Barry Sinoff is an independent attorney who practices family law.
WHY LIMIT YOUR PRACTICE?
“I began my career in trial work with criminal defense, then plaintiff and personal injury along with family law. As time went by, it seemed specializing was the most effective way to practice and keep current on an area.” Over the last 15 years, Sinoff dropped parts of his practice until only family law remained.
WHY THIS SPECIALTY?
“What I like most about family law is the opportunity to be of assistance to nice people facing a life crisis, which is what divorce is. Those attorneys that deescalate emotions are doing their clients the best service.”
WHAT’S THE DOWNSIDE?
“The most difficult and challenging parts are divorces with contested custodies. Most couples disagree on financial issues but in cases where custody of children is an issue, those are the most emotionally challenging. The goal in every divorce case is a fair and reasonable settlement without the expense, time and personal trauma of a trial.”
WHAT CHANGES HAVE OCCURRED IN THIS AREA?
“Fifteen years ago, large firms referred family law cases. They are emotionally charged and emotionally demanding. The single biggest improvement in the area in my 34 years of practice is the mediation process, where 85-90 percent of cases are settling. Most of my cases get resolved before trial.”
HOMETOWN
Jacksonville.
EDUCATION
Sinoff has a bachelor’s and law degree from the University of Florida.
WHEN DID YOU DECIDE TO BECOME AN ATTORNEY?
“In my eighth grade civics class, I did a career day paper on being a lawyer. That was my preference then and it has remained the same. I’m one of those people who went from high school to law school to practice.”
EVER WORKED IN ANYTHING ELSE?
“As a kid I worked in my parent’s toy store, as a camp counselor and as a waiter.”
MOST MEMORABLE
CASE EVER?
“I was one of the defense attorneys in the Black Liberation Army murder trials. At the time, it was the most newsworthy trial in Jacksonville in 20-30 years. It was rather grisly.”
HAPPILY EVER AFTER
Sinoff and wife Carole have been married for 37 years. They reside in Mandarin and have two children, Brad and Adam. “Career family law attorneys tend to stay married longer than most because we see so many things [in our work] that create problems and make marriages fail. We can then avoid the problems that cause breakups.”
ACCOLADES
While in college, Sinoff was president of the Florida Blue Key, an honorary leadership fraternity. Recently, he was presented the 2002 Hernandez Professionalism Award by Judge McRae Mathis on behalf of the Florida Family Law American Inn of Court.
WHY DID YOU
WIN THE AWARD?
“I would like to believe that it was because I treat everybody in a case, including opposing counsel, with respect. That has a lot to do with professionalism.”
HOBBIES
A sports fanatic, Sinoff recently started playing golf. For entertainment, it’s the classic film “Chariots of Fire” or the television show “The West Wing.” “The World According to Garp” tops his must read book list and when he’s got a case of wanderlust, it’s off to Greenbrier, W. Va.
WHO’S YOUR HERO?
“I admire [Secretary of State] Colin Powell. I heard him speak several years ago and read his book. He is the former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and is currently in [President George W.] Bush’s cabinet. He is, in every sense of the word, a hero.”
— by Monica Chamness