Law Firm Overview

Molly Gutcher has been practicing in the area of Juvenile Law for over 10 years. She is the 2000 recipient of the American Bar Association, Young Lawyer’s Division, Child Advocacy Law Award.

Molly obtained her undergraduate degree in political science from Union College in Schenectady, New York. She is a 1995 graduate from Suffolk University School of Law in Boston, Massachusetts.

Molly began her legal career as an attorney for the State of Florida, Department of Children and Families. In 1998, she left the Department of Children and Families to become a Program Attorney for the Thirteenth Judicial Circuit Guardian ad Litem Program. After only eight months in this position she was promoted to Program Director.

In 2001, Molly left the Guardian ad Litem Program to work for the Administrative Office of the Court as Senior Deputy Court Administrator and Drug Court Coordinator. Molly was responsible for supervising numerous court programs, including the Guardian ad Litem Program, Children’s Justice Center, Juvenile Diversionary Programs, Adult and Juvenile Drug Court. In 2002, Molly left the court system to assist in the start up of Hillsborough Kids Inc., which at that time was the largest community based care provider in the State of Florida. During her four years with Hillsborough Kids Inc., Molly served as Director of Operations and Legal Affairs and as COO/ Senior Vice President. Molly resigned her position with Hillsborough Kids Inc. in January of 2006 to start her own law office where she concentrates on the areas of juvenile law and adoptions.

Molly is involved in children’s issues on the National, State and Local level. She is currently a member of the Florida Bar Association Juvenile Rules Committee. Molly is one of the founding members of the Statewide Guardian ad Litem Association and currently serves as the Vice President of the Board of Directors. She also serves as a technical advisor for the Sylvia Thomas Center for Adoptive and Foster Families, Inc.

Areas of Practice

• Adoption
• Children's Law
• Child Custody/Guardianship
• Dependency/ Termination of Parental Rights

Honors and Awards

• National Recipient, Child Advocacy, American Bar Association / Young Lawyer's Division, 2000
• Finalist, Unsung Hero Award, Stetson University School of Law, Child and Family Law Association, 1999

Pro Bono Activities

• Board of Directors, Guardian ad Litem Statewide Association, 2003 - Present
• Vice President, Founding Member, Guardian ad Litem Statewide Association
• Sylvia Thomas Center for Adoptive and Foster Families Inc., 2006 - Present
• Florida Adoption Counsel, 2006 - Present
• Suncoast Foster Parent Association, Advisor to the Board of Directors, 2006 - Present
• Florida Bar Family Law Committee on Adoption, Paternity and Dependency, 2006 - Present
• Florida Bar Committee on Juvenile Rules, 1997 - 2006
• Dependency Court Liaison, Thirteenth Judicial Circuit, Office of the State Courts Administrator, 1999 - 2004
• Appointed Member, Committee on Juvenile Law and Special Needs of Children, 1996 - 1999
• Appointed Member, Committee on Juvenile Law and Special Needs of Children, 2002 - 2003
• Hillsborough County Bar Association, 1997 - Present

West Practice Categories

Adoption, Childrens' Rights, Custody & Visitation, Domestic Violence & Neglect, Juvenile Law, Federal Trial Practice, State Trial Practice