When Richard looks at the files on his desk, he doesn't see case numbers or court dates. He sees people, families, children... who may be going through one of the most difficult times of their lives.

At Levy & Craig, family law is a highly sensitive and personal practice area. It not only requires an edge that helps to protect families through divorce or other family crises. It requires empathy. Richard has both.

“Because each outcome will impact someone’s life at the most basic and personal level, we treat every case is if it involved our own children and our own property," he said. "We understand just how important these cases are to our clients."

Richard thoroughly analyzes the client’s case, then recommends the most effective solution based on the client’s wishes and relevant law.

"It is very rewarding to help people through such trying times," he said.

Family law attracted Richard because it lets him focus on a specific practice area while providing services to a diverse clientele. He has handled everything from pro bono cases with few assets to cases involving significant estates and complex business holdings. The most difficult cases, however, are those involving child custody and parenting time.

"By handling each case with care, compassion and a full knowledge of the legal issues surrounding the matter, I know I have the ability to obtain a successful outcome for the client."

Before joining Levy & Craig in 1997, Richard served mostly family law clients for five years as a solo practitioner in Overland Park, Kan. Prior to that, he worked at another law firm in Missouri and Kansas, working in the tax and closely held corporations division.

PUBLISHED APPELLATE CASES
> Buschardt v. Jones, 998 S.W. 2d 791 (Mo Ct App 1999) – (child
   custody, relocations, limitations on restrictions in custody orders
   and judicial bias)
> In re the Marriage of Kuzanek, 279 Kan. 156 (2005) – (maintenance)
> Clance v. Clance, 127 S.W.3d 716 (Mo. Ct. App 2004) (property
   division, maintenance)

ACTIVITIES
> Member, Phi Beta Kappa, since 1985
> Member, Beta Gamma Sigma, since 1985

EDUCATION
> J.D., Yale Law School, New Haven, Conn., 1988
> B.S., Business, Lehigh University, Bethlehem, Pa., 1985

BAR ADMISSIONS
> Kansas, 1993
> Missouri, 1988