PRO
Matthew F Dolan
Virtual Consultation Available
About Matthew
Biography
Primary office location: New Haven, CT
Matthew F. Dolan is the co-founder of Dolan Divorce Lawyers and Dolan Injury Lawyers. A lifelong Connecticut resident, Attorney Dolan has built his family law practice around helping clients navigate divorce, custody, and complex financial disputes with clear guidance, practical strategy and a strong emphasis on client wellness.
Along with his brother and co-founder Michael Dolan, Attorney Dolan has helped grow the firm into Connecticut’s largest dedicated family law firm. His combination of legal experience, business judgment, and commitment to thoughtful client service has shaped the firm’s approach to divorce and custody representation. Under his leadership, the firm has emphasized responsiveness, accessibility, preparation and respect for clients’ emotional well-being, time, and resources.
Attorney Dolan’s vision for the firm extends beyond case results. He has worked to build a firm culture that supports both clients and employees, recognizing that strong legal representation requires an organized, collaborative, and sustainable team. That approach has helped Dolan Divorce Lawyers develop a deep bench of family law attorneys and support staff while maintaining a workplace culture that
values professionalism, balance, and quality of life.
In his legal practice, Attorney Dolan focuses on family law matters, including high-asset and high-income divorce cases, custody disputes, and complex financial issues. He brings a strategic and practical perspective to cases involving significant assets, business interests, compensation structures, and parenting concerns. Whether advising clients directly or leading the broader firm, Attorney Dolan is
focused on helping families move through difficult transitions with clarity, stability, and strong advocacy. Attorney Dolan earned both his Bachelor of Arts and Juris Doctor from the University of Connecticut. He has been recognized as a New England Super Lawyers Rising Star in Family Law from 2015 through 2026, was named to the National Trial Lawyers Top 40 Under 40 in Connecticut, and received the
Connecticut Law Tribune New Leader in the Law Award in 2017.
Attorney Dolan is also active in nonprofit and community service. He serves as Treasurer of the Yale Sappern Memorial Fund and on the Board of Directors of the Jeremy Saxe Foundation for Education and Development, a nonprofit organization focused on supporting educational opportunities for underprivileged youth in Nepal.
Professional Associations and Memberships
New Haven County Bar Association, Connecticut Trial Lawyer’s Association, Connecticut Bar Association and Business Networking International – Greater Milford Chapter
Awards
The National Trial Lawyers: Top 40 Under 40, Connecticut Super Lawyers Rising Star: 2015 - 2026, Family Law
Connecticut Law Tribune New Leader in the Law Award, 2017
Divorce, Child Custody, & Family Law. Call Dolan Divorce Lawyers Today!
Practice Areas
3
Practice Areas
Fees and Rates
Cost
Sometimes
Payment Methods
- Cash
- Check
- Credit Card
Awards
Licenses
Licensed in Connecticut for 13 years
State: Connecticut
Acquired: 2012
No misconduct found
Location
Dolan Divorce Lawyers, PLLC
Mobile
800 Main St. South, Suite 210, Southbury, CT, 06488
dolanfamilylaw.com/Dolan Divorce Lawyers, PLLC
Mobile
105 Church Street 1st Floor Unit #3, Guilford, CT, 06437
dolanfamilylaw.com/Dolan Divorce Lawyers, PLLC
Mobile
36 Russ Street, Hartford, 3rd Floor, Hartford, CT, 06106
dolanfamilylaw.com/Dolan Divorce Lawyers, PLLC
Mobile
1700 Bedford Street, Suite 202, Stamford, CT, 06905
dolanfamilylaw.com/Dolan Divorce Lawyers, PLLC
Mobile
1305 Post Road, Suite 205, Fairfield, CT, 06824
dolanfamilylaw.com/Law Offices of Matthew F Dolan
Mobile
444 Prospect Street Torrington, Torrington, CT, 06790
dolanfamilylaw.com/Law Offices of Matthew F Dolan
Mobile
220 Main St South, Suite 204, Southbury, CT, 06488
dolanfamilylaw.com/Gallery
Online Presence
Other places you can find Matthew online.
Matthew F Dolan's Reviews
Avvo Review Score
34 Client Reviews
Showing 1 - 4 of 4 reviews | Criminal Defense
Posted by christopher flaherty | August 10, 2016 | Hired Attorney
DUI
I used attorney Dolan to help with my DUI case. I found him to be accessible, professional, courteous, and extremely competent. He was able to get a good outcome that I'm extremely pleased with!
Posted by Chris | April 29, 2015
DUI Defense
I hired Matt to be my lawyer after I was arrested for DUI. He gave me a free consultation, after which I hired him at a very reasonable price. He helped me through the court process, and was able to prevent the DMV from suspending my license. I will have no criminal record after my next court date in...
Posted by Barbara | September 17, 2014
Kept me out of jail
I don't normally write online reviews, but in this case I was so happy with Matt that I thought I should. I was referred to Matt by a friend after being arrested for driving while my license was suspended for DUI (which apparently carries a mandatory 30 days in jail - my last lawyer never told me thi...
Posted by Joseph | September 10, 2014
Great Results!
I hired Attorney Dolan when I arrested for reckless driving after causing a serious accident. He was accessible, professional, courteous, and extremely competent. He was able to get the charges dropped, which allowed me to avoid a license suspension.
Matthew F Dolan's Lawyer Endorsements
"I endorse this lawyer. Matthew is a great attorney!"
"Matt is an exceptional family law attorney. He brings dedication and common sense into each matter. Matt is also an outstanding business owner. Would highly recommend."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"Excellent attorney. Outstanding reputation."
"I endorse Matthew without reservation. He has demonstrated an exceptional grasp of the law and is a superb litigator."
"This lawyer is highly respected in the community. I endorse this lawyer"
"Good criminal defense lawyer, knows his stuff. I recommend Matthew to anyone seeking a criminal defense lawyer in his area."
"Great representation. I endorse this lawyer."
"I endorse this lawyer. Matthew has an excellent reputation in the legal community."
"I endorse this lawyer. Mr. Dolan is an excellent lawyer with high standards and great passion."
"Attorney Dolan is ambitious, diligent and dedicated to client satisfaction. I have had the pleasure of interacting with Attorney Dolan at seminars and community events, and he had demonstrated an impressive work ethic as well as a desire to continually improve his practice to serve clients better. I highly recommend him."
"I endorse this lawyer. An extremely talented and well respected attorney in the legal community."
"A brilliant attorney, and highly respected in the legal community. Can definitely endorse and recommend without reservation."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"I wholeheartedly endorse this lawyer."
"Advice is always practical and on point. I endorse this lawyer with no reservation. An extremely talented and well respected attorney in the legal community. Very hardworking and diligent. Consistently achieves superior results. I recommend to anyone looking for an attorney who knows the law and truly cares about protecting the rights of clients and achieving the most favorable result possible."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"I endorse attorney Matthew Dolan. He is hard working, skilled and dedicated to his profession and the success of his clients. A respected member within the legal industry."
"Attorney Matthew Dolan is hard working and will take on the most complex cases. He id dedicated to the success of his clients and respected among his peers. Fully endorse."
"I endorse this lawyer. Mr. Dolan has demonstrated remarkable depth of knowledge and a robust dedication and concern for his clients' interests."
Family lawyer
Family lawyer
Divorce and separation lawyer
Divorce and separation lawyer
Family lawyer
Personal injury lawyer
Family lawyer
Family lawyer
Divorce and separation lawyer
Personal injury lawyer
Personal injury lawyer
DUI and DWI lawyer
Criminal defense lawyer
Criminal defense lawyer
Unknown lawyer
Child custody lawyer
DUI and DWI lawyer
Brain injury lawyer
Federal crime lawyer
Child custody lawyer
Experience
Honors
2026
AV Preeminent 5.0 out of 5 Peer Review Rated, Martindale-Hubbell
2019
Rising Star, Super Lawyers
2018
Rising Star, SuperLawyers
2017
New Leaders of the Law, Connecticut Law Tribune
2017
Rising Star, SuperLawyers
2016
Top 40 Under 40, National Trial Lawyers
2016
Rising Star, SuperLawyers
2015
Top 40 Under 40, National Trial Lawyers
2015
Rising Star, SuperLawyers
2013
Certified Guardian Ad Litem, Connecticut Judicial Branch
Work Experience
2014 - Present
Partner, Dolan Divorce Lawyers, PLLC
2012 - 2014
Associate, Furey, Donovan, Tracy & Daly, PC
2011 - 2012
Law Clerk, Lynch Traub Keefe & Errante, PC
2010 - 2011
Student Intern, Center for Children's Advocacy
2009 - 2011
Law Clerk, Connecticut Superior Court
2004 - 2005
Office Assistant, David Rosen & Associates
Associations
2014 - Present
Connecticut Trial Lawyers AssociationMember
2014 - Present
New Haven ReadsTutor
2013 - Present
Connecticut Bar AssociationMember
2013 - Present
Business Networking InternationalMember
2012 - Present
New Haven County Bar AssociationMember
2011 - Present
Jeremy Saxe FoundationBoard of Directors
Sample of Legal Cases
Accelerated Rehabilitation
Dismissal
Education
2012
JD
2009
BA - Bachelor of Arts
Speaking Engagements
2014
Personal Injury Cases from Start to Finish
2014
Publications
2014
Languages
English
Activity
Legal Answers
Legal Answers
Car accident, rear-ended while a stop light, got a letter from their insurance company saying no liability coverage on policy
25 Sep 2014
How much does it cost to get legally separated in CT?
03 Sep 2014
In Connecticut do you have to be separated for 18 months before filing for divorce?
23 Aug 2014