Best Family Lawyer in Miami-Dade County, FL
Emily Joyce Phillips
Family Lawyer
Emily Joyce Phillips is a Divorce and Family Law Attorney and Founder of Miami Family Law Group, PLLC in Miami, Florida. An Ohio native, Emily earned her Juris Doctorate from Case Western Reserve University in 2002 after earning her bachelor’s degree in Finance from Miami University in 1999.
Embarking upon her law career in Miami, Emily became a member of The Florida Bar and the Dade County Bar Association and is an active Board Member of Kidside, a nonprofit organization with a mission to assist families in divorce and paternity cases. She has served as a Guardian Ad Litem in many cases, representing the best interests of the child.
Emily is an active member of and admitted to practice in the United States of Florida Southern District Federal Court and the United States of Florida Middle District Federal Court, and focuses her legal practice on divorce and family law.
Practice Areas:
- Divorce
- Family Law
- Modifications
- Prenuptial Agreements
- Postnuptial Agreements
- Guardianship
- Child Custody
- Alimony
- Paternity
- Narcissist Divorce
Jesse N. Bernheim, Esq.
Family Lawyer
Jesse Bernheim is a highly-regarded and sought-after attorney with valuable legal experience in nationwide cases as the founding partner of BK Law, LLC.
Through his boutique firm, Jesse serves his clients in the areas of complex personal injury matters, first-party insurance, product liability, medical device and pharmaceutical litigation, commercial and business litigation, and workers’ compensation.
Jesse has a dedicated hands-on approach to his clients’ legal issues; his efforts have resulted in numerous favorable, multi-million dollar settlements and verdicts against leading global companies. His firm has established a reputation marked by excellence with offices throughout Florida and Massachusetts.
Jesse has achieved notable results for clients, including over $70M for clients injured resulting from defective hip products, a $9.8M settlement for clients injured from an over the counter pharmaceutical product, a $2.4M recovery from a motorcyclist injured in a motor vehicle accident, and a $1M verdict for a worker injured from a defective product, and many other multi million dollars recoveries.
Jesse brings an unsurpassed level of commitment, analytical acumen, and a focus on justice to every initiative.
After graduating with honors from the University of Miami School of Law, he worked with a South Florida law firm handling personal injury, product liability, and workers’ compensation litigation.
Jesse subsequently founded BK Law, LLC, developing a well-respected reputation in courtrooms throughout Florida and the rest of the country.
Jesse serves on the Plaintiff’s Executive Committee as Liaison Counsel in the Stryker Rejuvenate, and ABG II Hip Implant Products Liability Litigation and was subsequently appointed by the Honorable Judge Patti Englander Henning as Liaison Counsel in the local Broward County, Florida consolidation. His work, complemented by the efforts of other attorneys in leadership, yielded billions of dollars in settlements on behalf of injured clients resulting from a defective hip prosthetic device.
Jesse is licensed to practice law in Florida and New Jersey and admitted to the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida and the United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida. Jesse is the recipient of numerous prestigious awards for the results he has obtained for his clients. He is a member of multiple distinguished organizations, including the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum, the American Association for Justice, and the Florida Justice Association.
Jesse has earned consistent top rankings and endorsements from his peers for his outstanding professionalism and unmatched legal abilities. He has received numerous testimonials and referrals from his satisfied clients.
Equally noteworthy, Jesse and his firm receive a steady stream of referrals from other attorneys from around the nation to advise and provide support on complex legal matters. His success is the direct result of the personalized attention to all he serves, coupled with his innovative and creative approach to devising the most effective strategies possible to maximize his clients’ recoveries.
Vanessa D. Torres
Family Lawyer
Vanessa D. Torres is the principal of the Law Office of Vanessa D. Torres, P.A. and exclusively practices Insurance, Family/Matrimonial, Aviation, and Business law. An experienced litigator and negotiator, she represents small to mid size companies on all their general counsel needs, and families during some of the worst and best times in their lives.
Ms. Torres has substantial experience in federal and state court, arbitrations, mediations, and defending claims before agencies.
In addition to her litigation and negotiation experience, Ms. Torres provides clients with valuable day-to-day preventive counseling on compliance and avoiding lawsuits, offering in-house training programs on topics such as hiring/firing, sexual harassment, diversity, Family and Medical Leave Act, discrimination, and wage and hour compliance.
With respect to the aviation practice, Ms. Torres represents Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) facilities with operations in Miami and throughout the world. She handles all domestic and international transactions, regulatory compliance matters, and handle the day-to-day challenges regarding employment and labor law issues when serving in the role of General Counsel for the MRO facility. She also handles Defense of FAA enforcement actions and assists with voluntary disclosures.
Ms. Torres is an active member in the Florida Bar’s Aviation Law Committee, the Dade County Bar Association and a Board Member on the Miami-Dade Aircraft Noise Abatement Board representing District 6.
ABDEL JIMENEZ
Family Lawyer
Abdel Jimenez was born in Cuba, immigrated to Spain and finally ended up in South Florida during his early youth. He graduated with Honors from the University of Miami with a Bachelor’s Degree in English Literature, as well as, a minor in French and Spanish. Mr. Jimenez also attended the University of Miami School of Law and then became a member of the Florida Bar. During law school Mr. Jimenez participated in a litigation skills training course and did an internship with the Miami-Dade Public Defender’s office defending clients. Mr. Jimenez has also worked in several law firms specializing in areas such as Immigration & Naturalization Law, Personal Injury and Family Law.
Our law firm provides attorney services in several legal fields. Take a look and see if we are a right fit for you and your legal issues. We understand that finding the right attorney for the job is not an easy matter, therefore even if you do not think that we can help you we can often guide you in the right direction.
Richard J. Preira
Family Lawyer
We understand that it is critical for you to remain involved and informed about all developments in your case. We clearly explain your legal rights and options prior to negotiating settlement agreements or taking any legal action. We offer transparent communication and practical counsel to help you to move beyond the disputes you may be experiencing in your family law issue.
In cases in which litigation is required, we will passionately represent you and effectively direct your case to trial. Collectively, our attorneys have been practicing family law for more than five decades. In that time, we have built a reputation as a preeminent team of attorneys who will assert your rights in negotiation and in court.
Christy L. Hertz, Esq.
Family Lawyer
Christy L. Hertz has been practicing law for nearly over 30 years and has dedicated the majority of her legal career to the practice of family and marital law. Ms. Hertz specializes in Divorce, Modification and Enforcement of Marital Settlement Agreements, Paternity, Time-Sharing and Parenting Plans, Alimony and Child Support, Prenuptial and Postnuptial Agreements, Domestic Violence and Estate, Guardianship and Trust Litigation and Administration. Ms. Hertz has experience in representing both individuals and corporate entities in civil litigation, collections and real estate transactions and Receiverships and Assignments for the Benefit of Creditors.
In addition to having vast experience and knowledge in the legal field, Ms. Hertz is well respected among her peers in the legal community. She has earned the AV rating in the Martindale-Hubbell Law Directory, which signifies pre-eminent designation in family law by her peers for experience and professionalism, received a 10.0 Avvo Rating based upon her professional profile, years in practice, disciplinary history, professional achievements and industry recognition, and she has been awarded America’s Most Honored Florida Lawyers and Top Professional since 2015. Ms. Hertz has earned the distinction of being named one of Florida’s Super Lawyers in 2008 through 2024.
Ms. Hertz is regularly appointed by judges as an attorney ad litem, guardian ad litem, and mediator in family law cases. A guardian ad litem represents the best interests of the child and is used in divorce and family law cases to act as next friend of the child, investigator or evaluator. A guardian ad litem is not an attorney or advocate for the child. Throughout her career, Ms. Hertz has represented the interests of many children as a court-appointed guardian ad litem.
Andrew M. Leinoff
Family Lawyer
Andrew Leinoff is the founding and managing partner of the law firm of Leinoff & Lemos, P.A. He is a graduate of the University of Miami School of Law (J.D., 1974) and an alumnus of The Ohio State University (B.A., 1971). Mr. Leinoff is Board Certified in Marital and Family Law and a fellow of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers and the International Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers. Mr. Leinoff has been recognized for years in national publications, including Robb Report Worth Magazine’s Top 100 Lawyers In The US. He has also repeatedly been selected for inclusion in Florida Super Lawyers magazine, The Best Lawyers in America, South Florida Legal Guide – Top Lawyers magazine and has been recognized by Florida Trend Legal Elite magazine. Mr. Leinoff is past president of the Florida Chapter of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers and also a certified arbitrator.
Mr. Leinoff devotes his practice to litigation, focusing on the areas of complex marital and family law matters including divorce, distribution of sophisticated business and valuation matters, preparation of prenuptial agreements, alimony, child custody and timesharing issues, relocation, modification actions, and paternity disputes. Mr. Leinoff concentrates his practice on the representation of high net worth and high profile individuals and spouses including business owners, athletes, celebrities. He understands the importance and role of experts such as forensic accountants, forensic psychologists, business valuation professionals, vocational experts, and custody evaluators, when appropriate.
Mr. Leinoff has lectured throughout his legal career. He is a frequent guest lecturer at the University of Miami School of Law and he has lectured for a number of years on behalf of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers on topics including but not limited to Parental Alienation Syndrome, Taking and Strategy in the Utilization of Depositions, Advantages of Mediation, General Strategies to be Utilized by Family Law Practitioners, and Complex Tax Issues (stemming from a divorce). Mr. Leinoff has also lectured at the University of Florida Levin College of Law on The Dynamics of Family Law and he has spoken on behalf of the Florida Bar on various topics, including Relocation, among other subjects. One of Mr. Leinoff’s cases, Rose vs. Rose, was featured by ABC’s Primetime and received national attention. Mr. Leinoff has also authored “Protecting Children of Divorce,” The Florida Bar Journal, October, 1985.
Milagros LAGUNA
Family Lawyer
This law firm was founded in Miami, Florida with one simple goal – To provide excellent legal services to our clients. We believe in fighting for the rights of our clients, as you can read in our Services page. The law firm specializes in the four legal disciplines; Divorce both Uncontested divorces and Contested divorces, Family law including Child Support, Time sharing, Arrearages, Child custody (See our services page for full list) and Domestic Violence be it physical, emotional, psychology, sexual or spiritual.
Milagros Millie LAGUNA, does take on certain other legal cases; please visit our Contact Us page and provide the legal team with your individual legal circumstance.
The Contact Us page is also a great place to start the consultation process; once you’ve provided the attorneys with information they will be better able to serve your needs.
Accreditations & Licenses
Member of the Florida Bar
Business Law
Family Law
Alternative Dispute Resolution
General Practice Solo and Small Law Firm
Admitted to the SOUTHERN DISTRICT of Florida
Florida Supreme Court Certified Family Mediator
Member of the Collaborative Family Law Institute
FL. Supreme Court Approved Court-Appointed Arbitrator
FL. Supreme Court Family Mediator
Does Florida Have Fault-Based or No-Fault Divorce?
Florida is a no-fault divorce state, which means that neither spouse is required to prove the other party was at fault for the breakdown of the marriage. In Florida, the only legal requirement for obtaining a divorce is to show that the marriage is “irretrievably broken.” This concept allows couples to end their marriage without the need for accusations of wrongdoing, such as infidelity or abuse, to justify the divorce.
What Does No-Fault Divorce Mean?
In a no-fault divorce, either spouse can file for divorce without blaming the other for causing the end of the marriage. The filing spouse only needs to state that the marriage cannot be saved and that reconciliation is not possible. In Florida, there are two grounds for divorce:
- Irretrievable Breakdown of the Marriage: This is the most common ground. It means that the relationship has permanently deteriorated, and there’s no hope for the couple to reconcile.
- Mental Incapacity: Divorce may also be granted if one spouse has been legally declared mentally incapacitated for at least three years before the filing of the divorce petition.
Does Fault Matter in a Florida Divorce?
Although Florida uses a no-fault divorce system, fault may still come into play in certain situations, such as:
- Alimony: The court may consider fault, such as infidelity, when determining whether one spouse should receive alimony or how much should be paid.
- Child Custody: If one spouse’s actions, such as substance abuse or domestic violence, affect the well-being of the children, the court may consider this when making child custody decisions.
- Division of Assets: In rare cases, if one spouse’s misconduct has negatively impacted marital finances (such as gambling or fraud), the court may take fault into account when dividing assets.
Conclusion
Florida operates under a no-fault divorce system, allowing couples to dissolve their marriage without assigning blame. The primary ground for divorce is the irretrievable breakdown of the marriage, making the process potentially smoother and less adversarial. While fault generally isn’t a requirement, it can still influence certain decisions like alimony, custody, or asset division. If you are considering divorce in Florida, consulting with a family law attorney can help you understand how the no-fault system may affect your specific situation.