John F. Schutz

Representing Palm Beach clients exclusively in family law cases for more than 27 years, Mr. Schutz is widely regarded as an expert in marital and family law. Since 2018 Mr. Schutz has continually been selected by his peers for inclusion in Best Lawyers© Best Lawyers in America, and the firm has been peer-reviewed by Best Lawyers© as one of the Best Law Firms in America. Best Lawyers©, first published nearly 40 years ago, is considered the definitive guide to legal excellence. Best Lawyers© are selected based purely on peer review and are not allowed to pay a fee to be listed. Accordingly, inclusion in Best Lawyers© is a special honor. In 2023 Mr. Schutz was honored as Lawyer of the Year by Best Lawyers©

Mr. Schutz is Board Certified in Marital and Family law by The Florida Bar and Nationally Board Certified as a Family Trial Advocate through the NBTA. As a Fellow of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers (AAML), Mr. Schutz is committed to elevating the standards and improving family law practice. Judges and attorneys generally recognize Fellows of the AAML as preeminent family lawyers with a high level of knowledge, skill, and integrity. Mr. Schutz is the past President of the AAML Florida Chapter. Also, Mr. Schutz is a Fellow of the International Academy of Family Lawyers. The IAFL is a worldwide association of practicing lawyers their peers recognize as the most experienced and expert family law specialists in their respective countries. Florida Trend Magazine again named John F. Schutz one of its Legal Elite, representing the top 2% of family law attorneys in the State of Florida as selected by other lawyers. He has been named a “Super Lawyer” every year since 2007. Super Lawyers is a rating service of outstanding lawyers with a high degree of peer recognition and professional achievement.

Mr. Schutz lectures at continuing legal education seminars sponsored by The Florida Bar. In his past role as a long standing member of the Family Law Section Continuing Legal Education Committee, he has produced many seminars on family law issues. He was the past Chair of The Florida Bar Grievance Committee (15D), investigating allegations of misconduct by other lawyers. Mr. Schutz continues to devote a portion of his practice to representing less fortunate clients referred to him by the local Legal Aid Society and the National Center for Exploited and Missing Children.

Education

• Stetson University School of Law, Juris Doctor, 1995
• Florida State University, B.S., Political Science, 1991

Associations and Memberships

• The Florida Bar, admitted 1995
• The Florida Bar, Family Law Section, admitted 1996
• Board Certified in Marital and Family Law
• Fellow, International Academy of Family Lawyers
• Fellow, American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers
• President Elect AAML Florida Chapter
• Nationally Board Certified in Family Law Litigation by National Board of Trial Advocacy
• The Florida Bar Family Law Section, Executive Committee
• The Florida Bar Family Law Section, Continuing Legal Education Committee (Past Member)
• The Florida Bar Grievance Committee (Past Chair)
• Palm Beach County Bar Association, admitted 1995
• Family Law Inns of Court, Master (2014)

Honors and Accreditations

• 2018 – 2023 “Best Law Firms” by U.S. News & World Report-West Palm Beach in Family Law
• Best Lawyers in America© for 2018 – 2023 Marital & Family Law
• Lawyer of the Year, Best Lawyers® 2023 Marital & Family Law
• Florida Trend Magazine’s “Legal Elite”, 2006, 2011, 2012
• Super Lawyer, 2007 – 2023

Classes and Seminars

• American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers Annual Symposium, 2011: “Injunctive Relief”
• The Florida Bar, Family Law Seminar, 2011: “Attorney’s Fees”
• The Florida Bar, Family Law Seminar, 2009: “Prenuptial Agreements”
• American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers Annual Symposium, 2008: “Parental Alienation”
• The Florida Bar, Board Certification Review Course, 2006: “Guardian ad Litem”
• American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, Webinar 2014: "Mediation"

Pro Bono and Community Involvement

• National Center for Exploited and Missing Children
• Legal Aid Society of Palm Beach County