Lawrence S. Katz
Top rated Family Law attorney in Miami, Florida
The Law Offices of Lawrence S. Katz, P.A.
Practice Areas: Family Law, International; view more
Licensed in Florida since: 1968
Education: University of Miami School of Law
Languages Spoken: English, Spanish
Selected to Super Lawyers: 2010 - 2024 Call today:
786-304-1180
The Law Offices of Lawrence S. Katz, P.A.
9130 South Dadeland BoulevardSuite 1511
Miami, FL 33156 Visit website
Details
Attorney Lawrence S. Katz is the founder and owner of The Law Offices of Lawrence S. Katz, P.A., in Miami, Florida. Nationally and internationally recognized as one of the top attorneys in the country, Mr. Katz focuses his practice solely on family law. He has achieved considerable success assisting clients throughout Miami-Dade County and the rest of South Florida with their legal needs related to divorce and international family law, including child custody and support, high net worth property divisions, and other related matters. We also focus on complex jurisdictional issues and provide expert testimony.
Along with handling all aspects of the divorce process, Mr. Katz has become a recognized authority in international child abductions and complex jurisdictional issues. Over the course of his career, he has handled over 400 Hague Convention and child abduction cases, where he has helped recover children from numerous countries all over the globe. He has also written extensively and conducted lectures and seminars on international relocation and helped spur positive changes in the laws and regulations that govern this legal area.
Recognized for his exemplary professionalism and contributions to his field, Mr. Katz received the first-ever Bill Hilton Memorial Award for Exceptional Contributions to International Family Law in 2014 from the International Academy of Family Lawyers. Mr. Katz also holds an AV-Preeminent peer-review rating* from Martindale-Hubbell and a listing in the organization's Bar Register of Preeminent Lawyers.
In addition, Mr. Katz holds a listing in the Who’s Who in America, the World and Law, and Florida Trends Magazine has voted him a Florida Legal Elite each year since 2009. He was also the recipient of the U.S Department of State Certificate of Appreciation for Extraordinary Assistance to Hague Convention Applicants, and he earned a Certificate of Recognition from the American Bar Association for his service as Chair of the Family Law Section's International Law Committee.
Among his other professional affiliations, Mr. Katz is an active member of The Florida Bar, where he has served on several committees, as well as the Federal Bar Association. He has also serves as Mentor with the International Child Abduction Attorney’s Network for the Dept. of State.
A 1965 graduate of the University of Miami, Mr. Katz obtained his Juris Doctor from the University of Miami School of Law in 1968. He is admitted to practice before the U.S. District Court for the Southern and Middle Districts of Florida as well as the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 3rd, 5th, 9th and 11th Circuits, the Florida Supreme Court, and the U.S. Supreme Court.
*AV®, AV Preeminent®, Martindale-Hubbell Distinguished and Martindale-Hubbell Notable are certification marks used under license in accordance with the Martindale-Hubbell certification procedures, standards and policies. Martindale-Hubbell® is the facilitator of a peer review rating process. Ratings reflect the anonymous opinions of members of the bar and the judiciary. Martindale-Hubbell® Peer Review Rating™ fall into two categories – legal ability and general ethical standards.
Practice areas
Family Law, InternationalFocus areas
Alimony & Spousal Support, Child Support, Custody & Visitation, Dissolution, Divorce, Domestic Violence, Father's Rights, Marital Property, Paternity
- 70% Family Law
- 30% International
First Admitted: 1968, Florida
Professional Webpage: https://www.katzfamilylaw.com/who-we-are/attorney-profile/
- Top Lawyers in Florida 2014-2020
- Certificate of Recognition from ABA, Section of Family Law for Service as Chair of the International Law Committee
- Selected for Florida Legal Elite, 2009–2020
- "Who's Who in America, World and Law"
- Named among the Top Attorneys in Florida by Super Lawyers, 2010–2020
- Florida Legal Elite, Florida Trend, 2009 - 2013
- Awards of Merit from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children and the U.S Department of State
- Fellow, The International Academy of Family Lawyers
- The First Family Law American Inns of Court Awards for Service, 2008 - 2010
- "AV" rated by Martindale Hubbell, 1976
- The awared is for Exceptional Contributions to International Family Law. This was the first time it was awarded since its inception four years ago. The, Bill Hilton Memorial Award, IAFL, U.S. Chapter, 2014
- Bar Register of Preeminent Lawyers
- Mentor, International Child Abduction Attorney's Network (ICAAN) and the U.S. Department of State, Office of Children's Issues Attorney Network
- University of Miami, B.B.A in Government with minors in Psychology and Speech, President, Phi Epsilon Pi Fraternity, 1965
- U.S. District Court, 1971
- Member, Federal Bar Association
- U.S. Court of Appeals, 9th Circuit, 2014
- Florida Supreme Court, 1971
- American Bar Association
- U.S. Supreme Court, 1980
- Immediate Past Chairman Committee on International Law of the Family Law Section, American Bar Association, 2009 - 2011
- U.S. District Court, Southern District of Florida, 1968
- Member, Florida Bar Association
- U.S Court of Appeals 3rd Circuit, 1996
- Member, Domestic Violence, The Florida Bar, 1994 - 1996
- U.S. Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit, 2014
- Member, Sections on: Family, International Law, American Bar Association, 1996 - Present
- Secretary, First Family Law American Inn of Court, 2007 - 2008
- Member, International Family Law Committee, American Bar Association, 2005 - Present
- Chairman, Committee on Hague Conventions, U.S. Chapter, IAFL, 2010 - 2017
- U.S. Court of Appeals, 5th Circuit, 1971
- Chairman, Family Law Section, International Law Committee, American Bar Association, 2007 - 2009
- Florida Supreme Court 1968
- Member of Steering Committee, International Law Section, Family Law Committee, American Bar Association, 2007 - Present
- U.S. Court of Appeals, 11th Circuit, 1996
- Member, Sections on: Family, Continuing Legal Education, The Florida Bar
- US Chapter of the IAFL, Member of Board of Managers 2017-2023
- Member, Criminal Defense Function Committee, American Bar Association, 1989 - 1996
- Member, International Law Section, The Florida Bar
- Chairman of Committee on International Law, American Bar Association, 2007 - 2009
- Member, U.S. Chapter, IAFL, Delegate to IAFL Board of Managers 2010 - 2016
- Member, Committee on: Family, Mental Health Professional in Litigation, The Florida Bar, 1994 - 1996
- President, First Family Law American Inn of Court, 2009 - 2010
- U.S. District Court, Middle District of Florida, 1981
- Vice Chairman, Domestic Violence Committee, American Bar Association,2009 - 2011
- Florida, 1968
- Member, Sections on Family, Children's Issues Committee, The Florida Bar,
- Member, Continuing Legal Education, Children's Issues Committees, Legislation, Mental Health in Litigation, and Domestic Violence Committees of the Family Law Section of the Florida Bar
- Member, Sections on: Criminal, International Criminal Law Committee, American Bar Association, 1971 - 1994
- Member, Legislation, The Florida Bar, 1996 - 2005
- Vice Chairman Domestic Violence Committee, American Bar Association, 2006 - 2007
- IAFL Chairman, Committee on Hague Conventions, 2012-2017
- Member, Sections on: Criminal, Narcotics Practice Committee, The Florida Bar, 1988 - 1992
- Member, Admissions Committee, U.S. Chapter, IAFL, 2010 - 2017
- Carlwig v. Carlwig, U.S. App. LEXIS, 6353 (9th Cir. 2015)
- Scudder v Scudder, 228 So. 3rd 703 (Fla. 2d DCA 2017
- Roberts v. Mohan, 2015 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 139377 (M.D. Fla. 2015)
- Morales v Martinez, 4 F. Supp. 3d 1338 (M.D. Fla. 2014)
- Hoke v. Hoke, 141 So. 3d 190 (Fla. 3d DCA 2014)
- Giavis v. Mack, 2008 Fla. App. LEXIS 12974 (Fla. 3RD DCA 2008)
- In Re Cabrera, 323 F.Supp.2d 1303, S.D. Fla. 2004, (return to Argentina the court found equitable tolling and held that a child should be returned rather than threatened with possible deportation)
- Marcos v. Haecker, 915 So.2d 703, Fla. 3rd DCA 2005, (international paternity case involving Spain, Mexico and Florida where a motion to quash service of process was affirmed on appeal)
- Sarpel v. Eflanli, 65 So.3rd 1080, Fla. 4th DCA 2011, (Temporary absence and the establishment of "home state" subject matter jurisdiction pursuant to the U.C.C.J.E.A. and anti-suit injunction preventing the former wife from attempting to modify the final judgment from Florida and "mirror orders" entered in Turkey)
- Sahibzada v. Sahibzada, 2014 Ga. LEXIS 219, S. Ct. of Georgia (Supreme Court quoted from ABA article on relocation), 2014
- Leslie v. Noble, 377 F.Supp. 2d 1232, S.D, Fla. 2005, (held that father had rights of custody before, during and after paternity court proceedings in Belize)
- In Re Arison-Dorsman, U.S. Dist. Lexis 9861, 32 Media L. Rep. 1699, S.D. Fla. 2004, (return ordered to Israel: record should not be sealed)
- Abdo v. Ichai, 34 So.3rd 13, Ffa. 4th DCA 2010, (PCA affirmed order permitting mother to relocate to France, retaining habitual residence in the United States and transferring jurisdiction to California)
- U.S. v. Hurtado, 779 F.2d 1467, 11th Cir. 1985 (case of first impression on U.S. Bail Reform Act)
- Angulo Garcia v. Fernandez Angarita, 440 F. Supp. 2d 1364, S.D. Fla. 2006, (return to Colombia and held, in part, that consent to travel is invalid if procured by fraud)
- Hanley v. Roy, 485 F.3rd 641, 11th Cir. 2007, (return to Ireland and held that district court made a "mockery" of Convention refusing to order the return of children to grandparents/guardians)
- Dyce v. Christie, 17 So.3rd 892, Fla. 4th DCA 2009, (It is a violation of human rights for a country not to the best interest standard. This is typically the situation in the Middle East where it is gender determined. Typically applies to registration of a foreign decree.)
- U.S. v. Munoz-Realpe, 21 F. 3d 375, 11th Cir. 1994 ( case of first impression on cocaine base and sentence).
- Carlwig v. Carlwig, 2014 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 54078, Central District of California 2014 (case of first impression on habitual residence by returning infant born in California to Sweden)., 2014
- Dallemagne v Daltemagne, 440 F, Supp. 2d 1283, M.D, Fla. 2006, (return to France and provides an excellent analysis of burden of proof and defenses)
- Certificate of Appreciation for Extraordinary Assistance to Hague Convention Applicants
- Certificate of Recognition from ABA, Section of Family Law for Service as Chair of the International Law Committee
- Observer/attendee on behalf of IAML (NGO) at the Sixth meeting of the Special Commission to Review the Operation of the Hague Convention of 25 October 1980 on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction and the Hague Convention of 19 October 1996 on Jurisdiction, Applicable Law, Recognition, Enforceability and Measures for the Protection of Children held at the Hague, Netherlands, January, 2012
- Author, “Japan and the Hague Abduction Convention”, IAFL Online News, Issue 3, May 2018
- Lecturer, "Representing the Abducting Parent", Japanese Symposium, IAML, U.S. Chapter held at Minneapolis, MN, June 2012
- Lecturer, "Enforcement of Mediated Agreements", Japanese Symposium, IAML, U.S. Chapter held at Minneapolis, MN, June 2012
- Lecturer, "International Enforcement of Mediated Agreements: Properly Structuring Your Agreements for Enforcement Success.", IAML, U.S. Chapter held at Minneapolis, MN, June 2012.
- Lecturer, "Mediating Hague Abduction Cases." Phoenix Symposium, IAML, U.S. Chapter, held at Carefree, AZ, February 2013.
- "From Ferreting to Fetching: How to Find, Freeze and Retrieve Marital Assets Hidden Abroad," ABA Section of Family Law, 2009 Spring CLE Conference., Lecturer, ABA Section Of Family Law, 2009
- Lecturer "International Relocation", IAML Hague Symposium, held at Colegio Pulico de Abogados de Capital Federal, Buenos Aires, Argentina, September 2013, Lecturer, IAML, 2013
- "Domestic Violence and the Article 13(b), Grave Risk Defense", IAML Annual Meeting held in Buenos Aires, Argentina, September 2013, Lecturer, IAML, 2013
- "2007 Hague Maintenance Convention, 1996 Hague Jurisdictional Convention, the Cuban Adjusment Act and Asylum vs. Art. 13(b) Grave Risk"' IAML European Chapter Annual Meeting held in Bordeux, France, March 2014., Lecturer, IAML, 2014
- "The Aftermath of Lozano: Defending Against the Well Settled Defense Under Art. 12", IAML, U.S. Chapter Annual Meeting held in New York City, NY, June 2014., Lecturer, IAML, 2014
- Lecturer, “Article 13 (b) Grave Risk and Asylum”, IAML HAGUE SYMPOSIUM, held in Quebec City, Canada, June 2015., 2015
- Lecturer, "Cross -Border Family Mediation with an Emphasis on the 1980 Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction" sponsored by the University of Miami School of Law and the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC), 2008
- Author, "When the ? Involves an International Move," ABA Section of Family Law, Family Advocate , Spring 2006
- Member and Mentor, ABA International Child Abduction Attorney Network (ICAAN). Participant, ICARA 15 Symposium. Florida Supreme Court Certified Family Mediator
- Attended the Fifth Meeting of the Special Commission to Review the Operation of the Hague Convention of 25 October 1980 on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction held at The Hague, Netherlands 2006
- Member of Study Group of the Secretary of State Advisory Committee of Private International Law considering the 1996 Hague Protection of Children Convention, 2007
- Lecturer, Family Law Update 19th Judicial Circuit in St. Lucie County, Florida, "Int'l Child Abduction: Returning Kids Home & Making the Abductor Pay Through Hague or UCCJEA.", 2007
- Lecturer, Twelfth Annual Nuts and Bolts of Divorce, DCBA Family Courts Committee, "Economic Injunctions/Freeze Orders Domestic and Foreign.", 2005
- Lecturer, "Abduction Factors and Fla. Stat. 61.45 as it Concerns International Visitation and Child Custody," First Family American Inn of Court, 2006
- Lecturer, "Records and the Abducted Child," Children's Records Law in Florida, 1999 - 2001
- Military: 2nd Lt., USAR (M.P.), 1965 - 1970
- Participant, ICARA 15 Symposium. Office of Children's Issues, Department of State, 2003
- Lecturer, "From Ferreting to Fetching: How to Find, Freeze and Retrieve Marital Assets Hidden Abroad," ABA Section of Family Law, Spring CLE Conference, 2009
- Lecturer, "Moving from Kansas to Oz: Competing Paradigms and Practical Issues in International Child Custody Relocation Cases," Association of Family and Conciliation Courts (AFCC), 46th Annual Conference, May 2009
- Lecturer, "Transnational Families: Where International Law and Family Law Intersect," Florida College of Advanced Judicial Studies, 2009
- Lecturer, "Mediating International Child Abduction Cases and Other High Conflict Cross-Border Custody Disputes," ABA Section of International Law, Fali CLE Conference, 2009
- Lecturer, "Alternative to the Hague by Returning Kids Home and Making the Abductor Pay Through the UCCJEA", U.S. Chapter of the IAML, 2011 Annual General Meeting
- Observer/attendee on behalf of IAML (NGO) at the Sixth meeting of the Special Commission to Review the Operation of the Hague Convention of 25 October 1980 on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction and the Hague Convention of 19 October 1996 on Jurisdiction, Applicable Law, Recognition, Enforceability and Measures for the Protection of Children held at the Hague, Netherlands, June, 2011.
- Lecturer, "Case Study: Application to Remove a Child From the Jurisdiction", IAML, 2011 Annual General Meeting held at Harrogate, U.K., September 2011
- Lecturer, "1980 Hague Convention", Lunch and Learn Seminar Sponsored by Family Court Services, October 2011
- co-counsel and expert witness
- International Family Law and Child Abduction Expert as counsel
Office location for Lawrence S. Katz
9130 South Dadeland Boulevard
Suite 1511
Miami, FL 33156
Phone: 786-304-1180
Selections
- Super Lawyers: 2010 - 2024
