Ferris Ritchey has more than 35 years of experience in a wide range of legal matters with an emphasis on Domestic Relations, Mediation, Collaborative, Probate and Estate Planning. As a domestic relations attorney, Ferris attempts to resolve complex divorce issues such as custody and property settlement in a manner to avoid litigation if possible.
Ferris now focuses his practice in the areas of alternative dispute resolution, family law, estate planning and probate law. Though parties in a divorce will no longer be husband and wife, they will continue to be Mom and Dad, attending their child or children’s school functions, ball games, recitals, extra-curricular activities, graduations, weddings and more. To posture a case in a way that results in the destruction of the family is a disservice that should be avoided. This philosophy bodes well in probate matters also.
Ferris works closely with trained and experienced health professionals to assist his clients in navigating the perils of divorce and similar type cases. In addition to divorce, the specific areas of Ferris’ family law practice include post-divorce matters such as modifications, contempt or rule nisi, child support and the like.
Ferris is admitted to practice in Alabama in both State and Federal Courts and is a member of the Alabama and Birmingham Bar Associations. He received a Bachelor of Science Degree from the University of Alabama in 1981 and received his Doctor of Jurisprudence Degree from Samford University’s Cumberland School of Law in 1984.
Mr. Ritchey has been a very active member in the legal community where he has served as President of the Birmingham Bar Foundation. He also served as President, Birmingham Bar Association Young Lawyers Section, President, Homewood Chamber of Commerce, Executive Committee – Family Law Section of the Alabama State Bar, Executive Committee – Birmingham Bar Association and Birmingham Bar Foundation – 2012 Member of Birmingham Bar Foundation’s Inaugural Fellows Class – Leadership Shelby County Class of 2011.
Education
- Samford University’s Cumberland School of Law, J.D., 1984
- University of Alabama, B.A., 1981
Certifications
- Alabama Center for Dispute Resolution
- Mediation and Domestic Mediation Training
- Interdisciplinary Collaborative Divorce Training Birmingham Collaborative Alliance
Bar Admissions
- Alabama, 1984
Professional Organizations
- Alabama State Bar
- Birmingham Bar Association
- American Bar Association
- 2001-2002 Executive Committee – Family Law Section of the Alabama State Bar
- 2002-2004 Executive Committee -Birmingham Bar Association
- 2005-2009 Executive Committee -Birmingham Bar Foundation
Community and Professional Service
- 1992 President, Homewood Chamber of Commerce
- 1993 President, Birmingham Bar Association Young Lawyers Section
- 2008 President, Birmingham Bar Foundation (Charitable Arm of the Bar Association)
- 2012 President, Shelby County Family Resource Center