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Family Law and Attorney Leadership

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By Family Law Attorney Tom Marks

I read a great book while on vacation last week on the topic of leadership. You might ask what does leadership have to do with a family law practice. Don’t family law attorneys just deal with divorce, timesharing, children’s issues, equitable distribution, alimony and the like?

Well actually, good family law attorneys are all about leadership. If the divorce attorney is open to new ideas and ways of helping others, then he or she is able to influence, teach and mentor others in the process. When the client arrives in an emotionally and financially vulnerable place, the attorney can exercise integrity and leadership to help the client navigate through the divorce, modification, enforcement or other any other type of family law case.

Good family law attorneys, as leaders, need to have a vision and be able to communicate that to the client. They also need to have good communication skills and to be highly competent in their profession. Great leaders, who happen to be family law attorneys, need to have great people skills and be able to coach their clients through a very difficult process. They need to be open to doing what is in the best interest of the client, even if that means helping them reconcile their marriage and keep their family together. That is called integrity.

I have read a lot of books on leadership and have always tried to exercise the principles I’ve learned not only in my personal and family life but also in my professional life as a family law attorney.

What Kind of Family Law Attorney Are You Looking For?

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By Family Law Attorney Tom Marks

Some people want an experienced, more expensive Family Law Attorney and some people want a newer, less expensive Family Law Attorney. Some people want their attorney to be a “bulldog” and some people want someone who cares about them and their future.  Is it possible to get all of these in one Family Law firm? Let’s explore this question.

The Marks Law Firm has several attorneys, with professional rates ranging from $275 to $450 per hour. We also have attorneys with experience levels from 3 to 44 years. The Firm has an experienced team of paralegals with rates of $125 per hour.

So how do you put all of those fees and costs together in the most cost effective, efficient and strategic way? The answer is that we work as a team. The paralegals support the attorneys and do whatever they can under the supervision of the attorneys to keep costs down.

For those looking for a more cost effective source of representation, we pair the paralegals with the more entry-level attorney(s). On bigger more complex cases we utilize the more experienced attorneys along with the paralegals and if necessary the more cost effective younger lawyers.

Of course we have administrative support staff including our Receptionist, Office Manager and Marketing Director.  This provides administrative support that includes having non-legal client questions answered without charging the client. In addition, we bring the client on as part of the team with the paralegals, attorneys and support staff.

The client knows the facts as to what has occurred in the marriage and leading up to the Dissolution of the Marriage, Paternity action or any other family law matter we might be handling for them. I like to say we “row the boat together” or we “plow the field together”. That way the client, as part of the team, works in unison with the paralegals and attorneys in a very collaborative and synergistic way. I have found this team effort to be a great way to be on the same page with the client in presenting our case in Mediation, to Opposing Counsel or to the Court.

We make every effort to resolve each client’s case in an amicable and an uncontested fashion. However, when we find the other side being completely unreasonable and unwilling to resolve the family law matter in a positive realistic way, we are experienced enough and ready to litigate our clients case to the fullest.

You might call that, “being a bulldog,” we would call that “representing our clients zealously”. So we are able to provide the whole range of family law services and competencies to the Client, bringing the Client on to the team of Attorneys, Paralegals, Legal Assistants, and Administrative support staff. Simply put, we care deeply about our Clients. We want to see them better off for having been represented by The Marks Law Firm. We strive to represent our clients with integrity, excellence and devotion. Our clients are our mission.

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Thomas D. Marks

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Attorney Thomas D. Marks

Tom is the founding partner of The Marks Law Firm, P.A. – Family Law & Divorce Attorneys. With more than 37 years of experience practicing law in Central Florida, Tom zealously represents his clients with integrity, dedication, and personal attention. Tom has built a solid reputation with his clients, colleagues, opposing counsel, and the Courts of Orange, Osceola, Lake, Brevard, Volusia, and Seminole Counties.

It is Tom’s mission to be the best small family law firm in Central Florida.  He is dedicated to excellence and has built a great team of attorneys, paralegals, legal assistants and support staff at The Marks Law Firm, P.A. – Family Law & Divorce Attorneys. Tom is committed to his clients, their well-being, and their goals. He sees success as a journey built on integrity, excellence and hard work. Tom cares deeply about his clients, their children, and their future success and significance.

If reconciliation is possible, he will support those efforts and what is best for the family. If he is called on to represent his clients’ interests in Court, a Collaborative Case, Mediation, or elsewhere, he will be a zealous advocate, negotiator and wise counsel.

Tom has actively volunteered his time and efforts in the Orange County Bar and has taken over 28 pro bono Legal Aid Society cases to represent those who could not afford an Attorney. Tom has volunteered over 200 hours of professional services in pro bono work.

Tom is active in the community and in his church.  He frequently speaks at various Divorce Care groups in Central Florida and he has focused his time, efforts, and practice in family and marital areas of the law. In 2011, Tom was recognized as Outstanding Chairman by the Orange County Bar Association as chair of the Family Law Committee.

Tom and his wife Linda have been married over 34 years and have two adult children, Rebekah and Daniel. To learn more about Tom and his passions beyond family law, click here to read the latest Healthy Lawyer Blog.

Bar Admissions

  • Florida, 1986
  • Family Law Section
  • Solo & Small Firm

Professional Memberships & Activities

  • National Association of Divorce Professionals Downtown Orlando Chapter, 2017 – Present
  • Director, 2017 – Present
  • Florida Bar Ninth Circuit Grievance Committee, 2013—2016
  • The C12 Group, 2011—2019
  • Central Florida Collaborative Law Group, 2009—2017, 2020 – Present
  • Family Law Inns of Court, 2005—Present
  • Master Level
  • Central Florida Christian Chamber of Commerce, 2003—Present
  • Orange County Bar Association, 1986—Present
  • Christian Legal Society, 1983—Present
  • Family Law Executive Committee, 2003—2011
  • Chairman, 2007-2011
  • Daetwyler Shores HOA, 1998—2006
  • President, Board of Directors, 2005—2006
  • Academy of Florida Trial Lawyers, 1990—2000
  • Florida Hospital East Orlando Foundation Board, 1993—1997
  • Chairman, 1996—1997
  • Vice Chairman, 1993—1995
  • Orange County Animal Service Advisory Board, 1992—1997
  • Chairman, 1994—1997
  • Association of Trial Lawyers of America, 1991—2003
  • Winter Park Pines Community Association, 1987—1994
  • President, Board of Directors, 1992—1994
  • Christian Conciliation Service of Central Florida, 1988—1992
  • East Orlando Civitan Service Organization, 1988—1990

Recognitions & Speaking Engagements

  • Guest on Inside Look by Brooks Podcast, 2022
  • Featured Speaker at FAMU Christian Legal Society Event, 2019
  • Guest on Chasing Wisdom Podcast, 2018
  • Featured Speaker at Central Florida Christian Chamber of Commerce November Luncheon, 2017
  • ED Talk Speaker at August NADP Downtown Orlando Chapter Meeting, 2017; May NADP Downtown Orlando Chapter Meeting, 2020
  • “10 Best” Client Satisfaction Award from American Institute of Family Law Attorneys, 2014 – 2016
  • Presenter at the 2010 Christian Legal Society National Convention
  • OCBA Outstanding Committee Chair, 2010 – 2011
  • Orlando’s Top Lawyers, 2010, 2013
  • Published in The Builders magazine, July 2016
  • Published in Orlando Home & Leisure
  • Regular speaker at Divorce Care Groups throughout Central Florida
  • 1st place Dean Maloney Memorial Writing Contest, 1986 – Statewide competition and published on front cover of the Florida Bar Journal in 1986.

Education

  • University of Florida, B.A. 1981
  • University of Florida School of Law, 1985
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About The Firm

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Marks Law Firm in Orlando Florida specializing in Family Law – Orlando Divorce Lawyers

Established in 1992 by founding partner Thomas D. Marks, The Marks Law Firm, P.A. – Family Law & Divorce Attorneys has earned a reputation throughout Central Florida for excellence in family law practice. Attorney Tom Marks has built The Marks Law Firm, P.A. – Family Law & Divorce Attorneys on integrity, service, and an unwavering commitment to providing individuals and families with the best in Central Florida family law counsel. As an experienced boutique Family Law firm, we are able to combine outstanding legal skills and technical representation with a level of personal attention that isn’t available at most law firms.  Our goal is to create an environment of teamwork, commitment and open communication with every client.  Our Orlando divorce lawyers provide  services in the Central Florida area including: Orlando, Winter Park, MetroWest, Windermere, Dr. Phillips, East Orlando, Lake Mary and Clermont Florida.

Check out our Practice Areas to learn more about the Firm’s services.

 

Mission Statement:
It is our Mission: “To Honor God and Faithfully Represent our Clients with Great Leadership, Attitude, Excellence and Teamwork.” 

Core Values:
Integrity • Heart for the Client – Going the Extra Mile • Excellence in Work Product/Timely • Great Teamwork • Great Attitude
• Continuous Improvement/Growth • Leadership Abilities • Humility • Creativity/Strategic Thinking • Healthy Boundaries