Richard F. MacDowell Jr. is a personal injury and trial attorney and the founder of MacDowell Law Group, PC, in Fairfax, Virginia. Licensed in Virginia since 1981 and in Maryland, and admitted to the U.S. District Courts for the Eastern and Western Districts of Virginia and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit, he has more than 45 years of courtroom experience.
A former Fairfax County prosecutor, he has tried cases ranging from serious personal injury and wrongful death to a landmark domestic-abuse injury case, and in 2006 he obtained what was then reported to be the largest jury verdict in Fairfax County Circuit Court for a domestic violence victim. He holds an AV Preeminent rating from Martindale-Hubbell and a 9.1 Avvo rating.
Richard MacDowell graduated cum laude, with honors, from Washington and Lee University, then worked in the United States Senate in the office of Senator Donald Riegle. After observing the legislative process firsthand, he chose a career in the law and earned his Juris Doctor from the Washington College of Law at American University in Washington, D.C., in 1981.
He began his legal career as a prosecuting attorney in the Fairfax County Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office in 1982. He then turned his litigation skills to civil practice, and over the next four decades handled a wide range of civil litigation, including wrongful death, personal injury, construction disputes, business litigation, employment matters, and domestic violence cases.
In 2006, he obtained what was then reported to be the first jury verdict in the Fairfax County Circuit Court for a domestic violence victim for injuries suffered during the marriage. (Deborah Martin vs. Ernest J. Lofgren) He also prevailed on appeal before the Virginia Court of Appeals in Ross v. Ross (Record No. 0748-17-4), which overturned the trial court’s durational limit on the wife’s spousal support award.
He founded MacDowell Law Group, PC in 2014, the successor to MacDowell & Associates, P.C. (1991 to 2013).
Many years ago, while serving as a prosecutor, Mr. MacDowell saw how devastating the loss of two young boys was to their parents after a tragic motor vehicle accident involving pedestrians.
That moment shaped the rest of his career. He vowed to do whatever he could in civil practice to meet the needs of families who suffer serious and catastrophic injuries, and he has devoted his firm to that goal. To render legal services to suffering families.
MacDowell Law Group is not a high-volume, warehouse-style firm. Richard believes clients deserve to pick up the phone and speak with the lawyer actually handling their case, someone who knows them and the details of what happened.
He tailors the case strategy to each client’s situation. He meets with clients to explain the entire process, and always works toward the best possible resolution without the need for trial, if at all possible.
At the same time, the firm operates from a position of strength: Richard knows how to prepare for trial and how to try these cases, and insurance companies know his reputation as a tough trial lawyer, which works to his clients’ advantage.
Representative results obtained by MacDowell Law Group, PC:
See more on the firm’s case results page.
Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Every case is different and depends on its own facts.
Richard focuses his practice on serious personal injury and wrongful death matters, including:
Drawing on his broad civil-litigation background, he also handles business representation, criminal and traffic defense, and divorce and family law matters. He represents clients throughout Northern Virginia, including Fairfax, Arlington, Loudoun, Prince William, and Fauquier Counties, and in the surrounding Virginia and Maryland communities.
As a firm, MacDowell Law Group reports more than 60 years of combined legal experience, over 50 years of personal injury litigation, and more than $25 million recovered for clients, with 150 jury trials taken to verdict and more than 1,000 cases settled.
Verified Profiles and Directory Listings
You can verify Richard MacDowell’s credentials and read independent client reviews on his attorney profiles:
“The MacDowell Law Group provided excellent service and support. The staff members were friendly, helpful, and made me feel comfortable throughout the whole process. Mr. MacDowell’s expertise and understanding exceeded any previous experience I’ve had. I highly recommend them as they would be the first ones I’d reach out to if a family member or friend ever needed legal services.”
“Richard McDowell has been our personal and corporate attorney for the better part of 40 years!! I’d recommend and have numerous times!! Best lawyer ever!!”
“Mr. Richard MacDowell and his law firm exemplify exceptional legal expertise, professionalism, and genuine care for their clients. Mr. MacDowell provided clear guidance, kept me informed throughout the process, and achieved outstanding results. I highly recommend him and his firm to anyone in need of top-tier legal representation.”
Injured in an accident in Northern Virginia? Talk with Richard MacDowell. Call (703) 277-2811 for a free consultation. Available 24/7.
MacDowell Law Group, PC, 10500 Sager Avenue, Suite F, Fairfax, VA 22030. Free personal injury consultations, with same-day and video appointments available.
