Debra Jane Sutton

PRO

Debra Jane Sutton

4.8
Rating: 10.0

Licensed for 36 years

Family Lawyer at Bartow, FL
Practice Areas: Family, Divorce & Separation, Appeals ... +3 more

325 W Main St, Bartow, FL

Virtual Consultation Available

About Debra

Biography

Practice Areas

6

Practice Areas

Family 40%

Board Certified Specialist. Handling all forms of family law including: collaborative, child custody and parenting plans, child support, alimony, domestic violence, property division, modifications, mediation, jurisdictional challenges and appeals.

35 years

40%
Divorce and Separation 20%

20%
Appeals 10%

Board Certified Specialist and Charter member of the Appellate Section of the Florida Bar. We handle appellate matters in Florida state and federal courts. An additional percentage of our appellate practice relates to marital and family law cases.

35 years

10%
Child Custody 10%

10%
Estate Planning 10%

10%
Guardianship 10%

10%

Fees and Rates

We have not found any cost information for this lawyer

Awards

Client's Choice
Client's Choice
2023 2022 2021
Distinguished Peer Review Rating

Licenses

Licensed in Florida for 36 years

State: Florida

Acquired: 1989

Member in Good Standing

No misconduct found

Location

Law Offices of Debra Jane Sutton

325 W Main St, Bartow, FL, 33830-4534

suttonlawfirm.net/

Sutton Law Firm

625 Commerce Dr, Lakeland, FL, 33813

suttonlawfirm.net/

Sutton Law Firm

7024 Central Avenue, Saint Petersburg, FL, 33707

suttonlawfirm.net/

Online Presence

Other places you can find Debra online.

Debra Jane Sutton's Reviews

Avvo Review Score

4.8 /5.0

52 Client Reviews

Showing 1 - 5 of 5 reviews | Lawsuits & Disputes

Posted by Jack | October 26, 2023 | Hired Attorney | Lawsuits & Disputes

Professional all the way

Ms. Sutton’s work on my contested divorce was outstanding and very well organized to establish a clear path to get to the end quickly. She is fabulous in the courtroom and presents your case clearly and precisely to the judge for rulings. Ms. Sutton’s staff Taylor and Shari put long hours in getting ...all of the financial information in order to aid Ms. Sutton in all the hearings and mediation. Taylor and Shari at times were sometimes overwhelming with requests but we were all able to reach our goals together. I wish that I found Ms. Sutton first because of her superior knowledge of the divorce laws and how to deal with unreasonable EX wives. Ms. Sutton is by far one of the best attorneys you can hire in Polk County! She was exceptional all the way to the finish line working very long to get the settlement finished!!

Posted by David | August 11, 2022 | Hired Attorney | Lawsuits & Disputes

Very Thorough

I first met Debra Sutton when she was in Law School. We went different ways and disconnected. There came a time when I needed to seek counsel. As I was reviewing the options, I found Debra offering legal services in the area we needed. I knew she was the right choice. My family started with a consult...ation which led to Debra representing us. You never want a legal action to go on very long. But some things do take time. At the conclusion, every issue was addressed, and we were quite pleased. If I had to do it again, I would choose Debra.

Posted by Vicki | July 10, 2021 | Hired Attorney | Lawsuits & Disputes

Knowledgeable and Compassionate

I have hired Ms. Sutton twice and both times she has gone above and beyond. She is professional but also caring. More then once she called me to calm my anxiety about my case. Her professionalism and knowledge of the law in the courtroom made me glad she was my lawyer. Hopefully I never need a lawyer... again, but if I do, I will hire Ms. Sutton.

Posted by Cleatis | May 07, 2021 | Hired Attorney | Lawsuits & Disputes

Fantastic Attorney

Debra Sutton was referred to me by a friend. I hired Ms Sutton and she did a fantastic job with my case. She was very attentive and concerned with my situation. I would recommend Ms. Sutton and her staff, as they very efficient and trustworthy. Also, very knowledgeable concerning the law. Cl...eatis Pack

Posted by Sandra | September 17, 2022 | Hired Attorney | Lawsuits & Disputes

Simply the Best

Debra is an excellant lawyer and has a crack team of associates especially Matt. She has a very personnel approach to the job at hand and doesn't forget her client(s) after a decision is rendered by the court/judge. She has made contact with me after the fact. Going the extra mile in my opinion.

See All Client Reviews

Debra Jane Sutton's Lawyer Endorsements

Endorse Debra
Stephen Rue headshot
Stephen Rue

Family lawyer | Oct 21

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I have the honor and privilege of knowing this extraordinary attorney through our mutual professional law firm development organization that we are both involved. I highly recommend and endorse this attorney as being one of the finest individuals and professionals that a client could ever have. Attorney Stephen Rue"

Brandon Jon Rafool headshot
Brandon Rafool

Family lawyer | Apr 09

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer. She is a great attorney that handles family law, civil and appellate cases."

Kimble Clark Bouchillon headshot
Kimble Bouchillon

Divorce and separation lawyer | Apr 09

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Debra is a wonderful lawyer and a wonderful person. Smart as a whip and well-respected by her peers and our judges. Highly recommend."

Eddie E Stephens III headshot
Eddie Stephens

Family lawyer | Jul 13

Relationship: Opposing Counsel on matter

"Debra is one of the brightest family law attorneys I know. She is also one of the better appellate attorneys in the state."

Robert M Chambers headshot
Robert Chambers

Family lawyer | Oct 08

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer. Debra Sutton and I have know each other for approximately 20 years. We have been opposing counsel on numerous cases and co-counsel on several. Her energy level is amazing. I have seen only one or two other attorneys who are able to accomplish as much for their client in a brief period of time as she. I wish that my level of organization were as great as hers. She is what as known as "double board certified" by the Florida Bar. This means she is certified in two areas of law, in her case both marital/family and appellate. Very few attorneys attain this distinction and it is silent witness to her ability to specialize in two separate areas, maintain her competence in these areas and during the entire time period have an exemplary reputation with her peers and the judiciary as to professionalism and ethical behavior. Additionally she is a current member of the Florida Bar Marital and Family Law Certification Committee, would recommend her to anybody without"

View All Endorsements
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Bruce Silver

Criminal defense lawyer

Experience

Rating:  10.0 (Superb)

Honors

2018

Lawyer of Distinction, Lawyers of Distinction

2017

Professional Woman of Distinction, Sun Publishing

2017

Best of the Best Law Firms, Lakeland Ledger

2011

Professional Woman of the Year, National Association of Professional Women

2001

Board Certified - Marital & Family Law, Florida Bar

2001

Honorary Master, Willson American Inn of Court

1999

Who's Who in American Law, Who's Who In American Law

1998

Who's Who in American Law, Who's Who In American Law

1997

Board Certified - Appellate Practice, Florida Bar

1991

Who's Who Among Rising Young Americans, Who's Who Legal

Work Experience

1990 - Present

Owner, Debra J. Sutton, P.A., d/b/a Sutton Law Firm

1989 - 1990

Staff Attorney, Second District Court Of Appeal

Associations

2017 - Present

Polk Women Lawyers Association

Member

2017 - Present

Kiwanis - Citrus Center

Member

2014 - Present

Florida Bar, Family Law Section, Marital and Family Certification Committee

Pre-Tester

2013 - Present

Florida Bar, Appellate Practice Section, Certification

Pre-Tester

2011 - Present

Care to Dance 501(c)3

Founder, Participant, Organizer

2009 - Present

Optimist Club of Winter Haven

Member

2004 - Present

Republican Party - National and State

President's Club Member

2001 - Present

Willson American Inn of Court

Honorary Master

1991 - Present

Florida Rural Legal Servies

Volunteer Attorney

1990 - Present

Willson American Inn of Court

Incorporator

1990 - Present

Willson American Inn of Court

Charter Member

1989 - Present

Florida Bar Appellate Practice & Advocacy Section

Charter Member

1989 - Present

Polk County Trial Lawyers Association

Member

Kiwanis - Bartow

Chair, Membership and Club History Book

Florida Association of Women Lawyers (FAWL)

Member

Polk Association of Women Lawyers (PAWL)

Sponsor and Member

Tenth Judicial Circuit

Visitation Guideline Committee

Winter Haven Women's Lawyer's Association

Member

United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit

Member

United States Supreme Court

Member

United States District Court, Middle District Florida

Member

2014 - 2017

Kiwanis - Bartow

Chair - Dancing Under the Stars

2014 - 2015

Kiwanis - Bartow

President-Elect

2013 - 2015

Polk Arts Alliance

Board of Directors

2013 - 2013

Kiwanis - Bartow

Chair, Little River Band's Veteran's Day Tribute

2012 - 2012

Tenth Judicial Circuit, Historical Society

Chair, Annual Gala

2010 - 2012

Tenth Judicial Circuit, Domestic Violence Committee

Chair

2006 - 2013

Florida Bar, Family Law Section, Marital and Family Law Certification Committee

Member

2005 - 2009

Stetson Lawyers' Association

Advisory Council

2004 - 2006

Florida Bar, Board of Legal Specialization and Edu

Family Law Certification Appellate Review Panel

2002 - 2004

HELP of Fort Meade (A United Way Organization)

Board of Directors

2002 - 2011

Florida Bar, Family Law Section, CLE Committee

Member

2001 - 2002

Unified Family Court Implementation Committee - 10th Judicial Circuit

Vice Chair

2000 - 2000

Willson American Inn of Court

Delegate, Annual Conference

2000 - 2000

Theatre Winter Haven

Cast Member, Inherit the Wind

1999 - 2000

Florida Bar, Appellate Practice Section, Certification Committee

Vice Chair

1999 - 2000

Florida Bar, Appellate Practice Section, Certification Liaison Committee

Chair

1999 - 2004

Florida Bar, Appellate Practice Section CLE Committee

Member

1998 - 2004

Florida Bar, Appellate Practice Section, Certification Committee

Member

1998 - 2004

Florida Bar, Appellate Practice Section, Certification Committee

Exam Proctor

1998 - 2003

Guardian Ad Litem Program - 10th Judicial Circuit

Volunteer Guardian

1995 - 2001

Willson American Inn of Court

Barrister

1991 - 1994

Willson American Inn of Court

Delegate, Annual Conference

1990 - 2000

Willson American Inn of Court

Administrator from Inception

Education

1989

Stetson University College of Law

J.D. cum laude

1986

University of South Florida

B.S.

Avvo Rating

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