Debra M. Salisbury

Debra M. Salisbury

4.7
Rating: 9.9

Licensed for 32 years

Child abuse Lawyer at Sarasota, FL
Practice Areas: Child Abuse, Adoption, Child Custody

3293 Fruitville Road, Unit 101, Sarasota, FL

About Debra

Biography

Practice Areas

3

Practice Areas

Child Abuse 50%

Dependency law

33 years

50%
Adoption 30%

33 years

30%
Child Custody 20%

33 years

20%

Fees and Rates

We have not found any cost information for this lawyer


Looking for an attorney? Avvo can help.

search module image

Search our directory

Quickly connect with top attorneys through our legal directory to get help with your legal issue.

chat module image

Avvo's live chat agents can help coordinate a consultation with a local attorney.

Chat with a live agent who can match you with the right attorney for your legal needs.

Chat with

Licenses

Licensed in Florida for 32 years

State: Florida

Acquired: 1993

Member in Good Standing

No misconduct found

Location

Law Offices of Debra M. Salisbury

3293 Fruitville Road, Unit 101, Sarasota, FL, 34237-6453

Ad

Transform legal challenges into solutions.

Connect now to review your situation.

The Avvo Rating explained

display-bg

The Avvo Rating explained

Debra M. Salisbury's Reviews

Avvo Review Score

4.7 /5.0

37 Client Reviews

Showing 1 - 5 of 10 reviews | Communication Style

Posted by Courtney | July 15, 2024 | Hired Attorney | Divorce & Separation

Amazing

Debra M. Salisbury not only handled my divorce with ease she handled my DCF case and won with flying colors. She gets stuff done, she’s open and honest with you rather you like her answer or not. She was always there to answer my questions. This woman saved mine and my children’s lives and brought us... back together. I can’t thank her enough.

Posted by Abigail | April 13, 2022 | Hired Attorney | Family

An attorney that everyone should have in their corner!!

I was blind sided by my ex husband, with being served papers to change our parenting plan that we made when we got divorced 10 years ago. I was shocked, scared, emotional and distraught. I didn’t know what to do but I did the best thing I could have done and that was call Deborah Salisbury. My ex hus...band kept my daughter from me and was recording our conversations and making horrendous actuations about me. Deborah was there every step of the way. Her guidance and skill is unparalleled. She was there with any questions I had and answered questions I wouldn’t have thought to ask. She got me back with my daughter and put things into place for the future and anything that may arise. Everyone deserves to have a Deborah Salisbury in their corner. She will work you and fight for you even when you aren’t sure that you have any fight last in you! If you are in need of a family attorney Deborah Salisbury is who you need to call! I can close my eyes tonight knowing my daughter is back with me. While going through this situation was an absolute nightmare I was put as ease the minute I talked to Deborah. Abbie

Posted by anonymous | April 05, 2022 | Hired Attorney | Family

Attitude, Temper, Pride, Arrogance

The other reviews are right based on skill. There is a huge amount of skill in this office. However. There is also a huge amount of pride. After spending over $55k on her fees, when things didn’t go exactly the way Debra wanted, she got “offended” and decided to pass us off mid court, stating that th...ere was issues with council. Perfect example of the typical Attorney Stereotype. We still won our case even though she left us high and dry. Her words were “I’m too busy to deal with this emotion, I’m taking care of my elderly parents and trying to be an attorney full time, and you are too draining of a person for me to deal with.” Maybe take some time off and reconsider why you got into this business to begin with. To help people. Not help your pride. Looking at other posts and based on conversations in the community. It looks like, if you are a woman. Debra will do fine with you. But based on statistics, she does not work well when representing men in her family cases. She allows her female pride to constantly put men down and their abilities.

Debra Salisbury

Replied last December 20, 2022

As a lawyer, I am constrained by the Rules of Regulating the Florida Bar in responding in detail, but I will simply state that it is my belief that the comments "After spending $55k on her fees", "pass us off mid court", "left us high and dry", "But based on statistics, she does not work well when representing men in her family cases. She allows her female pride to constantly put men down and their abilities" present neither a fair nor accurate picture of what occurred and I believe that said comments are false.

Posted by Eric | June 24, 2021 | Hired Attorney | Family

The best hands down.

Family issues of any kind are tough. If you find yourself in a position where you need a family attorney, Debra is the best! She is very straightforward, diligent and knowledgeable. My case was going slow until I hired Debra. I hired Debra and within a day she had a motion filed. I had another proble...m arise and letters were sent out. Debra is very very very well known in the family circuit. Family matters important and tDebra treats them as such. If you find yourself in a position where you need a GOOD family attorney, do your family a favor and go with Debra, she is the BEST.

Posted by Jamie | August 28, 2018 | Hired Attorney | Lawsuits & Disputes

There is no one better!

Debra represented my son in a very complicated and messy case. She was forthright from the beginning and gave us a very clear picture of what we were up against and what we could expect. She was able to cut through all the dirt and formulate a clean defense. She gave us great advice, and was very ...compassionate; truly wanting the best for our family. Debra is a fierce opponent and very passionate about doing what is right. She represented us with focused integrity. I felt she was totally in our corner and am grateful that she was able to give my son a voice when no one else was willing to listen. She is well versed, totally prepared, respected and a formidable opponent in the courtroom. She was able to get our case dismissed and we are truly grateful. When your life and your family is on the line, don't try to go it alone. You absolutely NEED someone with Debra's caliber to be your advocate.

See All Client Reviews

Debra M. Salisbury's Lawyer Endorsements

Endorse Debra
Amiee Ruth Buckman headshot
Amiee Buckman

Divorce and separation lawyer | Nov 16

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I've had the pleasure of knowing Debra Salisbury for quite some time and always found her to be a consummate professional and zealous advocate for her clients. I wholeheartedly endorse Debra."

Gerald F. O'Brien headshot
Gerald O'Brien

Divorce and separation lawyer | Jul 26

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer. Debra Salisbury is an intelligent, skilled, and zealous advocate for her clients. I have known Debra for more than 20 years and endorse her without hesitation."

Angela Davis Tobaygo headshot
Angela Tobaygo

Divorce and separation lawyer | Jul 08

Relationship: Opposing Counsel on matter

"Attorney Salisbury and I have been opponents on a number of dissolution of marriage cases. She is an excellent advocate for her clients and though we have litigated cases, we have also successfully reached resolutions through mediation or settlement conferences. Ms. Salisbury is an experienced attorney who is very organized. Her incredible attention to detail and skills are assets to her clients."

Mark Rein Zimmerman headshot
Mark Zimmerman

Family lawyer | Jun 02

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I have known Ms. Salisbury for many years and consider her to be a foremost authority on local matters related to various aspects of family law. Whether it be for a divorce, custody matter or an adoption, I highly recommend this fine lawyer."

Charles Michael Kelly headshot
Charles Kelly

Family lawyer | May 14

Relationship: Worked together on matter

"It has been my pleasure to work with and learn from the experience of working with Debra Sailsbury. No one works harder for her clients than Ms. Salisbury. She always sees to her client's needs and serves their best interests throughout her representation. I endorse this lawyer."

Dana M Moss headshot
Dana Moss

Family lawyer | Apr 29

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I whole heartedly endorse Debra. She is very knowledgeable in family law matters and always prepared. If you are looking for a lawyer who knows the law, is aggressive in the courtroom, returns phones calls and stays on top of her caseload, call Debra Salisbury. You won't be disappointed."

Kurt Eugene Lee headshot
Kurt Lee

Family lawyer | Feb 28

Relationship: Worked together on matter

"Debra Salisbury is a great family law attorney because she works hard and is a persuasive communicator. I have seen Debra in action and been impressed by her research, memos, and witness files. It is no surprise why Debra gets good results for her clients: Debra does all the work beforehand and wins her hearings before she walks into the courtroom."

View All Endorsements
Jaime Julian Garcia III headshot
Jaime Garcia

Family lawyer

Jay Robert Seigel headshot
Jay Seigel

Family lawyer

Allan F. Baily headshot
Allan Baily

Family lawyer

Phillip D. Harward headshot
Phillip Harward

Military law lawyer

Angela Davis Tobaygo headshot
Angela Tobaygo

Family lawyer

Steven Paul Johnson headshot
Steven Johnson

Unknown lawyer

Mark Rein Zimmerman headshot
Mark Zimmerman

Domestic violence lawyer

Charles Michael Kelly headshot
Charles Kelly

Child abuse lawyer

Experience

Rating:  9.9 (Superb)

Honors

2018

Board Certified Specialist in Juvenile Law, The Florida Bar

2012

Gold Level Pro Bono Award, Legal Aid of Manasota

2007

Bronze Level Pro Bono Award, Legal Aid of Manasota

Work Experience

1995 - Present

Attorney, Law Office of Debra M. Salisbury, P.A.

Associations

State of Florida Board of Nursing

Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner

2008 - 2013

Sarasota Florida Association For Women Lawyers

Board of Directors

2005 - 2013

Florida Adoption Council

Member

1999 - 2000

Sarasota Florida Association For Women Lawyers

President

1995 - 2000

Sarasota Florida Association For Women Lawyers

Board of Directors

1993 - 2013

Sarasota County Bar Association

Member

Sample of Legal Cases

W.S. v. Dep't of Children and Family Servs.

The case was reversed and remanded to the trial court for further proceedings.

See More Legal Cases

Education

1992

Stetson University College of Law

JD - Juris Doctor

1983

University of Florida College of Nursing

MS - Master of Science

1980

Salve Regina University

BS - Bachelor of Science

Speaking Engagements

2018

2018 Disabilities Training Conference

Advocating For Families of Children With Complex Medical Issues When Medical Child Abuse Accusations are Made

2014

2014 Child Protection Summit

Thinking Outside the Box

2013

2013 Child Protection Summit

Covering the Bases – Having What you Need for Trial at Your Fingertips

Publications

2011

The Docket Practice Tips For Defense Counsel In Dependency Land, Part 1

2011

The Docket Practice Tips For Defense Counsel In Dependency Land, Part 2

1986

Journal of Psychosocial Nursing AIDS: Psychosocial Implications

Languages

English

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