Blankingship & Keith Strengthens Family Law Practice with Addition of Richard Colten and Thomas Cusick

Blankingship & Keith, PC is pleased to announce that Richard J. Colten and Thomas M. Cusick, formerly with Colten Watson Vincent Law Group P.C., are joining the firm’s growing Family Law practice.

“We are delighted that Dick and Tom, two highly respected attorneys in the field of family law in Virginia, are joining our firm,” said William B. Porter, Blankingship & Keith’s managing principal. “Their reputation as highly skilled negotiators and litigators will be an asset to our family law practice, as we continue to grow in this area.”

David R. Clarke, principal and head of the firm’s Family Law practice said, “Susan Whyte and I are very pleased to have Dick and Tom join the firm’s Family Law team. They bring a wealth of knowledge and experience and will enhance our busy practice.”

Colten was a founding member and principal of Colten Watson Vincent Law Group and its predecessor firms. Although he has heavily concentrated his practice in the area of family law, Colten’s extensive experience in criminal defense law, civil litigation, commercial law, and appellate practice, enables him to better assist clients with all aspects of their domestic relations concerns. Prior to forming Colten Watson Vincent Law Group, he served as Assistant Commonwealth's Attorney in Fairfax County.

“It’s with a mixture of regret at the conclusion of a lengthy and successful association with Colten Watson Vincent Law Group, and with pleasurable anticipation in the forging of new accords that I join Blankingship & Keith,” said Colten. “Both Tom and I are excited about this new endeavor, and look forward to maintaining and reinforcing our many fine relationships both within and outside the legal community. I wish my cherished former partners Jim Watson and Edna Vincent a wonderful and well-deserved retirement.”

Colten has received numerous recognitions for prominence in the field, both nationally and locally, including receiving Martindale Hubbell's top rating of AV, which he has held for over 30 years. He has for many years served the legal profession and the community through his support of, and participation in, national, state and local professional and community service organizations and endeavors. He is a Commissioner in Chancery and Conciliator and Neutral Case Evaluator for equitable distribution cases in the Fairfax County Circuit Court and occasionally serves as a Circuit Court Judge Pro Tempore by judicial appointment. Colten is a former director of the Fairfax County Legal Aid Society, Legal Services of Northern Virginia and the Fairfax County Bar Association. He is currently a member of the Virginia State Bar Disciplinary Board

Colten graduated with honors from the National Law Center at George Washington University and received his undergraduate degree from American University. He is a member of the Virginia State Bar and is licensed to practice in all state trial and appellate courts in the Commonwealth of Virginia, the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia, the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of Virginia, and the Supreme Court of the United States.

Cusick focuses his practice on complex family law negotiation and litigation. His practice encompasses all areas of family law including divorce, equitable distribution, child custody, child support, spousal support, support collection, negotiation and drafting of prenuptial, postnuptial, and divorce settlement agreements, business valuation, pension division, 401(k) and TSP distribution, and military retirement division. Cusick is also experienced in resolving disputes between unmarried persons including paternity determinations and division of personal property.

Cusick is a cum laude graduate from the T.C. Williams School of Law at the University of Richmond. He received his Bachelor of Arts degree in History from Virginia Tech University.

Prior to joining the firm, Cusick served as a law clerk for the 23rd Judicial Circuit of Virginia, working with the Circuit Court judges in Roanoke City, Roanoke County, and the City of Salem. He is admitted to practice law in all state trial and appellate courts in the Commonwealth of Virginia.