Sonica Rhodes Cinami

Serving as a Guardian ad Litem is one of the most difficult roles in family law, and we believe it deserves to be acknowledged when done with integrity and care. While we did not fully agree with every outcome — including a 50/50 recommendation — we can honestly say that Sonica was fair, attentive..., and genuinely focused on our child’s best interests. She listened carefully to our child's needs, gave space for both parents to be heard, and approached the case without bias. It takes a high level of emotional intelligence to accept guidance from someone whose responsibility is to remain truly impartial. Her role is not to “side” with a parent, but to help navigate a child’s love for both parents and to advocate for what is healthiest for the child long-term. We appreciate her professionalism, fairness, and willingness to listen — even in emotionally charged circumstances. Families should understand that a Guardian ad Litem’s purpose is not to give everyone what they want, but to help everyone move forward with the child’s well-being at the center. We respect the care and thought she brought to this process. If you can love your child without bias, you wouldn't need this intervention or you'd accept the recommendation and support your child's love for the other parent!

When my attorney first suggested petitioning the court for a Guardian ad Litem, I was extremely uneasy. The idea that someone else could step in and potentially side entirely with the other parent felt like a huge risk, especially because the other parent had full custody and majority time sharing. ... In our case, the mother had full legal custody, had been absent for several years leaving the child with me, and then suddenly re-entered her life seeking major changes like moving 300 miles away. I was concerned that my own frustrations or opinions could overshadow what truly mattered — My daughter’s reality and stability. Sonica spent the majority of her time focused on my child, not on me. She listened carefully, conducted home visits, and evaluated the situation based on facts, consistency, and my daughter’s lived experience — not on adult grievances or emotional arguments. Her report was thoughtful, well-crafted, and rooted in common sense and the child’s best interest. It protected the life and stability my daughter had become accustomed to, and it required changes to be made around her established world, rather than forcing her to be uprooted and start over. While the process was stressful, I ultimately came to respect the role of a Guardian ad Litem when it is done correctly. Sonica’s careful consideration and impartial approach made a real difference for our child. I am grateful for the professionalism, balance, and child-centered focus she brought to a very difficult situation.

Sonica did the greatest disservice to myself and my children. Years out and the damage she did is still impacting my three children. Her interests lie in the in the fees she collects and men...without regard to what the situation truly is. She did not listen to my children regarding the abuse they we...re suffering at the hands of their father and to this day we are still learning more and more. I was charged thousands of dollars for her poor services and we are still paying in tears and pain. Thank you SO much Sonica for the disaster you perpetuated in my children's lives. We will NEVER forget you.

I retained Sonica for a short lived marriage/divorce proceedings. From the moment I met her, she was honest and straight forward with me. Sonica cared about my case, returned all of my calls during my many long business travels all around the country, and answered every question and concern. All pape...rwork was handled in a very efficient manner, and I was assured not to worry. She even saved me money on my mediation process. I completely recommend Sonica Cinami to anyone who wants a bit bull in the courtroom and a divorce lawyer who actually cares about her clients’ well-being. Sonica will fight for you till the bitter end.

First things first, I call it like I see it. I don't know where I'd be if I didn't retain the services of Sonica. A brief description of what went on: I live out of state and my daughter lives with the mother in FL. My daughters mother filed reckless and malicious accusations against me in regards ...to wrongful discipline and inappropriate touching of our daughter during her summer visit. Short of being called a child molester, I was pretty dam angry. The mother was calling for a stoppage and supervised visitation of our current court orders. Despite two denials by two differnt judges in two different counties and a DCF investigation, all holding no grounds for her allegations, she took the law into her own hands and refused visitation between my daughter and I. So the only recourse I felt I had was to challenge for full custody. I had consulted w/ a different lawyer prior to retaining the services of Sonica, and felt he was just giving me the answers I wanted to hear and their firm just wanted my money. Sonica on the other hand, was up front and right to the point, no bullshit!! She explained a lot in detail even during the initial consultation. In her explaniations of what to expect and how big of a battle I may expect to fight, she didn't sugar coat it!! From begining to end I was very confident in all of her legal abilities. Multiple times during the litigation she explained deadlines, exact needs of the content of evidence and how much of my participatioin to produce this was extremely vital. I never experienced any delays or misunderstanding between her staff nor her at any time. Despite many calculated expected delays by the opposing party, she was always ready for any counter reaction. I'm not saying Sonica was there to pick a fight, but she just knew when the other side was up to something and was informative of what we should do. In the begining Sonica said our case should take 6-9 months, our case took 13 months (delays included) Four (yes, I said 4) of those consecutive months were caused by the courthouse, two months were caused by opposing party, so.....Sonica had it right! She knows her stuff, I'd hire her again in a heartbeat, thanks for the victory Sonica.