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Lawrence Sheldon Katz

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Avvo Rating10
  • Miami, FL
  • Licensed for 52 years
Lawrence Sheldon Katz
Lawrence Sheldon Katz
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About Lawrence

Practice areas

Family
  1. Family: 100%

    Our firm handles complex litigation inclusive of interstate and international family law. This involves assets, child matters, spousal support and jurisdiction. We also handle Hague child abduction cases and a significant percentage of all reported cases are from this firm.

    53 years, 1,500 cases

Languages spoken

English

Contact

Lawrence S Katz P A
address map

Lawrence S Katz P A
9130 S Dadeland Blvd Ste 1511
Miami, FL, 331567851

Website
http://www.katzfamilylaw.com/

      Resume

      License
      StateStatusAcquiredUpdated
      FLMember in Good Standing196812/20/2020
      We have not found any instances of professional misconduct for this lawyer.
      Avvo Contributions
      Legal answers106
      Legal guides0
      Awards
      Award nameGrantorDate granted
      Certificate of AppreciationU.S. Department of State2014
      William Hilton Memorial AwardU.S. Chapter of IAML2013
      Award of MeritNational Center for Missing and Exploited Children2010
      Certificate of AppreciationU. S. Department of State2010
      Recognition of Service as PresidentThe First Family Law American Inns of Court2010
      Work Experience
      TitleCompany nameDuration
      Sole PractitionerLawrence S. Katz, P.A.1977 - Present
      Associations
      Association namePosition nameDuration
      International Academy of Matrimonial LawyersMember of Board of Managers2007 - Present
      International Academy of Matrimonial LawyersChairman of Committee on Hague Conventions2007 - Present
      First Family Law American Inn of CourtPresident2009 - 2010
      American Bar Association, Family Law SectionVice Chairman Domestic Violence Committee2009 - 2011
      American Bar Association, Family Law SectionChairman of Committee on International Law2007 - 2009
      Publications
      Publication nameTitleDate
      ABA Family AdvocateWhen the ? Involves an International Move, The Answer May Lie in Retaining U.S. Jurisdiction2006
      Education
      School nameDegreeGraduated
      University of Miami School of LawJD - Juris Doctor1968
      University of MiamiBBA - Bachelor of Business Administration1965
      Speaking Engagements
      Conference nameTitleDate
      Lunch and Learn Seminar1980 Hague Convention2011
      IAML Annual MeetingCase Study: Application to Remove a Child From the Jurisdiction2011
      U.S. Chapter of the IAML Annual MeetingAlternative to the Hague by Returning Kids Home and Making the Abductor Pay Through the UCCJEA2011
      ABA Section of International Law, Fall CLE ConferenceMediating International Child Abduction Cases and Other High Conflict Cross Border Custody Disputes2009
      Florida College of Advanced Judicial StudiesTransnational Families: Where International Law and Family Law Intersect2009
      46th Annual ConferenceMoving from Kansas to Oz: Competing Paradigms and Practical Issues in International Child Custody Relocation Cases2009
      Spring CLE ConferenceFrom Ferreting to Fetching: How to Find, Freeze and Retrieve Marital Assets HIdden Abroad2009
      Cross Border Family MediationCross Border Family Mediation with an Emphasis on the 1980 Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction2008
      CLE SeminarAbduction Factors and Fla. Stat. 61.45 as it Concerns International Visitation and Child Custody2006
      Twelfth Annual Nuts and Bolts of DivorceEconomic Injunctions/Freeze Orders Domestic and Foreign2005
      Children's Records Law in FloridaRecords and the Abducted Child2001
      Legal cases
      Case nameOutcome
      Sarpel v. EflanliJurisdiction was upheld for Florida.
      Dyce v. ChristieCase won and child returned.
      Hanley v. RoyCase won and children returned.
      Angulo Garcia v. AngaritaCase won and child returned.
      Dallemagne. DallemagneCase won and child returned.
      Marcos v. HaeckerCase won in the trial and appellate courts
      Leslie v. NobleCase won and child returned.
      In re CabreraCase won and child returned.

      Reviews

      (21)
      5 Star
      		95%
      4 Star
      		0%
      3 Star
      		0%
      2 Star
      		0%
      1 Star
      		5%
      Review Lawrence Katz

      Complicated International case

      Posted by

      My case was a complex one and Mr. Katz provided me with a course of action that led to a favorable outcome. He is clearly knowledgeable and experienced but he is also very prompt. He is always available to answer questions via email, Skype or phone. As an overseas client this was very important to me. I would definitely recommend Mr. Katz especially for international cases.
      This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
      Hired attorney

      Superb!!!! Amazing results and a definite referral!!

      Posted by

      What can I say besides this is the best lawyer in town. I had numerous consultations before hiring Mr. Katz and I am sure glad that I picked him. I hired Mr. Katz for my complex divorce case. I was dealing with marital properties, alimony, businesses, child support and of course time-sharing with my children. Mr. Katz's worked and fought hard to get me the best results, some of which I never expected and most importantly, he was able to get me a time-sharing schedule so that I can be in my children's lives, instead of a every other weekend father. This case was really really complex and but he sure knew how to handle every bit of it. What I like most about Mr. Katz is that he didn't give me false hopes. Everything that was said to me by him was the hardcore truth and the reality of life. Nothing was sugar coated. I am VERY VERY happy that I hired him to tackle this case and I encourage others to consult with Mr. Katz if they want the honest truth. Thanks again Larry for all your hard work and dedication!
      This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
      Hired attorney

      International Custody Lawyer

      Posted by

      When I do something I try to do it the right way. I had a somewhat complicated situation with my son as his mom was living with a domestic abuser and I believe that my son was being severely affected by this abuse. I first consulted with Larry because I had moved out of Miami to determine what was required and I got great advice so when we had court again Larry got my case dismissed Nd every lawyer I interviewed never mentioned that. They only mentioned worse case scenarios but I am a realist and I know of course anything is possible. Larry got my case dismissed! Yep that’s right it was basically thrown out. Sometimes judges do not follow rule of civil procedure and the law in general. You need a lawyer that’s been there done that. Larry’s that guy!
      This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
      Hired attorney

      Consultation regarding Domestication of Foreign Divorce Decree

      Posted by

      Attorney Katz has a keen sense for understanding the overall situation and immediately formulating an action plan. He is direct, succinct and effective. I highly recommend Attorney Katz for his experience, integrity and results!
      This review is from a potential client who consulted with this attorney.
      Consulted attorney

      Excellent Job!!

      Posted by

      Mr. Katz is the best lawyer in Miami area. Very knowledgeable and experienced. We had a difficult case and he delivered impressive result. His assistant Fanny it is a great asset to that office as well.
      This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
      Hired attorney

      Hague Abduction case

      Posted by

      My case was long and highly complicated, and I am very glad that Mr. Katz represented me in this case. I found him extremely professional, knowledgeable and active. When you find yourself in a situation in which you have never been before, it is very easy to get confused and to make mistakes, so it is important to have near you an experienced professional that will help you and guide through the process. Lawrence one of these professionals. He is an experienced lawyer who cares about the result of the case.
      This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
      Hired attorney

      Child abduction, Hague case

      Posted by

      This was a very difficult case, with a lot of information, with several files in Mexico´s courts, and lots of false accusations against my father. Larry Katz was able to present to the judge the truth about my sister´s abduction. He knows very well the law and he is an experienced lawyer.

      The kind of person you need on your side

      Posted by

      This is the kind of person you need if there are any complications that could arise in your case. He has years of experience and has dealt with almost any situation that could occur. After I retired I needed to reduce my alimony because I had substantial reduction in income. I tried to negotiate directly with my former spouse to avoid legal fees but, I could not finalize a reasonable agreement with her. I was very concerned that my ex-wife would hire an over aggressive attorney if I went to court. I went to see Mr. Katz for a consultation and then retained him to represent me. I found him to be a very good listener and he was also able to explain things in a realistic way so that you could understand your rights but not have unrealistic expectations. He was able reach an agreement with my ex-wife to terminate my alimony without a court fight. I felt very relieved after this was resolved and was very pleased with the result. I highly recommend him.

      sebastien s and his son back to France

      Posted by

      I felt so great and secure with Mr Katz representing my case. Any questions I had, he would answer in less than 24 hours. He has great connections in France to transfer or translate any legal Documents Mr. Katz is of course extremly knowledgable but very efficient. I would strongly recommend Mr Katz for any international cases. Allow me. Sebastien

      Subjet: Hague Convention-Abduction in Ukraine

      Posted by

      Mr. Katz has been the key in solving the case of the abduction of my son perpetrated by my ex wife. I had previously used the services of four attorneys but neither of them could find and implement any strategy for locating and returning him to me. I was desperate after almost one year without knowing where he was. Since I met Mr. Katz I have been impressed with his knowledge and experience about international abduction cases. I want to express that after my four previous experiences I was pretty skeptical about lawyers reassurance on the solution of my case. Mr. Katz has been very sincere and he didn’t hide the difficulties in front of us. First of all he had to correct mistakes from my former attorney and after his strategy brought me back my son. My son was in another country and during this process Mr. Katz experience has been the guide for my Canadian Lawyers and in a week my son was finally in the USA. Back in the US we have been subjected to a very unethical and litigious lawyer representing my ex-wife but we have been able to stay within the course and he has obtained custody for me plus we got plenty of abduction prevention measures. This one has been an extremely long and complex case and Mr. Katz handled with such a great professionalism that rarely I have seen. I felt that he cares about what he does and he does it well. I hope my review can help someone else in a desperate situation like I was.
      See all reviews

      Attorney endorsements

      (7)
      Are you an attorney? Endorse this lawyer

      Jorge Pinon, Family Attorney on Aug 5, 2019
      Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

      Larry is a zealous advocate for his clients. He is straight forward in his dealings with other lawyers and well respected by the family court judiciary. He is professional and works very hard representing his clients in a very difficult area of law. I highly recommend and endorse this attorney.

      Luis Padron, Family Attorney on Sep 22, 2014
      Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

      I endorse this lawyer.

      Valerie Duane-Dray, Family Attorney on Sep 20, 2014
      Relationship: Opposing Counsel on matter

      I endorse this lawyer. Larry is one of the best lawyers in the international family law field. He is highly skilled, knowledgeable, ethical and always mindful of his clients' best interests.

      Michael Waddington, Family Attorney on May 28, 2014
      Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

      I endorse Lawrence. He is a highly skilled attorney that is well respected in the legal community.

      Scott Weiss, Child custody Attorney on May 8, 2013
      Relationship: Worked together on matter

      I worked with Larry on several international children's issue matters. I highly endorse this Larry.

      Peter Sautter, Family Attorney on Sep 24, 2012
      Relationship: Worked together on matter

      I endorse this lawyer. Larry and I have worked on several matters together and he is among the most widely respected lawyers in both state and federal custody and dissolution matters. Larry lectures both in this country and internationally on these matters and several of the leading cases in this district were argued by Larry at the higher court level. I've seen judges refer to his teaching materials when researching legal issues.

      Laurence Schwartz, Family Attorney on May 14, 2012
      Relationship: Worked together on matter

      I endorse this lawyer. I've known Lawrence Katz for many years. We have been co-counsel well as opposing counsel. He is the best qualified lawyer I know regarding matters of international family law, international relocation cases and child abduction cases. He has returned over two dozen children to their homes. He has enjoyed tremendous esteem internationally for his accomplishments and I am proud to have him as a colleague and a friend.