Overall Rating
This is an aggregated review score of Avvo and Lawyers.com reviews.

5.0 /5.0

43 Client Reviews

Avvo

5.0

(41)

Lawyers.com

4.9

(2 )

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Star rating
5 stars 41
4 stars 0
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Practice Areas
Divorce & Separation (25) Child Custody (16) Lawsuits & Disputes (12) Child Support (10) Family (8) Alimony (4) Litigation (3) Mediation (3) Uncontested Divorce (3) Contracts & Agreements (2) Immigration (2) Debt Settlement (1) Employment & Labor (1)
What Clients Mention
Advocacy (31) Case Results (29) Practice Area Knowledge (29) Professionalism (23) Recommendation (17) Responsiveness (16) Communication Style (10) Cost of Services (9) Compassion (8) Character & Conduct (7) General Knowledge (7) Trustworthiness (7) Punctuality (1)

Showing 1 - 5 of 7 reviews | Trustworthiness

Posted by Walter | December 18, 2023 | Hired Attorney | Divorce & Separation

Co-Parenting and Refinance Coaching to Keep Kids in the Family Home and My Life

Shortly after hiring Rick to represent me in a negotiated divorce and custody settlement, my wife’s attorney surprised me by presenting an incomplete agreement proposing an urgent refinancing/buyout of my interest in the family home, but only tentatively addressing child custody provisions. Rick prov...ided me with parenting plan tools and resources that I shared with my wife, successfully and meaningfully promoting constructive dialogue. Rick understood my needs as a parent and encouraged me to seek co-parenting counseling with my wife to ensure equivalent parenting time with my children. Rick's depth of case knowledge and experience have allowed us to generate clarity in what could otherwise remain a chaotic and difficult process. Due to Rick’s diligence and insights into collaborative divorce negotiations I trust we will negotiate a fairer settlement than otherwise would have been the case.

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...tages alternating small progress and stagnation. I originally hesitated to hire a divorce attorney, being wary of escalating and extending the divorce process, but finally found then engaged Rick. He filed suit to prompt my spouse to hire a lawyer who could provide sound guidance to her about her legal options: alimony, post-divorce health insurance, and allocation of several separately owned real properties between us. Rick negotiated a marital settlement agreement that gave us each what we wanted, enabling us to file for a mutual consent divorce. When we hit roadblocks, Rick provided calm advice I found trustworthy and retained a "we can work things out" attitude through my entire engagement. I appreciated Rick’s sound judgment and patience over more than a year and would recommend him to others looking for a negotiated settlement and mutual consent divorce.

Posted by JRP | April 03, 2023 | Hired Attorney | Child Custody

Exceptional strategist and counselor

After my ex-spouse had threatened unilateral termination of my child access, I retained Rick to modify the child custody and support provisions of my outdated and unsatisfactory divorce settlement agreement. Rick was strategic in registering my D.C. order in Maryland, then filing a petition to modify... custody and support. He initiated negotiations for a consent order with opposing counsel soon after filing, and persevered after my ex-spouse fired her attorneys and stalled negotiations for months. As the trial date approached Rick was judicious and expedient to avoid wasting time and fees on discovery, opposed a meritless motion for contempt of child support expenses, and coached me through mediation. Ultimately, he negotiated a satisfactory agreement providing for continuing shared custody of our teenaged daughters and child support proportional to our incomes that will restore balance in our co-parenting relationship. Rick had my back at every stage, kept his efforts directed at my objectives, and was a faithful counselor throughout. Thank you Rick!

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!!!

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