Maria C. Gonzalez

Maria C. Gonzalez, PA

Fluent in English and Spanish.

Founder

EDUCATION

BAR ADMISSIONS

CERTIFICATIONS

AREAS OF PRACTICE

BIOGRAPHY

Maria is a Board Certified Marital & Family Law Specialist by The Florida Bar since 1997. She is a Fellow of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers (Florida Chapter) and currently serves as the Chapter Secretary. Maria is also a past Chair of The Florida Bar’s Family Law Section.

A highly respected trial attorney and Florida Supreme Court Certified Family Law Mediator, Maria is frequently selected by her peers to mediate complex family law matters. In 2025, she was recognized by Florida Super Lawyers Magazine as one of the Top 50 Women Florida Super Lawyers. She has consistently been featured in Super Lawyers for over 20 years and named among the Top Lawyers in Florida by the South Florida Legal Guide.

In 2007, she co-authored and lobbied for the Electronic Communication Statute (Section 61.13003, Florida Statutes), a groundbreaking law that became an integral part of all Parenting Plans in Florida. In 2018, Maria was appointed to the committee responsible for updating the Bounds of Advocacy, which sets ethical and professional standards for family law practitioners statewide — a project that reflects her deep commitment to civility and professionalism in the legal field.

Maria has extensive experience across all areas of family law, including divorce, parental responsibility (child custody), timesharing, parenting plans, mediation, child support, paternity, equitable distribution, relocation, enforcement, modifications, disestablishment of paternity, pre- and post-nuptial agreements, domestic violence (restraining orders), annulment, guardian ad litem, and step-parent adoption.

Widely recognized by judges and colleagues as one of Florida’s leading matrimonial lawyers, Maria holds the prestigious “AV” rating by Martindale-Hubbell and is listed in its Bar Register of Preeminent Women Lawyers.

Maria approaches every case with dedication and precision, striving to achieve the best possible outcome for her clients. Whether in or out of the courtroom, she is committed to protecting her clients’ interests and achieving fair, compassionate, and lasting resolutions.

AUTHOR

“Guardianship” 2024 Marital and Family Review Course, The Family Law Section of the Florida Bar/AAML, January 2024.
“Glancing Back and Gazing Forward; The Good Work of The Family Law Section,” Co-author, The Family Law Section of the Florida Bar, Commentator, 2023.
"Relocation" 2023 Marital and Family Law Review Course, The Family Law Section of the Florida Bar/AAML, January 2023.
“Representing Clients with Diminished Capacity, New Ethics Rule 4-1.14,” The Family Law Section of the Florida Bar, Commentator, 2023.
“Mentoring Makes a Difference – BAM! Be a Mentor” The Family Law Section, Commentator, June, 2022
“Eldercaring Coordination – An Introduction to the Next ADR Method in Florida,” The Family Law Section, Commentator, December, 2021
“Florida Enacts Landmark Eldercaring Coordination Statute” - The Family Law Section-FAMSEG, 2021
“Working with Experts and Families with Special Needs Children,” Co-author, Journal of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, Vol. 33, 2021.
“Diversity and Inclusion - Helping Children with Special Needs in a Distance-Learning World” - The Family Law Section-FAMSEG, 2020
“Bounds of Advocacy” – Ad Hoc committee member, The Family Law Section, 2018
“Hot Tip: Effective Case Management Conferences”, The Family Law Section, Commentator, November, 2010
“Final Judgment Checklist”, The Family Law Section, Commentator, December, 2009
“Frozen Embryos, Divorce, and Needed Legislation: On the Horizon or Has it Arrived?”, Vol. 83, No. 4, 2009, The Florida Bar Journal
“Representing a Party with Tax Issues,” Vol.22. No.4, The Family Law Section, Commentator, 2007
Co-authored and lobbied the Electronic Communication Statute, Section 61.13003, Florida Statutes, which took effect in Oct. 2007
“Divorce – Guiding You Through The Process” DVD; Revodition, LLC in 2007

SPEAKER

“Case Law Update,” 40th Annual View from the Bench, 11th Judicial Circuit, November 2025.
“The Science of Addition and Its Impact on Families and the Court,” 21st Annual Advanced Education Program, Florida Chapter of the Association of Family and Conciliation Courts, Orlando, October 2025.
“Parenting Plans,” The Florida Bar, Young Lawyers Division, Basic Family Law, Jan. 2025
“Case Law Update (Legislative Update & Rules and Forms), 39th Annual View from the Bench, 11th Judicial Circuit, Nov. 2024
“Presumption of Equal Time-sharing vs. Best Interest of the Children: Preparing and Defending Your Case,” Co-Presenter, 46th Annual American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, Florida Chapter, The Institute, Orlando April 2024.
“Guardianship” 2024 Marital and Family Review Course, The Family Law Section of the Florida Bar/AAML, January 2024.
“Glancing Back and Gazing Forward; The Good Work of The Family Law Section,” Co-author, The Family Law Section of the Florida Bar, Commentator, 2023.
“Paternity” – co-Presenter, Raising the Bar, Broward County Bar Association Family Law Conference, April 2023
“Parenting Plans” – The Florida Bar Young Lawyers Division- Basic Family Law CLE, April 2023
“Relocation,” presenter, 2023 Marital & Family Law Review Course, The Family Law Section/AAML, January 2023.
“2022 Caselaw Update,” at the 37th Annual View from the Bench, 11th Judicial Circuit, Dec. 2022.
“Alimony,” 30th Annual Nuts & Bolts of Family Law Seminar, 11th Judicial Circuit and Dade Legal Aid Put Something Back Program, June 2022
“Social Investigations vs. GAL and Other Parenting Related Issues,” co-Presenter and Panelist, 2022,, Bench and Bar Convention, Broward County Bar Association, May 2022
“Children’s Issues,” Presenter, 2022 Marital and Family Law Review Course, The Family Law Section of the Florida Bar/AAML, February 2022
“The Bounds of Advocacy: Exceeding Ethical Professionalism and Ethical Aspirational Goals in Family Law Cases.” Panelist, Co-Presenter, Florida Chapter of the Association of Family and Conciliation Courts (FLAFCC) 17th Annual Advanced Educational Program, February 2022
“2021 Case Law Update” at The 36th Annual View From the Bench, 11th Judicial Circuit, Nov. 2021
“Therapeutic Resources in High Conflict Cases.” Panelist and speaker at The First Family Law American Inn of Court, 2021
“Demystifying Marital and Family Board Certification.” Panelist and speaker for the Dade County Bar Association, Family Court Committee, 2021
“How to Recognize Professional Ethical Boundaries and ‘Stay In Your Lane’” and “Ethical Dilemmas: Can a Professional ‘Stay in Their Lane and Work as a Team” a two-part webinar related to the interplay and roles of the judge, therapists, parenting coordinator, guardian ad lite and mediator. Panelist and speaker at the Florida Chapter of the Association of Family and Conciliation Courts (FLAFCC) Winter Webinar Series, 2021.
“2020 Professionalism Program Panel Discussion,” – panel speaker, Nova Southeastern University, August 2020.
“Relocation,” Presenter, 2020 Marital and Family Law Review Course, The Family Law Section of the Florida Bar/AAML, February 2020.
“Professionalism & Ethics,” co-presenter, at the Matrimonial Trial Advocacy Workshop) July 2019
“2019 Legislative Update” at The 34th Annual View From the Bench, 11th Judicial Circuit, May 2019.
“2019 Tax Update” – moderator. The Family Law Section of the Florida Bar, February 2019.
“Legislative Update – 2018,” The First American Family Law Inns of Court
“Legislative Update – 2018, ” 33rd Annual View From the Family Bench, Miami-Dade County.
“Direct & Cross Examination,” at the Matrimonial Trial Advocacy Workshop, The Family Law Section of the Florida Bar, July 2017
“2017 and 2018 Legislative Update,” Broward County Matrimonial Lawyers Group
“Rainmaking & Practice Development,” panelist, Dade County Bar Association 6th Annual Florida’s Grand Bench and Bar Conference, 2017
“All Roads Lead to Tallahassee – Winning For Florida’s Families,” 2016 Leadership Retreat, The Florida Bar, Family Law Section, St. Augustine, August 2016
“How to Be A More Effective Facilitator in the Mediation Process,” 2016 Dispute Resolution Center 24th Annual Conference, Dimensions of Diversity. Co-presenter, Orlando, August 2016
“Alimony,” Presenter, 2016 College for Advanced Judicial Studies (AJS), Orlando, May 2016
“How to Market Your Practice,” ABA Family Law Litigation Committee, December 2015
“Attorney’s Fees,” Presenter, 2015 Marital and Family Law Review Course, The Family Law Section of the Florida Bar/AAML, February 2015
“So You Think You Know About The Florida Bar?” Presenter, 2014 Leadership Retreat, The Florida Bar, Family Law Section, St. Petersburg, September 2014
“Making Mediation Meaningful,” AAML, Moderator, April 2014.
“Litigating a Family Law Case,” Presenter, Dade County Bar Association Family Law Committee, December 2013
“Testifying as the GAL,” The Florida Bar Family Law Guardian Ad Litem Pilot Training Program, October 2013
“Opening Statements,” at the Matrimonial Trial Advocacy Workshop, The Family Law Section of the Florida Bar, August 2013
“Preservation of Issues for Appellate Review and Establishing a Proper Record and Final Judgment Checklist,” The Florida Bar, Family Law Section, June 2012
“The Effect of the Changing Color of Our Nation on the Practice of Family Law – Practical Application to Family Mediation, ” The American Bar Association – Family Law Section’s Spring CLE Conference, Miami Beach, April 2012
“Alimony” at the 20th “Nuts & Bolts” of Family Law, DCBA Family Courts Committee, January, 2012
“Mechanics of the Marital & Family Law Certification Exam,” The Florida Bar, November, 2011 and 2013
“Mediation & Collaboration ADR in Marital & Family Law Cases,” The Florida Bar, Family Law Section, Fall Retreat, Boston, October, 2011
“Preserving Error on Appeal” and “Final Judgments” at the “Matrimonial Trial Advocacy Workshop”, The Family Law Section to the Florida Bar, August, 2011
“2011 Legislative Update” at The 26th Annual View From the Bench, 11th Judicial Circuit, May, 2011
“Final Judgments” at the “Matrimonial Trial Advocacy Seminar Workshop”, The Family Law Section of the Florida Bar, August, 2009
“2009 Legislative Update” at the Collier County and Lee County Annual Family Law Forum, October, 2009
“Stock Options: It’s Opt to You!” at The Family Law Section of the Florida Bar, September, 2009

MEMBERSHIPS

Past-President & Board of Directors, Florida Chapter of the Association of Family and Conciliation Courts (FLAFCC)
Dade County Bar Association (Member, Family Law, Probate & Guardianship)
Broward County Bar Association (Member, Family Law)
American Bar Association (Member, Family Law)
Broward County Matrimonial Lawyers Group (Member)
The Florida Bar Family Law Section Trustee Past-Chair, 2015-2016 Ad Hoc Committee Member – Bounds of Advocacy - 2018 Executive Council Member, 2007-Present Legislation Committee (Past Chair 2010-2012) Children’s Issues Committee (Past Chair 2008-2010)
First Family Law American Inn of Court (Past President)
The Women’s Fund of Miami-Dade, 2011-present

RECOGNITIONS

Appointed as Secretary of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers (AAML), Florida Chapter (2025).
Recognized in 2025 as Top 50 Women Lawyers Super Lawyers by Florida Magazine’s “Super Lawyers”.
Pro Bono Honoree Award, Dade Legal Aid, Put-Something-Back (2024)
2023 “The President’s Award for Excellence,” The Florida Bar Foundation
2023 “Visionary Award,” The Family Law Section of the Florida Bar.
Selected as a “Top Lawyer” (top 1%)in South Florida in 2020, South Florida Legal Guide for Marital and Family Law
"The Honorable Raymond T. McNeal Professionalism Award", The Family Law Section (2018)
Appointed to the Board of Directors of The Florida Bar Foundation (2018-2023) and to the executive committee (2023).
The “Honorable Hugh E. Stearns Community Service Award.” (FLAFCC) Florida Chapter of the Association of Family and Conciliation Courts, (2016)
Appointed to the Board of Directors of The Florida Bar Foundation (2018-2023) and to the executive committee (2023).
Featured in Florida Super Lawyers and selected as one of the top 5% Marital and Family Lawyers in Florida since 2006.
AV rated by Martindale-Hubbell
Listed in the Bar Register of Preeminent Lawyers
Bar Register of Preeminent Women Lawyers by Martindale- Hubbell
Recognized for excellence in the family law field by the American Registry as “Top Attorney” in Florida
Distinguished through peer review as having attained the highest level of legal ability and professional standards of conduct, ethics, reliability and diligence