John Seth Simms

PRO

John Seth Simms

5.0
Rating: 10.0

Licensed for 34 years

Divorce and separation Lawyer at Clearwater, FL
Practice Areas: Divorce & Separation

51 S. Main Ave., Suite 319, Clearwater, FL

Virtual Consultation Available

About John

Biography

Practice Areas

1

Practice Area

Divorce and Separation 100%

I practice in all areas of Family Law including Divorce, Child Custody, Father's Rights, Paternity, Child Support, Valuation and Distibution of Marital Assets and Debts, Valuation and Distribution of Real Estate and Businesses, Alimony, Modificationand Enforcement of Alimony and Child Support and Court Orders and Step Parent Adoptions

35 years

100%

Fees and Rates

Cost

Hourly Rates

$ 350-450 per hour


Payment Methods

  • Cash
  • Check
  • Credit Card

Awards

Client's Choice
Client's Choice
2020 2014 2013
...
+ 1
AV Preeminent Peer Review Rating

Licenses

Licensed in Florida for 34 years

State: Florida

Acquired: 1991

Member in Good Standing

No misconduct found

Location

Staack & Simms PLLC

51 S. Main Ave., Suite 319, Clearwater, FL, 33765

staacklaw.com/Attorneys/John-S-Simms-Esq.shtml

Online Presence

Other places you can find John online.

John Seth Simms's Reviews

Avvo Review Score

5.0 /5.0

47 Client Reviews

Filter Avvo Reviews (47) Refine reviews to match your needs. Use the filters to quickly surface reviews that align with your case or priorities.

Showing 6 - 10 of 20 reviews | Recommendation

Posted by Richard | March 31, 2013 | Divorce & Separation

John Simms helped me get my time with my boys back, he is extremely professional!

I was advised to speak with John from a good friend of mine. He was the 8th attorney that I interviewed in two days. I had already worked with three attorney's previous to John over the course of three years and to put it nicely, I was very unhappy with the results from the first three. I immed...iately had a good feeling about John and chose to retain him in what I would consider a very difficult post divorce case. I had two of the eight attorney's that I interviewed tell me that they wouldn't be able to prepare for my case in time for an already scheduled court date. At the time that I retained John, my driver's license was suspended, I was required to pay over $2000.00 in child support a month based off of the income from a job that I no longer had, and I was only able to see my two boys every other weekend! I was in the middle of modifying my parenting plan and child support when I retained John and was not making any head way with my previous attorneys. If anything, I felt that I was losing ground and going backwards. After several court dates and a little bit of time, I have completed my modifications. I now have my boys 50% of the time, my child support has been dramatically reduced, and my Driver's License has been valid since my first day with John. I am sure that John wouldn't want me to announce my results, because I am fully aware that there are numerous factors involved in winning these types of cases. I am extremely satisfied with what John was able to do for me and I would recommend him to anyone that was looking for a professional, very well prepared, experienced attorney. He will work with you and more importantly, for you! Thanks John

Posted by Megan | March 15, 2013

Wonderful Attorney

I highly recommend Mr. Simms to anyone. He guided me through so much, during such a difficult time. You could not ask for a better attorney than Mr. Simms. He's hard working, trustworthy and will fight hard for you. Hope this helps anyone who is trying to find a reliable attorney, in my opinion, you ...should look no further!

Posted by Margaret | March 14, 2013 | Litigation

Empathetic yet legally focused, that is what best describes John Simms in my opinion

Mr. Simms has really listened and understood my situation. He has addressed my concerns yet has advised me on what I should focus on. He has shown me to be knowledgeable, organized and prepared. We are still in litigation, however, I feel confident with him by my side. I would highly recommend hi...m.

Posted by Teresa | March 08, 2013

Highly Skilled and Masterful Attorney

John Simms is the only attorney that I would want by my side. His manner is quietly deceiving - he he will have no need to grandstand because he will become closely connected with you and your case and he will represent you based on the facts that he will meticulously gather. John will keep you... informed, will speak in terms that you understand and will provide a level of attorney-client interaction that will make you feel that yours is the most important case that he has.

Posted by Clifford | March 07, 2013 | Divorce & Separation

John Simms....the best attorney in the Tampa Bay area.

Divorce by it's very nature normally puts an individual in financial and emotional disarray. I was no different. John and his staff became not only my legal advocate but my sounding board for the full range of divorce and personal questions that come up. John was responsive, he was normally availa...ble to talk at the drop of a hat if not he always returned my calls within the next business day....normally within the hour. He and his firm worked with me on cost...his fees were resonable and always well documented. I give John the highest possible endorsement....I would trust him with my finances and my family, he is a man of his word and his staff refects his values.

See All Client Reviews

John Seth Simms's Lawyer Endorsements

Endorse John
Kevin Douglas Brennan headshot
Kevin Brennan

Family lawyer | Jul 07

Relationship: Opposing Counsel on matter

"John is an excellent attorney. We have had a few cases together and he is always well in tune with the facts of the case and case law addressing the issues. He makes an effective presentation of evidence and maintains a high level of professionalism throughout the process."

Chris Matthew Limberopoulos headshot
Chris Limberopoulos

Divorce and separation lawyer | Oct 26

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer."

Wendi L Hall-Gonzales headshot
Wendi Hall-Gonzales

Family lawyer | Sep 05

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this attorney as a highly skilled and knowledgeable family law attorney. I have worked with John as opposing counsel on many cases and find him to be an excellent advocate for his clients and very professional."

Mary Ellen Borja headshot
Mary Borja

Family lawyer | Jul 12

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer. He is highly ethical and experienced in family law matters."

Patrick Francis Gaffney headshot
Patrick Gaffney

Family lawyer | Oct 14

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer's work. I've dealt with John over many years and have always found him to be honest and ethical. He's a straight shooter."

Joseph George Evanson headshot
Joseph Evanson

Divorce and separation lawyer | Oct 14

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer's work."

Gary Paul Cors headshot
Gary Cors

Family lawyer | Oct 14

Relationship: Co-worker

"John is a conscentious and intelligent attorney with impecabble credentials. Whenever anyone approaches me with a family law issue I never hesitate to refer them to John."

Courtney Davis Bowes headshot
Courtney Bowes

Family lawyer | Oct 13

Relationship: Opposing Counsel on matter

"I worked with John on a case earlier this year and he is an outstanding attorney. He was ethical, reasonable and a pleasure to work with. I would recommend him to anyone looking for a great attorney with a stellar reputation."

Alexander Hernandez headshot
Alexander Hernandez

Family lawyer | Sep 08

Relationship: Co-worker

"I endorse this lawyer's work. He has the highest ethical standards and most extensive and up to date knowledge of the Law in his field. in my opinion John is hands down, the most effective litigator in Family law in Florida."

Konstantinos Dean Kantaras headshot
Konstantinos Kantaras

Family lawyer | Jun 29

Relationship: Opposing Counsel on matter

"I endorse this lawyer's work. I have found John to be very knowledgable, extremely ethical, well-prepared and highly effective."

John Arthur Smitten headshot
John Smitten

Family lawyer | Jun 24

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer's work. He is an excellent attorney."

View All Endorsements
Kevin Douglas Brennan headshot
Kevin Brennan

Family lawyer

Wendi L Hall-Gonzales headshot
Wendi Hall-Gonzales

Divorce and separation lawyer

Alexander Hernandez headshot
Alexander Hernandez

Personal injury lawyer

John Arthur Smitten headshot
John Smitten

Divorce and separation lawyer

Konstantinos Dean Kantaras headshot
Konstantinos Kantaras

Divorce and separation lawyer

Experience

Rating:  10.0 (Superb)

Honors

2025

AV Preeminent Rated, Martindale-Hubbell

2018

AV Preeminent Rated, Martindale-Hubbell

2017

AV Preeminent Rated, Martindale-Hubbell

2016

AV Preeminent Rated, Martindale-Hubbell

2015

Peer Review Rated, Martindale-Hubbell

2014

Peer Review Rated, Martindale-Hubbell

2013

Peer Review Rated, Martindale-Hubbell

2012

Peer Review Rated, Martindale-Hubbell

2011

Peer Review Rated, Martindale-Hubbell

2008

Pro Bono Service Award, Clearwater Bar Association

Work Experience

1994 - Present

Partner, Staack, Simms & Reighard PLLC

1991 - 1994

Associate, Bruce R. Young, P.A.

Associations

2006 - Present

Academy of Florida Trial Lawyers

2000 - Present

Association of Trial Lawyers of America

1996 - Present

United States Tax Court

1996 - Present

United States Supreme Court Bar

1996 - Present

United States Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces

1996 - Present

United States Court of Federal Claims Bar Association

1991 - Present

Clearwater Bar Association, Family Law Section

1991 - Present

Florida Bar, Family Law Section

1991 - Present

United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit

1991 - Present

United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida

Sample of Legal Cases

Mount v Mount 989 So2d 1208 (Fla 2nd DCA 2008)

Clampitt v Clampitt 621 So 2d 586 (Fla 2nd DCA 1993)

Struble v Struble 787 So 2d 48 ( Fla 2nd DCA 2001)

Petermann v Petermann 811 So 2d 723 (Fla 2nd DCA 2001)

State of FL D.O.R.v Downward 702 So 2d 516 (Fla 2nd DCA 1997)

See More Legal Cases

Education

1990

Stetson University College of Law

JD - Juris Doctor

1987

University of South Florida

BA - Bachelor of Arts

1985

St. Petersburg Junior College

A.A.

Speaking Engagements

1996

Support for Non Residential Parents

Support for Non Residential Parents

Publications

2000

Law in Brief Various

Languages

English

Activity

Avvo Rating

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Avvo Rating Levels
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