SHARON P. O'DAY
Marital and Divorce Law

Ms. O'Day is Board Certified in Marital and Family Law by the Florida Bar since 2010. Certification is the highest level of evaluation by The Florida Bar of experience and expertise within an area of law, and professionalism and ethics in practice. Only seven percent of Florida Bar members have achieved Board Certification status. In addition, Ms. O'Day obtained Supreme Court Certification as a Family Mediator in 2006.

As an attorney specializing in Family Law Attorney for over ten years, Ms. O'Day understands the stress involved in legal proceedings that involve your family. Whether the issues involve divorce, the custody and care of your children, the need for financial support or enforcement of previous orders, this is often the most emotionally traumatic time in your life. Ms. O'Day first meets with a new client to gain a full understaning of the issues they are facing and then works with the client to carefully craft a strategy to resolve the issues in the most efficient manner possible. After defining the goals and crafting the strategy with the client, Ms. O'Day discusses the options and works with the client to ensure they are thoroughly prepared for each step in the process. Often a favorable result can be reached through careful preparation and negotiation, either in a collaborative divorce style or with the assistance of mediation. However, if the matter must be presented to the Court, Ms. O'Day zealously advocates on her client's behalf for the best possible outcome.

In her capacity as a Supreme Court Certified Family Mediator, Ms. O'Day works with all parties to craft agreements that resolve all issues in a family dispute. These issues can include divorce, paternity, child custody and visitation, modification and enforcement of alimony and child support and division of marital assets or liabilities. Through the mediation process the parties maintain control over the most important aspects of their personal lives without the need for judicial involvement. This is often the most cost effective and least stressful way to reach resolution of cases. Ms. O'Day is also trained in elder mediation, assisting families to resolve disputes that involve care and protection of aging parents and disputes between adult siblings.

Listen to Ms. O'Day talk about Marital & Family Law on Let's Talk Law. The following podcast was recorded on April 20, 2012:
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Legal Career

Ms. O'Day attended the University of Maryland where she received her BA in Economics with honors. Following graduation from George Washington Law School with her Juris Doctorate in 1987 she was admitted to the Maryland Bar Association.

Ms. O'Day began her legal career working for several non-profit organizations in the Washington D.C. area, representing refugees from around the world before the Immigration Service. In 1992 she joined the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees as a Protection Officer. In her eight years with the United Nations she was stationed around the world, working with local government and aid organizations to ensure the rights of refugees were protected. In 1999 Ms. O'Day returned to the United States and passed the Florida Bar, focusing on marital and family law cases.

Bar and Community Involvement: 

•  2009 Co-Chair Sarasota County Bar Association, Family Law Section, presently serving on the Steering Committee
• 2004-2007 member Florida Bar Association Family Law Section, Continuing Legal Education Committee
• 2010 - Present Member Florida Bar Association Family Law Section, Rules Committee
• 2001-2008 Member of the Board, Gulf Coast Legal Aid
• 2000 - Present Member Family Court Professional Collaborative (FCPC)
• 2002 - Present Member Family Law Advisory Group (FLAG)
• Guest speaker at Women's Resource Center