Katherine Ryder Purcell

Katherine Ryder Purcell has practiced family law in Traverse City and surrounding communities for 25 years. Her legal career, which exclusively handles only family law matters, has included two years as a Friend of the Court Referee for Wexford County, five years on the State Bar Family Law Council, and 20 years as a circuit court mediator for divorce and other family law cases. A native of Michigan, Katherine graduated from Seaholm High School in Birmingham, Michigan followed by an undergraduate degree at Wheaton College in Massachusetts in 1974. Katherine attended law school at Franklin Piece Law Center in Concord, New Hampshire graduating in 1981. An active community member, she has served on the boards of the Women’s Resource Center, Foundation for Mental Health, Traverse City Music Boosters, Leadership Grand Traverse, Safe Haven Community Advisory Board, The Maple Clinic Advisory Board and is a past member of the Traverse City Rotary Club. Additionally, Katherine has been a participant and lecturer for the Institute of Continuing Legal Education in the area of family law.

Amy M. Swogger

Amy M. Swogger is a partner in the law firm of Ryder & Swogger, P.C., located in Traverse City. She has practiced law in the Traverse City area since 1989, and has been a partner in the law firm of Ryder & Swogger, P.C. since 1997. Amy’s practice is concentrated in the area of family law including divorce, paternity, spousal support, child custody, child support, parenting time, adoption, prenuptial agreements, property settlement, asset division, and post judgment actions. A native of Michigan, Amy was raised in Traverse City. She attended Central Grade School and graduated from Traverse City Senior High School. Amy completed her undergraduate degree at Michigan State University. Following her graduation from Michigan State University, Amy began her career with the Federal Trade Commission in Washington D. C. She attended the Detroit College of Law, where she graduated with honors in 1989. Amy returned to Traverse City after her graduation from the Detroit College of Law to begin her law practice. Amy is the past president (1998-1999) and current member of the Grand Traverse, Leelanau, Antrim Bar Association and a current member of the State Bar of Michigan. She has served on many community associations, most recently as a member of the Traverse City Downtown Development Authority Board of Directors, an Adjunct Professor at Northwestern Michigan College and is currently a member of the Traverse City Rotary Club.

Vicki S. Middleton

Vicki S. Middleton is the senior Legal Assistant for the law firm of Ryder & Swogger, P.C. She has been a Legal Assistant since 1992, and has concentrated her career exclusively in the practice area of family law matters since 1997. Vicki has been a valued member of the Law Firm of Ryder & Swogger P.C. since 1997. A native of Traverse City, Vicki graduated from Traverse City Senior High School in 1990. She earned her Associates Degree from Northwestern Michigan College in 1992. Following her graduation from college, she has worked continuously in the legal field. Vicki has continued to actively support the legal community by offering support to the Grand Traverse, Leelanau, Antrim Bar Association. She has supported the Northwestern Michigan College Legal Assistant program by hosting and mentoring legal interns.

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