Christie’s knowledge into the inner workings of DCF gives her an insight into dependency proceedings uncommon among family law attorneys. Christie Guerrero joined the law firm in 2012 after graduating top of her class and Magna Cum Laude from Florida Coastal School of Law. While at Florida Coastal, she was a member of the nationally ranked Moot Court team, a Law Review staff editor, and a member of the Phi Delta Phi honors fraternity. The pull that Christie experienced towards family law is unsurprising given her background experience. At the University of Florida, she focused her studies on family, youth, and community sciences. After graduation, Christie solidified her interest in family law while working as a Child Protective Investigator with the Department of Children and Families. Her knowledge into the inner workings of DCF gives her an insight into dependency proceedings uncommon among family law attorneys. Christie also worked as a Guardian Ad Litem, a specially trained representative who serves the unique role of advocating for the children’s best interests in family law and dependency cases. She also clerked for a federal magistrate judge and interned at an appellate law firm, both excellent experiences enhancing her gift for legal writing, analysis, and advocacy. Christie has a love for children which shines through every representation and has influenced her personal choices as well. Christie and her husband are licensed foster parents and work closely with local agencies to help serve children who have come into the dependency system, which are some of the most vulnerable children involved in the entire court system. Christie is the proud mother of a sweet little girl whom she was fortunate enough to adopt after contested litigation ensued. Her personal experience in the legal system through the process of adopting her daughter makes her an unparalleled advocate for anyone going through the same process. Just a few short years after she began practicing law, Christie had the honor of receiving the Leader in the Law award from the Florida Association of Women Lawyers in 2015. Since then, she has been recognized as a Rising Star Super Lawyer for the last three consecutive years. Most recently she was was included in the “Top 10 Under 40” by the National Academy of Family Law Attorneys in 2019. Christie prides herself on her strong advocacy for families, especially in their inception. Her pride shines through in her work with the LGBTQ+ families which she serves. Christie is so well versed in the unique needs of LGBTQ+ families that she received the Best Lawyer in Jacksonville award in 2019 during the annual Rainbow Awards Ceremony. Christie is also an active member of the Family Law Inns of Court, Jacksonville Women’s Lawyers Association, Jacksonville Bar Association, and the Florida Adoption Council.

Mary is the owner of the firm and focuses her practice on litigation. Mary graduated with honors from North Carolina Central School of Law. During law school, she was the president of the law school’s Innocence Project, which investigates claims of innocence by inmates whose innocence may be proven using new technologies, such as DNA. Mary was also a member of the North Carolina Central Law Journal and Parliamentarian and National Delegate for the Phi Alpha Delta Law Fraternity. Mary completed her undergraduate degree at Loyola University in Baltimore, MD (Go Greyhounds!), where she majored in Business Management and Law.

James R. Haffner is a Partner with Kitson, Haffner & Hyde, LLP. His areas of practice include matrimonial and family law, estate planning and administration. Mr. Haffner, a College of the Holy Cross graduate, received his Juris Doctor from Fordham University School of Law and has graduated from the Houston Family Law Trial Institute. During law school, Mr. Haffner was a staff member of the Fordham Journal of Corporate and Financial Law and a recipient of the Archibald R. Murray Public Service Award, which he earned representing immigrants in housing disputes with predatory landlords. He served as a research assistant to the Honorable Evan J. Wallach of the United States Court of International Trade and a judicial intern for the Honorable Vanessa L. Bryant of the United States District Court for the District of Connecticut. Mr. Haffner brings his passion for service to others to his approach to family and matrimonial disputes and in assisting clients navigate the difficult legal landscape to reach the best result possible. Mr. Haffner assists clients in estate planning and administration matters including preparation of wills, living wills, healthcare proxies, and powers of attorney to effectuate a clients’ wishes. Mr. Haffner is admitted in New York and Connecticut and is a member of the Westchester County Bar Association, the New York Bar Association, and the New York City Bar Association.