Leslie Wulfsohn Loftus

Ms. Loftus established the Firm's family law department. She offers a concierge approach to clients, and believes that each case calls for special handling, that no two family law cases are alike. After an initial consultation, Ms. Loftus works with her clients closely, to provide them with a general understanding of Florida family law proceedings so that they are then able to work together on establishing realistic goals. After they are established, Ms. Loftus provides her clients with a range of options designed to further the client's goals, and she reviews the advantages and disadvantages of each option with her client.

No lawyer can guarantee what results might be obtained after a hearing or a trial before the court. Because resolution of family law issues by our courts is unpredictable, Ms. Loftus favors resolution of such issues, if possible, through negotiation, mediation, or other means of dispute resolution. When good-faith efforts to resolve a client's issues proves unsuccessful, Ms. Loftus works with clients to pursue their legal goals in court, through motion practice and trial.

Legal Career

Upon obtaining her juris doctorate and passing the Illinois Bar exam, Ms. Loftus began her legal career by accepting a federal court clerkship. She went on to private practice at a large, established Chicago law firm, at which she was made partner. Ms. Loftus represented both plaintiffs and defendants in complex commercial litigation, at both the trial and appellate court levels. She practiced in both state and federal courts, and was a member of the Chicago and Federal Bar Associations.

After ten years, Ms. Loftus took the Florida Bar and transferred her practice to a satellite Florida office of the Chicago law firm. Continuing in her commercial litigation practice, she became active in the Palm Beach County Bar Association, and served as a member of the Board of Directors for the Palm Glades Girl Scouts Council.

In 2002, Ms. Loftus moved to Sarasota and joined the Icard, Merrill firm as a partner, where she began practicing family law.

Martindale-Hubbell "AV" Rating

Ms. Loftus has enjoyed an "AV" preeminent rating from Martindale Hubbell for 15 years.   An AV certification mark is a significant rating accomplishment...a testament to the fact that a  lawyer's peers rank him or her at the highest level of professional excellence.

Bar Activities

• 2003: Served on the Sarasota County Bar Association's Professionalism Committee.
• 2004-2005: Served as the Chair of the Sarasota County Bar Association's Professionalism Committee, for two consecutive years.
• 2005: Received the "C.L. McCaig Award" (bestowed by the Sarasota County Bar Association each year to a Bar member) in recognition of "extraordinary service in promoting the Association's goals, programs or functions." Ms. Loftus received the Award for the work accomplished by the Professionalism Committee of the Bar, during the two years Ms. Loftus served as its Chair.
• 2006-2009: Served a three-year term on the Sarasota County Bar Association's Board of Directors.
• 2006: Assigned as the SCBA's Board of Directors’ "goal champion" for promoting diversity committee objectives.
• April, 2006: Began participating as an active member of the 12th Judicial Circuit Family Law Collaborative Professionals Group.
• 2007-2009: Served as a member of the Sarasota County Bar Association's Diversity Committee.
• Spring, 2007: Began participating as a member of the 12th Judicial Circuit's Family Law Advisory Group and Domestic Violence Task Force.
• October, 2007: Appointed by the Florida Supreme Court to serve three one-year terms on the 12th Judicial Circuit's Grievance Committee.
• 2007: Appointed to the 12th Judicial Circuit court administrative post of Chair of the Family Law Advisory Group's Domestic Violence Committee.
• December, 2007: Became a Fellow of the Florida Bar Foundation.
• 2009-2010: Served as the Chair of the 12th Judicial Circuit's Grievance Committee (12A).
• December, 2010: Appointed by the Florida Supreme Court to a three-year term on the 12th Judicial Circuit’s Unlicensed Practice of Law Committee.

Community Participation

• 2003-2008: Member of the Sarasota Bay Rotary Club.
• Ad hoc speaker for the Women's Resource Center and local chapter of the Hadassah woman’s group.
• Active member of the Tiger Bay Club, a non-partisan group which meets monthly to remain apprised of issues affecting the local citizenry.
• 2009-Present: Elected to the Board of Directors for Tiger Bay
• Member, Sarasota Women's Alliance.
• 2009-2010: Served on the Board of the Sarasota Women's Alliance.
• 2006-2009: Served as President of the Board for the Avondale Neighborhood Association, working with a group of approximately 70 homeowners.
• 2006-2007: Southside Elementary School Community Awareness and Resources for Education (C.A.R.E.) program sponsor, to enhance classroom learning by contributing to the purchase of items outside of those budgeted.
• 2008: Recognized by the Sarasota City Commissioners – graduate of the "Citizens" Academy, administered by the City of Sarasota's Neighborhood Partnership Office.
• 2009: Featured speaker to discuss family law on the local Channel 20 program, "Law in Sarasota."
• 2010: Committee member for Children First’s 50th Anniversary Gala Luncheon, honoring the Junior League; committee member for Children First’s annual fundraiser, "Moonlight Regatta," and Committee Chair for “Little Black Dress” luncheon sponsored by Children First.
• 2011:  Member of the "Sunshine From Darkness" focus group, to brainstorm about how the not-for-profit might continue to serve the local community.