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 7 reviews | Trustworthiness

Posted by David | August 30, 2023 | Hired Attorney

Best Attorney nothing compares!

Rest assure hiring Ms. Sutton and her staff you will soon realize you made a smart choice and have the best team possible to handle your case. From the start and all the way through to the end, Ms. Sutton and her team were very professional, kind, compassionate and genuine. Ms. Sutton has the know...ledge of the laws and and she is fearless on getting you everything that you have a legal right to. Ms. Sutton takes the time needed to keep on top of the latest new laws being implemented. She explains everything in detail and I always felt informed. I always knew she was working on my case all along the way. She has helped many clients ( as she did for me )get the best results and output while all along giving me the feeling of a personal friend that was there for me at all times. I soon realized she genuinely cared about my situation. I can't say it enough, hiring Ms. Sutton and her staff, you will soon realize, there is no one better and she is on your case from start to finish. You won't feel you are just a number. Hiring Ms. Sutton as I did you will have peace of mind knowing nothing compares or comes close, to what her office will do for you! They all are a team and they are on top of everything. I'm so grateful to all of them. Hiring Ms. Sutton was the best decision I made. You will feel that way too!

Posted by Katelyn | May 16, 2021 | Hired Attorney | Divorce & Separation

Upstanding Lawyer

I chose to use Debra and her firm for my divorce after sitting down and discussing with her the details leading up to my marital separation. Debra struck me as honest, dependable, and driven. I knew that she would be a hard working advocate for myself and my children. Working with Debra, I always fel...t assured that she was working tirelessly behind the scenes on my behalf. She was prompt to respond to emails and phone calls, worked "by the book" (and she knows "the book"- which was helpful since there were a lot of unexpected curveballs in my case), and kept me in the loop during the entire process. I walked away from my divorce knowing that nothing was done unethically, unfairly, and all the "t's and i's" were crossed and dotted. I have recommended her to friends, and would use her again if the need arose.

Posted by S | April 21, 2021 | Hired Attorney | Family

A True Advocate!

When I found myself in need of a family attorney, a trusted friend (and attorney) referred me to Debra Sutton and Sutton Law Firm. Debra Sutton took immediate steps to protect me, my home and property and worked closely with my other attorneys to resolve my legal issues to happy conclusions. She is... tireless, driven, very intelligent, caring and kind. Debra Sutton sees good people at their worst, listens to them without judgment and shows nothing but compassion, concern and a passion for their fight! Debra is very knowledgeable in the law with high moral and ethical values and is NOT driven by the amount she can bill you. Debra Sutton is the epitome of a great attorney and she is a credit to the profession.

Posted by anonymous | April 09, 2021 | Hired Attorney | Corporate & Incorporation

Debra Has Always Been Most Trustworthy With Me

Debra set up my corporation, has advised me in various legal matters and has referred me to a specialist when I need it, and has assisted my family and friends when they needed her help. She advised my sister and brother-in-law during their turbulent financial times, and my lifelong friend when he ha...d many questions about his son's divorce. She has been benevolent in her legal advice to the volunteers of my nonprofit organization, and she referred a troubled business owner friend to a legal immigration specialist who solved her problem. Debra's advice has always been professional, knowledgeable and from her heart. I trust her and would refer her for any legal matter anyone might have as she has always gone the extra mile to address my concerns.

Posted by James | August 12, 2020 | Family

An outstanding attorney

I have known and worked with Debra Sutton since before she became the outstanding practitioner she has now been for over thirty years. I have referred many clients to her for matters within her specialities and she has provided each of them superb representation. She is not only one of the most capa...ble, Board Certified, family law attorneys in the State, she is also a top rated, Board Certified, appellant lawyer, with an excellent reputation in numerous matters over several decades. Ms. Sutton has participated as a member of the Florida Bar Board Certification Committees in both of her specialties, a recognition of her level of expertise. Debra Sutton is a successful lawyer that vigorously and ethically represents each and every client whom have had the opportunity to engage her firm over the years.

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
Bruce Franklin Silver headshot
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

Our Rating is calculated using information the lawyer has included on their profile in addition to the information we collect from state bar associations and other organizations that license legal professionals. Attorneys who claim their profiles and provide Avvo with more information tend to have a higher rating than those who do not.

What determines Avvo Rating?
  • Experience & background Years licensed, work experience, education
  • Legal community recognition Peer endorsements, associations, awards
  • Legal thought leadership Publications, speaking engagements
  • Discipline Disciplinary information may not be comprehensive, or updated. We recommend that you always check a lawyer's disciplinary status with their respective state bar association before hiring them.
Avvo Rating Levels
10.0 - 9.0 Superb8.9 - 8.0 Excellent7.9 - 7.0 Very Good6.9 - 6.0 Good5.9 - 5.0 Average4.9 - 4.0 Concern3.9 - 3.0 Caution2.9 - 2.0 Strong Caution1.9 - 1.0 Extreme Caution