Guichard is a French name of Germanic origin that, loosely translated, means “made strong from combat.” When Guichard St. Surin partner with his clients in family law matters, he likes to shield them from battle. “I want them to see past the position they are fighting for and truly get to the root of the issues in order to avoid coming back to court for modification or enforcement proceedings,” he said. He employs a holistic approach to help keep clients’ wellbeing intact, including referrals to financial advisors and psychological counselors to help manage the upheaval that inevitably happens in big transitions. “The reward is knowing that I was able to help a family navigate through the storm and uncertainty of divorce and having them come out confident on the other end.”
Guichard was born in Haiti and grew up in Naples with eight brothers and sisters. Service was a family ethic, which is evident in the career choices of several of the siblings. An older brother served in the U.S. Army, and did tours in Iraq and Afghanistan. Another is an officer with the Naples Police Department. A sister that is school teacher. St. Surin also married well – his wife is a school psychologist.
Guichard wanted to be an attorney since high school. “That decision was solidified in my third year in undergrad when I won Best Advocate in a national trial competition in my first year of doing mock trial,” he recalled. “From then on I had a burning passion for being in the courtroom.”
He realizes that what separates him from his clients is often just a matter of happy circumstance. He once worked out a 10-year sentence for a 16-year-old who was charged with aggravated battery with a firearm, punishable by life in prison. “He looked just like my younger brother and I immediately felt a connection with him.” Although his efforts were successful, he felt far from triumphant. “I realized that a lot of these young men have no positive male role models in their life,” he said. Being in a position to serve as such a role model, St. Surin mentors a group of boys on Wednesday nights at his church.
Guichard welcomed his first-born son in the Fall of 2015. "Being entrusted with a child is the greatest blessing that God has bestowed upon me. Being a parent and seeing how much joy my son has when I'm around has brought me a deeper level of understanding and love. I want every parent to continue to experience that joy and love that only parenthood brings. I want to help them through the painful transition period of separation and work with them to create and develop a schedule that allows both parents to continue to enjoy those priceless moments with their child."
Languages spoken
English, Creole
The Guardian Law Firm, P.A.
1919 Courtney Drive
Suite 16
Fort Myers, FL, 33901
State | Status | Acquired | Updated |
---|---|---|---|
FL | Member in Good Standing | 2011 | 03/28/2022 |
updated
An admonition means an attorney did something wrong but may still practice law. The Bar gives the lawyer an admonition in hopes that he or she will not repeat the behavior.
Guichard’s comment: “This was a singular occurrence that was due to the results of two disgruntled previous criminal law clients. I always try to do my upmost for every single client and I am sorry the results were what they were but I did everything in my power to obtain the best outcome. Please feel free to reach out to me directly if you have any questions about this instance.”
Award name | Grantor | Date Granted |
---|---|---|
Peer Review Rated | Martindale-Hubbell | 2016 |
Esteemed Member | The Global Who's Who | 2015 |
Top 100 Trial Lawyers | The National Trial Lawyers Association | 2013 |
Top 40 under 40 | The National Trial Lawyers Association | 2013 |
Outstanding Certificate of Achievement in Pro Bono Service | University of Florda, Fredric G. Levin College of Law | 2011 |
Outstanding Certificate of Achievement in Community Service | University of Florida Frederic G. Levin College of Law | 2011 |
Final Four | Black Law Student Association Southern Regional Mock Trial | 2009 |
Regional Best Attorney | American Mock Trial Association | 2006 |
Title | Company name | Duration |
---|---|---|
CEO | The Guardian Law Firm, P.A. | 2012 - Present |
Assistant State Attorney | State Attorney, Twentieth Judicial Circuit of Florida | 2011 - 2012 |
Certified Legal Intern | Public Defender, Eighteenth Judicial Circuit of Florida | 2011 - 2011 |
Certified Legal Intern | State Attorney, Ninth Judicial Circuit Of Florida | 2010 - 2010 |
Judicial Law Clerk | Eleventh Judicial Circuit In & For Miami Dade County, Fl | 2009 - 2009 |
Family Law Clerk | The Eleventh Circuit Court Of Florida | 2009 - 2009 |
Intern | State Attorney, Eighth Judicial Circuit of Florida | 2009 - 2009 |
Association name | Position name | Duration |
---|---|---|
Association of Family Law Professionals (Southwest Florida) | Board of Directors | 2015 - Present |
Lee County Law Library | Board of Trustees | 2015 - Present |
Calusa American Inn of Court | Member | 2015 - Present |
Florida Bar | Member | 2011 - Present |
University of Florida Levin College of Law Trial Team | Liaison | 2011 - Present |
Lee County Legal Aid | Board of Directors | 2015 - 2016 |
National Bar Association -Isaac Anderson Chapter | President | 2014 - 2014 |
Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (Fort Myers Chapter) | Vice President | 2014 - 2015 |
Florida Bar, Standing Committee Student Education & Admissions To The Bar | Committe Member | 2013 - 2016 |
Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers | Member | 2012 - 2015 |
Collier County Bar Association | Member | 2012 - 2015 |
Lee County Bar Association | Member | 2012 - 2015 |
National Bar Association -Isaac Anderson Chapter | Vice President | 2012 - 2014 |
American Bar Association | Member | 2011 - 2015 |
University of Florida Fredric G. Levin, College of Law Entertainment Law Review | Member | 2009 - 2011 |
Publication name | Title | Date |
---|---|---|
The Guardian Law Firm, P.A. | 10 Things to Know About Family Court | 2018 |
The Guardian Law Firm, P.A. | Family Court Guiding Principles | 2018 |
The Guardian Law Firm, P.A. | 10 Instructions For Testimony | 2018 |
The Guardian Law Firm, P.A. | Time-sharing Dos and Don'ts | 2018 |
The Guardian Law Firm, P.A. | Timesharing Schedule Creation Guidelines | 2018 |
School name | Degree | Graduated |
---|---|---|
University of Florida, Fredric G. Levin College of Law | JD - Juris Doctor | 2011 |
Florida State University | BS - Bachelor of Science | 2008 |
Conference name | Title | Date |
---|---|---|
CLE | Court Room Decorum | 2016 |
CLE | Ethics | 2015 |
CLE | General Ethics | 2014 |
CLE | Ethics | 2013 |
Chapter Meeting | Effective use of Social Media | 2012 |
School Psychologist meeting | Haitian Culture in the Classroom | 2012 |
1st Annual Career Panel | Career Seminar | 2012 |
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August 10, 2017
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March 4, 2017
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February 20, 2016
Rahul Aggarwal, Unknown Attorney on Mar 23, 2018
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
An excellent lawyer who treats clients with patience, care, understanding, and utmost professionalism - an even better person and I wholeheartedly recommend for future services.
Miesha Hewitt, Family Attorney on Jan 8, 2018
Relationship: Worked together on matter
I endorse this lawyer.
Rahul Aggarwal, Unknown Attorney on Mar 23, 2018
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
An excellent lawyer who treats clients with patience, care, understanding, and utmost professionalism - an even better person and I wholeheartedly recommend for future services.
Miesha Hewitt, Family Attorney on Jan 8, 2018
Relationship: Worked together on matter
I endorse this lawyer.
Kenneth Turner, Family Attorney on Jun 26, 2017
Relationship: Opposing Counsel on matter
Guichard is a very capable lawyer who cares about people. A good man who brings integrity and honor to our profession. He is truly one of the good guys. I would not hesitate to refer a matter to him.
Natoria Hubbard, Unknown Attorney on Apr 5, 2017
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse this lawyer.
Don Mathews, Family Attorney on Jun 17, 2016
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse this lawyer. Ms. St. Surin is a reliable source to refer my clients too and the clients are appreciative of same. I believe he cares about the people he represents.
Caila Coleman, Family Attorney on Mar 1, 2016
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
Guichard provides excellent service to his clients by being knowledgable on the law, communicating with clients, and being prepared for court. I have seen him in action and he is always willing to zealously advocate for his clients.
Nicol Hanyard-Miles, Family Attorney on Sep 16, 2015
Relationship: Worked together on matter
I endorse this lawyer.
Brittany O'Neil, Unknown Attorney on Jul 6, 2015
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse this lawyer.
Pablo Hurtado, Criminal defense Attorney on Apr 8, 2015
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse this lawyer.
Marck Joseph, Family Attorney on Feb 24, 2015
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse this lawyer.
Alexander Peterson, Criminal defense Attorney on Jun 4, 2014
Relationship: Friend
Guichard cares about his clients and has the experience to get the job done right! He gives his clients the best shot at a victory in Court. I fully endorse this lawyer.
Aaron Cilek, Criminal defense Attorney on May 30, 2014
Relationship: Friend
I endorse this lawyer.
Jerome Williams, Unknown Attorney on May 29, 2014
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse this lawyer.
Vera Bergermann, DUI and DWI Attorney on Feb 5, 2014
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse this lawyer. Atty. St. Surin represented one of my family law clients in a DUI matter and did a wonderful job. He explained everything in great detail to the client, so that no requirements would be missed. He also got a very favorable outcome for the client. I have recommended him to other clients.
Bhavik Patel, Criminal defense Attorney on Jan 26, 2014
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
Guichard St. Surin is intelligent, hard working, and a great attorney. I would highly recommend his services.
Erica Cordova, Unknown Attorney on Oct 30, 2013
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse this lawyer.
Bradley Rothman, Criminal defense Attorney on Sep 14, 2013
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse this lawyer. Guichard is active in the legal community, knowledgeable, and works hard for justice for his clients.
Eunice Gedeon, Family Attorney on Sep 11, 2013
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse this lawyer.
Erica Luque, Criminal defense Attorney on Aug 22, 2013
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse this lawyer.
Patrick Bailey, Criminal defense Attorney on Aug 22, 2013
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse this lawyer. Mr. St. Surin is an exceptional attorney and his clients are very fortunate to have him on their side.