The Professional

Article by Nicole Goetz Published in ‘The Professional’

An article by family law attorney Nicole L. Goetz of Naples appears in the Spring 2019 issue of The Professional, a publication of The Florida Bar Henry Latimer Center for Professionalism. In the article, “‘Bounds of Advocacy’ Professional and Ethical Practice Guidelines for Florida Family Lawyers,” Ms. Goetz discusses the significance of the recently re-published “Bounds of Advocacy,” a comprehensive guide for Florida lawyers who practice in any area of family law. Ms. Goetz served as 2017-2018 Chair of The Florida Bar Family Law Section and appointed a committee to update the publication, which is intended to advise Florida lawyers on the professional and ethical dilemmas that are unique to the practice of family law. The “Bounds of Advocacy” offers goals for professional cooperation, competence and advice, conflict of interest, fees and children. It suggests a higher level of practice than the minimum baseline of conduct required by Florida Bar rules and spells out strategies for situations that often arise in family law where the rules don’t provide sufficient guidance. The Family Law Section offers the “Bounds of Advocacy” at no charge; it is available to download from the section’s website.

AAML BVR National Divorce Conference

Nicole Goetz Participates in National Divorce Conference

Nicole Goetz recently participated in the National Divorce Conference hosted by the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers and Business Valuation Resources. Top matrimonial attorneys and financial experts presented sessions on cutting-edge topics such as divorce valuation, litigation issues, complex financial analysis and the latest trends in marital and family law. Divorce practitioners and valuation professionals who attended the event gained critical insights from nationally recognized presenters on the latest financial, forensic and legal issues in the matrimonial arena.

FL AFCC

Nicole Goetz Article Published in FL AFCC Newsletter

Nicole L. Goetz, P.L. is pleased that FL AFCC—the Florida Chapter of the Association of Family and Conciliation Courts—published an article by Nicole Goetz in the March 2019 FLAFCC eNews. The article recaps the Family Law Section of The Florida Bar‘s recent revisions to the “Bounds of Advocacy,” a guide for Florida lawyers on the professional and ethical dilemmas that are unique to the practice of family law. Nicole appointed the Family Law Section’s ad hoc Bounds of Advocacy Committee to oversee the revisions during her term as section chair. FLAFCC is an organization of judicial, legal, mental health, financial and related professionals utilizing education, research and advocacy to improve the lives of children and families through the collaborative resolution of family conflict.

Elected Secretary of the Family Law Section of the Florida Bar

Attorneys Attend 2019 Marital and Family Law Review Course

Nicole L. Goetz, P.L. attorneys Nicole Goetz and Toni Boettcher recently attended the 2019 Marital and Family Law Review Course in Orlando. The annual course is one of the largest continuing legal education events in the Southeast, and more than 1,600 attend. The course is a comprehensive review of Florida family law and is co-hosted by the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers – Florida Chapter and the Family Law Section of The Florida Bar. Nicole Goetz is the Immediate Past Chair of the Family Law Section. Here are some photos from the review course, its speakers’ dinner, and Family Law Section committee meetings, which are held each year in conjunction with the course.

Nicole Goetz With Doug Greenbaum Marital and Family Law Review Course

Luncheon Speakers' Dinner

Bounds of Advocacy Presentation

Nicole Goetz Presents on ‘Bounds of Advocacy’ at LCBA Luncheon

Nicole L. Goetz recently presented on “Bounds of Advocacy: Goals for Family Lawyers in Florida” at a Lee County Bar Association luncheon sponsored by the judges of the Lee County Family and Uniform Family Court divisions. Ms. Goetz is the Immediate Past Chair of The Florida Bar Family Law Section, which last year published a newly revised version of the Bounds of Advocacy. The publication offers guidelines for family lawyers related to professional cooperation, competence and advice, conflict of interest, fees and children and is an update from the original 2004 version. The Family Law Section Ad Hoc Bounds of Advocacy Committee—a group of Florida’s most experienced family lawyers—revised the guide to capture changes in marital and family law, ethics, professionalism, social media and technology.

Melissa Harrison Earns Paralegal Studies Degree

Melissa Harrison Earns Paralegal Studies Degree

Congratulations to legal assistant Melissa C. Harrison, who recently graduated from Keiser University with an Associate of Arts degree in Paralegal Studies. Melissa has a Bachelor of Arts degree in liberal arts with specialties in politics and photography from New School University in New York City. She is a New Jersey native and has lived in various cities in the Northeast United States and Mexico. She moved to Naples in 2017 and began her career in the legal field as a receptionist and legal assistant with Nicole L. Goetz, P.L.

Child Life Wish List Program

Nicole L. Goetz P.L. Supports Golisano Children’s Hospital Wish List Program

Donate a toy and help brighten a child’s day. The attorneys and staff at Nicole L. Goetz, P.L. in Naples are teaming up to collect donations for the Golisano Children’s Hospital Child Life Wish List program. Donations to the program help hospitalized children and siblings and are used in activity rooms and for birthdays to keep patients happy, engaged and feeling good about their treatments. The Child Life Wish List contains items for infants and toddlers, preschool and school-age children and teens as well as sensory items and travel-size toiletries. You also can choose a toy that means something to you or that will bring meaning to a child’s life. You may drop off donations at the Nicole L. Goetz, P.L. office at 4933 Tamiami Trail North, Suite 201, in Naples, or call (239) 325-5030 for more information. If you would like to donate directly to the hospital, take donations to 9981 S. Healthpark Drive in Fort Myers and leave them at the front desk. Please donate to help show children who are receiving treatment at Golisano Children’s Hospital that they do not have to face their burdens by themselves.

Nicole L. Goetz, P.L. - Family Law Section of the Florida Bar Award

Nicole L. Goetz Chairs Florida Bar Family Law Section

Attorney Nicole Goetz of Nicole L. Goetz P.L. in Naples has been elected to serve as the 2017-2018 Chair of The Florida Bar Family Law Section; a 3,700-member, statewide, voluntary legal organization dedicated to high standards of professionalism in legal advocacy for Florida’s families.

Active service in legal community leadership roles is a hallmark of Goetz’s professional career. She is a member of the American, Florida and Collier County Bar Associations. She is a longtime member of The Florida Bar Family Law Section Executive Council, and has earned numerous section awards for her leadership roles on section committees. She also is a frequent lecturer on family law.

Office Chairs

Nicole L. Goetz P.L. Welcomes New Team Member

The firm is pleased to announce that a new member has joined the Nicole L. Goetz P.L. team.

  • Receptionist and legal assistant Melissa C. Harrison is a New Jersey native who lived in various cities in the northeast United States and Mexico before moving to Naples in 2017. She graduated from New School University in New York City with a Bachelor of Arts degree in liberal arts with specialties in politics and photography. She has worked in the hospitality industry, where she honed many of her business skills including office management, customer service and the ability to work in a fast-paced environment. Ms. Harrison is currently pursuing a degree in paralegal studies.
Nicole L. Goetz, P.L. - Family Law Section of the Florida Bar Award

Nicole L. Goetz Elected Chair-Elect of the Family Law Section of the Florida Bar

Nicole L. Goetz, P.L. is honored to announce that Nicole L. Goetz has been elected Chair-Elect of the Family Law Section of the Florida Bar.  Ms. Goetz will also serve as Chair of the Long Range Planning Committee of the Family Law Section of the Florida Bar for 2016-2017.  Ms. Goetz limits her practice exclusively to Marital and Family Law at the trial and appellate levels.