Brown Carrington
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4.8 from 489 Google reviews

Family Law Attorneys · Cincinnati, Ohio

Family law, handled with precision.

From our Blue Ash office, Brown Carrington provides trusted family law representation to individuals and families throughout Greater Cincinnati, with decades of experience in family law and in the local courts.

  • Divorce, custody & high-asset matters across Southwest Ohio
  • Trial-ready preparation behind every negotiation
  • Discreet, direct counsel from senior attorneys

“Dorothy saw the flaws in the report and she suggested we keep fighting. If you want the type of attorney who figures out how to win, do yourself a huge favor and call Dorothy Walsh Ripka!”

RRob K.Client of Dorothy Walsh RipkaGoogle
Dorothy Walsh RipkaMichael McNeil

Meet with Dorothy Walsh Ripka or Michael McNeil

Schedule a confidential consultation

Step 1 of 4Private & confidential
How can we help you?

Prefer to talk? Call 513.334.3050

5.0
Cincinnati office
Avvo Rating 10.0 Superb
BBB Accredited Business, A+ rated
Super Lawyers
The National Trial Lawyers Top 40 Under 40
American Institute of Family Law Attorneys (AIFLA)

Practice areas

How can we help you?

Our Cincinnati attorneys focus exclusively on family law. Whether your matter calls for quiet negotiation or a courtroom, we build every case as if a judge will decide it.

01

Divorce and Separation

Clear guidance through divorce, legal separation, property division, spousal support and every next step. Negotiated firmly, prepared for trial.

Discuss your case
02

Child Custody

Parenting time, allocation of parental rights, relocation and modifications. Strategy built around your children’s stability and your relationship with them.

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03

High-Asset & Complex Divorce

Business valuations, executive compensation, real estate portfolios and retirement assets. We learn the balance sheet before we advise on it.

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04

Family Agreements

Prenuptial, postnuptial and separation agreements drafted with precision, so the terms protect what matters long after they’re signed.

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05

Mediation & Collaborative Law

Led by one of Cincinnati’s most experienced collaborative family lawyers. A private, measured path to settlement when both parties are willing.

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06

Support & Modifications

Child support, spousal support and post-decree changes when circumstances shift. Practical, numbers-first advice that holds up in court.

Discuss your case

Client reviews

In our clients' words.

4.8
Based on 489 Google reviews across our offices

  • “I now have my children”

    I was in a nasty custody battle that led to a lot of emotional and mental abuse at the expense of my children. Thanks to my attorney Dorothy Ripka, I now have my children and they’re not only safe, but they are happiest they’ve been a long time. As a father, I can say with confidence that Dorothy and this firm care about their client and their families. It is more than just a case to them, it is a mission.

    Allen S.Client of Dorothy Walsh RipkaGoogleReview

  • “She suggested we keep fighting”

    I was fighting for custody of my son, as I was devastated by the thought of becoming just an ‘every-other-weekend dad’. Dorothy saw the flaws in the report and she suggested we keep fighting. In the end, we won in a huge landslide, getting far more than we were asking for! If you want the type of attorney who figures out how to win, do yourself a huge favor and call Dorothy Walsh Ripka!

    Rob K.Client of Dorothy Walsh RipkaGoogleReview

  • “Consistently informative and supportive”

    The firm as a whole was very pleasant to work with, and I highly recommend them. They were consistently informative and supportive.

    Randy G.Cincinnati clientGoogleReview

  • “Paralegal team on point”

    Highly recommend. They are well managed. Paralegal team on point. Thank you so much Brown Carrington for the support, responsiveness, and care during our partnership. Don’t get divorced without them!

    Ryan A.Cincinnati clientGoogleReview

  • “The best choice I could have made”

    Choosing this firm was the best choice I could have made regarding my divorce. The team was so kind and patient in explaining all of the details of what would take place, and took a process that seemed impossible to get through and ensured that none of the stress of it remained on my plate. I would highly recommend their services!

    Kimberly S.Brown Carrington clientGoogleReview

Our approach

You can tell a lot about a lawyer by the way they talk to you.

Brown Carrington’s Cincinnati office was established to reflect our longstanding commitment to families throughout Southwest Ohio. Built on deep roots in the legal community, our team brings decades of experience, not only in family law but in the Cincinnati area.

Years of combined experience
60
Cincinnati Google rating
5.0
Offices
8
Families helped
1,000s
Michael McNeil talking with a client in the Brown Carrington Cincinnati office

“Clear eyes, straight answers, and a strategy built around what matters to you.”

Preparation is a habit.

Every case is built as if a judge will decide it. The strongest settlements are negotiated by people who are ready for trial.

We’ll tell you the truth.

When a fight is worth having, we’ll say so. When it isn’t, we’ll say that too, even if it means less work for us.

Discretion is strength.

Your company, your reputation, your children. None of it belongs in a spectacle. A measured, prepared and relentless approach has the better record.

Your Cincinnati attorneys

Senior counsel, from the first call.

Dorothy Walsh Ripka, Partner · Cincinnati & Denver

Dorothy Walsh Ripka

Partner · Cincinnati & Denver

“I have a passion for what I do, and am strengthened by the opportunities to be an advocate for my clients.”

A seasoned litigator who thrives in high-conflict and complex family law matters. Dorothy spent twenty-one years as a Litigation Partner at a national family law firm, mentoring the next generation of family lawyers. Her degree in psychology brings a rare understanding of human behavior to the courtroom.

Years in family law
24+
States licensed
6
Years as litigation partner
21
  • J.D., cum laude, St. Louis University
  • B.A. Psychology, high honors, University of Illinois Springfield
Meet with Dorothy
Michael McNeil, Attorney · Cincinnati

Michael McNeil

Attorney · Cincinnati

Strategic family law backed by decades of experience.

Mike has practiced family law for more than 35 years and is a past co-chair of the Cincinnati Association of Collaborative Professionals. He weighs every potential path to resolution: collaborative where it works, and experienced judgment where it doesn’t.

Years in practice
35+
Admitted to the Ohio bar
1991
Cincinnati resident since
1988
  • J.D., University of Cincinnati College of Law
  • Cincinnati Academy of Collaborative Lawyers
  • Cincinnati & Ohio Bar Associations
Meet with Michael
A client talking with a staff member at the Brown Carrington reception desk in the Blue Ash office

Not sure who to speak to?

Tell us a little about your situation and we'll match you with the right attorney.

Schedule a consultationOr call 513.334.3050
Brown Carrington attorneys and staff talking in the bright lounge of the Blue Ash office

Blue Ash · Greater Cincinnati

A calm place to talk through what comes next.

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Your consultation

Ready to take the next step?

Get started
  1. 1

    Tell us about your situation

    Answer a few short, non-intrusive questions online or call our Blue Ash office. Everything you share is confidential.

  2. 2

    Meet your attorney

    Sit down in person, by video or by phone with a senior attorney who will explain your options plainly, including the ones you may not want to hear.

  3. 3

    Leave with a plan

    You’ll understand the likely path, the timeline and the next steps, so you can make decisions with clear eyes.

Questions

Frequently asked.

Can't find what you're looking for? Call 513.334.3050 and we'll talk it through.

Do I need to come to the office for a consultation?

No. Consultations can be held in person at our Blue Ash office on Carver Road, by video call, or by phone, whichever is most comfortable and discreet for you.

Which areas do you serve from the Cincinnati office?

We represent individuals and families throughout Southwest Ohio, including Blue Ash, Montgomery, Indian Hill, Mariemont, Mason, West Chester, Hyde Park and the wider Greater Cincinnati area.

Will my divorce or custody case go to trial?

Most cases resolve before trial. We prepare every case as if a judge will decide it, because the strongest settlements are negotiated by attorneys who are ready for court.

Is mediation or collaborative divorce right for me?

When both parties are willing, a collaborative or mediated process can be faster, more private and less adversarial. Michael McNeil, a past co-chair of the Cincinnati Association of Collaborative Professionals, can help you decide whether it fits.

Is what I share kept confidential?

Yes. Information you share with us is treated confidentially. Submitting our form does not by itself create an attorney-client relationship, but we handle every inquiry with discretion.

What should I bring to my consultation?

Bring whatever you have to hand, such as any court papers you have received, details about your children, income, property and debts, and a list of your questions. If you do not have everything, come anyway and we can talk through what to gather next.

Blue Ash, Ohio

Visit our Cincinnati office.

Proudly serving

  • Blue Ash
  • Montgomery
  • Indian Hill
  • Mariemont
  • Mason
  • West Chester
  • Hyde Park
  • Greater Cincinnati
A client talking with a staff member at the Brown Carrington reception desk in the Blue Ash office

Address

9987 Carver Rd, Suite 420
Cincinnati, OH 45242

Hours

Monday to Friday: 8:00am to 6:00pmSaturday: By appointment

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Talk to a Cincinnati family lawyer, in confidence.

Speak with an experienced attorney about your options, with no obligation to go further.

Schedule a consultationCall 513.334.3050