About Kathy

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Kathy Starling graduated from Georgia State University School of Law in December 2013. She then passed the Texas Bar Exam and became a licensed Texas attorney in May 2014. Kathy began her legal career working for Legal Aid of NorthWest Texas (LANWT) with a focus on family law in Abilene, TX. Upon leaving LANWT, Kathy worked for a private firm in San Antonio, TX where she handled cases ranging from misdemeanors to felonies and all types of family law disputes. After going out on her own Kathy took a position with Texas RioGrande Legal Aid (now known as Texas RioGrande Public Defender). There she handled felony level cases and was Assistant to the Chief during her time in that office which covered four rural counties. 

Kathy has a long history of working with clients, negotiating cases, and presenting evidence in front of judges. Kathy has sat both first and second chair in over 50 jury trials and has participated in a significant number of bench trials. She has practiced in both state and federal court and has done multiple CLE accredited presentations. In 2024 Kathy was awarded the Zealous Advocacy Award from Lone Star Defenders “in recognition of her creative litigation and persistent advocacy in fighting for clients”. 

In 2023 Kathy Starling moved to New Bern, NC. She continued to work as a contract attorney in Texas through remote work, zoom client meetings, and zoom court. Due to the pandemic and living out of state Kathy is very familiar with the zoom platform. 

In November of 2025 Kathy received her mediation license giving her the ability to conduct family financial mediations in North Carolina as an attorney.* While practicing in Texas Kathy attended many mediations in order to help her clients get their cases resolved and choose their own outcomes. Kathy strongly believes that resolving issues through mediation, especially family law issues, is the best-case scenario for all involved. Each family is unique and therefore the solutions should be unique, mediation is a chance to obtain a solution that will work for all those involved. 

Since graduating high school Kathy has lived in 8 states as well as British Columbia. Kathy loves her new community and enjoys living in New Bern with her husband, toddler, dogs, cats, and chickens. 

*Kathy Starling is not a licensed North Carolina attorney. Kathy solely holds a Texas Bar Card.