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Lawrence S. Katz

Founder

786-991-2629 phone

305-670-1314 fax

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LAWRENCE S. KATZ, FOUNDER

Florida attorney gets results in family law cases

For 50 years, Lawrence S. Katz has helped clients in Florida, throughout the United States and abroad. He has earned an excellent world wide reputation for providing knowledgeable, quality representation. As one of only a few attorneys in the country who handle complex international cases, Mr. Katz is committed to helping his clients achieve their goals.

Miami divorces and international family law attorney

Focusing on family law, complex jurisdictional issues, child abductions, and interstate and international family law, Lawrence S. Katz handles even the most complicated matters. He served as counsel of record, mentored or consulted in more than 300 Hague Abduction Convention and child abduction cases. Mr. Katz was the first attorney (and in the majority of cases, the only U.S. attorney) to recover children from:

  • Turkey (Non-Hague)
  • Iran
  • Nicaragua
  • Saudi Arabia
  • Japan

He was also the first to secure the return of children from the United States to Haiti, Jamaica, Bahamas, Russia, and Trinidad Tobago. In doing so, he has at times assisted the Office of the U.S. Attorney, the FBI and the Canadian Minister of Justice.

Mr. Katz conducted the first mediation in a Hague case in a pilot program for the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children and the U.S. Department of State in November of 2005. He continues to mediate and frequently lectures on the subject.

Attorney Lawrence S. Katz has represented parents looking to relocate with their children from Miami to other countries such as Brazil, Switzerland, Argentina, Germany, France, Belgium, Israel and Canada . In one case, he was appointed by the court as a guardian ad litem and was responsible for drafting the portions of the agreement and the final divorce decree pertaining to relocation, jurisdiction and enforcement. In 2012, he testified as an expert and prepared the final judgment of divorce provisions for the court permitting a mother to relocate to Argentina with her two minor children. Mr. Katz has also published an article on the issue of international relocation.

Divorce and relocation laws vary among states, just as they do among countries. Mr. Katz frequently represents clients in interstate relocation cases, as well.

Because of his long track record of success and extensive credentials, Lawrence S. Katz is well-respected among Florida family law attorneys and the judiciary. He has testified on numerous occasions as an expert witness on international matters, especially those concerning the Hague Abduction Convention, U.C.C.J.E.A., UCAPA, abduction factors and profiles, relocation, drafting and enforcement of court orders. In addition, he serves as co-counsel, drafter of  complex provisions of agreements, court orders and judgments, and as a consultant in international abduction cases, preventive measures, travel, relocation and complex jurisdictional matters.

Contact a dedicated Miami, Florida family law attorney

When you face a difficult family matter, you need a dedicated attorney on your side. We at The Law Offices of Lawrence S. Katz, P.A. have helped innumerable clients solve family law problems since 1968. Our firm works to protect your family’s future. Call 786-991-2629 today or contact us online to schedule a consultation. Se habla espanol.


Practice areas

  • Divorce/dissolution of marriage
  • Complex matrimonial matters
  • Custody, time-sharing and support
  • Paternity and disestablishment
  • Property and marital settlement agreements
  • Post- judgment enforcement and modification
  • High net worth divorce
  • Registration and empowerment
  • Parental kidnapping
  • Domestic torts
  • Domestic violence
  • Complex jurisdictions
  • International family law
  • Interstate and international child abduction
  • Interstate and international custody and support
  • Foreign judgement

Bar admissions

  • Florida, 1968
  • Florida Supreme Court, 1971
  • U.S. District Court, 1971
  • Southern District of Florida, 1968
  • U.S. Court of Appeals, 5th Circuit, 1971
  • U.S. Supreme Court, 1980
  • U.S. District Court, Middle District of Florida, 1981
  • U.S. Court of Appeals, 11th Circuit, 1996
  • U.S Court of Appeals, 3rd Circuit, 1996
  • U.S. Court of Appeals, 9th Circuit, 2014

Memberships

Honors

  • AV® Preeminent™ Peer Review Rated by Martindale-Hubbell®
  • Fellow, International Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers which is now known as International Academy of Family Lawyers (IAFL)
  • Listed in Who’s Who in American Law, Who’s Who in the World and Who’s Who in America
  • Named among the Top Attorneys in Florida by Super Lawyers, 2010–2018
  • Selected for Florida Legal Elite, 2009–2018
  • Received The First Family Law American Inn of Court award for service, 2008–2010
  • Received awards of merit from the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children, and the U.S. Department of State Certificate of Appreciation for Extraordinary Assistance to Hague Abduction Convention Applicants
  • Received Certificate of Recognition from the American Bar Association, Section of Family Law for service as chair of the International Law Committee
  • International Academy of Family Lawyers, U.S. Chapter, June 2014, Bill Hilton Memorial Award for Exceptional Contributions to International Family Law.

Education

  • J.D., University of Miami, 1968
    • Phi Alpha Delta Law Fraternity
  • B.B.A., University of Miami, 1965
    • Phi Epsilon Pi Fraternity, President

Professional Associations

  • American Bar Association
    • Criminal Section: International Criminal Law Committee, 1971–1994; Criminal Defense Function Committee, 1989–1996
    • Family Section: Committee on International Law, 1996–present (vice chairman, 2006–2007; chairman, 2007–2009); Domestic Violence Committee (vice chairman, 2009-2011)
    • International Section: International Family Law Committee, 2005–present
  • The Florida Bar (Narcotics Practice Committee, 1988–1992; Mental Health Professional in Litigation, 1994–1996; Children’s Issues, 2006–2009; Continuing Legal Education, 2006–2008; Domestic Violence, 1994–1996; Legislation, 1996–2005)
  • International Society of Family Law
  • First Family Law American Inn of Court (president, 2009-2010)
  • Fellow, International Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers (IAML), which is now known as International Academy of Family Lawyers (IAFL)
  • U.S. Chapter of the IAFL, Delegate to IAFL 2010-present, which is now known as International Academy of Family Lawyers (IAFL), Chairman of the Committee on Hague Abduction Conventions (2010) and member of the Admissions Committee (2010-present)
  • Mentor, International Child Abduction Attorney’s Network (ICAAN) and the U.S. Department of State, Office of Children’s Issues Attorney Network

Reported Family and Hague cases

  • Carlwig v. Carlwig, 16 F. Supp. 3d 1075 (C.D. Ca. 2014) (Case of first impression on habitual residence by returning infant born in California to Sween along with older brother where parties had shared intent to do so).
  • Carlwig v. Carlwig, U.S. App. LEXIS, 6353 (9th Cir. 2015) (Infant was not habitual residence of either U.S. or Sweden. Both children shall remain in Sweden).
  • Hanley v. Roy, 485 F.3rd 641 (11th Cir. 2007) (return to Ireland and held that district court made a “mockery” of Hague Abduction Convention by refusing to order the return of children to grandparents or guardians)
  • Dallemagne v. Dallemagne, 440 F. Supp. 2d 1283 (M.D. Fla. 2006) (return to France and provides an excellent analysis of burden of proof and defenses)
  • 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)
  • 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 Cabrera, 323 F.Supp.2d 1303 (S.D. Fla. 2004) (return to Argentina and the court found equitable tolling and held that a child should be returned rather than threatened with possible deportation)
  • 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)
  • 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)
  • Dyce v. Christie, 17 So.3rd 892 (Fla. 4th DCA 2009) (expedited enforcement of final decree from Jamaica, child abduction, collateral attack of foreign judgment and due process of law)
  • Abdo v. Ichai, 34 So.3rd 13 (Fla. 4th DCA 2010) (PCA affirmed order permitting mother to relocate to France, retaining habitual residence in the United States and transferring jurisdiction to California)
  • 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 UCCJEA and anti-suit injunction preventing the former wife from attempting to modify the final judgment from Florida and “mirror orders” entered in Turkey)

Articles Published

  • “When the Question Involves an International Move, The Answer May Lie in Retaining U.S. Jurisdiction,” ABA Family Law Section, Family Advocate, Spring 2006. A portion of whih was quoted by the Goergia S. Ct. in Sahibzada v. Sahibzada, 2014 Ga. LEXIS 219 (S.Ct. Ga. 2014).

Seminars

  • “Records and the Abducted Child,” Children’s Records Law in Florida, 1999, 2000, 2001
  • “Economic Injunctions/Freeze Orders Domestic and Foreign,” 12th Annual Nuts & Bolts of Divorce, Dade County Bar Association Family Courts Committee, 2005
  • “Abduction Factors and Fla. Stat. §61.45 as It Concerns International Visitation and Child Custody,” First Family American Inn of Court, 2006
  • “International Child Abduction: Returning Kids Home & Making the Abductor Pay Through Hague or UCCJEA,” Family Law Update 19th Judicial Circuit in St. Lucie County, Florida, 2007
  • “Cross-Border Family Mediation with an Emphasis on the 1980 Hague Abduction 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, 2008
  • “From Ferreting to Fetching: How to Find, Freeze and Retrieve Marital Assets Hidden Abroad,” ABA Family Law 2009 Spring CLE Conference
  • “Moving from Kansas to Oz: Competing Paradigms and Practical Issues in International Child Custody Relocation Cases,” Association of Family and Conciliation Courts, 46th Annual Conference, 2009
  • “Transnational Families: Where International Law and Family Law Intersect,” 2009 Florida College of Advanced Judicial Studies
  • “Mediating International Child Abduction Cases and Other High Conflict Cross-Border Custody Disputes,” ABA International Law 2009 Fall CLE Conference
  • “Alternative to the Hague by Returning Kids Home and Making the Abductor Pay Through the UCCJEA,” U.S. Chapter of the International Academy of Family Lawyers (IAFL), 2011 Annual General Meeting
  • “Case Study: Application to Remove a Child From the Jurisdiction,” IAFL which is now known as International Academy of Family Lawyers (IAFL), 2011 Annual General Meeting, Harrogate, U.K., 2011
  • “1980 Hague Abduction Convention,” Lunch and Learn Seminar sponsored by Family Court Services, 2011“Representing the Abducting Parent,” Japanese Symposium, IAFL, which is now known as International Academy of Family Lawyers (IAFL), U.S. Chapter, 2012
  • “Enforcement of Mediated Agreements,” Japanese Symposium, IAFL, which is now known as International Academy of Family Lawyers (IAFL), U.S. Chapter, 2012
  • “International Enforcement of Mediated Agreements: Properly Structuring Your Agreements for Enforcement Success,” IAFL, which is now known as International Academy of Family Lawyers (IAFL), U.S. Chapter, 2012
  • “Mediating Hague Abduction Cases,” Phoenix Symposium, IAFL, which is now known as International Academy of Family Lawyers (IAFL), U.S. Chapter, 2013
  • “International Relocation”, IAFL which is now known as International Academy of Family Lawyers (IAFL), Hague Symposium, held at Colegio Puplico de Abogados de Capital Federal, Buenos Aires, Argentina, September 2013
  • “Domestic Violence and the Article 13(b), Grave Risk Defense”, IAFL which is now known as International Academy of Family Lawyers (IAFL), Annual Meeting held at Buenos Aires, Argentina, September 2013
  • “2007 Hague Maintenance Convention, 1996 Hague Jurisdictional Convention, the Cuban Adjustment Act and Asylum vs. Art. 13(b) grave risk”, IAFL which is now known as International Academy of Family Lawyers (IAFL), European Chapter  Meeting held at Bordeaux, France, March 2014
  • Lecturer, “The Aftermath of Lozano: Defending Against the Well Settled Defense Under Art. 12”, IAFL, U.S. Chapter held at New York City, NY, June 2014
  • Lecturer, “Hague Abduction Convention and UCCJEA”, Florida Chapter of the AAML, The 37th Annual Institute, Tampa, FL, May 2015
  • Lecturer, “Asylum and Hague Abduction Convention”, IAFL Hague Symposium, Quebec City, Canada, June 2015

Activities

  • Participant, ICARA 15 Symposium, Office of Children’s Issues, Department of State, 2003
  • Attended the Fifth Meeting of the Special Commission to Review the Operation of the Hague Abduction Convention of 25 October 1980 on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction, 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
  • Observer/attendee on behalf of IAFL, (NGO) at the Sixth Meeting of the Special Commission to Review the Operation of the Hague Abduction Convention of 25 October 1980 on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction and the Hague Abduction Convention of 19 October 1996 on Jurisdiction, Applicable Law, Recognition, Enforceability and Measures for the Protection of Children, 2011
  • Observer/attendee on behalf of IAFL, (NGO) at the Sixth Meeting of the Special Commission to Review the Operation of the Hague Abduction Convention of 25 October 1980 on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction and the Hague Abduction Convention of 19 October 1996 on Jurisdiction, Applicable Law, Recognition, Enforceability and Measures for the Protection of Children, 2012-2017.

Languages

  • Spanish

Videos

 Video: International Relocations

Length: 37:04
Upload Date: February 27th, 2014
IAFL Fellow, Lawrence Katz of Florida, USA speaks at the International Academy of Family Lawyers, Hague Symposium in Buenos Aires, Argentina in September 2013 on the subject of International Relocations

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