For more than three decades Kieth Rieger has stood out as one of Long Island’s leading divorce lawyers. His broad legal skills,his capacity to empathize with clients, and calm, reasoned temperament, have all earned him a strong reputation - and a record of successes - handling even the most sensitive and difficult cases, other attorneys say.

Shortly after graduating from Hofstra Law School (“My father encouraged me to become a lawyer”), Rieger clerked for a New Jersey judge, which gave Rieger valuable experience in preparing cases for trial. Later, in the early 1980s, the Levittown, N.Y., native joined a prominent Nassau County matrimonial firm; in three years was elevated to partner.

He took on more and more challenging and complex cases, including a landmark custody case involving the rights of a non-biological father, a case that set legal precedents for the best interests of children. He has tried several important custody relocation cases. On the financial side, Rieger has been involved in complex cases and trials involving equitable distribution of closely held businesses, including professional practices and manufacturing, wholesale, and retail businesses. He has extensively examined and cross-examined expert forensic accountants.

In 2012 Reiger’s son Josh joined the practice, and the younger Rieger is now a partner. They collaborate on many of their cases today.

A toy shark adorns the senior Rieger’s desk, but Rieger is more wise counselor than predator. Indeed, Rieger’s professional ascent stems in part from his community participation, as he lectures and writes frequently on divorce law, and has held numerous leadership positions. Rieger is a special professor of law at Hofstra Law School, where he has taught courses on valuation of assets and matrimonial legal writing for several years. He is also past Dean of the Nassau Academy of Law which plans and organizes continuing legal education for the Nassau County Bar Association.