Donna K. Rismiller
Principal
Donna K. Rismiller is the founder of the firm and is an accomplished litigator and collaborative resolution professional. Focusing her practice exclusively in the area of Family Law, she assists her clients with complex financial resolutions, significant custody decisions, as well as highly emotionally-charged disputes, often involving the challenging dynamics of abuse and control.
“We consider it a privilege to have the opportunity to assist you with your legal needs.”
– Donna K. Rismiller
Donna Rismiller has been recognized for her high achievement and legal aptitude by several publications including the Maryland Daily Record, Maryland Super Lawyers Magazine, Baltimore Magazine and The Washington Post Magazine. She has been recognized as a Top 100 Trial Lawyer by the National Trial Lawyers Association and a Top 10 Family Lawyer by the National Academy of Family Law Attorneys. She was also honored among the top 1% of attorneys by The National Association of Distinguished Counsel.
In 2016, Ms. Rismiller was selected to receive the Forerunner Award by the Montgomery County Family Justice Center Foundation. In 2014, she was honored by the Maryland Network Against Domestic Violence and was chosen to receive their Community Award. In 2011 Ms. Rismiller was the recipient of the Maryland Daily Record’s VIP (Very Important Professional) Award.
Ms. Rismiller was awarded a Bachelor of Sciences Degree (cum laude) from the University of Maryland. Her undergraduate education and training in the fields of economics and business management have equipped her to uniquely assess the opportunity costs for her clients when making critical decisions that impact their and their family’s long-term welfare.
Ms. Rismiller is admitted to practice in Maryland and in the United States District Court for the District of Maryland. She is a member of the American Trial Lawyers Association, the Maryland State Bar Association, the Bar Association of Montgomery County, the Women’s Law Center of Maryland, and the Maryland Collaborative Practice Council.
Bar Admissions
Education
- 2000, Maryland
- 2002, U.S. District Court, District of Maryland
- Georgetown University, J.D., 2000
- University of Maryland, B.S. Cum Laude, 1996
Professional Memberships
Awards
- Bar Association of Maryland, 2000 – present
- Bar Association of Montgomery County, 2000 – present
- Women’s Law Center of Maryland, 2002 – present
- Maryland Collaborative Practice Council, 2007 – present
- Maryland Collaborative Divorce Resolution Professionals, 2007 – 2009
- American Inns of Court, Montgomery County, 2003 – 2004
- The National Trial Lawyers, 2013 – present
- Member, Diversity Law Institute
- Member, Trial Law Institute
- American Academy of Certified Financial Litigators
- Maryland Daily Record, VIP (Very Important Professional) List, 2011
MNADV, Community Award, 2014 - Super Lawyers, Maryland, 2011 – present
- Super Lawyers, Washington D.C., 2011- present
- Rising Stars, Baltimore Magazine, 2010
- Top 100 Trial Lawyers, National Trial Lawyers Association, 2014- present
- 10 Best Attorneys for Exceptional and Outstanding Client Service, American Institute of Family Law Attorneys, 2018
- Lifetime Achievement – America’s Top 100 Attorneys
- Best Lawyers, 2019
- American Institute of Family Law Attorneys, 2019
- Fellow, Litigation Counsel of America and The Trial Lawyers Honorary Society
Bar Admissions
- 2000, Maryland
- 2002, U.S. District Court, District of Maryland
Education
- Georgetown University, J.D., 2000
- University of Maryland, B.S. Cum Laude, 1996
Professional Memberships
- Bar Association of Maryland, 2000 – present
- Bar Association of Montgomery County, 2000 – present
- Women’s Law Center of Maryland, 2002 – present
- Maryland Collaborative Practice Council, 2007 – present
- Maryland Collaborative Divorce Resolution Professionals, 2007 – 2009
- American Inns of Court, Montgomery County, 2003 – 2004
- The National Trial Lawyers, 2013 – present
- Member, Diversity Law Institute
- Member, Trial Law Institute
Awards
- Maryland Daily Record, VIP (Very Important Professional) List, 2011
MNADV, Community Award, 2014 - Super Lawyers, Maryland, 2011 – present
- Super Lawyers, Washington D.C., 2011- present
- Rising Stars, Baltimore Magazine, 2010
- Top 100 Trial Lawyers, National Trial Lawyers Association, 2014- present
- 10 Best Attorneys for Exceptional and Outstanding Client Service, American Institute of Family Law Attorneys, 2018
- Lifetime Achievement – America’s Top 100 Attorneys
- Best Lawyers, 2019
- American Institute of Family Law Attorneys, 2019
- Fellow, Litigation Counsel of America and The Trial Lawyers Honorary Society
I really appreciate all of your help
“Thanks Donna. I really appreciate all of your help. I was super nervous about the divorce when we first met and you did a great job of laying out my rights and what I should expect. You also did a great job with providing technical feedback throughout the drafting of the agreement and were very flexible with my schedule for getting this done.”
She Made a Difference In My Life
“Someone does a kindness for you, and they believe in you. That can never be forgotten. Thats what Donna Rismiller did for me nine years ago, when I was at my worst. She made a difference in my life forever.”
“Donna K. Rismiller”
“The best. The Kindest. Most compassionate and caring Attorney. Very Knowledgeable. She takes your case, you better believe she’ll do everything in her power to get Justice for you. I believed in her. I have the utmost faith in her abilities.”
Professionally, Ethically, and Competently Performed
“The work done by Ms. Rismiller as the Best Interest Attorney in this case has been professionally, ethically, and competently performed and has been in keeping with the highest standards of conduct expected of a court-appointed Best Interest Attorney, particularly in a case as difficult as this case.”
Thank you for your outstanding representation at the court
“I would like to thank you for your outstanding representation at the court yesterday. When I first met you, I was touched, moved and inspired by your positive energy, your professionalism and expertise. I am deeply in gratitude and blessed to have met you. It was my first time being entangled in a legal case. Again I appreciate all your efforts in handling my case in such an outstanding way.”
Thank you for your representation of my children
“I wanted to write to say thank you for your representation of my children. As their parent, I am very grateful for your diligence and even-handedness and candor. I recognize that the Best Interest Attorney role comes with enormous responsibility and challenge in a time of conflict between parents, and I appreciate the care you took to listen to all sides.”
I’m still in shock
I’m still in shock about the outcome, but wanted to send you a sincere thank you on everything you’ve done for us! I can’t tell you what it’s meant, and hearing the judge’s words today was so vindicating. Thank you so much for everything you’ve done for us. We are all still so amazed at your skill and care with my case. I can’t tell you what a relief this is. Wow. Thank you for everything.
Contact Us
Located in the heart of Montgomery County, the RLG Law offices are next to the Circuit Court and District Court buildings, and conveniently situated within walking distance to the Rockville Metro Station.
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