About Richard MacDowell
Richard MacDowell Jr. began his academic journey at Washington & Lee University, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts in 1972. Nearly a decade later he returned to formal legal study and completed his Juris Doctor at the University of Washington School of Law in 1981. Those two institutions bookend a period of early professional and political engagement that shaped his approach to law.
Before attending law school, MacDowell spent time on Capitol Hill. In 1976 he served as an aide to U.S. Senator Donald Riegle, a role that exposed him to legislative drafting, constituent concerns and the daily mechanics of federal policymaking. That experience gave him an early, practical education in how law and public policy interact.
After finishing law school he moved into public-sector legal work. In 1982 he took a post as an assistant lawyer for the Commonwealth of Virginia. There he handled matters arising under state law and worked within the frameworks of governmental practice. The role required balancing statutory interpretation, administrative procedures and the practical needs of government clients.
MacDowell’s career reflects a steady engagement with public law rather than commercial litigation. He has built experience at the intersection of government operations and legal process. His time as a Senate aide informed his understanding of legislative intent, while his work for the Commonwealth developed his competence in administrative and regulatory matters.
He remains an active member of several professional organizations. He holds memberships in the Fairfax County Bar Association, the Virginia Bar Association and the American Bar Association. Those affiliations keep him connected to peers across local and national practice communities and provide ongoing access to resources on developments in state and federal law.
Throughout his career MacDowell has practiced law in Virginia. He has combined hands-on government service with legal practice, moving between policy work and advising clients on state-centered legal issues. He continues to practice in Virginia and draws on his background in government and legislative work when advising clients on matters involving state and local government and administrative processes.
