Family Law Attorney Lakeland
Focused Representation, Individualized Attention
Board-certified in family law & appellate practice
Boutique firm with personalized, team-based representation
Offices in Lakeland, St. Petersburg, and Bartow
Why Choose Sutton Law Firm?
Privacy and Discretion
At Sutton Law Firm, we understand the emotional turmoil and sense of loss our clients may often experience. All of our clients are treated with the utmost sensitivity and discretion. It's important for clients to know their personal legal matters will be handled privately, and we carefully manage our schedule to preserve confidentiality. Appointments are always staggered so two clients are rarely in the office at the same time, maintaining a heightened level of sanctuary for those we represent.
Comforting Environment
Our business, appellate, and family law attorneys strive to provide competent and compassionate legal counsel in a comfortable environment. Our office is inside the historic Mann Manor, a beautiful colonial mansion known as "the home that love built." It is a uniquely tranquil setting with well-manicured grounds. Our office in Bartow, FL, feels like a world away with its front porch rocking chairs and welcoming fireplace in the Great Room, yet it is located right across the street from our County's courthouse and the main hub of the 10th Judicial Circuit for Highlands, Hardee, and Polk Counties.
A Team Management Approach
Every client of the Sutton Law Firm is treated with individual attention and a team management approach. This means all of our attorneys, law clerks, and paralegals are familiar with the details of your case and are always ready to answer questions or provide assistance. We thoroughly analyze and staff the issues of your case and develop realistic offensive and defensive strategies to provide the best possible outcome for you.
Contact the Sutton Law Firm Today
Welcome to the Sutton Law Firm, a boutique law firm located in historic Bartow, FL, across from the Polk County Courthouse. Sutton Law Firm concentrates its practice of law in all areas of family law, appellate practice, and business bankruptcy. The Firm also performs select services in civil litigation and business law, primarily for business owners and commercial clientele. The Firm, which also has convenient locations in Lakeland and St. Petersburg, offers the collaborative law process in family law cases, as well as business and civil cases.
The Firm is led by Debra J. Sutton, an accomplished attorney who has achieved board-certification from the Florida Bar in both appellate practice and marital and family law. She is joined by Matthew J. Kovschak, with whom she has practiced law since 1993. Matthew brings more than 35 years of experience to the Firm. Along with the rest of our team, our attorneys help our clients achieve favorable resolutions to both common and complex legal matters.
When our client found himself facing several life-changing difficulties, our team provided support and guidance. “It's so awesome to be able to come here, where you have the divorce lawyers, you have the bankruptcy lawyers, you have the guardianship lawyers,” he says. “They were able to reassure me and help me get grounded again. I don't think you could find a better law firm to help you get through life.”
Meet Our Founder Debra J. Sutton
Debra J. Sutton has practiced family law and appellate law in Bartow, FL, for over 35 years. She is an expert in Florida family law and appellate practice. She can assist you with everything from a simple, uncontested, or collaborative divorce to a complex case requiring aggressive representation in court. If you have been subject to domestic violence, Debra will aggressively work to ensure your rights as a victim are respected in court. In issues of child support or legal custody, she will always fight for the Parenting Plan in the best interests of your children.
Debra has been Board Certified in Appellate Practice since 1997 and Board Certified in Marital and Family Law since 2001. She is one of very few Florida attorneys (two percent) to achieve certification, with less than one percent earning a certification in family law or appellate practice. Very few lawyers achieve dual certification, which requires Debra to maintain a high level of continuing legal education. Board Certification recognizes an attorney’s skill, competency, knowledge, ethics, and professionalism. Debra is re-certified every five years, an impressive accomplishment reflecting dedication to her profession and mastery of her craft. In fact, Debra has served on the certification committee for both specialties. She has served on numerous other Florida Bar Committees.
“If you want to win, hire Debra.”
"Debra Sutton is the most honest lawyer. She went above and beyond with my case, traveling two hours from her district to help me with my situation. She saw how I was being abused and taken advantage of, not knowing the language. She gently walked me through all my papers, not making me feel any other way than, "I got your case, sit down and relax." She is a God warrior with truth and faith. I would say, if you want to win, hire her service.
– Katiuska, 5-Star Review
Sutton Law Firm "Where Family Matters"
We are proud to practice law out of "the home that love built." For our business and family law attorneys, restoring the Mann Manor was about more than building beautiful office space. It represents our commitment to our clients. When your life seems to be falling apart, we can help you put it back together.
Meet Matthew J. Kovschak An Attorney Focused on Business Law
Matthew J. Kovschak has been a lawyer in Florida since 1986.
Over the decades, Matthew J. Kovschak has led and tried numerous complex and multi-party commercial and business litigation cases, bringing a strong business background to our firm in Bartow, FL. At the Sutton Law Firm, Matthew concentrates in commercial litigation, particularly including bankruptcy and reorganizations for both creditors and debtors, and appellate law at both a state and federal level. Now due to his decades of experience, Matthew is sought out by his peers to mediate complex bankruptcy issues, including adversary proceedings, with great success.
Discuss Your Case with Us Schedule a Consultation
If you are looking for lawyers that will handle an appellate, family law, or business-related case with compassion, discretion, and excellence, we encourage you to request a consultation with the Sutton Law Firm in Bartow, St. Petersburg, or Lakeland, FL. Should you face business or personal financial hardship, Sutton Law Firm attorneys are knowledgeable in reorganization bankruptcy and other forms of financial relief. When you choose to work with our firm, you receive:
- Peace of mind knowing that a double board-certified lawyer is handling or overseeing your case
- The full attention of every member of our legal team
- The potential of handling your case out-of-court through professional mediation, collaboration, or alternative dispute resolutions
- Confidence from knowing that one of Florida's finest attorneys is on your side
You can request your consultation at one of our offices in Bartow, Lakeland, or St. Petersburg, FL, by filling out our online form or giving us a call.
The Mann Manor
Sutton Law Firm offices are housed inside an elegantly furnished, turn-of-the-century mansion. Purchased in 1998, the former "Mann Mansion" was an extensive restoration project by the Firm's attorneys, but well worth it! In October, 2011, the Mann Manor was nominated and approved for inclusion in the National Register of Historic Places. The plaque evidencing this accomplishment greets guests as they enter the Mann Manor.
"I have known and worked with Debra Sutton since before she became the outstanding practitioner she has now been for over thirty years. I have referred many clients to her for matters within her specialities and she has provided each of them superb representation. She is not only one of the most capable, Board Certified, family law attorneys in the State, she is also a top rated, Board Certified, appellant lawyer, with an excellent reputation in numerous matters over several decades. Ms. Sutton has participated as a member of the Florida Bar Board Certification Committees in both of her specialties, a recognition of her level of expertise. Debra Sutton is a successful lawyer that vigorously and ethically represents each and every client whom have had the opportunity to engage her firm over the years." - James E. Meyer, Esquire, on avvo.com
Featured Services
Get Started Today
Our business, appellate, and family law attorneys are ready to offer you the individualized attention you need. To begin working with the Sutton Law Firm, schedule a consultation at one of our offices in Bartow, Lakeland, or St. Petersburg. You can do so by contacting us online or calling (863) 533-8912.
All Legal Services and Resources
- Alimony
- Alternative Dispute Resolution (Mediation)
- Appellate Practice
- Business and Personal Bankruptcy and Reorganization
- Business Litigation
- Child Custody
- Child Custody Modification
- Child Support
- Collaborative Divorce
- Collaborative Law
- Contempt
- Divorce
- Domestic Violence
- Estate Planning
- Equitable Distribution
- Exploitation of Seniors/Elderly
- Family Law
- Father's Rights
- Guardianship
- High-Asset Divorce
- Jurisdictional and Venue Disputes
- Legal Separation
- Mediated Divorce
- Parenting Plans
- Paternity
- Post-Judgment Enforcement and Modifications
- Postnuptial Agreements
- Prenuptial Agreements
- Property Division
- Time Sharing
- Rehearing
- Victim's Rights
- Writ of Habeas Corpus
Three Office Locations To Serve You
Bartow
325 W Main St
Bartow, FL 33830
(863) 533-8912
Lakeland
2511 Orleans Avenue
Lakeland, FL 33803
(863) 533-8912
St. Petersburg
7024 Central Ave Ste 7
St Petersburg, FL 33707
(727) 202-6206
Serving Special Needs Clients
Our lawyers have experience with and are glad to work for disabled and special needs clients to ensure equality in the proceeding. We take any action necessary to ensure proper accommodations are provided in court, whether that involves scheduling, assistance with audio and visual elements, or otherwise. The failure to take these needs seriously and seek proper accommodations will create an imbalance of power in the case. The Sutton Law Firm has successfully obtained accommodations for clients with varied limitations and challenges, including seen disabilities and unseen challenges such as mental health conditions or autoimmune conditions like Lupus, Neuropathy, I.B.S., Multiple Sclerosis, Crohn’s Disease, or Rheumatoid Arthritis.
“They helped me through a difficult transition.” Support During Divorces & More
“I had a complicated divorce situation. Ms Sutton and her team were amazing at working quickly, confidently and professionally. They communicated efficiently and were very kind and patient while they helped me through a difficult transition.”
– Lisa, 5-Star Review
