Mark A. Sessums

President

Mark A. Sessums is the Principal of the law firm known as Sessums Law Group, P.A. established in April 2008. The firm has five (5) lawyers and represents litigants in all types of civil matters in all courts throughout the State of Florida and in other jurisdictions. Mr. Sessums has been Board Certified in Marital and Family Law since 1997. Mr. Sessums and has been Board Certified in Civil Trial Law since 2010, and was Board Certified by the National Board of Trial Advocacy in 2015. Mr. Sessums has been repeatedly selected for inclusion for Best Lawyers in America (2017-2024) and recognized as Best Law Firms in America (2021-2024). Mark is recognized each year as a "Super Lawyer" since the inception of the lawyer rating service in 2006. Mr. Sessums and his firm are AV rated by Martindale-Hubbell. Mr. Sessums’ rating through AVVO.com is ten out of ten. Mark Sessums served as an Eagle in the American Justice Association. Mark A. Sessums gained admittance to Litigation Counsel of America, a prestigious trial lawyer’s organization. Mr. Sessums is a graduate of The University of Florida (B.S. 1984) and The University of Florida Levin College of Law (J.D. 1989). The firm’s offices are in Tampa, Sarasota, Lakeland, and Sebring.

Mr. Sessums is a past President of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, Florida Chapter, and now serves as a member of the Board of Managers. Mark Sessums served on the Executive Committee of the AAML Foundation; has served on the general Board of Directors and most recently served as Treasurer of the AAML Foundation.

Mr. Sessums has lectured frequently throughout the state on assorted topics concerning family law, including equitable distribution, business valuation, alimony, agreements, practice and procedure, prenuptial agreements, discovery and depositions, attorneys’ fees and costs, temporary relief hearings, and parenting plans. Mark Sessums is a published author of numerous articles that have appeared in the Florida Bar Journal and the Florida Family Law Commentator and in other periodicals.

Employment History

• President of Sessums Law Group, P.A. (2008-present)
• Shareholder with Frost & Sessums in Bartow, Florida (2001-2008)
• Associate with Frost, O'Toole and Saunders in Bartow, Florida (1995-2001)
• Associate with Sessums, Mason & Black in Tampa, Florida (1992-1995)
• Associate with Trenam, Kemker in Tampa, Florida (1989-1992)

Reported Appellate Decisions

• Gerber v. Dubrowski, 2023 WL 8898297 (Fla. 2nd DCA 2023);
• Reese v. Reese, x So. 3d x (Fla. 6th DCA 2023);
• S.H.Y. v. P.G., 320 So. 3d 797 (Fla. 2d DCA 2021);
• Katz v. Katz, 281 So. 3d 476 (Fla. 2d DCA 2019) (per curiam);
• Pagano v. Pagano, 205 So. 3d 601 (Fla. 2d DCA 2016);
• Pagano v. Pagano, 2016 WL 6637704;
• Allegro v. Allegro, 203 So. 3d 164 (Fla. 2d DCA 2016);
• Browning v. Poirier, 165 So. 3d 663 (Fla. 2015);
• Johnson v. Johnson, 162 So. 3d 1026 (Fla. 4th DCA 2015);
• Jensen v. Jensen, 172 So. 3d 878 (Fla. 2d DCA 2015);
• Card v. Card, 122 So. 3d 436, (Fla. 2d DCA 2015);
• Campbell v. Campbell, 138 So. 3d 445 (Fla. 2d DCA 2014);
• Jayne v. Jayne, 112 So. 3d 456 (Fla. 2d DCA 2013);
• Driggers v. Driggers, 127 So. 3d 762 (Fla. 2d DCA 2013);
• Flaherty v. Flaherty, 128 So. 3d 920 (Fla. 2d DCA 2013);
• Browning v. Poirier, 128 So. 3d 144 (Fla. 5th DCA 2013);
• Phillips v. Phillips, 110 So. 3d 456 (Fla. 2d DCA 2013);
• Holmes v. Holmes, 100 So. 3d 745 (Fla. 2d DCA 2012);
• Madonia v. Madonia, 96 So. 3d 896 (Fla. 2d DCA 2012);
• Negron v. Negron, 90 So. 3d 288 (Fla. 2d DCA 2012);
• N.H. v. JET, 66 So. 3d 1056 (Fla. 2d DCA 2011);
• Long v. Long, 49 So. 3d 245 (Fla. 2d DCA 2010);
• McGhee v. McGhee, 48 So. 3d 848 (Fla. 2d DCA 2010);
• Benevides v. Benevides and Gerard, P.A., 46 So. 3d 53 (Fla. 2d DCA, 2010);
• Mahalak v. Mahalak, 36 So. 3d 669 (Fla. 2d DCA 2010);
• Muse v. Muse, 27 So. 3d 232, (Fla. 2d DCA 2010);
• P.V. v. T.M., 25 So. 3d 1239 (Fla. 2d DCA 2009);
• Four Corners Ins., Inc. v. Sun Publications of Florida, Inc., 5 So. 3d 780 (Fla. 2d DCA 2009);
• Franklin v. Franklin, 988 So. 2d 125 (Fla. 2d DCA 2008);
• Jones v. State Farm Mutual Insurance Company, 988 So. 2d 1100 (Fla.2d DCA 2008);
• Massam v. Massam, 993 So. 2d 1022 (Fla. 2d DCA 2008);
• Rushiwal v. Rushiwal, 971 So. 2d 190 (Fla. 2d DCA 2007);
• Williams v. Williams, 923 So. 2d 606 (Fla. 2d DCA 2006);
• Skone v. Skone, 870 So. 2d 230 (Fla. 2d DCA 2004);
• Worley v. Worley, 855 So. 2d 632 (Fla. 2d DCA 2003);
• Hutto v. Hutto, 842 So. 2d 994 (Fla. 2d DCA 2003);
• Harrell v. Mayberry, 754 So. 2d 742 (Fla. 2d DCA 2000);
• Clark v. Polk County, 753 So. 2d 138 (Fla. 2d DCA 2000);
• Polk County v. Sofka, 730 So. 2d 389 (Fla. 2d DCA 1999);
• Polk County v. Sofka, 702 So. 2d 1243 (Fla. 1997);
• Carlton v. Carlton, 670 So. 2d 1129 (Fla. 2d DCA 1996);
• Polk County v. Sofka, 675 So. 2d 615 (Fla. 2d DCA 1996);
• Stoler v. Stoler, 679 So. 2d 837 (Fla. 2d DCA 1996)(not listed as appellate counsel in opinion);
• Ohio Cas. Ins. Co. v. Fennell, 686 So. 2d 1 (Fla. 2d DCA 1995);
• Campbell Soup Co. v. Roberts, 676 So. 2d 435 (Fla. 2d DCA 1995);
• Johnson v. Johnson, 663 So. 2d 663 (Fla. 2d DCA 1995).

Bar Activities

• AAML Foundation, Treasurer (2021-2023), Executive Committee (2019-2023), Board of Directors (2018-2023); AAML Florida Chapter: President (2020-2021) President Elect (2019-2020); Vice President (2018-2019); Treasurer (2017-2018); Secretary (2016-17); Board of Managers (2014-present); Institute Committee (2014-2017; Chair, 2017); Legislation Committee (2017-2021); Co-Chair, Legislation Committee (2005-08); Co-Chair, Membership Committee (2006-11); Amicus Committee Chair, 2006.
• Sarasota Bar Association Member (2016-present).
• The Florida Bar, Family Law Section: Executive Council (2004-11); Secretary of Legislation Committee (2005-06); Co-Vice Chair of Legislation Committee (2006-11); Family Law Rules Committee (1994-98); Vice-Chair of Family Law Rules Committee (1996-97).
• Lakeland Bar Association Member (2008-present).
• Highland’s County Bar Association Member (2008-present).
• Polk County Family Lawyers Association: President (2002-03);
• Tenth Judicial Circuit, Grievance Committee (1999-2000); Chair (2000-01);
• Hillsborough County Bar Association: President-Elect Young Lawyers Section (1994-95); Chair & Various Committees (1990-95); Member.
• The Florida Bar: Civil Procedure Rules Committee (1990-93);

Articles and Speeches

• Is an Unequal Equitable Distribution Equitable? (2024)
• Florida Bar Certification Marital and Family Law Review Speaker: Evidence (2019 and 2020; 2022); Attorney’s Fees (2018); Practice & Procedure (2017; 2021); Agreements (2016); Alimony (2014); Equitable Distribution (2012; 2013); Modification of Alimony and Child Support (2010; 2011); Final Judgments (2008).
• AAML Webinar on Tax Returns and Financial Affidavits with Monica Ospina, CPA (2018).
• Florida Bar, Family Law Section, Trial Advocacy Workshop (2017), Direct and Cross Examination of Experts.
• American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyer Institute: Torts and Family Law (2015); Evidence (co-presented with Elisha Roy, Esq. 2020).
• Sarasota Family Law Section, monthly luncheon (2020), Alimony: Past, Present, and Future.
• Sarasota Family Law Section, monthly luncheon (2018), How To Bullet Proof And Challenge Prenuptial Agreements.
• Alimony: Then and Now, Jacksonville Bar Association (2015).
• Taming the Evidentiary Beast In Family Law with Retired Judge John C. Lenderman,AAML Webinar (2015).
• American Institute of Certified Public Accountants Speaker: Winning the Battle of the Experts: How to Get Paid (2013).
• A Wrinkle In Time: Personal Jurisdiction’s Evolution—Pleading, Proving and Defending Personal Jurisdiction Issues. 87 Fla. Bar J. 16 (Nov. 2013).
• View from the Soapbox: The Case for Permanent Alimony, Florida Law Commentator, (Winter 2013).
• You Can’t Make Me! Oh, Yes, I Can! – Motions to Compel, Motions for Contempt, and Sanctions, Florida Bar Family Law Section Telephonic Seminar Series (May 2012).
• Rule 4-3.3, Candor Towards the Tribunal, American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyer’s Institute (2011).
• Floridom’s Annual Case Law Update (2009-2012).
• Legislative Update, Florida Chapter,American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyer’s Institute (2007).
• Halfway Houses and Mental Health Treatment Facilities-Establishing Duty In Tort, LXXVII, No. 6, Florida Bar Journal (June 2003).
• Family Law Fees, The High Points and the Current State of the Law, LXXIII, No. 4, Florida Bar Journal, April (1999).
• “Professionalism,” (Co-Authored with Caroline Black Sikorske, Esq.), Family Law Commentator (Spring 1993).
• What Are Wives’ Contributions Worth Upon Divorce: Toward Fully Incorporating Partnership Into Equitable Distribution Vol. 41 University of Florida Law Review, No. 5 (Fall 1989).