Kenneth John Cotter

Kenneth John Cotter

4.1
Rating: 7.7

Licensed for 47 years

Family Lawyer at Winter Park, FL
Practice Areas: Family, Criminal Defense, Personal Injury

631 S. Orlando Ave Suite 301, Winter Park, FL

About Kenneth

Biography

Practice Areas

3

Practice Areas

Family 55%

13 years

55%

Fees and Rates

Cost

Free Consultation

$0 first 30 minutes


Payment Methods

  • Cash
  • Check
  • Credit Card

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Licenses

Licensed in Florida for 47 years

State: Florida

Acquired: 1978

Member in Good Standing

No misconduct found

Location

Cotter & Zelman, PA

631 S. Orlando Ave Suite 301, Winter Park, FL, 32789-1747

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Kenneth John Cotter's Reviews

Avvo Review Score

4.1 /5.0

9 Client Reviews

5 star (7)
4 star (0)
3 star (0)
2 star (0)
1 star (2)

Posted by anonymous | April 17, 2024 | Hired Attorney

This review is from a person who hired this attorney.

Disheartening decision

I hired Mr. Cotter even though he was in a transition between Law firms. I read his reviews thinking that he was what was needed to rectify the differences in a modification I was requesting. First he went and transferred to Dane family law and I was required to sign an agreement listing all the atto...rneys. What happened was during the first video conference with the judge he wasn’t even present because he chose to support his wife’s knee surgery and instead of rescheduling he had another attorney, “much younger” from the group who didn’t even know my kids names or ages and wasn’t even aware I had twins and had to look the information up while on the video conference with the judge. Mind you I had retained the services almost a year prior paying almost $9000.00 When I asked to have them look into a court ordered website for records of interactions between the ex and I as a reference to resolve any questions, Mr. Cotter would continually ignore the request. When attempting to carry a conversation with Mr. Cotter he totally is fixated on his talking points with almost zero regard to having a 2 way meaningful conversation even at some points he used vulgarities towards me. I told him I was ok with it but, “ I wasn’t!!!! “ He would over talk me and barely acknowledge my valid viewpoints. Obviously my case history wasn’t deeply reviewed because a lot of the headaches for both my ex and I could have been avoided if my legal representation would have been aware of the details. It’s truly sad that any families go through such things like this. I really miss my previous Attorney Mr. Dresser he was a Goodman and unlike any Lawyer I’ve ever had. Please I pray for each person that reads this that you do your homework when handling a substantial amount of money to any organization that wants to represent you. I have no ill towards Mr. Cotter we are all human but literally zero things were accomplished that were discussed.

Posted by Harold | March 1, 2024 | Hired Attorney

This review is from a person who hired this attorney.

Excellent Attorney

Mr Kenneth Cotter is an Excellent Attorney He worker dillegantly for me to a successful Outcome on a Family law matter. When I met Ken in 1994 he was not practicing custody matters. However he took my case and we prevailed. And set a new first in Florida Law. Thank you Again, Mr. Cotter

Posted by Tom Lucas | April 4, 2016 | Hired Attorney

This review is from a person who hired this attorney.

Custody Case

After a lot of research and background looking we came to a few choices. We went to all three of the final lawyers we spoke to. Mr. Cotter was by far the most experienced that we spoke with. He has and is handling my case with the upmost respect for what I want. He will tell you like it is and no...t leave anything to be discovered after the fact. Faced with lies and opposition from the other party, he consistently proved that he was worth every penny. A lawyer can not promise any outcome, but you do not need a promise when actions show you.

Posted by John | July 15, 2014

Personal Injury auto accident

Ken is very professional and knowledgeable. He worked with me to develop the evidence needed to win a judgement for my case. He provided me with clear legal explanations during the entire process and was very easy to work with. I highly recommend his services for all legal work including personal inj...ury situations.

Posted by sandra | April 23, 2013

criminal defense

Mr. Cotter used his vast experience of the legal system to sucessufully handle my case. He was very easy to work with and took the time to clearly explain the legal aspects of my case, so I thoroughly understood the situation. I really recomend him for anyone needing complex legal service.

See All Client Reviews

Kenneth John Cotter's Lawyer Endorsements

Endorse Kenneth
Wayne William Bilsky headshot
Wayne Bilsky

Family lawyer | Mar 07

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer. Ken Cotter is a very knowledgeable, experienced, and hard working attorney. I am very particular on who I would send people in need of family law representation - I would recommend him highly and would gladly refer people to his office for representation. People I have sent to him have been very, very pleased."

Jennifer Thompson Dane headshot
Jennifer Dane

Family lawyer | Sep 11

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Ken is an excellent lawyer and fantastic mediator. He gives sound and practical legal advice."

David Frederick Allen headshot
David Allen

Criminal defense lawyer | Aug 07

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer. I have known Ken Cotter for many years and I am pleased to endorse him. Ken is extremely intelligent, highly experienced, and truly cares about his clients. When I needed a lawyer to represent me in my divorce a few years ago, I hired Ken. He did an excellent job on my behalf."

Bryce A. Fetter headshot
Bryce Fetter

Family lawyer | Aug 15

Relationship: Worked together on matter

"I endorse this lawyer. Ken is an outstanding lawyer."

View All Endorsements
Garrick Neal Fox headshot
Garrick Fox

Foreclosure lawyer

Wayne William Bilsky headshot
Wayne Bilsky

Workers compensation lawyer

David Frederick Allen headshot
David Allen

Criminal defense lawyer

Experience

Rating:  7.7 (Very Good)

Work Experience

1990 - Present

Partner, Cotter and Zelman P.A.

1981 - 1990

Partner, /In Private Practice

1978 - 1981

Assistant State Attorney, Orange County State Attorney's Office

Associations

Central Florida Criminal Defense Attorneys Association

Member

National Criminal Defense Attorney Association

Member

Orange County Bar Association

Member

Florida Bar

Member

Association of Trial Lawyers of America

Member

Education

1977

University of Miami School of Law

JD - Juris Doctor

1974

Hofstra University

BA - Bachelor of Arts

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