Biography

Elizabeth M. Howell has devoted her practice to family law in Kentucky. Howell concentrates her practice in complex financial divorce, including business valuation, trusts, executive compensation, tracing of non-marital funds and creative solutions for complicated assets. She enjoys advocating for her clients both in and out of the courtroom. Her approach to family law puts clients and their goals first.

Howell remains up to date on Kentucky family law statutes, cases, and trends. She annually presents updates to other family law attorneys and judges at continuing legal education courses. Howell was selected for the 2018, 2019, and 2020 Kentucky Rising Stars lists. Each year, no more than 2.5 percent of the lawyers in the state are selected by the research team at Super Lawyers to receive this honor.

Howell fell in love with family law because of the ability to work face-to-face with clients on matters that directly impact their daily lives. Howell is passionate about family law, including using alternative dispute resolution methods to amicably and efficiently resolve contentious family law matters. She particularly enjoys working with clients to increase their understanding of the legal process to reduce clients’ stress during what can be a very difficult time.

Howell also works pro bono educating area attorneys, social workers, college administrators, and law school classes on Title IX. Howell has served in a variety of roles in the Louisville and Kentucky legal community. At home, she enjoys spending time with her young family, especially visiting the library to read the latest children’s books.

Education & Professional Memberships

  • J.D. cum laude, University of Illinois College of Law, 2013
  • B.A. in Political Science and English, Calvin College, 2009
  • Bar Admissions and Professional Memberships
  • Kentucky Bar Association
  • Kentucky Bar Association, Young Lawyers Division, 2013 – 2019
  • Kentucky Bar Association, Family Law Section
  • Family Law Section Treasurer, 2017
  • Louisville Bar Association, Family Law Section
  • Family Law Section Chair, 2017

Selected Honors

  • Named to the 2018, 2019, 2020, and 2021 Kentucky Rising Stars list. Each year, no more than 2.5 percent of the lawyers in the state are selected by the research team at Super Lawyers to receive this honor.

Lectures and Publications

  • 2020 update to Kentucky Divorce, with Diana L. Skaggs & Hon. Richard A. Revell, (Thomson Reuters-West).
  • Alan T. Slyn 29th Annual Domestic Relations Update, Louisville Bar Association, Louisville, 2020.
  • “Case Law Update” Nuts and Bolts of Family Law, Louisville Bar Association, Louisville, 2019.
  • 2019 update to Kentucky Divorce, with Diana L. Skaggs & Hon. Richard A. Revell, (Thomson Reuters-West).
  • Alan T. Slyn 28th Annual Domestic Relations Update, Louisville Bar Association, Louisville, 2019.
  • “Title IX and Sexual Assault on Campus,” Cultural Anthropology, DePaul University, 2018.
  • Alan T. Slyn 27th Annual Domestic Relations Update, Louisville Bar Association, Louisville, 2018.
  • “From #MeToo to #NowWhat: The Role of Law in Responding to the #MeToo
  • Social Media Campaign,” Symposium, University of Louisville Louis D. Brandeis School of Law, Louisville, 2018.
  • “Claims of Sexual Assault on Campus and Due Process,” Louisville Forum, Louisville, 2017.
  • Kentucky Family Law Update, Kentucky Bar Association, Louisville, KY and Owensboro, KY 2017.
  • “Post Dissolution Issues” Nuts and Bolts of Family Law, Louisville Bar Association, Louisville, 2017.
  • “Title IX and Sexual Assault on Campus,” Women and the Law, University of Louisville Louis D. Brandeis School of Law, Louisville, 2017.
  • “Title IX and Sexual Assault on Campus,” Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary, Louisville, 2016.
  • “Victim-informed Grievance Procedures, A Lawyer’s Perspective,” Impact 10, BRCC
  • Title IX Conference, Georgetown College Conference Center, 2015.
  • “Legal Responsibilities of Administrators v. Legal Rights of Students,” Impact 10, BRCC
  • Title IX Conference, Georgetown College Conference Center, 2015.
  • Assisting Victims of Sexual Assault on Campus, Legal Aid Society, Louisville, 2015.
  • “Title IX and Sexual Assault on Campus,” Ending Sexual Assault & Domestic Violence Conference, Lexington 2014.
  • “Title IX,” Women and the Law, University of Louisville Louis D. Brandeis School of Law, Louisville, 2014.
  • “Title IX and Rights of Victims of Sexual Assault,” with Gretchen Hunt J.D., Legal Representation of Sexual Assault Victims on Campus, Legal Aid Society, Louisville, 2014.
  • Nail in the Coffin: Can Elderly Americans Afford to Die? 21 ELDER L.J. Vol. 21 No. 1 (2013).

Continuing Legal Education

2020

  • 2020 AAML National Seminar
    • Cutting Edge Evidence Issues
    • Virtual Advocacy, Wave of the Future?
    • Divorcing the Highly Planned Family
    • Virtual Negotiating
    • Defending the Accused
    • What Family Lawyers Must Know About Accessing Trust Funds in Divorce and Beyond
    • Finding Solutions in Extreme Risk Cases
    • Family Law Ethics and Best Practices for the Practitioner in a Post-Covid World
    • Avoiding Appellate Pitfalls and Preserving Appellate Error
    • A Deck Stacked with ACES: How a Scientific Study Can Improve Our Service to Clients and Care for Ourselves
    • Appraisals of Fine and Decorative Arts and Luxury Goods: What the Matrimonial Lawyer Needs to Know
  • Guarding Against Ethical Pitfalls in Legal Research Casetext, Web

2019

  • Cross-Examination: A Lawyer’s Only Chance to Testify, Louisville Bar Association, Louisville, KY
  • 2019 KY AAML/LBA Family Law Seminar: “We’re Not Kidding Around,” Louisville, KY
    • Child Custody Issues
    • Family Law Arbitration
    • Supreme Court Update
    • Best Practice Family Law Evaluations: What to Expect from the Expert
    • Ethics in the Courtroom: Civility and Professionalism in Family Court
    • Prenuptial Agreements: The Do’s and Do Not’s Before “I Do”
    • Parental Alienation
    • Tax Issues
    • Current Topics in Legal Ethics
    • Presumption of Custody and New Child Support Guidelines
  • Divorce for Farmers, National Business Institute, Web

2018

  • Court of Appeals Family Case Law Update and Appellate Practice Tips Louisville Bar Association, Louisville, KY
  • 2018 KY AAML/LBA Family Law Seminar: “All in the Family”, Louisville, KY
    • Do you know the Family Law Changes, Ambiguities, Survivors and Hybrids (C.A.S.H.) of the 2017 Tax Act?
    • DNA Cases
    • Civil v. Criminal Contempt
    • Analyzing Custody Evaluations
    • Legislative Update
    • Annual Judicial Panel
    • Ethical Lesson from “Reel” Life
    • Supreme Court Update
    • Military Retirement
    • Court of Appeals, Interlocutory, Writs
  • Navigating the New Divorce Taxation Minefield, American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, Web

2017     

  • Annual Nuts & Bolts of Family Law Seminar, Louisville Bar Association, Louisville, KY
  • National Family Law Trial Institute, Houston, TX
    • Strategies for direct and cross examination of psychological and financial experts
    • Practice guidelines and appropriate methodologies for custody evaluations
    • The use of psychological testing and its role in custody cases
    • Expert witnesses and trial consultants
    • Valuation of a closely held business interest
    • The elements of a business valuation

2016     

  • Income Isn’t Just What’s in the Paycheck: Executive Compensation and Other Employee Benefits, American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, Web
  • It can be Taxing ‐ How to Read Personal and Business Tax Returns, and Avoid Common Tax Traps, American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, Web

2015     

  • 18th Annual AAML/LBA Family Law Seminar:  “The Color of Money: Divorce Changes Everything,” Louisville, KY
    • Marital Torts
    • Trust Issues in Family Law
    • Cross Examination of Financial Witnesses
    • Same Sex Marriage
    • Ethical Conundrums in Family Law
    • Judges Panel Discussion: Marital v. Non-Marital
    • Division of Large Estates
    • Ethics of Closing A Law Practice
    • Tax Issues in Family Law
  • Alan T. Slyn 24th Annual Domestic Relations Update, Louisville, KY

2014     

  • 2014 Kentucky Law Update, Louisville, KY
  • KCOJ eFiling Training, Henry-Oldham-Trimble Counties, La Grange, KY
  • Establishing Evidentiary Foundations with A/V Presentation Equipment, Louisville, KY
  • Kentucky Bar Association 2014 New Lawyer Program, Lexington, KY