Overall Rating
This is an aggregated review score of Avvo and Lawyers.com reviews.
This is an aggregated review score of Avvo and Lawyers.com reviews.
5.0 /5.0
43 Client Reviews
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Richard Dodd
also known as Rick Dodd
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About Richard
Biography
Strategic, principled and cost-effective family law attorney.
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%
Divorce and Separation
25%
Alimony
15%
Child Support
15%
Fees and Rates
Cost
Payment Methods
- Credit Card
Licenses
Licensed in Maryland for 11 years
State: Maryland
Acquired: 2014
No misconduct found
Licensed in District of Columbia for 27 years
State: District of Columbia
Acquired: 1998
No misconduct found
Licensed in Massachusetts for 39 years
State: Massachusetts
Acquired: 1986
No misconduct found
Location
Online Presence
Other places you can find Richard online.
Richard Dodd's Reviews
Filter Avvo Reviews (41)
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Practice Areas
Showing 1 - 5 of 17 reviews | Recommendation
Posted by Maria | July 09, 2025 | Hired Attorney | Child Custody
The best tireless family litigator and negotiator
Rick represented me for nearly a year to amend unfavorable child custody and support orders to conform to the reduced actual schedule I had informally negotiated with my children’s father. Because substance abuse was a concern, Rick filed suit, got a helpful court custody evaluation and negotiated an...
Posted by Doug | August 26, 2024 | Hired Attorney | Family
Rick Had My Back At Unfriendly Deposition
I was served a deposition subpoena to testify in a family dispute in which I had avoided becoming involved two weeks before trial. Another lawyer referred me to Rick to advise and represent me at the deposition. Although the trial attorney wouldn’t cancel the deposition, Rick bargained to limit the d...
Posted by anonymous | May 25, 2024 | Hired Attorney
Extremely happy
Richard was absolutely attentive to my needs and was measured and very helpful in the guidance and advice he gave me while I employed his services. I continue to recommend him to my friends.
Posted by anonymous | June 14, 2023 | Hired Attorney | Divorce & Separation
Highly recommended for custody and divorce issues
I consulted Attorney Dodd at a time when my wife was traveling with my 11 and 16 year old children, against my wishes. I was already concerned that her behavior was contrary to the children’s best interest, and episodes of severe verbal and corporal punishment and erratic driving escalated my concern...
Posted by Rich | June 07, 2023 | Hired Attorney | Divorce & Separation
Good advice lead to a satisfactory mutual consent divorce
I have no kids in my marriage but did have a complicated property arrangement with my then-wife. I tried for a long time to complete a settlement agreement with my spouse. We went through mediation but my wife got cold-feet and refused to honor the resulting agreement. We then went through several s...
Richard Dodd's Lawyer Endorsements
"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."
"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."
"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."
"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."
"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."
"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."
"Rick is meticulous, thorough and caring. His knowledge of the law and attention to detail bolster his strong client advocacy."
Detric Kemp
Uncontested divorce lawyer
Richard Volin
Employment and labor lawyer
Tara Shoemaker
Family lawyer
Shikha Parikh
Foreclosure lawyer
Tasnima Apol
Family lawyer
Heidi Hotz
Family lawyer
Experience
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 MarylandAttorney-Client Fee Disputes Mediator
2019 - Present
District of Columbia Academy of Collaborative ProfessionalsMember
2014 - Present
District of Columbia BarAttorney-Client Arbitration Board Panelist
2014 - Present
International Academy of Collaborative ProfessionalsMember
2014 - Present
Collaborative Dispute Resolution ProfessionalsMember
2021 - 2024
Montgomery County Inns of CourtBarrister
2015 - 2017
Bar Association of Montgomery County MarylandContinuing Legal Education Committee Member
2015 - 2016
American Mock Trial AssociationMoot 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
Legal Answers
Legal Answers
Q&A
My husband filed for divorce. I am not contesting it, do i need to be present for the Zoom hearing? we live in different states
10 May 2025
Q&A
How can I obtain proof of a negligent parent who drinks alcohol daily and has never taken care of his child?
18 Mar 2025
Q&A
I got a divorce in 2023. In the settlement, I was given a QDRO for $68,000 from my ex husbands retirement.
27 Feb 2025