Christopher Russell Bruce

I am a native of Palm Beach Gardens, Florida.  I married another lawyer after swearing I never would, and now my wife and I are the proud parents of two young children.  Outside of the office, and spending time with my family, my passion is saltwater fishing and marine conservation.

I am a Marital & Family Law Specialist (Board Certified by the Florida Bar). My law practice for nearly my entire legal career has been focused on representing clients through complicated divorce, alimony, and child custody matters.  Typically when I am involved there is a business valuation or asset tracing issue, the need to confront a difficult or intimidating person, an important long-term support claim, or a serious issue involving children.

My goal is to obtain a fair result for my clients as quickly and efficiently as possible so they can move on to the life they desire and deserve to be living.

When in a client’s best interest, I work to resolve matters through early negotiation and alternative dispute resolution options.

However, I am a divorce litigator.  I believe that in many instances the shortest and optimal path to favorably resolving complex family disputes with difficult people involves strategic, resolution-focused litigation.  I represent my clients through all stages of this process, including at trial, and in Florida’s appellate courts.

I am the author of The Best Divorce: for Business Owners, Executives, Professionals, & Anyone Else Who Needs Divorce to Achieve Happiness.

You can gain an in-depth understanding of my approach to creating effective divorce law strategies in my divorce law practice (as well as an in-depth divorce strategy education) by reading the book, or clicking here to register for my complimentary 14 lesson video course on developing and implementing effective divorce strategies.

I’ve also made a wealth of information available through the articles, webinars, and forums available on this website.  You can click here to start your divorce education.

Education & Prior Affiliations

As far as education goes, I graduated, with Honors, from the Florida State University College of Law. During law school I was President of the Moot Court Appellate Advocacy team, a member of the Journal of Land Use and Environmental Law, and the recipient of five “highest grade” awards.

Before law school, I earned an Accounting Degree from the University of Florida, where I was a member of the Alpha Kappa Psi Business Fraternity. While in accounting school, I interned in the Tax Department of Ernst & Young, a “Big Four” international accounting firm. I was also a licensed Florida insurance agent and intern with Northwestern Mutual, a large-scale financial services company.

I started my legal career by clerking and then working as an associate lawyer with the international law firm of Edwards, Angell, Palmer & Dodge, which is now known as Locke Lord, LLP.  From there, I had the outstanding opportunity to practice divorce and family law with Matthew Nugent and Adam Zborowski.  During the last five years of our seven and a half years together we practiced in partnership, under the firm name Nugent Zborowski & Bruce.

Legal Writing & Committee Service

When I am not in my office, with my family, or fishing, I serve as a board member of the Craig S. Barnard chapter of the American Inns of Court, a national legal ethics organization.  I have previously served as a member of the Professionalism Committee of the Palm Beach County Bar Association and as secretary of the Publications Committee of the Florida Bar Family Law Section.

In addition to my book on divorce strategy, I frequently publish articles on current topics in Florida Divorce Law and I have served as a resource to news agencies reporting on Florida divorce issues.  My articles have appeared in the South Florida Daily Business Review, Palm Beach County Bar Bulletin, and other Florida Bar publications.

Alimony Reform:

• Attempt to Modify Alimony During 2012 Legislative Session Fails:  South Florida Daily Business Review, April 11, 2012
•  Divorce, Family Law Attorney Busts Alimony Reform Myths:  South Florida Daily Business Review, October 19, 2012

Attorney’s Fees in Divorce Cases:

• Attorney’s Fee Awards Reduced for Unnecessary Litigation:  Palm Beach County Bar Bulletin, October 2012
• Temporary Attorney’s Fee Awards:  Palm Beach County Bar Bulletin, February 2013
• Trend Towards Reducing Attorney’s Fee Awards for Meritless Litigation:  South Florida Daily Business Review, April 3, 2013
• Interpretation of Defaulting Party Attorney Fee Clauses:  Palm Beach County Bar Bulletin, June 2013

Grandparent & Relative Custody:

• How Grandparents & Relatives Can Obtain Custody of a Child:  Palm Beach County Bar Bulletin, October 2013

Jurisdiction in Child Custody Cases:

• Chapter 742 & The UCCJEA: Is Childbirth an Unbridled Key to Forum Shopping?:  Florida Bar Journal , January 2012

Testimony & Reports of Psychologists & Counselors:

• What Every Divorce Attorney Should Know When Evaluating a Forensic Psychologist’s Report:  Commentator, Florida Bar Family Law Section , Fall 2012
• The Patient-Psychotherapist Privilege in Child Custody Cases:  Palm Beach County Bar Bulletin, November 2013

Same-Sex Issues:

•  Same Sex Divorce May Depend on State’s Definition of Marriage:  South Florida Daily Business Review, June 8, 2012

Setting Aside a Divorce Judgment:

• Setting Aside a Divorce Judgment:  Palm Beach County Bar Bulletin, September 2013

I am looking forward to counseling you through your marital or family law matter. For more information about my background, or to schedule a divorce consultation and strategy session, please call the Bruce Law Firm, P.A. at.