PRO
Theodore James Rechel
also known as Theodore J. Rechel, Ted Rechel
About Theodore
Biography
I've been practicing divorce and family law in the Tampa Bay area since 1990. During that time, I've represented thousands of Tampa area families in divorces, paternity actions and family law cases of all types. I've been involved in high profile cases, represented local sports legends, doctors, lawyers, and professsionals of all types. I have seen and dealt with a myriad of fact patterns and emergency situations. I have thoroughly enjoyed helping good people through one of the most dramatic and difficult times of their lives.
Protecting Tampa, Pasco and Pinellas Families In Family Law For 25 years, Rechel & Associates, PA.
Practice Areas
5
Practice Areas
36 years | 3,500 cases
36 years | 3,500 cases
36 years | 1,000 cases
36 years | 1,000 cases
Fees and Rates
Cost
Always
Payment Methods
- Cash
- Check
- Credit Card
Awards
Licenses
Licensed in Florida for 36 years
State: Florida
Acquired: 1990
No misconduct found
Licensed in Illinois for 35 years
State: Illinois
Acquired: 1991
No misconduct found
Location
Gallery
Online Presence
Other places you can find Theodore online.
Theodore James Rechel's Reviews
Avvo Review Score
36 Client Reviews
Showing 26 - 30 of 36 reviews
Posted by William | August 22, 2013 | Divorce & Separation
A Great Lawyer! His knowledge and willingness to fight for me helped me avoid disaster. Crisis avoided because of Ted Rechel!
Before I retained Ted Rechel I watched him in a hearing. I knew then that he was astute on the law and more than willing to aggressively defend his clients. Years later I was involved in a terrible divorce. The case was resolved over a year ago. My ex-wife hired and fired attorney's and eventuall...
Posted by jbruyn | June 28, 2013 | Family
Started with little or no hope, but ended up much better off than anticipated
I came to Mr. Rechel with an MSA that i had signed 4 years prior and was basically unfair, poorly written and just a mess. I had been told by other attorneys that I had very little chance of improving my situation, but Ted took on my case and was confident that he could improve my situation at least...
Posted by Rachelle | June 23, 2013 | Divorce & Separation
Fantastic Attorney, No further search Needed!!!
Look no further for an attorney; if you need representation call Ted Rechel. Ted is attentive, compassionate, creative, hard working and when needed aggressive. I had been battling my Ex for two years before I called Ted. I had previously represented myself (BIG MISTAKE) then hired another attorney...
Posted by anonymous | August 10, 2012 | Divorce & Separation
Amazing
Ted Rechel is by far the best divorce/child custody attorney there is out there! He took me under his wing and worked around the clock to finalize my divorce and gain custody of my two minor children. My case was a hellish case to say the least but that never bothered Ted and he was amazing. I learne...
Posted by Vanessa | June 08, 2012 | Child Custody
The Best in Tampa
Ted began representing me in 2006 in my custody and child support case. The case lasted 2 years. Now, in 2012, I have retained him again to handle a modification. Ted and his staff have always been prompt to respond to calls and emails. They have also been patient, professional and courteous. He...
Theodore James Rechel's Lawyer Endorsements
"I was so honored to intern with Ted for a semester while I was in law school. Ted is a giant in the Family Law world. He is great not only because he is an extremely knowledgeable and skilled attorney, but also because he is an exceptionally compassionate human being. Ted is THE family lawyer I would recommend my family and friends, and clients to go to in the Tampa Bay Area."
"I endorse this lawyer's work. A contributor to the legal community and a real asset to the bar in general."
"I endorse Theodore. He is a highly skilled attorney that is well respected in the legal community."
"Ted Rechel is an honest and effective advocate of the highest caliber. I heartily endorse Mr. Rechel for all types of family law matters."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"I endorse this lawyer. I have been practicing criminal law for almost 20 years. I have done a lot of trial work. My divorce was recently resolved, but not without a lot of effort on Mr. Rechel's part. I hired Mr. Rechel because I had seen him in court and watched him try a case against another lawyer long before I hired him to represent me. He was excellent then, and he was excellent in the handling of my divorce. To be a great family law attorney you have to be more than a lawyer because of the emotional turmoil that many divorces can create. Ted is a master at preparing his case and his client for court. His knowledge of the law forced the other side to reconsider their position, and in my opinion brought an end to a terrible situation. My wife was very unrealistic and unreasonable. Once, she and her lawyers understood that Mr. Rechel and I would never back down she finally agreed to end the case. I only hope that anyone reading this endorsement calls me to learn more.."
"Ted was appropriately aggressive, respectful, and honest. He was mindful of fees and costs and his staff and office have always been helpful and responsive."
"I have had numerous cases against Ted over the past 20 years, and on every occasion he's shown himself to be an extremely competent, knowledgeable, resourceful and experienced adversary. While trying a case against Ted is never easy, I know Ted will be an above board and honest opponent, and professional throughout. We may and often do see things differently, but I always respect his opinion even while disagreeing with it - so much so that Ted is also my first choice as mediator when I have a tough case where a mediator with his excellent background, experience and judgment - and his ability to communicate and reasonably argue the 'trade-offs' may be the only way a case can be settled reasonably instead of having to be tried at much greater expense and risk to the client. As an attorney or mediator, I would and have recommended Ted highly and without reservation - even to attorney friends of mine who I was too close to personally to represent myself."
"I endorse this lawyer. This lawyer's contributions to this site are invaluable. I happily endorse this lawyer's work, ability and charity to those asking for advice. Further, I like to endorse good lawyers, because I find the AVVO rating system to be dishonest and corrupt. Frequently, disgruntled litigants on the opposing side (not your clients) will bash a lawyer on this site, pretending to be "your" client. When this situation is brought to AVVO attention, Avvo refuses to do anything to investigate and remove the false, slanderous "client" reviews. AVVO is a mean petty internet blog site trying to make money off of lawyers, and does not care if the public receives truthful information."
"Mr. Rechel is a professional, very competent lawyer in family law, as well as other areas of the law."
"I first met Ted when I was working as staff counsel for the family judges in the 13th Judicial Circuit. He impressed me then as a reliable advocate of great integrity. Any work product he submitted to the Court was sure to be well-researched and creative in its approach. After nearly six years with the Court I knew I could only leave to work for the best, and that is Ted. In the weeks leading up to my transfer to Rechel & Associates I was repeatedly congratulated by my judges and other family law professionals for my good fortune, since Ted Rechel has a reputation for being both a consummate professional and a good man."
"I have been opposing counsel on several family law cases involving Ted going back to 1994. Ted is an intelligent and ethical attorney who always provides excellent representation for his client."
"I endorse this lawyer. He provides detailed and insightful analysis to questions posed by AVVO subscribers. The detailed responses and thorough explanations provided here display a vast knowledge of the law. He is an asset to the legal community."
"I endorse this lawyer.This attorney has a strong reputation, is a zealous advocate for her clients and is a credit to the legal community."
"Ted is one of the most aggressive and creative opposing counsels I have had in my 12 year career as a family law attorney. He is very dedicated to his clients and does his best to make sure they receive an equitable outcome. There is no question that one must always be prepared when Ted Rechel is opposing counsel."
"I previously worked for Mr. Rechel for 3 years and have worked with him on cases for the decade since then. He has been a respected mentor and a worthy colleague of the highest ethical caliber. He is an aggressive attorney and a zealous advocate for his clients who works on securing every benefit for them while maintaining the respect of his peers and judges. I strongly recommend him to anyone seeking an attorney with the highest skills in Florida Marital and Family Law."
"Ted is an excellent lawyer who I have had the pleasure of litigating against. His professionalism and ethics are of the highest caliber and he is a zealous advocate who provides the very best level of service to his clients. He is an asset to the family law community."
"Ted is knowledgeable intelligent and a true professional. I personally know that he is a zealous advocate and highly ethical. I would and do recommend him to everyone in Tampa who has a family law matter that needs an experienced attorney. Robert Morris"
"I endorse this lawyer. I have known Ted since I began practicing family law. Regardless of the contentiousness of the case, he conducted himself in a professional manner, though continued to zealously advocate for the interests of his clients."
Family lawyer
Divorce and separation lawyer
Family lawyer
Criminal defense lawyer
Divorce and separation lawyer
Family lawyer
Divorce and separation lawyer
Divorce and separation lawyer
Family lawyer
Divorce and separation lawyer
Family lawyer
Divorce and separation lawyer
Divorce and separation lawyer
Divorce and separation lawyer
Child support lawyer
Family lawyer
Family lawyer
Divorce and separation lawyer
Experience
Honors
2025
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2024
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2023
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2022
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2021
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2020
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2017
Distinguished, Martindale-Hubbell
2015
Top One Percent, National Association of Distinguished Counsel
2012
Legal Elite Honoree, Florida Trend Magazine
2011
Family Mediation Certification, Supreme Court of Florida
1995
Family Mediation Certification, Supreme Court of Florida
Work Experience
1992 - Present
Managing Partner/ President, Rechel & Associates, P.A.
1992 - 1994
Adjunct Professor, Tampa College
1991 - 1992
Associate Attorney, Family Legal Centers of Thomas Chawk, P.A.
1990 - 1991
Associate Attorney, Law Offices of Donald Belveal, Chartered.
1988 - 1989
LSAT Course Instuctor, Stanley Kaplan
Associations
2013 - Present
Collaborative Divorce Association Tampa BayMember
2001 - Present
Busch Lakes AssociationPresident
1992 - Present
Hillsborough County Bar Association, Family Law SectionMember
1991 - Present
Florida Bar, Family Law SectionMember
1991 - Present
Illinois State Bar AssociationMember
1997 - 2005
American Inns of Court Tampa Family Law ChapterBarrister
Sample of Legal Cases
Second District Court of Appeal agreed with most of Mr. Rechel's positions, imposed a constructive trust on Husband's stock options, reversed the amount of income imputed to Wife, distributed the Husband's bonus,and ordered new trial.
Affirmed, Second District Court of Appeal agreed with Rechel and upheld trial court's decision.
Second District Court agreed with trial court and Rechel and affirmed.
Second District Court of Appeal agreed with Rechel and reversed the trial court's improper calculation of child support in rotating custody cases.
Supreme Court agreed with Mr. Rechel's position and clarified Florida law as to when a final judgment is final, adopting Rechel's view of the law. My client's daughter inherited wife's estate.
Education
1989
Juris Doctorate
1986
Bachelor of Arts
Speaking Engagements
2003
"How to Author a Social Investigation Report"
2003
"Collaborative Law"
Languages
English
Activity
Legal Answers
Top Contributor
Theodore earned significant contribution points in 2012.
Legal Answers
How likely would a temporary restraining order be made permanent ?
26 Feb 2019
Doing an uncontested divorce. Mother does not want child support for our 8 year old daughter? How do we go about doing that?
06 Feb 2017
If the judge allows a downward mod. of CS on the basis that child care has decreased, do they need to go by the guidelines?
02 Feb 2017