Sandra J. Mathis

SHAREHOLDER

Professional Experience / Bio

Sandra is the founding member of the Rogers Towers’ Family Law Department, which was established in February, 1995.  Since then, Sandra has litigated and tried hundreds of family law cases in Duval, St. Johns, Nassau, and Clay Counties.  Further, she has prepared hundreds of marital settlement agreements, cohabitation agreements, prenuptial agreements, and postnuptial agreements for clients throughout Florida.  She typically represents doctors, lawyers, accountants, business executives, business owners, and professional ball players, and sometimes the wives of these professionals, in actions for separation, divorce, dissolution of marriage, and modification and/or termination of alimony.  Historically, Sandra’s cases have involved complex financial issues, substantial assets, tracing of marital and non-marital assets, identification of hidden and commingled assets, and the valuation and/or sale of real estate, commercial real estate, personal property, and businesses.  As a pillar in the Family Law Department at Rogers Towers, Sandra regularly works with other professionals and experts, as well as with the other attorneys at Rogers Towers to provide clients with comprehensive representation for all of their needs.

Sandra brings a strategic approach to every case she handles by personally working with each client to create specifically tailored plans so that their cases are completed successfully.  Through Sandra’s thorough identification and evaluation of assets and income, collaboration with experts, skillful negotiation skills, and preparation of detailed marital settlement agreements, prenuptial agreements, post nuptial agreements, and consent final judgements, approximately 90% of her cases settle, providing cost and time savings for her clients. However, when necessary, Sandra is also well-equipped to take the most complex of cases to trial.  She is well-versed in the legal nuances of marital versus non-marital assets under Florida law and often advises clients on how to keep them separate by avoiding inadvertent “transmutation” from one to the other.  Further, she brings a wealth of experience to regularly advise clients on the financial and personal risks and benefits of litigating their case versus reaching a settlement through negotiation or mediation.

Education

  • West Virginia University at South Parkersburg, A.D. (R.N.), 1979
  • University of Louisville B.A. cum laude, 1987
  • University of Louisville School of Law J.D. cum laude, 1991

Awards & Distinctions

  • AV Preeminent® Rating, Martindale-Hubbell
  • The Best Lawyers in America® (Family Law), 2018-2024
  • The Best Lawyers in America® (Family Law Mediation), 2022-2024
  • Florida Super Lawyers® (Family Law), 2006

Bar Association Membership

  • The Florida Bar
  • State Bar of Georgia
  • Kentucky Bar Association

Legal Certifications

  • Board Certified in Marital and Family Law, The Florida Bar

Professional & Community Involvement

  • Member, Jacksonville Women’s Network, 2009
  • Vice President, Board of Directors, Family Nurturing Center, 2008
  • Board of Directors, Family Nurturing Center of Duval, St. Johns, Clay and Nassau Counties, 2007
  • Chair, Family Law Section, Jacksonville Bar Association, 2000-2003
  • Member, Family Law Section and Appellate Section of Jacksonville Bar Association, 1994-2007
  • Master, Florida Family Law Inn of Court, 2000-2007
  • Member, Board of Directors, Alzheimer’s Association, 1994-1996
  • Member, Community Solutions Committee, Board of Directors, United Way, 1995-1999

PUBLICATIONS AND PRESENTATIONS

  • Moderator: NBI Trial Practice/Judicial Forum, 2008
  • Author, Lecturer and Moderator: National Business Institute Trial Practice “Judicial Forum” of participating Family Law Court Judges from Duval, Nassau, Clay and St. Johns Counties, Florida, 2008
  • Guest Lecturer: Florida Coastal School of Law, 2008
  • Presenter: Frequent lectures to C.P.A.’s, Stock Brokers and other Financial Experts on the impact of Family Law on tax and financial planning, 2003 – 2008
  • Author and Lecturer: “Family Law Developments,” “Analysis of Financial Information” and “Preparation and Trial of a Complex Divorce Case,” National Business Institute, Jacksonville, Gainesville, Florida, 2005
  • Author and Lecturer: “Navigating the Fork in the Road: Fairly Dividing Assets and Liabilities” and “Pay the Toll: Tax Issues and Planning,” National Business Institute, Jacksonville, Florida, 2004
  • Author and Lecturer: “Asset and Liability Division and Spousal Maintenance” and “The Complex Divorce Action,” National Business Institute, Jacksonville, Florida, 2003

Representative Matters

  • Ms. Mathis is an accomplished appellate attorney in the area of family law and has won significant victories, including a published opinion securing visitation for divorced fathers in the First District Court of Appeal of Florida.
  • As past Chair of the Family Law Section of the Jacksonville Bar, Ms. Mathis was instrumental in current revisions to the Visitation Guidelines of the Fourth Judicial Circuit and in the implementation of the Standing Family Law Court Orders of the Fourth and Seventh Judicial Circuits designed to promote peaceful and even-handed treatment of custody, visitation and property issues pending litigation in family court.