Atty. Richard Dodd, Esq.
Richard Dodd is a collaborative family law attorney, negotiator, mediator and tactical litigator representing clients in Maryland and the District of Columbia. His practice encompasses divorce, child custody and support, alimony, and marital property division.
Profile Summary
About Richard Dodd, Esq. at a glance
Richard Dodd, Esq. is a Principal based in Bethesda, Maryland, practicing at Dodd Legal LLC. They have 40+ years of legal experience, licensed to practice since 1986. Their practice focuses on divorce, child custody, family law, child support, and alimony. Admitted to practice in Massachusetts (1986), District of Columbia (1998), and Maryland Virginia (2014). Educated at Yale University (M.B.A. Yale, 1997) and Boston University Law School (J.D., 1986). Recognitions include AV Preeminent. Serands clients in Bethesda, MD and the surrounding metropolitan area.
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About
- Richard Dodd is a collaborative family law attorney, negotiator, mediator and tactical litigator representing clients in Maryland and the District of Columbia
- His practice encompasses divorce, child custody and support, alimony, and marital property division
- Mindful to minimize the cost and acrimony of conventional divorce and custody litigation, whenever possible he facilitates clients’ direct negotiation of mutually beneficial settlement agreements through collaborative negotiations, rather than litigation
- Mr. Dodd brings skillful and nuanced issue framing, negotiation and tactical litigation skills to his family law practice, earned representing clients in numerous family law cases since 2014
- In the first 10 years of his career he represented individuals and small companies in general civil litigation, and for 15 years served as in-house counsel to several major telecommunications corporations
- Mr. Dodd is also certified in divorce and child custody mediation and collaborative dispute resolution, processes which emphasize clients’ self-determination in negotiating settlement terms to provide for equitable parenting access plans and property settlements according to their values and objectives, rather than leaving the outcome to a judge
- In collaborative cases Mr. Dodd frequently collaborates with psychologists and social workers who separately coach divorcing parents to overcome emotional resistance, enabling them to collaborate in developing creative and equitable parenting plans to promote childrens’ healthy relationships with both parents
- Mr. Dodd is also experienced with small business valuations, and frequently collaborates with Certified Divorce Financial Analysts (CDFA®) to conduct comprehensive financial assessments and planning to provide for clients’ long-term financial security
- Mr. Dodd has represented numerous clients on a pro bono basis for the Montgomery County Bar Foundation and the Collaborative Project of Maryland, and has served as a guardian ad litem advocating on behalf of minor children in custody proceedings in the District of Columbia, and is available for appointment as a child’s Best Interest Attorney in Montgomery County
- Mr. Dodd is a member of the District of Columbia Bar, the Maryland State Bar Association and the Bar Association of Montgomery County
- He is also a member of the Collaborative Dispute Resolution Professionals of Montgomery County, the Association of Family and Conciliation Courts, the International Association of Collaborative Professionals, and the District of Columbia Academy of Collaborative Professionals
- He has also collaborated in drafting and testified in support of legislation to reform Maryland family law by providing for automatic interim orders regarding child custody and support, use and possession of the family home, and non-transfers of marital funds
- Mr. Dodd earned his law degree from Boston University, cum laude, and a B.A. and M.B.A. from Yale University
- Mr. Dodd is a married father of two adult sons
Practice Areas Explained
Richard Dodd, Esq.'s Areas of Practice
Each practice area below reflects the types of cases Richard Dodd, Esq. handles, with a brief overview of what that area of law covers.
A divorce attorney guides you through property division, spousal support, custody, and the final decree — contested or uncontested.
Richard Dodd, Esq. is one of 50,487 divorce attorneys indexed nationally. Browse divorce attorneys in Maryland →
Richard Dodd, Esq. is one of 31,241 child custody attorneys indexed nationally. Browse child custody attorneys in Maryland →
Family law attorneys handle divorce, child custody, child support, adoption, prenups, and protective orders. Find verified family lawyers near you.
Richard Dodd, Esq. is one of 187,066 family law attorneys indexed nationally. Browse family law attorneys in Maryland →
Richard Dodd, Esq. is one of 24,688 child support attorneys indexed nationally. Browse child support attorneys in Maryland →
Richard Dodd, Esq. is one of 10,688 alimony attorneys indexed nationally. Browse alimony attorneys in Maryland →
Jurisdictional Context
Why local counsel matters in Maryland
Practicing law in Maryland. Legal matters in Maryland are governed by state-specific rules of civil and criminal procedure, statutes of limitations, and substantive law. Cases originating in Bethesda are typically filed in the local municipal court or the appropriate Maryland state district court, depending on subject matter and amount in controversy. An attorney licensed in Maryland brings working knowledge of local procedural deadlines, judicial practices in this andnue, and the substantive law that applies to cases brought here. Out-of-state attorneys generally cannot represent clients in Maryland courts without local counsel or pro hac vice admission.
Looking for additional Maryland attorneys? Browse all attorneys in Bethesda or all attorneys in Maryland.
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