Andrea T. Dunbar

Overview

Andrea Dunbar has over fifteen years of experience assisting clients with high net-worth divorce and contested custody matters in Massachusetts and Rhode Island. In addition, she represents clients in all aspects of probate and family court litigation in both jurisdictions. Andrea is a skilled trial attorney as well as a superior negotiator. She assists her clients with achieving their goals through thoughtfully negotiated settlements, or litigation when necessary.

In her fiduciary litigation and trust and estate administration practice, Andrea advises clients on probate and trust law, including will contests, trust disputes, petitions to partition, accounting actions, guardianships and conservatorships. She has skillfully and strategically handled many high-conflict matters involving corporate fiduciaries, family businesses, and multi-generational trusts.

Andrea’s deep knowledge of the law and passion for helping people make her a dedicated, results driven advocate for her clients.

Before Bowditch

Prior to joining the firm, Andrea practiced in the areas of family law and fiduciary litigation at a highly regarded law firm in Boston and Providence. In addition, Andrea spent several years of her career assisting the justices of the Massachusetts Probate and Family Court as a Law Clerk and Assistant Judicial Case Manager.

Besides work

Andrea enjoys spending time with her family and attending her daughter’s sports games and activities. She is an avid reader, who frequently hosts book clubs, and enjoys dissecting the latest thriller or celebrity memoir. Andrea also loves to travel with her husband and friends, with Aruba and Hawaii being favorite travel destinations.

Affiliations

Board Member, The Edward P. Gallogly American Inn of Court
Vetted Professional, Vesta: A New Vision for Divorce
Member, Boston Bar Association
Member, Women’s Bar Association
Member, Rhode Island Bar Association
Member, Bristol County Bar Association

Honors

Lawdragon 500: Leading Family Lawyer (2024 and 2025)
Massachusetts Super Lawyers Rising Stars list (2013-2018)

Articles + Talks

ARTICLES

“Litigating Will Contests,” MCLE Fiduciary Litigation in the Probate Court 6th Edition, 2024
“Rhode Island Family Court Appellate Procedure,” MCLE A Practical Guide to Divorce in Rhode Island 3^rd Edition, 2024
“Serving Papers: The State of a Case,” Massachusetts Divorce Law Monitor, 2022
“Potential Changes to Interstate Custody Dispute Law in Massachusetts,” Massachusetts Divorce Law Monitor, 2016
“Divorce and Lottery Winnings: What Are the Chances?” Massachusetts Divorce Law Monitor, 2016
“What You Need to Know About Changes to Social Security,” Massachusetts Divorce Law Monitor, 2015
“Divorce and the Common Interest Privilege,” Massachusetts Divorce Law Monitor, 2015
“Are Custody Laws Different in MA and RI?” Massachusetts Divorce Law Monitor, 2015
“Gray Divorce: Retirement Accounts and Estate Planning,” Massachusetts Divorce Law Monitor, 2013
“Gray Divorce: Social Security and Medicare,” Massachusetts Divorce Law Monitor, 2013
“Parental Alienation in Divorce: The Kelly Rutherford Divorce Saga,” Massachusetts Divorce Law Monitor, 2012
“Reclaiming Your Name,” Massachusetts Divorce Law Monitor, 2011

Talks

Program Chair, Handling Unique Assets in Prenups and Divorce, MCLE, 2023
Cryptocurrency and Divorce – What it is, How to Locate it, and Once Found, What to do with it – Both as an Asset and as an Income Stream, MCLE Domestic Relations Financial Summit, 2023
Trusts and Divorce: Discovering Hidden Trusts, Reaching Trust Assets, Protecting Beneficiary’s Interest, Strafford, 2022

Bar Admissions

Massachusetts
Rhode Island
U.S. Supreme Court

Education

J.D., cum laude, Roger Williams University School of Law
B.A., summa cum laude, Salve Regina University

Experience

Represented a client in a Rhode Island custody matter that resulted in the custody of a child being returned to the client after eight years
Obtained a lucrative financial settlement for a Rhode Island divorce client who faced the possibility of serious financial complications
Represented a client in an extremely contentious custody battle involving multiple states and successfully reversed an adverse decision handed down prior to my representation on appeal
Successfully settled multiple high net worth divorces that required substantial knowledge of complicated assets and executive compensation
Skillfully negotiated a settlement agreement in multi-jurisdictional divorce matter involving complicated executive compensation and international assets and taxation

Insights + News