Meet Rachel

Rachel Dowd is a Guardian ad Litem and family law attorney practicing primarily in the 21st Judicial Circuit in St. Louis, Missouri

Rachel is a graduate of the University of Missouri-Columbia where she received a Bachelor of Science in International Studies in 2009. Rachel received her Juris Doctor from Washington University School of Law in St. Louis in 2016. While in law school Rachel focused her coursework on litigation, trial advocacy and criminal justice. Rachel was an active member of student organizations, participated in Moot Court Competition and Trial Advocacy Courses, and worked in four internships in St. Louis and Santiago, Chile. While at Washington University Law School Rachel received the Scholar in Law Award (100% Tuition merit-based scholarship), the Spring 2013 Dean’s List, First Year Excellence in Oral Advocacy Award, and the CALI Award for receiving the highest grade in Legal Practice.

Rachel ​began her legal career as a criminal defense attorney for the Missouri State Public Defenders Office in the City of St. Louis. In that position she ardently advocated for her clients in and out of the courtroom as lead attorney in ten jury trials and over a dozen bench trials. During that time, Rachel specialized in representing youthful clients in both Family and Circuit Court. Rachel is a certified Trainer for the National Juvenile Defender Center’s Juvenile Training Immersion Program (JTIP).

From 2020 to 2023 Rachel practiced civil litigation in the St. Louis area. At that time she specialized in representing clients in many types of personal injury cases, including car collisions, premises liability, and civil rights lawsuits. She also represented clients in contract disputes and commercial litigation.

Rachel is licensed to practice law in Missouri and is admitted to practice before the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri. Rachel is a member of the Women Lawyers’ Association – St. Louis.