Richard J. Colten

An accomplished professional, Richard J. Colten is a principal attorney and partner at the law firm of Blankingship & Keith, PC. He has been helping families in Fairfax, Virginia, navigate complex legal issues in the most efficient and cost-effective way for the past 50 years.

Mr. Colten obtained his Juris Doctor, with honors, from The George Washington University Law School in 1972 after receiving his bachelor’s degree from American University in 1965. He is licensed to practice in Virginia (1972), the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia, the Supreme Court of the United States, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 4th Circuit and the Virginia Supreme Court.

Along with a successful track record in and out of the court, Mr. Colten has earned the respect of his peers, former clients, opposing counsel and judges. He tries to resolve legal issues through mediation, negotiation or arbitration, but he realizes that it is not always possible and does not hesitate to push the case through every step of litigation.

Mr. Colten understands the challenges and strain a legal issue puts on an individual and offers compassionate legal services, enabling them to make a fresh start. He is, perhaps, most well-known for his work in divorce, child custody and support, alimony/spousal maintenance, complex property division, pre- and postnuptial agreements, post-divorce modifications, paternity, child abduction, same-sex issues and parental relocation. He also handles general civil litigation and personal injury matters.

As a testament to his high level of professional excellence and ethical standards, Mr. Colten was awarded an AV Preeminent* rating from Martindale-Hubbell and named to Virginia Business magazine's “Legal Elite” list. He was recognized by The Best Lawyers in America consistently since 1989 and selected for inclusion in America’s Most Honored Professionals list by the American Registry.

A long-standing member of the Virginia State Bar, Mr. Colten has served the organization in various capacities. He was appointed as a member of the Virginia State Bar Disciplinary Board by the Virginia Supreme Court, and he served in this position for 15-plus years. Additionally, he was a part of its Public Service Committee, Judicial Nominations Committee and Grievance Committee and Standing Committee on Lawyer Discipline – to name a few.

 *AV®, AV Preeminent®, Martindale-Hubbell Distinguished and Martindale-Hubbell Notable are certification marks used under license in accordance with the Martindale-Hubbell certification procedures, standards and policies. Martindale-Hubbell® is the facilitator of a peer review rating process. Ratings reflect the anonymous opinions of members of the bar and the judiciary. Martindale-Hubbell® Peer Review Rating™ fall into two categories – legal ability and general ethical standards.