We have not found any cost information for this lawyer
PRO
Debra Jane Sutton
Virtual Consultation Available
About Debra
Biography
Debra J. Sutton has practiced family law and appellate law in Bartow, FL, for over 30 years. She is an expert in Florida family law and appellate practice. She can assist you with everything from a simple, uncontested, or collaborative divorce to a complex case requiring aggressive representation in court. If you have been subject to domestic violence, Debra will aggressively work to ensure your rights as a victim are respected in court. In issues of child support or legal custody, she will always fight for the Parenting Plan in the best interests of your children.
Debra has been Board Certified in Appellate Practice since 1997 and Board Certified in Marital and Family Law since 2001. She is one of very few Florida attorneys (two percent) to achieve certification, with less than one percent earning a certification in family law or appellate practice. Very few lawyers achieve dual certification, which requires Debra to maintain a high level of continuing legal education. Board Certification recognizes an attorney’s skill, competency, knowledge, ethics, and professionalism. Debra is re-certified every five years–an impressive accomplishment reflecting dedication to her profession and mastery of her craft. In fact, Debra has served on the certification committee for both specialties. She has served on numerous other Florida Bar Committees.
Practice Areas
6
Practice Areas
Family
40%
35 years
Divorce and Separation
20%
Appeals
10%
35 years
Child Custody
10%
Fees and Rates
Awards
2023 2022 2021
Licenses
Licensed in Florida for 36 years
State: Florida
Acquired: 1989
No misconduct found
Location
Gallery
Online Presence
Other places you can find Debra online.
Debra Jane Sutton's Reviews
Avvo Review Score
52 Client Reviews
Filter Avvo Reviews (52)
Refine reviews to match your needs. Use the filters to quickly surface reviews that align with your case or priorities.
Practice Areas
What Clients Mention
Recommendation (23)
Professionalism (20)
Advocacy (18)
Practice Area Knowledge (17)
Case Results (15)
Compassion (12)
Staff & Support (10)
General Knowledge (9)
Responsiveness (9)
Character & Conduct (8)
Communication Style (7)
Trustworthiness (7)
Cost of Services (6)
Payment Plans (1)
Punctuality (1)
Showing 1 - 1 of 1 review | Punctuality
Posted by Valerie | September 10, 2021 | Family
Total Waste of $250 for Phone Consultation
I spent hours researching a family law attorney to help me with custody for my infant daughter. I found Sutton Law Firm on Avvo and was very impressed by their glowing reviews. I contacted them and set up an initial phone consultation with Debra Sutton for $250. My appointment was for a phone consult...
Debra Sutton
Replied last September 17, 2021Thank you for your feedback. The input from those who consult with Sutton Law Firm is valued and in family law there are times when emergencies require schedule changes. We appreciate your willingness to await the attorney’s availability and to allow time for a full evaluation. We strive to provide a meaningful consultation with analysis of the law as applied to a given individual’s situation. This often touches upon general information known to the person if they have reviewed articles on the internet/Google. A client may need to select from various options presented by the attorney before a more definitive planned course of action can be provided. You may contact us directly about any specific question you believe was not adequately addressed, as lawyers cannot respond to the specifics of a review in this forum.
Debra Jane Sutton's Lawyer Endorsements
"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"
"I endorse this lawyer. She is a great attorney that handles family law, civil and appellate cases."
"Debra is a wonderful lawyer and a wonderful person. Smart as a whip and well-respected by her peers and our judges. Highly recommend."
"Debra is one of the brightest family law attorneys I know. She is also one of the better appellate attorneys in the state."
"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"
Bruce Silver
Criminal defense lawyer
Experience
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 AssociationMember
2017 - Present
Kiwanis - Citrus CenterMember
2014 - Present
Florida Bar, Family Law Section, Marital and Family Certification CommitteePre-Tester
2013 - Present
Florida Bar, Appellate Practice Section, CertificationPre-Tester
2011 - Present
Care to Dance 501(c)3Founder, Participant, Organizer
2009 - Present
Optimist Club of Winter HavenMember
2004 - Present
Republican Party - National and StatePresident's Club Member
2001 - Present
Willson American Inn of CourtHonorary Master
1991 - Present
Florida Rural Legal ServiesVolunteer Attorney
1990 - Present
Willson American Inn of CourtIncorporator
1990 - Present
Willson American Inn of CourtCharter Member
1989 - Present
Florida Bar Appellate Practice & Advocacy SectionCharter Member
1989 - Present
Polk County Trial Lawyers AssociationMember
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 - BartowChair - Dancing Under the Stars
2014 - 2015
Kiwanis - BartowPresident-Elect
2013 - 2015
Polk Arts AllianceBoard of Directors
2013 - 2013
Kiwanis - BartowChair, Little River Band's Veteran's Day Tribute
2012 - 2012
Tenth Judicial Circuit, Historical SocietyChair, Annual Gala
2010 - 2012
Tenth Judicial Circuit, Domestic Violence CommitteeChair
2006 - 2013
Florida Bar, Family Law Section, Marital and Family Law Certification CommitteeMember
2005 - 2009
Stetson Lawyers' AssociationAdvisory Council
2004 - 2006
Florida Bar, Board of Legal Specialization and EduFamily 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 CommitteeMember
2001 - 2002
Unified Family Court Implementation Committee - 10th Judicial CircuitVice Chair
2000 - 2000
Willson American Inn of CourtDelegate, Annual Conference
2000 - 2000
Theatre Winter HavenCast Member, Inherit the Wind
1999 - 2000
Florida Bar, Appellate Practice Section, Certification CommitteeVice Chair
1999 - 2000
Florida Bar, Appellate Practice Section, Certification Liaison CommitteeChair
1999 - 2004
Florida Bar, Appellate Practice Section CLE CommitteeMember
1998 - 2004
Florida Bar, Appellate Practice Section, Certification CommitteeMember
1998 - 2004
Florida Bar, Appellate Practice Section, Certification CommitteeExam Proctor
1998 - 2003
Guardian Ad Litem Program - 10th Judicial CircuitVolunteer Guardian
1995 - 2001
Willson American Inn of CourtBarrister
1991 - 1994
Willson American Inn of CourtDelegate, Annual Conference
1990 - 2000
Willson American Inn of CourtAdministrator from Inception
Education
1989
Stetson University College of Law
J.D. cum laude
1986
University of South Florida
B.S.