
Dana Jo-Ann Richardson
Helping family law and criminal defense clients find freedom and peace.
What Is My Why? – PEACE
During my early working years, I was a Paramedic. Yes, a Paramedic, as in lights, sirens, stretchers, IVs and yelling, “Clear!” before sending 300 joules of electricity into someone’s heart in hopes of saving their life. Stress and working well under pressure is nothing new to me. After giving birth to my son, Alexander, I decided to go back to school. I was not sure in which direction I wanted to go. I had always wanted to become a world renowned chef and open my own restaurant so I went to culinary school. Yes, Culinary school as in crème brule and crepe Suzette. After earning my associate degree in Specialized Technology, Culinary Arts, and completing my externship at the Opryland Hotel in Nashville, TN, I realized that I wanted to do more to help people. I thought long and hard about who I was at my core and the type of mark I wanted to leave upon the world, and I landed squarely on the practice of law.
During my early years of practicing law, I became drawn to the practice of Family Law because I noticed an opportunity to make a real impact in peoples’ lives by helping them navigate through matters such as divorce and custody. I saw that I not only able to do the legal work, but through our work together I was able to help my clients craft and execute plans to restore peace in their lives. I believe that I am effective in helping my clients because I know what is like to live a life that lacks peace.
I grew up in the Homewood area of Pittsburgh and although I enjoyed a happy and peaceful childhood, I was not immune from seeing how issues such as violence, drug addiction and crime impacted other families around me.
By the time I was a young adult my childhood home had deteriorated into a dysfunctional nightmare that contained atrocities such as physical abuse, mental abuse, rape, drug use, crime, narcissism, gaslighting, and people with serious psychiatric issues within its walls. This was a stark contrast to the happiness, peace, and
- Family Law
- Adoption, Child Custody, Child Support, Father's Rights, Guardianship & Conservatorship, Paternity, Prenups & Marital Agreements, Restraining Orders, Same Sex Family Law
- Divorce
- Collaborative Law, Contested Divorce, Military Divorce, Property Division, Same Sex Divorce, Spousal Support & Alimony, Uncontested Divorce
- Domestic Violence
- Domestic Violence Criminal Defense, Domestic Violence Restraining Orders, Victims Rights , Victims Rights
- Criminal Law
- Criminal Appeals, Drug Crimes, Expungement, Fraud, Gun Crimes, Internet Crimes, Sex Crimes, Theft, Violent Crimes
- DUI & DWI
- Free Consultation
- Credit Cards Accepted
- Pennsylvania
-
- 3rd Circuit
-
- U.S. Supreme Court
-
- English: Spoken, Written
- DUI Defense Lawyers Association
- Current
- Member and Continuing Legal Education Instructor.
- National Black Lawyers
- Current
- Pennsylvania Bar Institute
- Current
- Continuing Legal Education Instructor.
- Duquesne University School of Law
- J.D. (2007) | Law
- -
-
- Point Park University
- B.A. (2002) | Legal Studies
- -
- Honors: Graduated with highest honor. Summa Cum Laude
- Activities: Vice President of the Alpha Chi, National Honor Society
-
- 25th Fastest Growing Law Firm in the County
- Law Firm 500
- 15th Fastest Growing Law Firm in the Country
- Law Firm 500
- 34th Fastest Growing Law Firm in the Country
- Law Firm 500
- Allegheny County Bar Association
- Member
- Current
-
- Cambria County Bar Association
- Member
- Current
-
- Pennsylvania Bar association
- Member
- Current
-
- Pennsylvania State Bar
- Member
- - Current
-
- Crimes Cons and Capers, Families on The Wrong Side of The Law, Television
- Very Local TV
- American Gangster Trap Queens, Season 3 Episode 9, Television
- BET +
- Legal Commentator
- Cross Examination Techniques, Diving Into A DUI Case, Key West Florida
- DUI Defense Lawyers Association
- PBI Family Law 101, CLE, Pittsburgh PA
- Pennsylvania Bar Institute
- Juris Doctorate Degree
- Duquesne University School of Law
- Bachelors of Arts
- Point Park University