After litigating financially complex and high asset divorces for over 25 years, Richard was one of the first lawyers in Orlando to use collaborative law to help clients successfully move on with their lives, with as little emotional and economic harm to their families as possible. He is known for his understanding, creativity and compassion to help clients achieve the results they want for their families.
Richard is board certified in Marital and Family Law by the Florida Bar and the National Board of Trial Advocacy. He practices exclusive in marital and family law. Board certification is The Florida Bar’s highest level of evaluation of the competency and experience of attorneys in the 26 areas of law approved for certification by the Supreme Court of Florida. Board certification recognizes attorneys’ special knowledge, skills and proficiency in various areas of law and professionalism and ethics in practice. Board certified lawyers are evaluated for professionalism and tested for expertise. Seven percent of eligible Florida Bar members, approximately 4,800 lawyers, are board certified. For further information on Florida Bar Board Certification.
Richard has extensive experience in the representation of professional athletes and other public figures with the utmost regard for protecting his clients from media exposure and overly invasive discovery practices. His experience includes cases dealing with complex financial matters, such as the valuation of closely held corporations, professional practices, trusts and incentive stock options.
A divorced father himself, he understands, from both a personal and professional perspective, what it takes to have a "successful” divorce. While his practice is primarily in Central Florida, which encompasses Orange, Osceola, Seminole, Brevard, Volusia and Lake Counties, he handles cases nationwide.
Recognized as an innovator when it comes to the combination of family law and technology, he enjoys sharing his legal knowledge with others and frequently speaks at legal seminars and conferences.
Credentials
Board Certified Specialist, Marital and Family Law, Florida Bar Association
Board Certified Specialist, Marital and Family Law, National Board of Trial Advocacy
AV rated by Martindale Hubbell
Honors
Top 50 Florida Lawyers, Super Lawyers, 2018
Top 100 Florida Lawyers, Super Lawyers, 2018, 2016, 2015
Best Lawyers, Orlando Magazine, 12+ years
Legal Elite, Florida Trend, 12+ years
Orlando’s Lawyer of the Year, Family Law, The Best Lawyers in America©, 2018, 2016, 2012
West Family Law Group, ranked among the 2018 Best Law Firms in America by U.S. News and Best Lawyers
Best Lawyers® and The Best Lawyers in America©, 12+ years
Community Advocacy
Team Gamez Foundation
Central Florida Women’s League
Affiliations
Member, Family Law Section, Florida Bar Association
Member, Orange County Bar Association
Fellow, American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers
Fellow, International Academy of Family Lawyers
Co-Chair, Ad Hoc Bounds of Advocacy Committee, Family Law Section, Florida Bar Association, 2017-18
Member, Central Florida Family Inn of Court
Member, Collaborative Family Law Group of Central Florida
Member, Florida Academy of Collaborative Professionals
Past President, Florida chapter, American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers
Past Chairman, Family Law Section, Florida Bar Association, 2003-04
and State Governor Representative of the prestigious Florida Chapter of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, Fellow of the International Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, and Past Chairman of the Florida Bar Family Law Section 2003-2004, and is AV rated by Martindale Hubbell. Richard also is a member of the Central Florida Family Inn of Court and the Collaborative Family Law Group of Central Florida. Recognized as "the Best of" in Best Lawyers for the past 10 years, the Orlando Magazine Best Lawyers, and Florida Trends Elite Magazine. A frequent and entertaining lecturer at numerous seminars, he is recognized as a leader and innovator in the use of computer technology in the practice of family law.
Listed in: Best Lawyers in America. Editorial Board, The Matrimonial Strategist. Certified Family Law Specialist by the National Board of Trial Advocacy. Fellow: and State Governor Representative of the prestigious Florida Chapter of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, Fellow of the International Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, and Past Chairman of the Florida Bar Family Law Section 2003-2004, and is AV rated by Martindale Hubbell. Richard also is a member of the Central Florida Family Inn of Court and the Collaborative Family Law Group of Central Florida. Recognized as "the Best of" in Best Lawyers for the past 10 years, the Orlando Magazine Best Lawyers, and Florida Trends Elite Magazine. A frequent and entertaining lecturer at numerous seminars, he is recognized as a leader and innovator in the use of computer technology in the practice of family law.
A divorced father himself, he understands, from both a personal and professional perspective, what it takes to have a "successful divorce". Fellow: and State Governor Representative of the prestigious Florida Chapter of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, Fellow of the International Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, and Past Chairman of the Florida Bar Family Law Section 2003-2004, and is AV rated by Martindale Hubbell. Richard also is a member of the Central Florida Family Inn of Court and the Collaborative Family Law Group of Central Florida. Recognized as "the Best of" in Best Lawyers for the past 5 years, the Orlando Magazine Best Lawyers, and Florida Trends Elite Magazine. A frequent and entertaining lecturer at numerous seminars, he is recognized as a leader and innovator in the use of computer technology in the practice of family law.
A divorced father himself, he understands, from both a personal and professional perspective, what it takes to have a "successful divorce". Listed in: Best Lawyers in America. Editorial Board, The Matrimonial Strategist. Certified Family Law Specialist by the National Board of Trial Advocacy. Fellow: and State Governor Representative of the prestigious Florida Chapter of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, Fellow of the International Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, and Past Chairman of the Florida Bar Family Law Section 2003-2004, and is AV rated by Martindale Hubbell. Richard also is a member of the Central Florida Family Inn of Court and the Collaborative Family Law Group of Central Florida. Recognized as "the Best of" in Best Lawyers for the past 5 years, the Orlando Magazine Best Lawyers, and Florida Trends Elite Magazine. A frequent and entertaining lecturer at numerous seminars, he is recognized as a leader and innovator in the use of computer technology in the practice of family law.
A divorced father himself, he understands, from both a personal and professional perspective, what it takes to have a "successful divorce". Listed in: Best Lawyers in America. Editorial Board, The Matrimonial Strategist. Certified Family Law Specialist by the National Board of Trial Advocacy. Member: Orange County Bar Association; State Bar of Texas; The Florida Bar (Member: Executive Council, Family Law Section, Treasurer, 2001, President, 2002; Past Chair, Family Law Section); Academy of Trial Lawyers; American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers (Past-President, Florida Chapter); International Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers.
Distinguished: An excellent rating for a lawyer with some experience. This rating indicates the attorney is widely
respected by their peers for high professional achievement and ethical standards.
Notable: This rating indicates that the lawyer has been recognized by a large number of their peers for strong ethical standards.
