Blank Rome LLP

Richard Adago is a partner with the national matrimonial and family law practice of Blank Rome. He advises high net worth individuals in all aspects of family and matrimonial law, including prenuptial and postnuptial agreements, divorce matters, the preparation of settlement agreements, mediation, property distribution, paternity suits, custody and access issues, and other divorce issues relating to real estate, tax, and trust and estate planning. Mr. Adago has also represented individuals in the ever-evolving area of same-sex divorce litigation.

Mr. Adago has significant experience settling and litigating disputed cases before both the trial and appellate courts, and is an assertive and compassionate advocate who fights tenaciously for his clients. Although an experienced litigator and trial attorney with extensive experience in motion practice and discovery, he is also a strong advocate for mediation and settling matters out-of-court because he believes that, in many circumstances, out-of-court settlements are far more advantageous, cost effective and, ultimately, satisfying to his clients.

He prides himself on his attention to detail and dedication to guiding clients through what is often an emotionally grueling process and helping them through the legal process. His ultimate goal is obtaining the best results for his clients and ensuring that they understand that their best interests are always his priority.

Mr. Adago has practiced in this field for almost 20 years and has represented clients before the matrimonial and family court judges in New York City, Brooklyn, Westchester, and Nassau Counties.  He has also made contributions to drafting a number of briefs submitted to the Appellate Division, First and Second Departments, and the Court of Appeals.

Mr. Adago has also lectured as part of a panel at the LGBT Community Center in Manhattan, for a presentation titled “If Our Marriages End,” a program on same-sex marriage presented by The LGBT Bar Association of Great New York.

In addition, he handles a number of pro bono matters, primarily through the Sanctuary for Families Family Law Division.  His efforts on behalf of a female Iraqi war veteran who lost custody of her children were recently part of a documentary aired at the Robin Hood Foundation’s May 2011 Annual Gala. Moreover, he and his colleagues were recently featured in the December 2010 edition of Avenue Magazine in an article entitled “Avenue’s Legal Elite, Inside the World of Matrimonial and Family Law Attorneys.”  Mr. Adago is also an adjunct professor teaching in his field at Fordham Law School.

Following graduation, Mr. Adago was appointed an Assistant District Attorney with the New York County District Attorney’s Office, where he prosecuted misdemeanor and felony-level criminal matters from 1987 until leaving to practice matrimonial law in 1993.

COMMUNITY SERVICE & AFFILIATIONS

Mr. Adago serves on several fundraising committees for The Dwight School, an independent private school located in Manhattan.

He is a member of the Pro Bono and Legal Services Committee of the Bar Association of the City of New York, the New York State Bar Association (Family Law Section) and the New York County Lawyers Association.