
Robert J. Merlin
Family Law Attorney
Known for helping clients reach a settlement or enter into agreements, Bob Merlin is committed to helping his clients to resolve divorces and other family law issues in the least adversarial ways possible.
Advocating for the best interests of the entire family, Bob applies his skills in the Collaborative Law Process, mediation, and direct negotiation to assist clients to attain agreements and stay out of court.
Bob excels in managing complicated financial matters, including the evaluation and division of property. When children are involved, he ensures that their needs and best interests are the highest priorities. Whether representing professionals, executives, athletes, or their spouses, Bob works best with clients looking for a mature, efficient way of divorcing that does not perpetuate destruction.
A Florida Bar Board Certified Family Law Specialist, Bob practices in the areas of divorce, timesharing of children and parenting plans, child support, alimony, paternity, pre-nuptial and post-nuptial agreements, and cohabitation/partnership agreements.
An experienced Collaborative attorney, Bob continually hones his skills in the Collaborative Process and trains other professionals on how to become Collaborative professionals. Bob has a long history of being involved in community organizations and taking leadership positions.
Bar Admissions
The Florida Bar, 1979
U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida and Trial Bar
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit
Education
J.D. - University of Florida Levin College of Law & Mercer University School of Law, 1977 - 1978
Graduated with honors
B.S. - University of Florida, 1976
Accounting
Cambridge University & The Institute of Law – Polish Academy of Science, 1978
Professional Credentials
Florida Bar Board Certified Family Law Specialist
Florida Accredited Collaborative Professional
Board Certified in Marital and Family Law through The Florida Bar Board of Legal Specialization and Education, 1994-Present
Florida Supreme Court Certified Family Court Mediator, 2011-Present
Professional Associations & Memberships
The Florida Bar
Family Law Section: Legislation Committee (2011-13), ADR Committee, Chair (2010-2013)
Family Law Rules Committee Chair 2017-2018 and member since 2014
American Bar Association
Family Law Section and Alternative Dispute Resolution Committee
Dade County Bar Association
American Bar Association Foundation Fellow
International Academy of Collaborative Professionals - Treasurer 2019-2022 and Member of Board 2016-2022
Collaborative Family Law Institute – President, 2008 -2013
Collaborative Family Lawyers of South Florida
Florida Academy of Collaborative Professionals – President 2021-2023
First Family Law American Inn of Court
Association of Family and Conciliation Courts
Florida Chapter of Association of Family and Conciliation Courts – Vice President - 2012-2013; President – 2015-2016; Board of Directors
Eleventh Circuit Court Parenting Coordinators Advisory Group
Advisory Board of the Center on Children and Families, University of Florida Levin College of Law
Frequent lecturer on Collaborative Family Law
University of Florida Levin College of Law Adjunct Professor of Collaborative Law
Awards & Recognitions
Collaborative Family Law Institute Stu Webb Distinguished Service Award – 2012
Leading Florida Attorneys in Family Law with the Network of Leading American Attorneys
1998 Eleventh Judicial Circuit Court Ray H. Pearson Guardian Ad Litem Award
Martindale-Hubbell Preeminent Family Law Attorneys
2006 Dade County Bar Pro Bono Outstanding Firm Award
Top Lawyers in Florida – Florida Super Lawyers Magazine
Florida Legal Elite – Florida Trend Magazine 2003 - 2022
Top Lawyers in South Florida – South Florida Legal Guide Magazine 2003, 2012, and 2013
Superb rating on AVVO
Martindale-Hubbell rating: AV
Publications
“The Marital Home – Will It Come Back To Haunt You?” 67 Fla. Bar J. 62 (1993)
“Developing a Collaborative Family Law Practice” Aspatore (2011)
Collaborative Law Process Act Passes, The Florida Bar Family Law Section Commentator, Vol XXX, No. 1, Fall 2016
The Long and Winding Road to Implementing the Uniform Collaborative Law Act and Rules in Florida, The American Bar Association Dispute Resolution Section Dispute Resolution magazine, Vol 23, No. 2, Winter 2017
The Collaborative Law Process Act: The Future Is Now, The Florida Bar Journal, April 2017
The Collaborative Law Process Rules: This is How We Do It, The Florida Bar Journal, April 2018
Contributing author to Building a Successful Collaborative Family Law Practice, (Adam Cordover with Forrest S. Mosten) ABA, 2018
It is Time to Make Financial Affidavits and Other Documents Private in Family Matters, The Florida Bar Family Law Section Commentator, Vol 1, No. 1, Winter 2019
Blueprint for a More Effective Family Court Intake Process and Beyond: Opening the Umbrella to Process Family Court Cases, The Florida Bar Journal, December 2021