Our Accreditations

Board Certified, Marital and Family Law

Board Certification is the highest level of recognition of competency and experience offered by The Florida Bar. The Board Certification program was created to assist the public in finding competent legal counsel in family law. Many lawyers handle marital and family law matters at various skill levels, but only Board Certified Marital and Family Law attorneys may use the term “specialist” or “expert” when referring to themselves. To become Board Certified a lawyer must have substantial family law experience for a minimum number of years and undergo a rigorous written exam and peer review.

Mr. Schutz is Board Certified in Marital and Family Law.

The International Academy of Family Lawyers

The International Academy of Family Lawyers (IAFL) is an invitation-only worldwide association of practicing lawyers who are recognized by their peers as the most experienced and expert family law specialists in their respective countries. The Academy was formed in 1986, inspired in part by the success of the American Academy of Family Lawyers. By creating a network of expertise in international family law around the globe, IAFL Fellows share information about developments in the law in countries around the world. The IAFL represents over 600 attorneys in 44 countries.

Mr. Schutz is a Fellow of the International Academy of Family Lawyers (IAFL).

John Schutz Ralph White American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers

The American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers

The American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers (AAML) was founded in 1962 to promote an elite degree of professionalism and excellence in the practice of family law. AAML Fellows across the United States are generally recognized by judges and attorneys as preeminent family law practitioners with a high level of knowledge, skill and integrity. To become a Fellow of the AAML, an attorney must be Board Certified in Marital and Family Law, pass both a state-wide and national peer review, a rigorous national written examination, and a state-wide oral examination.

Currently, there are more than 1,600 AAML Fellows in 50 U.S. states. In Florida, there are only 77 AAML Fellows, representing just .02% of all family law attorneys in the state.

Mr. Schutz is a Fellow of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers and past- President of the Florida Chapter of the AAML in 2019.

Super Lawyers

Super Lawyers is a rating service of outstanding lawyers from more than 70 practice areas who have attained a high-degree of peer recognition and professional achievement. The selection process is multi-phased and includes independent research, peer nominations and peer evaluations.

Mr. Schutz has been selected as a Super Lawyer for the past 14 consecutive years.

AV Rated, by Martindale-Hubbel

An AV rating demonstrates that a lawyer has reached the height of professional excellence with regards to length of career, skill level, and integrity. The Martindale-Hubbell Peer Review Ratings system is based on the confidential opinions of members of the Bar and the Judiciary, including both those who are rated and those who are not. There are two components to each Martindale-Hubbell Peer Review Rating:

Legal Ability Ratings, which take into consideration the standard of professional ability in the area where the lawyer practices, the lawyer’s expertise, and other professional qualifications.
General Ethical Standards Rating, which denotes adherence to professional standards of conduct and ethics, reliability, diligence and other criteria relevant to the discharge of professional responsibilities.

John F. Schutz, P.L. is an AV Rated law firm by Martindale Hubbell.

“Best Law Firms” by U.S. News & World Report

The law firm of John F. Schutz is pleased to announce its inclusion in the list of 2018 “Best Law Firms” by U.S. News & World Report. John F. Schutz, PL is regionally ranked in 1 practice area. The U.S. News – Best Lawyers® “Best Law Firms” rankings are based on a rigorous evaluation process.

Best Law Firms|Palm Beach Divorce Lawyer

International Academy of Collaborative Professionals

The International Academy of Collaborative Professionals are leaders in the international collaborative divorce community, working together to change how conflict is resolved by focusing on the client. The IACP sets the bar for the ethical and practice standards of Collaborative Practice, establishing and distinguishing excellence among legal, mental health, and financial professionals. Collaborative Practitioners are required to meet numerous standards, including twelve hours of Collaborative training, thirty hours of client centered, interest-based conflict resolution training, and fifteen hours of advanced mediation training.

Palm Beach divorce lawyer, John F. Schutz is recognized by the IACP as a Collaborative Divorce Practitioner.

Best Lawyers®

Since it was first published in 1983, Best Lawyers® has become universally regarded as the definitive guide to legal excellence. Best Lawyers®selection is based on an exhaustive peer review evaluation. Lawyers are not allowed to pay a fee to be listed; therefore, inclusion in Best Lawyers® is considered a singular honor. Corporate Counsel magazine has called Best Lawyers “the most respected referral list of attorneys in practice.”

The Law Office of John F. Schutz and Mr. Schutz personally have been recognized as Best Law Firms in America^©and Best Lawyers in America, respectively, by Best Lawyer’s in America^©U.S. News & World Report annually since 2019 in marital and family law.

John F. Schutz was named the Best Lawyers® 2023 Marital and Family Law “Lawyer of the Year” in Palm Beach, Florida.