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When you’re locked in a difficult custody battle, you need an attorney who will help you regain control of your situation and aggressively defend yourself from a position of strength, wisdom, and compassion. Philadelphia Family Law Attorney Freddy M. Godoy’s extensive experience in the courtroom will help you protect your most prized possessions… your children.
After graduating from the University of Pennsylvania College of Arts and Sciences with a dual degree in Political Science and Latin American Studies and then graduating from the University of Pennsylvania Law School, I began my legal career in September of 2000, working as a Philadelphia County Prosecutor. Fighting for the rights of crime victims and competing against the best criminal defense attorneys in Philadelphia allowed me to aggressively develop my courtroom skills. I prosecuted over 600 jury and non-jury trials in the Municipal Court, Juvenile, Felony Waiver, and Major Trial Units, for crimes ranging from aggravated assaults, rapes, burglaries, robberies, forgeries, attempted murders, and narcotics. While working for the Honorable Lynne M. Abraham, I won over 70% of my major felony jury trials and built a reputation as an aggressive trial attorney.
Even before graduating from the University of Pennsylvania Law School, I devoted countless hours to helping people in the area of family law, while serving as a Boardmember for the Custody and Support Assistance Clinic (CASAC), managing other law students in providing assistance to pro bono family law litigants. After law school, I also served as the law clerk for a prominent judge in Philadelphia Family Court, performing legal research for the judge and writing judicial opinions in cases where the judge’s ruling had been appealed. My attention to detail and writing skills helped me draft opinions, which were consistently upheld by the Pennsylvania Superior and Supreme Court. These same writing skills have served me well in both my family and criminal law practice.
Once leaving the District Attorney’s Office in 2005, I founded The Law Office of Freddy M. Godoy, in order to create a full-service law firm devoted solely to the practice areas of family law and criminal law. It is important that a family law attorney have an intimate understanding of the dynamics between family and criminal law. It is also important than an attorney have no fear of stepping into a courtroom, challenging the veracity of witnesses, and proving his or her case. Having both prosecuted and defended individuals charged with serious crimes, in which either the safety of the community or the personal liberty of a client were at stake, I possess the confidence and skill-set to approach any controversy, with the goal of victory.
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Practice Areas
25 years
25 years
25 years
25 years
Always
State: Pennsylvania
Acquired: 2001
No misconduct found
Mobile
Fax
1515 Market Street, Suite 1200, Philadelphia, PA, 19102-1754
freddygodoylaw.com/Other places you can find Freddy online.
78 Client Reviews
Showing 16 - 20 of 20 reviews | Practice Area Knowledge
Posted by anonymous | May 07, 2015 | Child Custody
Truth and Justice
I hired Freddy Godoy in July 2014 to defend me against a bogus contempt charge and a petition to modify custody order. This was my second time in court and my third time negotiating custody orders, with countless mediation sessions thrown into the mix over for many years. I needed better results. ...
Posted by anonymous | June 26, 2014 | Divorce & Separation
Need a divorce attorney? Look no further.
Freddy was the best decision I made aside from divorcing my ex. He was aggressive in what needed to get done. He has impeccable communication skills; kept me informed no matter what the hour. He also assisted me with the child support and custody matters. I would highly recommend Freddy if you need a...
Posted by Teresa | April 04, 2014 | Family
THIS IS A LAWYER THAT WILL FIGHT FOR YOU
I was looking for a family lawyer to help me in a very tough situation with my child. I cant tell you how bad the situation was and the emptiness I felt inside for my son. I called Freddy Godoy at night for the first time and left him a message. 20 minutes later he called me right back and we spoke a...
Posted by William | November 05, 2012 | Child Custody
Child custody
I couldn't be happier with the results Freddy got me. My criminal record is not exactly squeaky clean but Freddy was still able to get me nearly fifty percent custody. I met with another lawyer before Freddy who said it would be impossible to get what Freddy got me. My ex and I could not agree on an...
Posted by Kevin | June 14, 2012 | Divorce & Separation
Client
Freddy was the second lawyer I visited to have a Marital Settlement Agreement ammended. The first lawyer claimed it would not be possible. Freddy compassionately and professionally guided me through a year and a half of grueling litagation with my ex-wife and her legal team of three lawyers. Despit...
"To his clients, Freddy is a zealous advocate who offers creative solutions and champions to resolve their legal dilemmas. To judges, Freddy is consummate professional who makes sound legal arguments in an ethical, passionate, and convincing manner. To attorneys, Freddy is a respected colleague and a source of legal knowledge. To his courtroom opponents, Freddy is a legal assassin whose sharp arguments enable him to win cases. If you are seeking a highly competent, passionate and successful family law or criminal defense attorney, I highly recommend Freddy Godoy."
"As a family law practitioner with almost 20 years of experience I have met all kinds of lawyers, and wish there were more like Freddy Godoy. I completely endorse this attorney's work. He is knowledgeable, hardworking and dedicated to his clients. He is always prepared and truly an asset to the legal community. You should know that Freddy goes the extra mile for his clients. Thorough and very bright, you could not go wrong using him as your attorney."
"I endorse this lawyer's work. As a homicide prosecutor with over twenty-five years of experience, I recognize the difference between good litigators and average litigators. Freddy is a very good attorney, who is knowledgeable and experienced in Pennsylvania family law, as well as criminal law. He has been representing family law clients since law school at the University of Pennsylvania. As a criminal prosecutor, Freddy had a reputation for being aggressive and relentless, in defending victims of crime. When he left the District Attorney’s Office and started his private practice, he experienced great success, bringing the same amount of enthusiasm and zeal, in defending individuals charged with crimes. Freddy speaks well to jurors and knows how to prepare a case. He knows the law and he is a good writer, as evidenced from his time writing opinions for a Philadelphia family court judge. Freddy's comfort in the courtroom continues to be an added benefit to his family law clients."
Family lawyer
2018
Top 100 Lawyers, The National Advocates
2015
Better Business Burrough, Better Business Burrough
2005 - Present
Attorney, Law Office of Freddy M. Godoy
2011 - 2012
Associate, Law Office of Stacy E. Schwarz, LLC
2005 - 2007
Judicial Law Clerk, The Honorable Lori A. Dumas, Philadelphia County Court of Common Pleas
1999 - 2004
Assistant District Attorney, Philadelphia District Attorney's Office
1998 - 1998
Boardmember, Custody and Support Assistance Clinic
2000
JD - Juris Doctor
1997
BA - Bachelor of Arts
English
Spanish
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