Richard S. Victor

Tell us a little bit about your practice and what makes it unique.

• Senior and Founding Partner of Richard S. Victor, PLLC, Richard S. Victor, has practiced law since 1975. He has authored many nationally published articles on Family Law, as well as co-authoring two books: Michigan Family Law and Practice, a three volume treatise on family law; and You and Me Make Three, a children’s book regarding divorce, which was the recipient of several national book awards. He has been a faculty member or guest lecturer at Colleges, Universities, Symposiums, Law Schools, and Bar Associations around the United States and Canada.
  
  Richard is listed as a Diplomate of the American College of Family Trial Lawyers and listed in Best Lawyers in America; and has been named a Super Lawyer by Michigan Super Lawyers Magazine every year, since its inception and was featured on the cover of Super Lawyers publication with a special feature story in 2008. He has served as President of the Michigan chapter of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers and was elected to the National Board of Governors of the Academy, receiving its coveted National Fellow of the Year award in 2006. He was elected Chairperson of the Family Law Section of the State Bar of Michigan and received its highest honor, the Lifetime Achievement Award. In 2000 upon his 25th anniversary from graduating Michigan State University College of Law he was honored with the National Alumni of the Year Award. In 2004 the State Bar of Michigan presented him with one of its most prestigious awards, the Champion Of Justice Award, honoring him for his work on behalf of families and children. He was named as one of the top ten lawyers in Michigan by Michigan Lawyers Weekly and was awarded the Meritorious Service to the Children of America Award by the National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges.
  
  Richard is the national founder and has served, pro bono as the Executive Director of the national nonprofit Grandparents Rights Organization, since 1982. He also founded the national nonprofit Victor Smile Foundation, providing benefits to children of divorce. He, along with Judge Edward Sosnick of the Oakland County Family Court, created the SMILE (Start Making It Livable for Everyone) program (an educational program for divorcing parents) for both the state of Michigan and around the United States, as well as for the country of Australia.
  
  Richard believes and has taught both Lawyers and Judges that divorcing couples must realize that divorce is an emotionally draining experience, born from loss, which usually does not allow individuals to think and act logically and emotionally at the same time. By creating the concept of a more honest, personalized and direct way to practice family law, Richard has instilled a new philosophy to bring integrity to the practice of family law. Richard believes that lawyers who practice family law should have a higher duty to their clients then in other areas of law. He knows that the work he does will not only affect his clients and their business and their financial interests, but will most probably affect their children and future generations of their family.
  
  Richard and the work he has done have been featured on numerous state and national television and radio programs throughout the country, as well as three movies during his career.

What common questions are you asked by clients, and what are your answers?

• What makes our family law practice unique?
  We believe that client's and their family come first. Lawyers work around the needs of their clients, especially those going through the human tragedy of family dissolution. We help counsel clients on the needs of their children, if custody/parenting time issues are involved. Mr. Victor is the Co-founder of the state and national parent education program known as SMILE (Start Making It Livable for Everyone).

Describe one of your most interesting or memorable cases in the past year.

• Representing high end individuals, especially professional ball players has been one of our most interesting cases this past year, because of the different issues these cases bring and the special expertise, which is required, our firm is well suited to handle them.

What is most challenging about your area(s) of expertise?

• Our client's are going through emotional conflicts. Our job is to help them through the emotions in order to bring logic and order to their life, again.

What other interests do you have?

• Other than being with my family (children and grandchildren), I have had a Jazz Band since 1999, which has allowed us the opportunity to meet people and enjoy free time.