Robert J. Merlin
Top rated Family Law attorney in Coral Gables, Florida
Practice Areas:
Family law,
Divorce,
Mediation & collaborative law
Education Qualification:
University of Florida Levin College of Law
Practice Areas:
Family law,
Divorce,
Mediation & collaborative law
250 Catalonia Ave, Suite 706Coral Gables, Florida, 33134
First Admitted: 1979, Florida
Professional Webpage: https://merlinlaw.com/firm-overview/robert-j-merlin/
Bar / Professional Activity:
- The Florida Bar, 1979
- Co-Chair of Collaborative Law Committee of the American Bar Association Dispute Resolution Section
- University of Florida Levin College of Law Adjunct Professor of Collaborative Law 2020 and 2022
- Frequent lecturer on Collaborative Family Law
- Florida Chapter of Association of Family and Conciliation Courts – President – 2015-2016; Vice President - 2012-2013; Board of Directors
- Association of Family and Conciliation Courts
- Florida Academy of Collaborative Professionals, President, 2021-2023, member since I co-created the organization in 2010.
- Collaborative Family Lawyers of South Florida
- Collaborative Family Law Institute – President, 2008 -2013
- International Academy of Collaborative Professionals - Treasurer 2019-2022 and Member of Board 2016-2022
- American Bar Association Foundation Fellow
- Dade County Bar Association
- American Bar Association, Family Law Section and Alternative Dispute Resolution Committee
- The Florida Bar, Family Law Rules Committee Chair 2017-2018 and member since 2014
- The Florida Bar, Family Law Section: Legislation Committee (2011-13), ADR Committee, Chair (2010-2013)
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit
- U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida and Trial Bar
- International Academy of Collaborative Professionals - Member of Board, 2016
Verdicts / Settlements (Case Results):
- I no longer litigate and I only represent individuals to obtain a Prenuptial Agreement or a divorce. I have not had to try a divorce in 10 years, so I do not get "verdicts".
Representative Clients:
- I no longer litigate and I only represent individuals in family disputes, such as a dissolution of marriage. I have settled all of my divorces in the last 10 years.
Special Licenses / Certifications:
- Florida Supreme Court Certified Family Court Mediator, 2011-Present
- Accredited Collaborative Professional by the Florida Academy of Collaborative Professionals, 2021
- Florida Supreme Court Certified Family Mediator, 2011
- Board Certified in Marital and Family Law by The Florida Bar, 1994
Pro bono / Community Service:
- Greater Miami Jewish Federation - Board of Directors and Human Resource Committee Chair Jewish Community Services of South Florida - Past Chair
- Jewish Community Services of South Florida Chair (2004-2006) and member of Board of Directors (1994-2022)
- Greater Miami Jewish Federation Board of Directors
Honors:
- Received 2008 Gator Award for work done on behalf of the University of Florida Hillel, Hillel Gator Award, University of Florida Hillel, 2008
- Martindale-Hubbell rating: AV
- Superb rating on AVVO
- Top Lawyers in South Florida – South Florida Legal Guide Magazine 2003, 2012, and 2013
- Florida Legal Elite – Florida Trend Magazine 2003 - 2022
- Top Lawyers in Florida – Florida Super Lawyers Magazine
- 2006 Dade County Bar Pro Bono Outstanding Firm Award
- Martindale-Hubbell Preeminent Family Law Attorneys
- Leading Florida Attorneys in Family Law with the Network of Leading American Attorneys
- Collaborative Family Law Institute Stu Webb Distinguished Service Award – 2012
- Awarded for services as a Guardian-Ad-Litem in family cases in 1998 and prior years, including on a pro bono basis., Ray H. Pearson Guardian-Ad-Litem Award, Eleventh Judicial Circuit Court, 1998
- Received award for work on behalf of the Greater Miami Jewish community and Jewish communities throughout the world, Stanley C. Myers Leadership Award, Greater Miami Jewish Federation, 1989
- Awarded to my firm for service to the community in family law cases and to Legal Aid on a pro bono basis., Pro Bono Outstanding Law Firm Award, Dade County Bar, 2006
Educational Background:
- University of Florida - Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with major in Accounting, 1976
- Cambridge University & The Institute of Law – Polish Academy of Science, 1978
Scholarly Lectures / Writings:
- Lectured on collaborative family law to law students, Lecturer, University of Florida Levin College of Law, 2007
- Blueprint for a More Effective Family Court Intake Process and Beyond: Opening the Umbrella to Process Family Court Cases, The Florida Bar Journal, December 2021
- It is Time to Make Financial Affidavits and Other Documents Private in Family Matters, The Florida Bar Family Law Section Commentator, Vol 1, No. 1, Winter 2019
- Contributing author to Building a Successful Collaborative Family Law Practice, (Adam Cordover with Forrest S. Mosten) ABA, 2018
- The Collaborative Law Process Rules: This is How We Do It, The Florida Bar Journal, April 2018
- Collaborative Law Process Act Passes, The Florida Bar Family Law Section Commentator, Vol XXX, No. 1, Fall 2016
- The Collaborative Law Process Act: The Future Is Now, The Florida Bar Journal, April 2017
- The Long and Winding Road to Implementing the Uniform Collaborative Law Act and Rules in Florida, The American Bar Association Dispute Resolution Section Dispute Resolution magazine, Vol 23, No. 2, Winter 2017
- Lectured on the legal aspects of parenting coordinators to attorneys and mental health professionals, Lecturer, Eleventh Judicial Circuit Parenting Coordinator Advisory Council, 2008
- Lectured on the legal aspects of parenting coordination in Florida, Lecturer, FLAFCC, 2007
- I moderated and presented on Collaborative Family Law to over 115 attendees at a seminar on that subject., Moderator, Daily Business Review, 2010
- I lectured on Collaborative Family Law to the Perspectives on Family Law class., Lecturer, University of Florida College of Law, 2009
- I lectured on Collaborative Family Law to the Florida Association of Marriage and Family Therapy., Lecturer, Florida Association of Marriage and Family Therapy, 2009
- I was one of the main presenters on basic interdisciplinary collaborative family law at a training at the University of Miami School of Law in October 2010., Presenter, Basic Interdisciplinary Collaborative Law Training, Collaborative Family Law Institute, 2010
- I lectured on collaborative family law to the Perspectives on Family Law class., Lecturer, University of Florida Levin College of Law, 2011
- I lectured on collaborative family law., Lecturer, Collaborative Family Law, Miami Beach Bar Association, 2010
- I lectured on collaborative family law., Lecturer, Collaborative Family Law, Family Law Committee of the South Palm Beach Bar Association, 2011
- Article about the treatment of marital homes in dissolution of marriage actions, Author, The Marital Home - Will it Come Back to Haunt You, The Florida Bar Journal, 1993
- Lectured on collaborative family law, Lecturer, Collaborative Family Law, Coral Gables Bar Association, 2008
- Lectured on collaborative family law, Lecturer, Coral Gables Rotary Club, 2008
- Lectured to law students on collaborative family law, Lecturer, University of Florida Levin College of Law, 2008
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