Vanessa Rochelle Dozier

Vanessa Rochelle Dozier

also known as Vanessa Rochelle McKinley

4.9
Rating: 9.6

Licensed for 9 years

Family Lawyer at Washington, DC
Practice Areas: Family, Personal Injury, Criminal Defense

1250 Connecticut Ave NW, STE 700, Washington, DC

About Vanessa

Practice Areas

3

Practice Areas

Family 50%

Divorce, Child Custody, Child Support, Domestic Violence, Protective Orders

50%
Personal Injury 40%

Slip and Falls, Negligence, Automobile Accidents, Assault, Battery, Wrongful Death

40%
Criminal Defense 10%

Assault and Battery, Theft, Robbery

10%

Fees and Rates

Cost

Hourly Rates

$ 250-350 per hour


Payment Methods

  • Cash
  • Check
  • Credit Card

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Licenses

Licensed in Maryland for 9 years

State: Maryland

Acquired: 2016

Active

No misconduct found

Location

Ornsby Dozier, LLP

1250 Connecticut Ave NW, STE 700, Washington, DC, 20036

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Vanessa Rochelle Dozier's Reviews

Avvo Review Score

5.0 /5.0

74 Client Reviews

Filter Avvo Reviews (74) Refine reviews to match your needs. Use the filters to quickly surface reviews that align with your case or priorities.

Showing 1 - 5 of 11 reviews | Responsiveness

Posted by Brian | June 26, 2025 | Hired Attorney | Child Support

Trustworthy, Professional, and Results-Driven

I had a great experience working with Vanessa on my child support and custody case. She really took the time to understand what I was asking for and made sure my voice was heard throughout the process. Her professionalism and clear, timely communication made a stressful situation much easier to handl...e. She had a strong grasp of what the court was looking for and gave honest, realistic advice about our chances. In the end, she was able to get me everything I asked for as a father, and I couldn’t be more grateful. I would absolutely recommend her to anyone needing legal representation in family court.

Posted by anonymous | October 08, 2024 | Hired Attorney | Bankruptcy & Debt

Terrible! She took my money and didn't complete the job

If I could leave zero stars I would, my experience was completely unacceptable and I felt that I needed to warn others. I hired Vanessa to file my bankruptcy earlier this year and she completely botched the job. Not only was she unwilling to provide her expertise to aid me completing the forms, she a...ccused me of dishonesty when they were not filled correctly. I have no legal experience therefore, I have no idea what I'm doing and should not be completing these forms without any form of assistance; that's what I hired her for. After I offered to go over the forms again and asked for her help she unexpectedly withdrew her appearance from my the case and never notified me. After numerous attempts to contact her, she has refused to respond. Today I had to attend my 341 meeting without counsel to discuss my case, and discovered that she left many items undone or done incorrectly despite her claiming the contrary. Now I have to find a new attorney to fix her mistakes and close the case. It appears to me that Vanessa never intended on finishing the case or doing a halfway decent job, she just planned to take my money, do barely the minimum, and leave. If I were you I’d look into another attorney to help you.

Posted by Jerome | August 27, 2024 | Hired Attorney | Child Custody

Highly Recommended!!!

Mrs. Dozier is a consummate professional. She was very knowledgeable and easily accessible throughout my child custody case. Prior to hiring her, I remember thinking, “I’m a man, there’s no way that I can win a child custody battle.” So I wasn’t very optimistic about my chances, but while doing my ...research, I found her profile and from our first conversation, it was very apparent that she was really going to fight for me. She reviewed the facts, and was confident that she would win my case. Even more importantly she made me believe that she would win, and she absolutely DELIVERED!!! I couldn’t be happier with the outcome, and I would 1000% recommend Mrs. Dozier to anyone who is seeking representation.

Posted by Natalie | December 25, 2021 | Hired Attorney | Child Custody

EXCELLENT LAWYER - Absolute Divorce

Before I found Attorney Vanessa I was worried about custody of my child and my property. I don’t have to worry about that anymore. For almost a year Attorney Vanessa has been consistent, prompt, very very professional and affordable. I’ve only seen lawyers like her in the movies. She will work hard ...and will definitely protect your interest. I would recommend Attorney Vanessa to everyone!!! This is the best Christmas ever.

Posted by Kevin | March 02, 2021 | Hired Attorney | Divorce & Separation

Northington vs. Northington Divorce

Contacted Vanessa via a web application. She responded in less than an hour. Once she and I described the case, she was very detailed in providing her services, fees, etc. After I hired her, she kept me well informed, and guided me as appropriate to get through the divorce proceedings. In every conta...ct, Vanessa was the most professional and very thorough. I enjoyed working with her.

See All Client Reviews

Vanessa Rochelle Dozier's Lawyer Endorsements

Endorse Vanessa
Alicia Raquel Lucero headshot
Alicia Lucero

Child custody lawyer | Oct 25

Relationship: Opposing Counsel on matter

"Ms. Dozier is a zealous advocate for her clients. I witnessed this firsthand as opposing counsel. She was diligent, professional, and well prepared for court, Her legal pleadings showed attention to detail, and a very strategic approach towards promoting her client's position. I would highly endorse this attorney!"

Stuart Thomas Welch headshot
Stuart Welch

Criminal defense lawyer | Sep 15

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Vanessa is a go-to lawyer to anyone who needs legal advice. She truly cares about every one of her clients, and will stick with them during their time of need. I fully endorse this lawyer."

Andrea Danielle Smith headshot
Andrea Smith

Family lawyer | May 03

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"In my experience with Vanessa, she has been a knowledgable, professional, and overall great attorney!"

Sahmra A. Stevenson headshot
Sahmra Stevenson

Family lawyer | Oct 14

Relationship: Opposing Counsel on matter

"I endorse this lawyer."

Jaunita Amelia Sabra Flessas headshot
Jaunita Flessas

Family lawyer | Mar 03

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Vanessa is a zealous advocate for her clients and works hard on their behalf. I highly recommend her."

Claudine Eleanor Harrison headshot
Claudine Harrison

Family lawyer | Jan 12

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Vanessa Dozier is a brilliant attorney. She is a skilled and fierce advocate for her clients. I am proud to have her as a colleague."

Ross Wesley Albers headshot
Ross Albers

Family lawyer | Dec 19

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer. A strong advocate for her clients."

Jonnese Shantee Crandol headshot
Jonnese Crandol

Family lawyer | Nov 20

Relationship: Friend

"Ms. McKinnley exemplifies professionalism at all times, and she is a great advocate for her clients!"

Ariel Vontreese Dixon headshot
Ariel Dixon

Bankruptcy and debt lawyer | Nov 20

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Atty. McKinley shows great care in managing the affairs of her clients. She is both skilled and knowledgeable in the area of bankruptcy law."

Sondra Spaulding Boddie headshot
Sondra Boddie

Litigation lawyer | Sep 29

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"In the time that I have known Vanessa, she has demonstrated the utmost in professionalism and dedication to her work. She cares about the work that she does and achieving what is best for those that she is trying to help."

View All Endorsements
Michael Gene DeHaven headshot
Michael DeHaven

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Gregory R. Singleton headshot
Gregory Singleton

Domestic violence lawyer

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Angela Hansen

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Heidi Hotz

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Radha Ramanathan

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Colleen Kirby

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Sahmra Stevenson

Child custody lawyer

Alicia Raquel Lucero headshot
Alicia Lucero

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Michael Barrett

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Jaunita Flessas

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Frank Morris

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Claudine Harrison

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David Mintz

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Andrea Smith

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David Mahood

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Hughie Hunt

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Jessica Ornsby

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Stuart Welch

Domestic violence lawyer

Experience

Rating:  9.6 (Superb)

Honors

2021

2021 Lawyer of Distinction, Lawyers of Distinction

2021

Top 10 Best for 2021, American Institute of Family Law Attorneys

2019

Top 40 Under 40, The National Black Lawyers Association

Work Experience

2017 - Present

Attorney at Law, Law Office of Vanessa R. McKinley, LLC

Associations

2019 - Present

National Bar Association, Bankruptcy Law Section

Chairwoman of Hospitality and Event Planning Committee

2018 - Present

Howard County Bar Association

Member

2017 - Present

Prince George's County Bar Association

Member

2017 - Present

Bankruptcy Bar Association for the District of Maryland

Member

2016 - Present

Maryland State Bar Association

Member

Languages

English

Activity

Avvo Rating

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Avvo Rating Levels
10.0 - 9.0 Superb8.9 - 8.0 Excellent7.9 - 7.0 Very Good6.9 - 6.0 Good5.9 - 5.0 Average4.9 - 4.0 Concern3.9 - 3.0 Caution2.9 - 2.0 Strong Caution1.9 - 1.0 Extreme Caution