attorney rating group.
In June 2013, Kathryn founded Boortz Law, LLC. Boortz Law was formed so that Kathryn could focus on the area of law that resonates with her gifts of compassion and creativity as a counselor to her clients. Kathryn has dedicated herself to helping families and juvenile clients maneuver the complex and daunting legal system. She is honored to be the trusted advisor of her clients. Always empathetic to the situations her clients are facing, Kathryn has the unique ability to put her clients at ease, while still wearing the hat of a tenacious and aggressive advocate. Kathryn is admitted to practice in all of Georgia’s state and juvenile courts, the Georgia Court of Appeals, the Georgia Supreme Court, and the United States District Court for the Northern District of Georgia.
Kathryn lives in Atlanta with her husband, young son and daughter and energetic yet old mixed lab. She is currently a board member of the Virginia-Highlands Morningside Parents Association, serving as the Community Outreach Chair and also serves on the Haygood Preschool Auction Committee. Kathryn is an avid reader and loves going to the library with her children, running and traveling.
