Founding Attorney (Katherine), Senior Associate Attorney (Sara), Law Offices of Katherine Blackmon
In family law, success is not measured solely by legal outcomes — it is measured by how clients are guided through some of the most difficult and defining moments of their lives. At the Law Offices of Katherine Blackmon in Little Rock, that guidance is rooted in both unwavering support, formidable advocacy and a strong team mentality. At the center of that approach is the dynamic partnership between Katherine Blackmon Carroll, founding attorney, and Sara K. Lingo, senior associate attorney. Together, they represent a rare combination of experience, alignment and shared purpose — one that elevates both the quality of representation and the client experience.
How did you two start working together?
Katherine: I was looking for an attorney who would truly appreciate the level of work required at this firm – the attention to detail, the preparation and the commitment to doing things the right way. It is incredibly difficult to find someone who brings intelligence, compassion, empathy and a strong work ethic while also being willing to be a team player and operate above and beyond what is expected of the average attorney. Sara is exactly that, and I knew very quickly that I wanted her on my team.
How do your work styles complement each other?
Katherine: We both have a very clear understanding of how we approach our work, and in many ways, that approach is strikingly similar. There is a shared expectation of preparation, responsiveness and professionalism. Sara has a very calming energy that inspires confidence not only in our clients, but in me. As an employer, that is a fabulous feeling. I am a bit more dramatic at times, so Sara gives a nice balance to our relationship. I believe that we as a team embody a dynamic approach to family law that is both strategic and deeply human.
Sara: Where we do have differences, those differences are productive. We listen to one another. We are open to different approaches, and that openness ultimately strengthens the work we do for our clients.
What lessons have you learned from working alongside one another?
Sara: I have never worked at a firm that values and respects collaboration the way we do here. It is genuinely refreshing. I have learned that constructive criticism can be offered in a way that is both direct and respectful – and how much I value that. I have also learned that working as a team and intentionally developing as a trauma-informed group doesn’t just make us better attorneys, it makes us better people. You cannot do this work without empathy.
Katherine: This work requires a level of emotional intelligence that cannot be overlooked. Collaboration allows us to grow not only in our legal skill but in how we support our clients through what they are experiencing.
What is the secret to collaboration and compromise in business?
Katherine: Respect is foundational. You have to respect each other’s perspective and be willing to truly consider it.
Sara: And not just consider it – but be willing to act on it. Being open to new ideas is important, but converting those ideas into action is what actually moves things forward.
Katherine: There is also a level of trust that comes with knowing your team has your back. Whether it is a difficult case or simply navigating the realities of life, that support matters. It allows you to show up fully for your clients.
What is the best thing about working as part of a team?
Sara: Working as a team is like having a built-in idea generator. Sometimes simply saying a complex issue out loud to someone who is genuinely listening makes it feel more manageable. Then, when that person engages – asking questions, offering insight – it transforms the process. It becomes more dynamic. It often leads to solutions and perspectives that would not have surfaced otherwise.
Katherine: That collaboration creates a level of depth in our work that is difficult to achieve alone. It ensures that every case is approached from multiple angles, with thoughtful consideration and preparation. I love thinking outside of the box with my team — and Sara offers a mindful and intelligent perspective.
What else should readers know?
Sara: This area of law is deeply emotional for our clients. It can be overwhelming, intense and, at times, very dark. Katherine and I have both had personal experiences navigating similar paths, and that perspective matters. It is incredibly difficult to listen to what our clients are going through — but it also allows us to meet them with both strength and empathy.
As a team, we are uniquely equipped to provide both sound legal guidance and meaningful support. We want our clients to know they are not alone as they move through this process. Perhaps most importantly, in cases involving children, we remain focused on what is in their best interest. Family law is not about winning or losing — it is about reaching an outcome that serves the children and the family as a whole. That sometimes requires difficult conversations, but honesty and clarity are essential to getting there.
Katherine: That shared mindset is what strengthens our partnership. We are aligned not only in how we practice law but in why we do this work. Our priority is always to guide our clients toward a place where they feel steady again – where they can move forward with clarity, strength and confidence. Because both of us are grounded in trust, strengthened by collaboration and dedicated to delivering advocacy, we are able to operate as a Dynamic Duo.
