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Top-Ranked Juvenile Lawyers in Florida

Updated Methodology LexRank v1.225 lawyers rankedReviewed by LexRanked editorial team

Summary

As of November 1, 2026, the top-ranked juvenile lawyers in Florida are Scott Lyon Robbins (LexRank 84.00), Sharon Andrea Hornett (84.00) and Richard F Joyce (84.00).

This ranking lists the top 25 of the 66 juvenile lawyers LexRanked tracks across Florida, in order of their LexRank score, calculated from their Florida Bar records and other cited sources. All 25 lawyers in this ranking are Board Certified in Juvenile Law by The Florida Bar, a credential held by 4.9% of Florida lawyers in any field. They practice in 14 cities, led by Gainesville.

Lawyers ranked
25
Fully verified
25 of 25

The ranking

Ordered by organic LexRank score; paid placements are labelled and never affect a position. How we rank

  1. No change

    Scott Lyon Robbins

    Independent practice · Tampa, FL

    Verified
    • 43 years experience
    • Juvenile
    • Bar status verified
    View profile
    Why #1?

    Ranks #1 with 84.00: strongest in Experience (30/30) and Data quality (10/10); held back by Reputation (4/20).

    Strongest

    • Experience 30/30 (ranking avg 24.4)
    • Data quality 10/10 (ranking avg 8.9)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 4/20 (ranking avg 4.1)
  2. No change

    Sharon Andrea Hornett

    Independent practice · Miami, FL

    Verified
    • 35 years experience
    • Juvenile
    • Bar status verified
    View profile
    Why #2?

    Ranks #2 with 84.00: strongest in Experience (30/30) and Data quality (10/10); held back by Reputation (4/20).

    Strongest

    • Experience 30/30 (ranking avg 24.4)
    • Data quality 10/10 (ranking avg 8.9)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 4/20 (ranking avg 4.1)
  3. No change

    Richard F Joyce

    Independent practice · Miami, FL

    Verified
    • 34 years experience
    • Juvenile
    • Bar status verified
    View profile
    Why #3?

    Ranks #3 with 84.00: strongest in Experience (30/30) and Data quality (10/10); held back by Reputation (4/20).

    Strongest

    • Experience 30/30 (ranking avg 24.4)
    • Data quality 10/10 (ranking avg 8.9)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 4/20 (ranking avg 4.1)
  4. No change

    Marci Dana Silver

    Independent practice · Gainesville, FL

    Verified
    • 27 years experience
    • Juvenile
    • Bar status verified
    View profile
    Why #4?

    Ranks #4 with 84.00: strongest in Experience (30/30) and Data quality (10/10); held back by Reputation (4/20).

    Strongest

    • Experience 30/30 (ranking avg 24.4)
    • Data quality 10/10 (ranking avg 8.9)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 4/20 (ranking avg 4.1)
  5. No change

    Shawn M Risen

    Independent practice · Fort Walton Beach, FL

    Verified
    • 30 years experience
    • Juvenile
    • Bar status verified
    View profile
    Why #5?

    Ranks #5 with 84.00: strongest in Experience (30/30) and Data quality (10/10); held back by Reputation (4/20).

    Strongest

    • Experience 30/30 (ranking avg 24.4)
    • Data quality 10/10 (ranking avg 8.9)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 4/20 (ranking avg 4.1)
  6. No change

    Alicia Loraine Guerra

    Independent practice · Fort Myers, FL

    Verified
    • 24 years experience
    • Juvenile
    • Bar status verified
    View profile
    Why #6?

    Ranks #6 with 82.80: strongest in Experience (28.8/30) and Data quality (10/10); held back by Reputation (4/20). 1.20 points behind #5, mostly experience.

    Strongest

    • Experience 28.8/30 (ranking avg 24.4)
    • Data quality 10/10 (ranking avg 8.9)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 4/20 (ranking avg 4.1)

    1.20 points behind #5 (Shawn M Risen): Experience −1.2.

  7. No change

    Heidi Prescott Kemph

    Independent practice · Gainesville, FL

    Verified
    • 24 years experience
    • Juvenile
    • Bar status verified
    View profile
    Why #7?

    Ranks #7 with 82.80: strongest in Experience (28.8/30) and Data quality (10/10); held back by Reputation (4/20).

    Strongest

    • Experience 28.8/30 (ranking avg 24.4)
    • Data quality 10/10 (ranking avg 8.9)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 4/20 (ranking avg 4.1)
  8. No change

    Kevin Coyle Colbert

    Independent practice · Miami, FL

    Verified
    • 31 years experience
    • Juvenile
    • Bar status verified
    View profile
    Why #8?

    Ranks #8 with 82.60: strongest in Experience (30/30) and Professional credentials (15/15); held back by Reputation (4/20). 0.20 points behind #7, mostly data quality.

    Strongest

    • Experience 30/30 (ranking avg 24.4)
    • Professional credentials 15/15 (ranking avg 14.5)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 4/20 (ranking avg 4.1)

    0.20 points behind #7 (Heidi Prescott Kemph): Data quality −1.4.

    Not on record (scores 0, never estimated): website.

  9. No change

    Calianne P Lantz

    Independent practice · Aventura, FL

    Verified
    • 46 years experience
    • Juvenile
    • Bar status verified
    View profile
    Why #9?

    Ranks #9 with 82.60: strongest in Experience (30/30) and Professional credentials (15/15); held back by Reputation (4/20).

    Strongest

    • Experience 30/30 (ranking avg 24.4)
    • Professional credentials 15/15 (ranking avg 14.5)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 4/20 (ranking avg 4.1)

    Not on record (scores 0, never estimated): website.

  10. No change

    Rosa Maria Armesto

    Independent practice · Miami Beach, FL

    Verified
    • 31 years experience
    • Juvenile
    • Bar status verified
    View profile
    Why #10?

    Ranks #10 with 82.60: strongest in Experience (30/30) and Professional credentials (15/15); held back by Reputation (4/20).

    Strongest

    • Experience 30/30 (ranking avg 24.4)
    • Professional credentials 15/15 (ranking avg 14.5)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 4/20 (ranking avg 4.1)

    Not on record (scores 0, never estimated): website.

  11. No change

    Rosemarie Lynne Rinaldi

    Independent practice · Miami, FL

    Verified
    • 36 years experience
    • Juvenile
    • Bar status verified
    View profile
    Why #11?

    Ranks #11 with 82.60: strongest in Experience (30/30) and Professional credentials (15/15); held back by Reputation (4/20).

    Strongest

    • Experience 30/30 (ranking avg 24.4)
    • Professional credentials 15/15 (ranking avg 14.5)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 4/20 (ranking avg 4.1)

    Not on record (scores 0, never estimated): website.

  12. No change

    Barbara J Dirienzo

    Independent practice · Orlando, FL

    Verified
    • 35 years experience
    • Juvenile
    • Bar status verified
    View profile
    Why #12?

    Ranks #12 with 82.60: strongest in Experience (30/30) and Professional credentials (15/15); held back by Reputation (4/20).

    Strongest

    • Experience 30/30 (ranking avg 24.4)
    • Professional credentials 15/15 (ranking avg 14.5)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 4/20 (ranking avg 4.1)

    Not on record (scores 0, never estimated): website.

  13. No change

    Gerard Francis Glynn “Gerry”

    Independent practice · Orlando, FL

    Verified
    • 34 years experience
    • Juvenile
    • Bar status verified
    View profile
    Why #13?

    Ranks #13 with 82.60: strongest in Experience (30/30) and Professional credentials (15/15); held back by Reputation (4/20).

    Strongest

    • Experience 30/30 (ranking avg 24.4)
    • Professional credentials 15/15 (ranking avg 14.5)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 4/20 (ranking avg 4.1)

    Not on record (scores 0, never estimated): website.

  14. No change

    George Neilsen Lytle

    Independent practice · Orlando, FL

    Verified
    • 33 years experience
    • Juvenile
    • Bar status verified
    View profile
    Why #14?

    Ranks #14 with 82.60: strongest in Experience (30/30) and Professional credentials (15/15); held back by Reputation (4/20).

    Strongest

    • Experience 30/30 (ranking avg 24.4)
    • Professional credentials 15/15 (ranking avg 14.5)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 4/20 (ranking avg 4.1)

    Not on record (scores 0, never estimated): website.

  15. No change

    Kirsten Coleman Teany

    Quintairos, Prieto, Wood & Boyer, P.A. · Orlando, FL

    Verified
    • 33 years experience
    • Juvenile
    • Bar status verified
    View profile
    Why #15?

    Ranks #15 with 82.60: strongest in Experience (30/30) and Professional credentials (15/15); held back by Reputation (4/20).

    Strongest

    • Experience 30/30 (ranking avg 24.4)
    • Professional credentials 15/15 (ranking avg 14.5)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 4/20 (ranking avg 4.1)

    Not on record (scores 0, never estimated): website.

  16. No change

    Christine Marie Meyer

    Independent practice · Jacksonville, FL

    Verified
    • 33 years experience
    • Juvenile
    • Bar status verified
    View profile
    Why #16?

    Ranks #16 with 82.60: strongest in Experience (30/30) and Professional credentials (15/15); held back by Reputation (4/20).

    Strongest

    • Experience 30/30 (ranking avg 24.4)
    • Professional credentials 15/15 (ranking avg 14.5)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 4/20 (ranking avg 4.1)

    Not on record (scores 0, never estimated): website.

  17. No change

    Mark Alan Adelstein

    Independent practice · Tallahassee, FL

    Verified
    • 37 years experience
    • Juvenile
    • Bar status verified
    View profile
    Why #17?

    Ranks #17 with 82.60: strongest in Experience (30/30) and Professional credentials (15/15); held back by Reputation (4/20).

    Strongest

    • Experience 30/30 (ranking avg 24.4)
    • Professional credentials 15/15 (ranking avg 14.5)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 4/20 (ranking avg 4.1)

    Not on record (scores 0, never estimated): website.

  18. No change

    Stephanie Johnson

    Independent practice · Tallahassee, FL

    Verified
    • 33 years experience
    • Juvenile
    • Bar status verified
    View profile
    Why #18?

    Ranks #18 with 82.60: strongest in Experience (30/30) and Professional credentials (15/15); held back by Reputation (4/20).

    Strongest

    • Experience 30/30 (ranking avg 24.4)
    • Professional credentials 15/15 (ranking avg 14.5)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 4/20 (ranking avg 4.1)

    Not on record (scores 0, never estimated): website.

  19. No change

    Lori Anne Tomaselli

    Independent practice · Fort Myers, FL

    Verified
    • 30 years experience
    • Juvenile
    • Bar status verified
    View profile
    Why #19?

    Ranks #19 with 82.60: strongest in Experience (30/30) and Professional credentials (15/15); held back by Reputation (4/20).

    Strongest

    • Experience 30/30 (ranking avg 24.4)
    • Professional credentials 15/15 (ranking avg 14.5)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 4/20 (ranking avg 4.1)

    Not on record (scores 0, never estimated): website.

  20. No change

    Donald L Royston “Don”

    Independent practice · Gainesville, FL

    Verified
    • 46 years experience
    • Juvenile
    • Bar status verified
    View profile
    Why #20?

    Ranks #20 with 82.60: strongest in Experience (30/30) and Professional credentials (15/15); held back by Reputation (4/20).

    Strongest

    • Experience 30/30 (ranking avg 24.4)
    • Professional credentials 15/15 (ranking avg 14.5)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 4/20 (ranking avg 4.1)

    Not on record (scores 0, never estimated): website.

  21. No change

    Francine Turney

    Independent practice · Gainesville, FL

    Verified
    • 25 years experience
    • Juvenile
    • Bar status verified
    View profile
    Why #21?

    Ranks #21 with 82.60: strongest in Experience (30/30) and Professional credentials (15/15); held back by Reputation (4/20).

    Strongest

    • Experience 30/30 (ranking avg 24.4)
    • Professional credentials 15/15 (ranking avg 14.5)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 4/20 (ranking avg 4.1)

    Not on record (scores 0, never estimated): website.

  22. No change

    Brenda Lee Williams-Summers

    Independent practice · Ocala, FL

    Verified
    • 31 years experience
    • Juvenile
    • Bar status verified
    View profile
    Why #22?

    Ranks #22 with 82.60: strongest in Experience (30/30) and Professional credentials (15/15); held back by Reputation (4/20).

    Strongest

    • Experience 30/30 (ranking avg 24.4)
    • Professional credentials 15/15 (ranking avg 14.5)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 4/20 (ranking avg 4.1)

    Not on record (scores 0, never estimated): website.

  23. No change

    Thomas Paul Turcotte

    Independent practice · DeLand, FL

    Verified
    • 29 years experience
    • Juvenile
    • Bar status verified
    View profile
    Why #23?

    Ranks #23 with 82.60: strongest in Experience (30/30) and Professional credentials (15/15); held back by Reputation (4/20).

    Strongest

    • Experience 30/30 (ranking avg 24.4)
    • Professional credentials 15/15 (ranking avg 14.5)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 4/20 (ranking avg 4.1)

    Not on record (scores 0, never estimated): website.

  24. No change

    Paula Gardner Adams

    Independent practice · Bradenton, FL

    Verified
    • 38 years experience
    • Juvenile
    • Bar status verified
    View profile
    Why #24?

    Ranks #24 with 82.60: strongest in Experience (30/30) and Professional credentials (15/15); held back by Reputation (4/20).

    Strongest

    • Experience 30/30 (ranking avg 24.4)
    • Professional credentials 15/15 (ranking avg 14.5)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 4/20 (ranking avg 4.1)

    Not on record (scores 0, never estimated): website.

  25. No change

    Charles Eric Thomas

    Independent practice · Lakeland, FL

    Verified
    • 36 years experience
    • Juvenile
    • Bar status verified
    View profile
    Why #25?

    Ranks #25 with 82.60: strongest in Experience (30/30) and Professional credentials (15/15); held back by Reputation (4/20).

    Strongest

    • Experience 30/30 (ranking avg 24.4)
    • Professional credentials 15/15 (ranking avg 14.5)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 4/20 (ranking avg 4.1)

    Not on record (scores 0, never estimated): website.

Data sources behind the scores

Every score on this page is calculated from facts backed by these sources. Each profile shows which source supports which fact and when it was last checked.

  • floridabar.org · Official / regulatory · 25 profile pages261 facts for 25 lawyers

Juvenile market in Florida

LexRanked tracks 66 lawyers and 3 law firms in juvenile law in Florida. 66 of the lawyers have verified professional data. Data verified October 30, 2026.

Lawyers
66
Law firms
3
Verified professional data
66 of 66
Average rating
Withheldtoo few sourced ratings
Median review count
Withheldtoo few sourced counts
Median experience
24.5 years66 lawyers

Calculated by LexRanked from its own records on ; data verified . Ratings and review counts count only when backed by a source; figures from fewer than three profiles are withheld. All lawyers in Florida

What sets these Florida juvenile lawyers apart

All 25 lawyers in this ranking are Board Certified in Juvenile Law by The Florida Bar, which only about one in twenty Florida lawyers achieves in any field. The figures come from each lawyer's Florida Bar profile, checked in November 2026.

Fact about the 25 ranked lawyers Figure
Board Certified in Juvenile Law 25 of 25
Years in practice 24 to 46 (median 33)
Languages besides English Spanish (4), About The Bar Home (1), About the Bar (1), Accessibility (1)
License status with The Florida Bar Eligible to practice, verified for every lawyer

Where do Florida's top juvenile lawyers practice?

4 of the 25 practice in Gainesville; the table shows every city.

City Lawyers in this ranking
Gainesville 4
Miami 4
Orlando 4
Fort Myers 2
Tallahassee 2
Aventura 1
Bradenton 1
DeLand 1
Fort Walton Beach 1
Jacksonville 1
Lakeland 1
Miami Beach 1
Ocala 1
Tampa 1

Who is included in this ranking?

Lawyers eligible to practice in Florida, with an office in a Florida city we cover and juvenile as a practice area on record. It ranks every juvenile lawyer LexRanked tracks in Florida by the same score and shows the top 25. How we rank.

Find a juvenile lawyer in your city

A lawyer near you knows the local courts; each city has its own ranking of juvenile lawyers.

Florida rules to know

A Florida child taken into custody for a delinquent act must get a detention hearing within 24 hours and has the right to a lawyer at every stage of the case.

Rule What it means
Detention hearing A child placed in detention must have a hearing within 24 hours after being taken into custody (Fla. Stat. § 985.255)
Detention limit No more than 21 days in secure detention under a special detention order unless the adjudicatory hearing has begun in good faith (§ 985.26)
Right to counsel A child has the right to a lawyer at all stages of delinquency proceedings, appointed by the court if the family is indigent (§ 985.033)
Shelter hearing In dependency cases a child may not be held in a shelter longer than 24 hours without a court order after a shelter hearing (§ 39.402)
Diversion records A minor who completes a diversion program may have the arrest record expunged (§ 943.0582)

Cases are heard in the county where they arise; see which judicial circuit covers each county.

How to choose among these lawyers

Confirm the license, prefer a lawyer who regularly works in your county, ask who will handle your matter, and get the fee terms in writing.

  1. Look up the lawyer in The Florida Bar's directory and check the bar number shown on their LexRanked profile.
  2. Ask how many matters like yours the lawyer has handled in your county recently.
  3. Ask how they charge and what costs are extra, and get the agreement in writing.

Further reading

Sources for the rules above

Frequently asked questions

How soon does a child see a judge after an arrest in Florida?

A child placed in detention must be given a hearing within 24 hours after being taken into custody, under section 985.255.

How long can a child be held in juvenile detention in Florida?

Under section 985.26, generally no more than 21 days in secure detention under a special detention order unless the adjudicatory hearing has begun in good faith, with limited exceptions set out in the statute.

Does my child have the right to a lawyer in juvenile court?

Yes. Section 985.033 gives a child the right to a lawyer at all stages of delinquency proceedings, and the court appoints one if the family is indigent.

Can a juvenile arrest record be cleared in Florida?

A minor who successfully completes a diversion program may apply to have the arrest record expunged under section 943.0582, if the statute's conditions are met.

Who certifies juvenile lawyers in Florida?

The Florida Bar certifies lawyers in Juvenile Law after at least five years of practice, peer review and a written exam.

What does Board Certified in Juvenile Law mean?

It is a credential from The Florida Bar for lawyers with substantial experience in the field who have passed peer review and a written exam. 25 of the 25 lawyers in this ranking hold it; 4.9% of Florida lawyers hold a board certification in any field.

Where are the best juvenile lawyers in Florida?

Of the 25 lawyers in this ranking, 4 practice in Gainesville, 4 practice in Miami, 4 practice in Orlando. Each city also has its own ranking.

Do I need a juvenile lawyer in my own city?

Any lawyer licensed by The Florida Bar may practice anywhere in Florida, but a lawyer who regularly appears in your county knows its judges and procedures.

How is this ranking ordered?

By the LexRank score, calculated only from facts with a cited source: experience, practice-area relevance, awards on record such as board certification, professional credentials, data quality and location. Client reviews do not affect the LexRank score: neither star ratings nor the number of reviews is scored. Payment never changes a position.

Do client reviews affect the LexRank score?

Client reviews do not affect the LexRank score: neither star ratings nor the number of reviews is scored. Reviews are shown on profiles for information only, and Reputation counts only awards on record, such as board certification. How we rank

Which lawyers are verified?

25 of the 25 ranked lawyers have fully verified profiles: Scott Lyon Robbins, Sharon Andrea Hornett, Richard F Joyce, Marci Dana Silver and Shawn M Risen and others.

About this ranking

Last updated
Methodology
LexRank v1.2 - deterministic, reproducible scoring
Editorial review
LexRanked editorial team,
Independence
Positions are never sold. Paid placements, if any, are labelled and do not affect scores.

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