Rita practices family law, adoption, and attorney ethics and discipline. She was named in the Super Lawyers list of the Top 25 Family Law Attorneys in 2006-2008 and to the Super Lawyers list of the Top 50 Women Attorneys in 2008-2009 and 2009-2010. She is a fellow of the American Academy of Adoption Attorneys, a past member of the Board of Trustees and Board of Grievances, a fellow of the American Academy of Assisted Reproduction Technology Attorneys, and a member of the Association of Professional Responsibility Lawyers. A frequent speaker on family law, adoption/assisted reproduction, and legal ethics, Rita also serves as a mediator/settlement master. She is a designated counsel for the Commission on Judicial Conduct's prosecution of judicial misconduct. Rita speaks frequently at universities and public forums around the country and works with community efforts on the complex issues of restorative justice. Rita was on a sabbatical, teaching at the University of Mississippi for the 2009-2010 academic year. She returned to her practice at Skellenger Bender as of June 2010.