Karen S. Sendelbach

Past Chairperson, State Bar of Michigan Family Law Section

Certified in Elder Mediation & Court Approved Family Mediator

Past president of the Washtenaw County Bar Association’s Family Law Section

Appointed Member, Michigan Bar Association’s Attorney Discipline Board

A "Super Lawyer" - a designation given to less than 5% of all attorneys in Michigan

One of Metro Detroit's "Top Lawyers 2011", dbusiness Magazine

AV Rated by Martindale Hubbell for ethcial standards and legal ability

“I believe clients who understand the law are better able to make decisions regarding their situation. We work together to resolve difficult family issues as early as possible.”

Karen S. Sendelbach has represented clients at all levels of the judicial system, from mediation and other informal dispute resolution through the trial and appellate levels. She is frequently sought out as a lecturer on family issues for both professionals and the public. Because she has focused her practice exclusively in family law for the past 15 years, Karen is trained in all popular methods of dispute resolution: litigation, mediation, collaboration and arbirtration and appellate law. She has also completed guardian ad litem training, which qualifies her to represent children during contentious family law litigation.

Prior to her election by her peers to chairperson of the State Bar of Michigan's Family Law Council, Karen was elected chairperson of the State Bar of Michigan’s Amicus Curiae committee. Karen wrote several legal briefs to both the Court of Appeals and the Michigan Supreme Court on behalf of the family law attorneys in the State of Michigan.

Active in her community, Karen has served on the Board of Directors for the Women’s Justice Center in Detroit, Michigan, a domestic violence shelter. She also worked as an attorney for Oakland Livingston Legal Aid and volunteers for the Board of Advisors for the Great Lakes Invitational Conference Association, a Model United Nations and Domestic Issues conference for high school students from Michigan and worldwide. She is also active in local school issues.

Karen is a cum laude graduate of the Syracuse University College of Law in Syracuse, New York, where she was named Outstanding Woman Law Student by the National Association of Women Lawyer’s and received the American Jurisprudence award for Jurisprudence of Criminal Justice. As an undergraduate, Karen was honored with an Outstanding Senior Award at Michigan State University.

Karen is frequently sought out as an arbitrator, mediator, or parenting facilitator by her fellow attorneys.

To schedule a confidential consultation, call (734) 994-3000 or e-mail This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Testimonials

"I'm hoping we are the poster children for the benefits and positive power of successful mediation. Both my husband I feel we had an excellent team guiding us, and the process had immeasurable benefits to the well-being of our children. Our unified 'co-parenting' arrangement contradicts every stereotype they have of divorce, and doesn't give them one 'bad guy' to blame." — Mother of 3, Ann Arbor

"I felt a lot better walking out of your office after our mediation session than I did walking in. I appreciate all you did to ensure we came to an agreement today." — Single woman, Ann Arbor

"Thank you very much for making a new (and good) chapter of my life possible. I appreciate that you did a lot of extra things for me, and understand now why you came with such superb recommendations." — Single woman, Ann Arbor

"Karen was as much a part of the solution as any counsel I have ever seen in any case. To get as much agreement as we got is a real testament to your ability to remain patient and forward-moving." — Attorney/Mediator, Ann Arbor

"That was some pretty breathtaking lawyering. I can't think of too many others who could have negotiated a win/win situation under these circumstances, especially in that short amount of time." — Mother of 3, Ann Arbor

"I appreciated Karen's professionalism, knowledge, and friendly approach." — Mother of 1, Ann Arbor

"I can't tell you how much my life has improved due to our interaction. Thank you so much for your intensely professional service." — Single man, Ann Arbor

“You’re my all-time hero…you don’t know what it means to have someone of your integrity stand up for me after all I’ve been through. Thank you more than I can express.” — Physician and mother of 3, Maine

“I came to you for expertise and guidance, and in addition, you made me feel cared about and supported, which made all the difference in getting through the legalities of the divorce process.” — Mother of 1, Ann Arbor

“I will never forget how you flawlessly seemed to pre-empt opposing counsel’s efforts to divert attention from the critical issues. People remark over and over how lucky I was to have you as my attorney.” — Father of 1, Ann Arbor

“I’m sure you hear words of thanks often, but please know how appreciative I am of your knowledge, prowess, skills and insight. I’m in awe of your capabilities and feel blessed to have you on my side." — Mother of 2, Ann Arbor

“Thanks again, Karen, for your support, calming influence, professionalism, humor, and all-around good care. I’m sleeping better and enjoying the newness of spring; life is good.” — Wife, Ann Arbor

“Thanks to your skill and caring, my daughter finally has a shot at a stable life. Our settlement allows her to maintain a relationship with her mother while having a secure place to call home. Outcomes like this may be commonplace for you, but it will make a lifetime of difference for my daughter.” — Father, divorce/custody

“I wanted you to know how much respect—profound respect, in fact —I have for you as an attorney. You are ethical, hard working, personable, and wise. I have seen you in the role of advocate, mediator, and arbitrator. You have an uncompromising commitment to the law, to equity, and to people in general. You balance your love of your family, your devotion to service to the bar and the community, responsibility to your firm, and a continuing private practice” — Attorney, Ann Arbor

“I loved Karen’s style of engagement and advice, and she worked hard to keep my charges reasonable.” — Husband, California

"Thank you for fighting hard for me today and explaining how the court will decide the amount of alimony & child support." — Father of 2 Ann Arbor

"My thanks for your wonderful representation and personal kindness. I am better off for having had both." — Wife, Washtenaw County

"I recognize all the hard work you are doing and how effective you are in court." — Father, Washtenaw County

"Karen, you are great to work with—a class act." — Family law attorney representing the opposing spouse in a divorce settlement.

"I can't tell you how grateful I am for your understanding and efforts during my custody case. It's the first time in a long time that I will sleep peacefully, and my daughter is very happy, too."— Father who obtained sole custody of his daughter, Ann Arbor

"Karen is a whip-smart attorney who kept my head on straight during my own painful divorce. Her unquestionable expertise and gentle sense of humor kept the process as classy as possible. She manages to negotiate a difficult situation with much grace and compassion." — Divorced woman, Ann Arbor

"Thanks to you for all you've done and are doing. My kids are adjusting very well to the divorce, and it's great for me to be part of their lives again. Picking them up directly from school, which you arranged, is a joy." — Father of 3, Ann Arbor

"Karen, I am so happy that you are on my team. I love how you phrase things to get the desired result. When my partner kept raising old issues, you intervened to advocate for the best interests of our son." — Mother, Ann Arbor