Elliot Zisser, Attorney

Elliot Zisser was born in Brooklyn, New York, and educated through the public schools and City University of New York. His father was an immigrant to this country and his mother the daughter of immigrants. Elliot's family has lived, and believes strongly in, the American dream. After growing up in New York City, he attended law school at the George Washington University, where he achieved distinction as a member of the Order of the Coif (top ten percent of his class), as well as serving on the Board of Editors of the George Washington Law Review. It is a goal of all students to be selected for Law Review and an achievement to not only be selected, but to be among the editors.

After law school and his marriage in 1971 to another soon-to-be lawyer, Elliot and his wife chose to live in Jacksonville, Florida. He joined his brother, Barry, in his private law practice. His brother and his wife have been his partners in his profession and in life ever since. He is fortunate to have two wonderful children, a young lawyer, Jonathan, and a college student, Alison.

After about five years in general practice, as the firm grew, Elliot began to specialize in the field of matrimonial law. He was among the first lawyers to be board certified in matrimonial and family law, having been selected to be on the first marital and family law certification committee, where they wrote the first examination for others to take. He later served as chairman of the Marital and Family Law Certification Committee, and presently serves as a member of the Florida Bar Board of Legal Specialization and Education, which supervises all area certification committees for the Florida Bar. Elliot was also fortunate to be selected after an examination and references from attorneys and judges, as a member of the Florida Chapter of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, the most prestigious matrimonial Bar organization in the country. He was the 2000-2001 president of that organization and has served on the Board of Managers for more than ten years. He has also been the chairman of the Family Law Section of the Jacksonville Bar Association on three separate occasions and has been on the Executive Counsel of the Family Law Section of the Florida Bar for ten years.

Elliot has written articles and given many lectures, including being a speaker at the 2000-2001 Symposium, entitled Divorce Super Stars, a statewide seminar. He holds the highest rating, AV, from the Martindale-Hubbell legal directory and has been recognized in The Best Lawyers in America by Naifeh and Johnson, for more than thirteen years. Bar service is only one aspect of giving back, and Elliot has also served on his Synagogue Board of Directors and was a member of the Environmental Protection Board of the City of Jacksonville for a period of approximately ten years. He has served as President of the Jacksonville Jewish Federation, an umbrella charitable and fund-raising organization.

As a lawyer, Elliot has tried to provide vigorous advocacy within strict ethical guidelines. He treasures his reputation for honesty and professionalism. Neither of those are inconsistent with being an advocate for his clients. He believes strongly in settling cases, when possible, but has tried several hundred cases over his more than thirty-year career. He never forgets that in almost every case he is affecting the lives of innocent children who love both parents. He believes that children must be protected in these proceedings.

All work and no play is not good for anyone. Elliot enjoys sailing, hiking, kayaking, biking, and walking on the beach. He also enjoys rooting for the Jacksonville Jaguars and has had the privilege of representing several of the team's players.

In choosing a lawyer, you should know something about that lawyer. Elliot hopes this information is of use to you.

• Sokolsky v. Kuhn 1980

• Mondy v. Mondy 1983

• Henderson v. Henderson 1988