Colby L. Rieke

Colby Rieke is an experienced domestic relations attorney with more than 20 years of experience representing clients in Kansas and Missouri. As President, a member of McDowell Rice’s Executive Board, and its leader of the Family Law & Divorce and Wills, Trusts & Estate Planning Practice Groups, Mr. Rieke focuses his practice on divorce, paternity, child custody, child support, and maintenance (alimony) matters. He represents both mothers and fathers, guiding clients through the emotional and financial complexities of family law with skill, empathy, and discretion.

Mr. Rieke represents a distinguished clientele that includes business leaders, such as successful owners, executives, and entrepreneurs with substantial business interests and equity positions who require strategic valuation, asset protection, and preservation of enterprise integrity throughout the divorce process. His clients also include high-earning professionals—physicians, attorneys, and corporate executives—navigating complex compensation structures, stock options, deferred benefits, and professional practice interests, where precision and financial acumen are essential to achieving equitable results. Public figures, including entertainers, athletes, and media personalities, can rely on his discretion, judgment, and ability to protect their reputations while resolving sensitive family law matters. In addition, Mr. Rieke counsels individuals reentering professional life after years devoted to family, ensuring their contributions are fairly recognized and their future financial security and independence thoughtfully protected.

Mr. Rieke brings deep knowledge of the nuances of both Kansas and Missouri family courts, leveraging this expertise to develop creative, effective solutions for even the most complex cases. Whether through skilled negotiation, mediation, or aggressive litigation when necessary, he is dedicated to protecting his clients’ rights while minimizing conflict and emotional strain. His steadfast goal is to exhaust every opportunity for an amicable resolution before engaging in contested litigation.

With a reputation for handling high-net-worth and contentious domestic cases, Mr. Rieke collaborates closely with financial planners, forensic and valuation experts, accountants, and mental health professionals to ensure his clients have a strong, multidisciplinary team supporting their interests. His background in estate planning and probate adds significant value when analyzing business valuations, complex property divisions, and the preservation of marital and non-marital assets.

Mr. Rieke’s excellence in family law has earned him consistent professional recognition. He was honored by the Kansas City Business Journal as one of Twenty to Know – Legal (2024) and has been named a Super Lawyer® in Family Law in Kansas and Missouri every year since 2019, following prior recognition as a Rising Star® from 2014 through 2018.

Beyond his legal practice, Mr. Rieke is a committed servant leader in his community. He serves on the Board of Trustees and the Strategic Plan Committee for St. Thomas Aquinas High School, serves on the Catholic Charities of Northeast Kansas Annual Golf Classic Committee, and volunteers his time and talents to numerous charitable events and causes throughout the region.