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Firm Overview
At The Law Offices of Robert J. Merlin, P.A., we are dedicated to using our experience to make a positive difference in our clients' lives. Through client education, a focus on out-of-court settlements, and a passionate approach to our work, Robert J. Merlin and his associate and staff help guide families through the complex areas of family law and divorce.
Practice areas include all issues of divorce, such as custody of children, child support, alimony, the equitable distribution of property and debts, the preparation and negotiation of pre- and post-nuptial agreements and settlement agreements. We also represent clients in domestic violence cases and paternity actions.
Robert J. Merlin is experienced in several methods of dispute resolution - collaborative law, mediation, and litigation. Robert Merlin is a Florida Bar Board Certified Family Law Specialist and has received special training in the Collaborative Law method. No matter which method our client chooses, the goal of The Firm is to resolve disputes as expeditiously and economically as possible, while always focusing on our client's best interest.
As a general philosophy, we believe clients benefit most when cases are settled without court intervention. We will always attempt to negotiate a settlement on behalf of our client, either directly with the opposing party and/or attorney or through mediation, to try to minimize the costs of litigation.
Although we are able to settle most of our clients' cases, some must go to trial. When a trial is necessary, we work closely with our client, the relevant witnesses, and appropriate experts to present the evidence and legal arguments that will result in the most favorable decision possible for our client.
How we work with clients:
Our first contact with a client is usually through an initial consultation for which there is a reasonable charge. We will spend between one and two hours with the prospective client to discuss the facts of the case, the applicable law, the parties’ rights and obligations, and our recommendations for a course of action. At that time, we will also discuss the anticipated cost of our representation and our fee arrangement.
If we and the client jointly decide to proceed with representation, we will enter into a formal retainer agreement that sets forth the financial terms of our employment.
Robert J. Merlin
“Top Lawyers in Florida” Florida Super Lawyers Magazine 2006, 2007 & 2008
“Florida Legal Elite” Florida Trend Magazine 2006
“Top Lawyers in South Florida” South Florida Legal Guide Magazine 2003
Position: Managing Partner.
Admissions: The Florida Bar - 1979; U.S. District Court, Southern District of Florida and Trial Bar; U.S. Court of Appeals, Eleventh Circuit.
Education: University of Florida (B.S., 1976); Mercer University and University of Florida (J.D., with honors, 1978); Cambridge University & The Institute of Law - Polish Academy of Science; Phi Delta Phi; Research Editor, Florida Law Review, 1978.
Author: "The Marital Home - Will It Come Back To Haunt You?" 67 Fla. Bar J. 62, 1993.
Professional Memberships:
The Florida Bar and the Family Law Section;
Board Certified in Marital and Family Law through The Florida Bar Board of Legal Specialization and Education;
Coral Gables Bar Association;
Dade County Bar Association;
American Bar Association;
International Academy of Collaborative Professionals;
Collaborative Family Law Institute;
Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce;
Eleventh Circuit Parenting Coordinators Advisory Group; Association of Family and Conciliation Courts; Advisory Board of the Center on Children and Families, University of Florida Levin College of Law.
Specialized Practice Areas: Family Law, Collaborative Family Law, Mediation.
AV rated Martindale Hubble
Awards:
1998 Eleventh Judicial Circuit Ray H. Pearson Guardian Ad Litem Award;
Leading Florida Attorneys in Family Law with the Network of Leading American Attorneys;
Martindale-Hubbell Preeminent Family Law Attorneys;
2006 Dade County Bar Pro Bono Outstanding Firm Award.
Gabriel Collazo Bodner
Position: Associate.
Admissions: The Florida Bar - 2007.
Education: Manhattanville College (B.A., 1999); Benjamin N. Cardozo Law School of Yeshiva University (J.D., 2007); Oxford University.
Professional Memberships:
The Florida Bar;
Family Law Section;
Tax Section;
Young Lawyers Division.
Profile:
Gabriel Bodner began his career at iXL (acquired by Avenue A/ Razorfish), a leading internet consulting firm specializing in marketing and design for web initiatives of Fortune 1000 companies, where he was a Lead Network Administrator and head of training for the information technology department. In 2001, Gabriel moved to Latina Media Ventures, the owner of Latina Magazine. There he worked directly with the CFO to implement a new financial system to streamline their business processes. Gabriel entered the real estate industry with Pearsall Mercer Development as a project manager for development in the firm's projects in NYC. He later returned to law school at Cardozo and interned with the Real Estate Asset Management Group of the New York City Comptroller's Office. The Real Estate Group manages $4B in real estate assets for the benefit of New York City employees. There he analyzed financial statements of real estate assets and conducted due diligence of fund-owned real estate and its managers' performance. After passing The Florida Bar Exam, Gabriel moved to Florida and has recently joined the team at Robert J. Merlin, P.A. as an associate. Gabriel holds a bachelor of arts from Manhattanville College and a juris doctorate from Cardozo Law School.
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