Debra J. Sutton, Attorney

06/17/2026

I always enjoy time together with staff. While we often joke that we will "work for food (or chocolate or Krispie kreme donuts)", we don't turn down the opportunity for Ms Emma's homemade dumplings! We are particularly excited when she announces she made enough for after work too!

Thank you Emma for starting our week off great!!

06/07/2026

At our firm, our commitment to serving families in the community is unwavering. Often, it's the less visible aspects of this work - caring for children with special needs and seniors living with dementia - that require the most attention. We're proud to support local charities and arts initiatives.

We offer our congratulations to the team behind Vita Foundation's successful National Gala, particularly in its Shining Stars program and other community-focused endeavors. Great work!

05/28/2026

Another extraordinary year of fostering legal excellence and professionalism comes to a close at the Willson American Inns of Court, illuminating the path for countless 'pupil' lawyers who have benefited from this esteemed mentorship program. The enduring legacy sparked by a conversation with Judge Scheb, then the most senior Judge at the Second District Court of Appeal and the Judge with whom I served as Staff Attorney, continues to thrive 35 years later. The tireless efforts of our visionary founders, coupled with the invaluable guidance from Honorary, Master, and Barrister lawyers across various practice areas, have empowered young attorneys to excel. As we look forward to welcoming the class of 2026-27, we anticipate a new wave of transformative programs that will further enrich our community.

05/17/2026

The hard decision: Do you stay or leave the shared home? Either way, you are not waiving your interest in the property. Your decision should be more about remaining safe, keeping your children safe, preserving personal property. On an interim basis, consider what makes sense. If we can help, please call Sutton Law Firm for a consultation.

05/10/2026

Happy Mother's Day to all the mothers in our community.

I have the privilege of walking alongside mothers through some of life's most defining moments. Fighting for fair timesharing arrangements, securing financial stability, protecting and what has been built, is not easy work – – but neither is motherhood.

I've never met a mother who backed down from some of the most challenging circumstances imaginable in family law. Your love for your children is one of the most powerful forces I witness in my work . Don't ever let anyone minimize that, inside a courtroom or outside of it. To every mother today, you are valued, you are strong, and you deserve to be protected.

Debra Sutton, Board Certified Marital & Family Law Attorney.

05/01/2026

Each year in May, the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers hosts a conference that delivers high-quality, interactive continuing education on the latest developments and trends in Family law. It was gratifying to see one of our firm's appellate victories presented, underscoring our commitment to applying current legal knowledge for client benefit. Given its comprehensive coverage, this conference is an indispensable resource for legal professionals. The first day's content made the long hours worthwhile, and anticipation builds for Day Two.

04/11/2026

I've been passionate about empowering others through education and personal growth for as long as I can remember. It all began in 1984 when I served as President of Polk County's Legal Secretary's Association, where I had the privilege of working for and later collaborating with the esteemed Richard 'the Bear' Mars, a nationally board-certified criminal defense attorney. The encouragement and support I received from him and his colleagues was truly transformative. Fast forward, and you'll find me embracing a new challenge - law school. Standing alongside my fellow delegates to the National Association conference, now known as NALA, I began to grasp the vast opportunities that law has to offer. The same remarkable women who supported me early on celebrated with me upon my graduation with honors from Stetson University. I'm forever grateful to the lawyers and judges who've contributed to my journey. Today, I'm committed to paying it forward by supporting those interested in pursuing a career in law and encouraging my colleagues to nurture the growth of their staff, helping them become Florida Registered Paralegals and certified professionals through NALA. It's a testament to their dedication and expertise. Let's recognize the value of our hardworking staff and seize every opportunity to mentor and inspire others.

04/05/2026

Long before I applied for law school I had the pleasure and good fortune to work for and around some of the best legal minds our Circuit. Central to that experience was the historic courthouse, now museum. The war stories and smack talking around the rotunda, the acoustics in the upstairs courtrooms brought Clarence Darrow to life. I am thrilled to share that our friend, Rick Cutts, incorporated this local piece of legal history into his soon to be released movie!

Filmmaker Rick E. Cutts just completed filming a new movie, 'The Letter of the Law" The world premiere will be towards the end of May. The story is a thrille...

03/29/2026

I am on a committed path to recovery and resumed part-time last week to be showered with blessings by a grateful client. She baked delightful cinnamon muffins and gifted a beautiful cup with an assortment of teas, showcasing her thoughtful attention to detail. What a wonderful welcome back to the demanding arena of marital and family law. Her kindness is appreciated and I am truly grateful for her gesture of appreciation.

03/18/2026

Wishing you all a marvelous St Patty's Day from our family to yours!

Sending the blessings of this day from our committed and dedicated team to you and yours!