Tampa Attorney & Mediator

Sarah E. Kay

Sarah E. Kay is a Board Certified specialist in Marital and Family Law through The Florida Bar – a designation held by fewer than 1 percent of Florida lawyers.

Sarah no longer is a part of this firm, and at this time Natalie is offering mediation services only

For Sarah, it’s all about family. She not only works within the special needs community, she lives there. Three years ago, her two eldest children were diagnosed with unique gifts and needs.  Since that time, she has actively been navigating the maze of therapies, educational opportunities, and treatment specialists, and has helped others do so as well. Sarah’s personal experiences have given her insight into the intricate details of navigating special needs law. She offers a professional commitment to assist families in successfully resolving their cases and she strives to understand and embrace each family’s exceptional qualities.

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Sarah is a trial-tested litigator who also is experienced in collaborative divorce. She is a Certified Family Law Mediator by The Florida Supreme Court and serves as a Guardian ad Litem.  Sarah is passionate about supporting her community by helping families resolve, reduce and perhaps even prevent family conflicts in positive, effective, efficient, and dignified ways. Sarah is experienced in both private dispute resolution or litigation, so her family law and special needs law clients can choose from options that are the most beneficial to their cases.

Licenses

  • Florida Supreme Court Certified Family Law Mediator
  • Board Certified Specialist in Marital & Family Law by The Florida Bar

Education

  • Stetson University College of Law, Juris Doctorate, 2010
  • Stetson University, Master of Business Administration, 2010
  • Worcester State University, Master of Education, 2003
  • Gordon College, Bachelor of Science in Middle School Education, 1999

Awards

  • Pro Bono Award from the Hillsborough Association for Women Lawyers, 2019
  • Chair's Award of Extraordinary Service from The Family Law Section of The Florida Bar, 2018
  • President's Award from the Hillsborough Association for Women Lawyers, 2015
  • Above and Beyond Award from The Family Law Section of The Florida Bar, 2019, 2017, 2016
  • Mentor of the Year Award from The Hillsborough Association for Women Lawyers, 2011-2012

Published Works

  • Making Family Law Mediation Family-Friendly, Fla. B. ADR Section, Common Ground (Fall 2018)
  • Tips and Tricks for Microsoft Word in Legal Document Preparation, 31 Fla. B. Fam. L. Commentator 28 (Summer 2018)
  • Purposeful Navigation Through the Seas of Social Change: A Theory-Based Approach to Florida Alimony Reform, Fla. B. J. 60 (Nov. 20, 2014) (Co-Author with Alexa Revord Larkin)
  • Proposed Collaborative Law Legislation in Florida, 24 HCBA Lawyer 18 (May 2014)

Work Experience

  • Managing Member of Kay Family Law PLLC, 2020-Present
  • Former Attorney at Sessums Black Caballero Ficarrotta, 2010-2019
  • Former Receptionist, File Clerk, Paralegal at Sessums Black Caballero Ficarrotta, 2006-2010

Professional Associations and Memberships

  • Hillsborough Association for Women Lawyers President, 2017-2018
  • Family Law Section of The Florida Bar Executive Council Member, 2015 - Current Certification Review Course Committee Member, 2017 - Current Ad Hoc Special Needs Children Committee Co-Chair, 2019 - Current Leadership Retreat Committee Co-Chair, 2020 Trial Advocacy Seminar Committee Co-Chair, 2019
  • Association of Family and Conciliation Courts Member, 2014 - Current
  • Council of Parent Attorneys & Advocates (COPAA) Member, 2018 - Present

Inside the Life of

Sarah E. Kay

Sarah is passionate about supporting her community by helping families resolve, reduce, and perhaps even prevent family conflicts in as positive, effective, efficient and dignified way. This may be through employing private dispute resolution or litigation. Sarah is experienced in both, so her clients have options to choose from.

Sarah not only works within the special needs community, she lives there.  Around the summer of 2016, Sarah’s two eldest children were diagnosed with unique gifts and needs. Since that time, Sarah and her husband, Chris, have been actively navigating a maze of occupational therapists, psychologists, developmental pediatricians, exceptional student education (“ESE”) services [also known as special education], ABA therapists, Step-Up for Students (formerly Gardiner) scholarships, individualized education plans (“IEPs”), the Department of Education Office of Civil Rights, and more. Sarah is passionate about helping others who are navigating the maze, too. Sarah has benefited from advice and mentoring from others who are further along in the maze than her family and she finds joy in helping others as she has been helped.

As a guardian ad litem, Sarah has cultivated a passion and skill for giving children a voice through being a mother and advocate for her out-of-the-box children, a family law attorney, a long-time volunteer with exchange students, and a former public school teacher.

Simply put, for Sarah it’s all about family. Sarah gives not just a professional, but a personal commitment, to each case she works.

Features

Tampa Bay Metro

The Faces of Attorneys Helping Families