Phone: (816) 414-2592

Surprisingly, many attorneys who practice family law also practice in other areas and handle family law matters to fill in the gaps. Nathalie, on the other hand, is a full-time, 100-percent family law attorney, dedicated to the subject and to her clients.

There’s one more thing you should know about Nathalie. She’s one of the most knowledgeable family law attorneys around. Rather than focusing on a small geographic section of the city as many family law attorneys do, Nathalie has tried cases in eight counties throughout the Kansas City metropolitan area. That means she gathers theories, insight and ideas from many judges and other lawyers, and uses that knowledge to advance her clients’ cases.

Being a savvy attorney is only part of Nathalie’s job, though. She’s also part educator, part mediator and part advocate. Client service and satisfaction are Nathalie’s focus. Clients appreciate her strong advocacy and commitment to their cases.

“Often my clients’ family law matters are their first experiences with an attorney. It can seem very overwhelming. Even the terminology is unfamiliar to them,” she said. “I work hard to reduce their anxieties by teaching them about the process and what to expect.” As a mother, Nathalie is very sensitive to the effect of a divorce on a client’s children and is a resource to clients concerning how to positively impact their children’s experience with the changes in their family.

On some occasions, Nathalie also serves as a mediator, or neutral party, helping two individuals reach an agreement without having to go to court. Other times, she is called to give a voice to those who might not otherwise have one: children who have been victims of abuse or neglect.

Nathalie is also very committed to her Collaborative Divorce practice for clients who wish to resolve their family law matters outside of litigation. She is one of a small number of attorneys in the Kansas City area who regularly practice Collaborative Divorce, often utilizing a multi-disciplinary approach, by including mental health professionals and certified financial planners in the process.

Ever mindful of the weighty issues clients entrust to her, Nathalie regards her practice as one that handles issues of supreme importance in peoples’ lives. Every family is different and Nathalie has the knowledge and flexibility to develop creative ideas that work for her clients. Her background in Finance and Business gives her an edge as she assists clients with the investigation of assets and determination of income.

“My job is to help persuade a court of what is a fair division of assets and liabilities, or what’s in a child’s best interest,” she said. “There’s a short period of time to paint the picture of the client’s life in the courtroom, and it’s my job to paint the most vivid, credible picture possible.”

Career Achievements

Handled a complex divorce case where the parties owned 17 business interests. The case was settled out of court with three days of mediation.

Published Appellate Cases

In re the Marriage of Kuzanek, 279 Kan. 156 (2005) – (maintenance)

Buschardt v. Jones, 998 S.W. 2d 791 (Mo Ct App 1999) – (child custody, relocations, limitations on restrictions in custody orders and judicial bias)

U.S. v. Robinson, 984 F .2d 911 (8th Cir. 1993) (search and seizure)

Activities

Continuing Legal Education Presenter, UMKC School of Law’s Introduction to Collaborative Divorce Practice and Basic Skills Training

UMKC Law School Adjunct Professor, Family Law Practice Course

Member, Collaborative Divorce Professionals

Member, Collaborative Divorce of Kansas City

Member, Association of Women Lawyers, since 1994

Member, Clay County Bar Association, since 1994

Member, Platte County Bar Association, since 1994

Member, Johnson County Bar Association, since 1991

Member, Kansas City Metropolitan Bar Association, since 1990

Member, American Bar Association, since 1990

Former member, Lawyers’ Association of Kansas City

Executive Board Member, The Family Conservancy, 1998-2006

Graduate, Centurions, Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce, 1998

Alumni and former chairperson, Ross T. Roberts Inns of Court, 1996-1997

Co-chair, Homeless Outreach Legal Services Project, 1994-1996

Published Work

“What is Mine is Mine and Not Yours,” Kansas Trial LawyersCollaborative Divorce Process Blog -//marcipayne.com/what-collaborative-divorce/

Education

J.D., University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Law, Kansas City, MO, 1990

Associate Justice of Moot Court

Staff Member, UMKC Law Review

B.A., Benedictine College, Atchison, Kan., 1983

Honors

Selected Best of the Bar, Since 2014

Super Lawyers List PLUS Top 50 Female Attorneys in Missouri/Kansas Region List Since 2014

Kansas City Metropolitan Bar Association Congenial Counselor, Award 2009

Super Lawyers, since 2006

Volunteer of the Month, Lawyers Association of Kansas City, April 1997

Fellow of the American Bar Foundation

Selected Best of the Bar, Since 2014Super Lawyers List PLUS Top 50 Female Attorneys in Missouri/Kansas Region List Since 2014Kansas City Metropolitan Bar Association Congenial Counselor, Award 2009Super Lawyers, since 2006Volunteer of the Month, Lawyers Association of Kansas City, April 1997Fellow of the American Bar Foundation

Bar Admissions

Kansas, 1991

Missouri, 1990