We are proud to share attorney and shareholder Katy Graves has been awarded The Public Service Award by the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers (AAML) — a national organization recognizing excellence in family law. The Public Service Award honors AAML Fellows that serve through their commitment to the field of family law through scholarship, community service, and writing. 

In 2024 alone, Katy contributed 122.4 hours of pro bono legal service. She has devoted her time to organizations such as Volunteer Lawyers Network and Southern Minnesota Regional Legal Services, where she has volunteered since 1985. Her pro bono work often involves high-conflict custody disputes. These are the kinds of cases that can be both time-intensive and emotionally taxing, but where skilled advocacy can be life-changing for families and children. 

For more than four decades, Kathryn (Katy) Graves has been a pillar of Minnesota’s family law community, not only through her legal skill and leadership, but also through her unwavering commitment to access to justice. Where many attorneys of her tenure might turn away from difficult, emotionally complex custody cases, Katy leans in, guided by her belief that every family deserves a thoughtful advocate, regardless of means. Katy embodies the spirit of lifetime service this award seeks to honor; decades of leadership, deep professional knowledge, and a heartfelt commitment to pro bono work that has shaped countless lives and inspired those who follow.