Catherine Richman understands that when someone needs a lawyer, they’re stepping into one of the most stressful chapters of their life. She believes that in those moments, you deserve more than just legal skill. You deserve someone you can trust completely. Catherine brings a rare combination of sharp legal knowledge, steady composure under pressure, and genuine empathy for the people she represents.
Her drive to advocate in family law is rooted in her own story. Catherine’s parents separated when she was very young, beginning a divorce process that stretched over a decade. As a child, she wanted nothing more than for her parents to stop communicating through her and her brother. When the divorce was finalized at age 16, she finally felt the peace that allowed her to begin healing. That lived experience gives Catherine unique insight into the emotional weight of family disputes, and fuels her commitment to helping her clients find stability, closure, and a path forward.
Catherine graduated from Boston University with a bachelor’s degree in History, focusing on global events from World War I through the Cold War. She earned her Juris Doctor from American University Washington College of Law, where she served as a Student Attorney in the Gender Justice Clinic. Her legal experience spans the Felony Trial Division of the Cook County Public Defender’s Office, the Washington Legal Clinic for the Homeless, and advocacy work focused on protecting vulnerable communities. These roles strengthened her ability to navigate high-stakes, high-conflict situations while keeping her clients’ goals at the forefront.
A self-described “ruthless advocate with a client-centered mindset,” Catherine thrives in the courtroom and in complex negotiations. She prioritizes open communication, honest guidance, and unwavering dedication to her clients’ needs, all qualities that make her a steady ally through unpredictable and often emotional legal battles.
Outside of work, Catherine is a sports fan who loves baseball and hockey, a history enthusiast, and a trivia buff. She enjoys spending time with friends, training for her first half marathon (with plans for a full marathon in the future), and caring for her six-year-old calico cat, Ruth, named after the Honorable Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. She also has a lifelong love of music and once played multiple instruments, including the flute, oboe, clarinet, and saxophone.
Catherine’s combination of personal understanding, proven skill, and fearless advocacy makes her the kind of attorney you want by your side when the stakes couldn’t be higher. She doesn’t just fight for her clients. She stands with them, every step of the way.
