Richard Dodd

PRO

Richard Dodd

also known as Rick Dodd

5.0
43 reviews
This is an aggregated review score of Avvo and Lawyers.com reviews.
Rating: 10.0

Licensed for 39 years

Divorce and separation Lawyer at Bethesda, MD
Practice Areas: Divorce & Separation, Child Custody, Child Support ... +3 more

4800 Hampden Lane, Suite 200, Bethesda, MD

Virtual Consultation Available

Free Consultation

About Richard

Biography

Child custody and parenting plans sensitive to childrens' developmental needs.

Strategic divorce and child custody advice, negotiation and court advocacy.

Winning alimony to support the dependent spouse’s progress toward financial independence, and limiting alimony to duration necessary for the self-support.

Ensuring adequate financial support so children may thrive.

Comprehensive child custody and support to sustain the family after divorce.

Strategic, principled, and cost-effective family attorney.

Practice Areas

6

Practice Areas

Child Custody 25%

Advocacy for each parent's fair access and participation in the upbringing of their children.

25%
Divorce and Separation 25%

Strategic and empathic divorce planning; principled and collaborative negotiator; experienced trial lawyer.

25%
Alimony 15%

Alimony is a highly charged issue which requires careful analysis and skilled negotiation and advocacy to tailor interim support toward a goal of financial independence.

15%
Child Support 15%

Advocacy for appropriate child support to meet children's needs, shared between parents according to their earning capacities. Petitions for modifications due to changed circumstances.

15%
Family 15%

Comprehensive divorce and child custody advice and collaborative representation to promote positive co-parenting for childrens' benefit.

15%
Uncontested Divorce 5%

I can counsel you and negotiate a mutual consent divorce agreement to spare you the expense and acrimony of a litigated divorce.

5%

Fees and Rates

Cost

Free Consultation

$0 first 10 minutes


Payment Methods

  • Credit Card

Licenses

Licensed in Maryland for 11 years

State: Maryland

Acquired: 2014

Active

No misconduct found

Licensed in District of Columbia for 27 years

State: District of Columbia

Acquired: 1998

Good Standing

No misconduct found

Licensed in Massachusetts for 39 years

State: Massachusetts

Acquired: 1986

Retired

No misconduct found

Location

Dodd Legal LLC

4800 Hampden Lane, Suite 200, Bethesda, MD, 20814

dodd-legal.com/

Online Presence

Other places you can find Richard online.

Richard Dodd's Reviews

Filter Avvo Reviews (41) Refine reviews to match your needs. Use the filters to quickly surface reviews that align with your case or priorities.

Showing 1 - 5 of 8 reviews | Compassion

Posted by anonymous | November 25, 2024 | Divorce & Separation

Piecemeal Divorce Negotiations.

Attorney Dodd negotiated from opposing counsel’s deficient Parenting Agreement, recommending various ‘healthy practices’ and notifications about travel and relocation that were adopted in a binding agreement. Now that we are living separately with the children on a regular schedule we have time to re...concile property division and spousal support so we may file a mutual consent divorce on our family’s terms. I appreciated Rick’s sensitivity to parenting concerns and diligent negotiation throughout.

Posted by anonymous | December 30, 2022 | Hired Attorney | Alimony

Satisfied client

I retained Rick/Mr. Dodd to advise and represent me in litigation aimed at reducing my substantial alimony now that I've had to retire to care for my chronically ill second wife. I am more than satisfied that he has been diligent in gathering my former wife's financial documents and analyzing our res...pective residual incomes and expenses to demonstrate that my current alimony is unsustainable. He has been strategic and tenacious, yet civil, in communications with the opposing attorney as we attempt to promote an amicable settlement. I have full confidence in his ability to bring about a good result, whether by settlement or after trial. He has more than met all my expectations, demonstrating empathy and cost consciousness. He has always been quickly responsive to my inquiries; easy to reach, easy to talk to. He has been an understanding and steadfast advocate of my cause. I look forward to a final and fair resolution in the very near future. I highly recommend Mr. Dodd and offer an enthusiastic endorsement of Rick's legal services.

Posted by James | June 14, 2022 | Hired Attorney | Divorce & Separation

Best Family/Divorce Lawyer!!

Going through a divorce process is one of the most emotionally, financially and psychologically draining processes. Divorces are very complicated and very intimidating, but hiring Richard Dodd (Rick) to represent me during my complicated divorce case was, by far, the best decision through that proces...s. Rick was very helpful, responsive, patient, very easy to talk to and always made time for me and hand-holded me throughout the whole process There aren't enough positive words to describe the level of professionalism, expertise, and quality of care given by Richard Dodd. He assisted me and was always very prompt in responding to any questions or concerns that I had. He handled the process with utmost zeal from the time I contacted him, to the discovery process, negotiations with my Ex’s lawyer, to settlement outside of the court. Rick always had my back! Once you work with him, you will understand why he is one of the most highly recognized family and divorce attorneys in the DC Metro area. I would highly recommend this firm to anyone!!!

Posted by Andrew | February 19, 2022 | Hired Attorney | Divorce & Separation

Compassionate & Understanding

Mr. Dodd was compassionate and understanding while helping me through the process of separation/divorce. I was kept informed every step of the way and all of my questions were answered no matter how trivial. Even though my situation was probably more straightforward than most, I still felt like a hig...hly valued client. I would recommend Mr. Dodd to anyone without hesitation.

Posted by Brian | December 01, 2021 | Hired Attorney | Uncontested Divorce

Very helpful and level-headed

I appreciated Rick’s advice and persistence in persuading my wife to negotiate an uncontested divorce. I had previously failed to respond to my wife’s divorce complaint which the court dismissed, largely because we couldn’t agree who would accept responsibility for accumulated debt for an automobile ...that she exclusively drove – until she left it (and accumulated traffic citations) in my driveway when she left Maryland! Rick filed suit on my behalf and negotiated directly with my wife (who was unrepresented), eventually gaining her trust and acquiescence to assign ownership of the vehicle to me. This was a very stressful time in my life but Rick’s coaching was comforting. I'm grateful for his guidance and legal counsel.

See All Client Reviews

Richard Dodd's Lawyer Endorsements

Endorse Richard
Richard M Volin headshot
Richard Volin

Family lawyer | Oct 03

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Rick is a practical attorney with a keen mind. He works hard to navigate and understand the needs of his clients in a very sensitive practice area."

Maura Louise Lynch headshot
Maura Lynch

Family lawyer | Aug 05

Relationship: Opposing Counsel on matter

"I endorse this lawyer. I had the pleasure of working with Mr. Dodd on a contentious family matter. He advocated for his client with zeal, yet maintained a professional demeanor."

Shikha Parikh headshot
Shikha Parikh

Family lawyer | Jul 17

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Rick is an excellent family law attorney, with just the right balance of compassion and zealousness for his clients. He is financially savvy and capable of coaching his clients to take decisive action to preserve their assets. He has consulted with me on issues his clients face when selling an underwater marital property and handling potential liability for the mortgage balance."

David Glenn Ross headshot
David Ross

Unknown lawyer | Jun 28

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Rick Dodd is an excellent attorney and colleague. I have found him to have an extremely keen legal mind, great communication skills, and an unusually strong business sense that’s informed by his MBA background. I trust Rick so much, in fact, that I even referred a close family member to him."

Eric Jason Wexler headshot
Eric Wexler

Family lawyer | Jun 28

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I have known Richard Dodd for over 5 years. During that time, Richard and I have collaborated on a number of matters and I have grown to appreciate his expertise in family law and general financial analysis."

Tasnima Apol headshot
Tasnima Apol

Family lawyer | Aug 14

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Rick is a thorough, detailed, and ethical attorney. He is devoted to coaching his clients to pursue principled and pragmatic strategies to meet their family’s needs. While he is a seasoned litigator and trial attorney, I trust that his clients benefit most from his advice with regard to negotiating marital settlements and custody agreements to minimize cost and strife. Because he practices in a county far from my location, I am glad to refer cases to him as I know he serves clients in a cost-effective manner."

Heidi Kohler Hotz headshot
Heidi Hotz

Family lawyer | Oct 13

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Rick is meticulous, thorough and caring. His knowledge of the law and attention to detail bolster his strong client advocacy."

View All Endorsements
Detric Linell Kemp headshot
Detric Kemp

Uncontested divorce lawyer

Richard M Volin headshot
Richard Volin

Employment and labor lawyer

Tara Kayte Shoemaker headshot
Tara Shoemaker

Family lawyer

Shikha Parikh headshot
Shikha Parikh

Foreclosure lawyer

Tasnima Apol headshot
Tasnima Apol

Family lawyer

Heidi Kohler Hotz headshot
Heidi Hotz

Family lawyer

Experience

Rating:  10.0 (Superb)

Honors

2025

Super Lawyer, SuperLawyers

2024

AV Preeminent Rated, Martindale-Hubbell

2023

AV Preeminent Rated, Martindale-Hubbell

2022

AV Preeminent Rated, Martindale-Hubbell

2021

AV Preeminent Rated, Martindale-Hubbell

2014

Distinguished (BV), Martindale-Hubbell

Work Experience

2014 - Present

Principal Attorney, Dodd Legal LLC

2012 - 2014

Senior Counsel, Inmarsat Global Communications

2011 - 2012

Senior Counsel, Vodafone Global Communications

2009 - 2011

Senior Consultant, Booz Allen Hamilton

2006 - 2009

Senior Counsel, Sprint Nextel Corporation

Associations

2021 - Present

Bar Association of Montgomery County Maryland

Attorney-Client Fee Disputes Mediator

2019 - Present

District of Columbia Academy of Collaborative Professionals

Member

2014 - Present

District of Columbia Bar

Attorney-Client Arbitration Board Panelist

2014 - Present

International Academy of Collaborative Professionals

Member

2014 - Present

Collaborative Dispute Resolution Professionals

Member

2021 - 2024

Montgomery County Inns of Court

Barrister

2015 - 2017

Bar Association of Montgomery County Maryland

Continuing Legal Education Committee Member

2015 - 2016

American Mock Trial Association

Moot Court Judge

Education

1997

Yale School of Management

MBA - Master of Business Administration

1986

Boston University Law School

JD - Juris Doctor

1981

Yale University

BA - Bachelor of Arts

Speaking Engagements

2018

The American Mock Trial Association Moot Court Judge

2017

Montgomery County Bar Association, Elder Law Section

Getting Paid

2016

Montgomery County Bar Association

Client Trust Account Management

2015

Montgomery County Bar Association

Working with Clients in Limited Scope Divorce Engagements

Languages

English

French

Activity

Avvo Rating

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