Darin C. Gardner

Darin C. Gardner

4.8
Rating: 9.7

Licensed for 24 years

Family Lawyer at Jacksonville Beach, FL
Practice Areas: Family, Criminal Defense, Divorce & Separation ... +13 more

320 North 1st Street, Suite 710, Jacksonville Beach, FL

About Darin

Biography

Practice Areas

16

Practice Areas

Family 15%

I handle all range of family law cases, including complex divorce, equitable distribution, parenting plans and time-sharing, alimony, child support and attorney's fees. I also represent clients in modification and contempt actions. My trial skills learned as a State prosecutor have assisted me tremendously in providing effective and aggressive representation to all of my family law clients.

19 years

15%
Criminal Defense 10%

I represent client in all areas of criminal defense, including criminal traffic infractions, misdemeanors and all levels of felony charges. My experience and trial skills learned as a prosecutor have assisted me in helping successfully defend many cases for my clients.

19 years

10%
Domestic Violence 5%

Domestic violence is a difficult area. I have handled many domestic violence related cases as both a State prosecutor, including domestic related homicides, and in private practice. This includes criminal charges, domestic violence issues in divorce cases, and domestic violence injunctions.

26 years

5%

Fees and Rates

Cost

Retainer

Sometimes


Payment Methods

  • Cash
  • Check
  • Credit Card

Looking for an attorney? Avvo can help.

search module image

Search our directory

Quickly connect with top attorneys through our legal directory to get help with your legal issue.

chat module image

Avvo's live chat agents can help coordinate a consultation with a local attorney.

Chat with a live agent who can match you with the right attorney for your legal needs.

Chat with

Licenses

Licensed in Florida for 24 years

State: Florida

Acquired: 2001

Member in Good Standing

No misconduct found

Location

Coplan-Gardner & Gardner, P.A.

320 North 1st Street, Suite 710, Jacksonville Beach, FL, 32250

Ad

Transform legal challenges into solutions.

Connect now to review your situation.

The Avvo Rating explained

display-bg

The Avvo Rating explained

Darin C. Gardner's Reviews

Avvo Review Score

4.8 /5.0

13 Client Reviews

5 star (11) 4 star (2)
3 star (0)
2 star (0)
1 star (0)

Posted by David | March 20, 2022 | Hired Attorney

This review is from a person who hired this attorney.

Best family court lawyer in Jacksonville, and I dealt with 4!

Any chance I get to endorse Darin Gardner, I will. As I said, in my case, I dealt with 4 separate attorneys before getting any real results. He set my case on the most direct path to the courtroom, where the others just seemed to want to run up bills. His level of preparation is second to none, and w...e got the outcome he wanted. I have a friend/former coworker in a somewhat similar situation that I was in, and personally recommended he hire Darin. If you are looking to light money on fire, hire someone else. If you want results, hire Darin.

Posted by anonymous | October 17, 2017 | Hired Attorney

This review is from a person who hired this attorney.

Top Notch Representation

Darin C. Gardner was level headed and direct with his questioning and his proactive approach. His dynamic team was above and beyond what I could have ever asked. His experience proved who he was in character and he fought for my children & I. His detailed efforts even proved effective 5 years late...r in reviewing my divorce and custody! I appreciated Darin's individual dedication to my case and I never once felt like I was just another client. He and his staff do everything in their ability to assure you of their capabilities. I highly recommend Darin and his competent staff. I was referred by my friend Tracey and I am eternally grateful and blessed for his efforts. Thank you Darin!

Posted by Jon | March 16, 2016 | Hired Attorney

This review is from a person who hired this attorney.

Darin Gardner

Darin was very available and handled my child custody nicely. He was able to present the facts timely and competently in front of the Judge. He made suggestions that were beneficial during the case preparation and hearing.

Posted by Richard | October 3, 2014

Very pleased with the outcome!

Darin Gardner was very thorough in preparation for my case. He requested supporting documents for every part of it. The former wife's lawyer was not as well prepared. After hearing from both sides, the judge immediately ruled in my favor, (it was not difficult to see that the reason for my FW's motio...n was not legitimate). The outcome was better than I had hoped for. His paralegal, Teri Hooper was also extremely helpful, as far as accessibility and providing a direct line to Mr. Gardner. Legal proceedings, as we all know, can be very stressful, and The Law Offices of Coplan-Gardner & Gardner p.a. gave me a very positive sense of confidence throughout the entire ordeal. I would most certainly recommend Darin and his team to anyone in need of his type of representation.

Posted by K.A.D. | March 20, 2014

Best Family Lawyer in FL

Daren and team are absolutely incredible. I had hired a different lawyer before Daren and I was not happy with the strategy of the previous lawyer. I then changed lawyers and contacted Daren. He made time for me during my first visit for my child's timesharing and divorce case. Daren took the time... to review my entire case from scratch, asked critical questions on current status and developed a winning strategy for the best interest of my child. Plan 'A' was to propose a settlement, which was refused by opposing counsel. Plan 'B' was mediation and Plan 'C' was final court hearing. We never got to Plan 'C'. During the mediation Daren presented the facts of the case in a way that the opposing counsel realized that there was no way they were going to win at trial. Daren knows how to build a case and can piece the facts together from point A to point B. We settled the case at mediation, all payments that I was making to wife from the results of the temporary needs hearing was ceased, I had majority time before and even had additional time with my child. Absolutely remarkable. I will recommend Daren to anyone who needs a lawyer because he will build a solid case, has a winning strategy and looks out for the best interest of the minor and the future needs. Thank you Daren, you are the best.

See All Client Reviews

Darin C. Gardner's Lawyer Endorsements

Endorse Darin
Steven Alan Leitman headshot
Steven Leitman

Divorce and separation lawyer | Mar 23

Relationship: Opposing Counsel on matter

"Darin feels very comfortable in the courtroom. He fights hard for his clients and is always prepared when he steps into court. He is very responsive and when the need arises I do not hesitate to give his name to a potential client."

Philip Michael Moffitt headshot
Philip Moffitt

Family lawyer | Mar 11

Relationship: Opposing Counsel on matter

"I endorse this lawyer. Mr. Gardner is a knowledgeable and professional attorney."

Dan W. Armstrong headshot
Dan Armstrong

Criminal defense lawyer | Mar 08

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer. Mr. Gardner is an honest, ethical, and hard working attorney for his clients. I do not hesitate to recommend his office's services to my clients."

Elliot Zisser headshot
Elliot Zisser

Divorce and separation lawyer | Aug 23

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer. Darin is a hard working honest, ethical lawyer. He is thorough and has excellent trial skills."

Lisa Coplan-Gardner headshot
Lisa Coplan-Gardner

Criminal defense lawyer | Dec 12

Relationship: Co-worker

"I highly recommend Darin as a criminal defense attorney as well as Family Law Attorney. He is a one of a kind type of lawyer. He just has that "it" factor. He works harder than any lawyer I know on his cases. He gets personally involved in his cases as if the matter was happening to him. If you have a criminal matter or family law matter, you want Darin as your attorney."

Michael S. Waddington headshot
Michael Waddington

Family lawyer | Oct 12

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer."

Diane Lynn Paull headshot
Diane Paull

Criminal defense lawyer | Oct 02

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I regularly and consistently refer criminal clients to Mr. Gardner and do so with confidence. I have had excellent feedback. His knowledge and experience in this area of law is excellent. I have confidence in his skills to help my clients when out of my area of expertise."

View All Endorsements
Dan W. Armstrong headshot
Dan Armstrong

Estate planning lawyer

Elliot Zisser headshot
Elliot Zisser

Family lawyer

Experience

Rating:  9.7 (Superb)

Honors

2020

Notable, Martindale-Hubbell

2019

Best Lawyer, Jacksonville Magazine

2018

Best Lawyers, Jacksonville Magazine

2017

Best Lawyers, Jacksonville Magazine

2016

Best Lawyers, Jacksonville Magazine

2015

Best Lawyers, Jacksonville Magazine

2014

Top Lawyers in Jacksonville, Jacksonville Magazine

Work Experience

2008 - Present

Partner, Coplan-Gardner & Gardner, P.A.

2001 - 2008

Felony Division Chief, Fourth Judicial Circuit State Attorney's Office

Associations

2011 - Present

Gator Bowl Association

Host Committee Member

2010 - Present

Florida Family Law Inns of Court

Associate Member

2009 - Present

Jacksonville Beach Bar Association

Member

2008 - Present

Jacksonville Bar Association

Member

2001 - Present

Florida Bar Association

Attorney

Sample of Legal Cases

State of Florida v. Rashaiem Jackson

Acquittal

See More Legal Cases

Education

2000

Florida Coastal School of Law

Juris Doctor

1997

University of North Florida

Bachelor of Arts

Speaking Engagements

2011

Guest Speaker

Domestic Violence

2010

I Almost Got Away With It

Murder Prosecution and Flight to Avoid Prosecution

2010

Guest Speaker

Proper Police Report Writing

Languages

English

Activity

Avvo Rating

Our Rating is calculated using information the lawyer has included on their profile in addition to the information we collect from state bar associations and other organizations that license legal professionals. Attorneys who claim their profiles and provide Avvo with more information tend to have a higher rating than those who do not.

What determines Avvo Rating?
  • Experience & background Years licensed, work experience, education
  • Legal community recognition Peer endorsements, associations, awards
  • Legal thought leadership Publications, speaking engagements
  • Discipline Disciplinary information may not be comprehensive, or updated. We recommend that you always check a lawyer's disciplinary status with their respective state bar association before hiring them.
Avvo Rating Levels
10.0 - 9.0 Superb8.9 - 8.0 Excellent7.9 - 7.0 Very Good6.9 - 6.0 Good5.9 - 5.0 Average4.9 - 4.0 Concern3.9 - 3.0 Caution2.9 - 2.0 Strong Caution1.9 - 1.0 Extreme Caution