Partner
Raymond J. Rafool, II, a partner at Rafool, PLLC, is admitted to practice before the U.S. Supreme Court, all courts in the State of Florida; the U.S. District Court, Southern District of Florida; and the U.S. District Court, Middle District of Florida. Mr. Rafool, a Board Certified Attorney in Marital and Family Law, concentrates his practice on domestic and international family law and business and commercial litigation.
Mr. Rafool is Board Certified in Marital and Family Law by the Florida Bar and Nationally Board Certified as an Expert in Family Trial Law by The National Board of Trial Advocacy (NBTA). Only about 7% of eligible Florida Bar members have attained the distinction of board certification, a mark of excellence in one or more of the 27 specialty areas, including Family Law. This prestigious credential represents the highest level of evaluation for expertise and professionalism in the legal field.
With an AV-rating from Martindale-Hubbell, Mr. Rafool has consistently been recognized for his exceptional legal skills and ethical standards. He has been selected to the Florida Super Lawyers list from 2013 through 2025, an honor awarded to no more than five percent of attorneys in each state. Additionally, he has been named in the Miami Herald’s list of South Florida’s Legal Leaders and Top Rated Lawyers. Mr. Rafool is rated a Florida Top Lawyer in Family Law by ALM, holds a perfect 10.0 Avvo rating, and is among the Top 100 Lawyers as recognized by The National Advocates, where he also served on the Executive Committee.
Mr. Rafool’s accolades extend further, including recognition as a Top 10 Family Law Attorney by the National Academy of Family Law Attorneys, Inc., inclusion in the Top 30 Matrimonial and Family Law Lawyers by The National Advocates, and being named in the Top One Percent by The National Association of Distinguished Counsel. His dedication to his clients and the legal profession earned him the “10 Best Attorney” honor by the American Institute of Family Law Attorneys from 2015 through 2021. In addition, he was named a “Top 100” attorney by the American Academy of Attorneys in 2019 and 2020 and recognized as Litigator of the Year by the American Institute of Trial Lawyers in both 2020 and 2021.
Throughout his career, Mr. Rafool has represented many celebrities and individuals in complex family, same-sex, and business litigation. He is also a sought-after speaker and author, having lectured and published extensively on these practice areas. His professional leadership includes serving as a past Vice Chair and member of the Florida Family Law Rules Committee, past Chair and member of the Florida Criminal Rules Committee, past Vice Chair and member of the Florida Judicial Administration, Selection and Tenure Committee, and as a past Representative on the Florida Rules of Judicial Administration Committee. These accomplishments underscore his unwavering commitment to excellence and leadership in the field of family law.
Education
- Stetson University College of Law, St. Petersburg, Florida
- Juris Doctorate, May 1991
- Honors and Activities:
- Dean's List; Spring 1990
- Honor Roll; Fall 1989, Fall 1991
- Vice President, Student Bar Association
- Representative, Student Bar Association
- Who's Who Among American Law Students
- Member, Advisory Committee on Annual Budget
- Chairman, Committee on Revision of Campus Alcohol Policy
- Member, Trial Advocacy Society
- Commissioner of Intramural Softball
- University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida
- Bachelor of Arts Degree, History, April 1988
- Honors and Activities:
- Phi Alpha Theta (Honor Society)
- Alpha Tau Omega Fraternity
Board Certifications
- Board Certified in Marital and Family Law, Florida Bar
- Expert in Family Trial Law by The National Board of Trial Advocacy (NBTA)
Professional and Bar Memberships
- The Florida Bar
- United States of America, Supreme Court, February 20, 2001
- Federal District Court, Southern District of Florida, February 13, 2007
- Federal District Court, Middle District of Florida, August 20, 1992
- Executive Committee Member, The National Advocates.
- Chair (2001-2002), Vice Chair (1999-2000, 2000-2001),
- Chair Fast-Track Committee (2000-2001),
- Secretary (1997-1998, 1998-1999), Subcommittee I
- Chair (1998-1999) and Member (1996-2002), Florida
- Rules of Criminal Procedure Committee (Florida Bar Committee)
- Vice Chair (2002-2003), Member (1998-2004), Florida
- Judicial Administration, Selection and Tenure Committee (Florida Bar Committee)
- Vice Chair (2004-2005), Subcommittee Chair (2003-2004), Member (2002-2008), Florida
- Family Law Rules Of Procedure Committee (Florida Bar Committee)
- Representative (2001-2002), Florida Rules of Judicial
- Administration (Florida Bar Committee)
- Member (current), CLE Committee, Florida Bar Family Law
- Section
- Treasurer (2003-2004), Secretary (2002-2003), Member (2001-2004) Polk County Family Lawyer’s Association
- Member, (2001-2002), Legislative Committee, Criminal
- Section (Florida Bar Committee)
- American Bar Association (Former Member)
- Polk County Trial Lawyers Association (Former Member)
- Polk County Family Lawyers Association/Bar (Former Member)
- CLE Chairman(1998-2005), Executive Committee(1997-1998)
- and Member (1997-2005), Willson American Inn of Court
- Who’s Who in American Law
- Member (1995-2002), City Of Winter Haven, Florida, Board of Adjustment
- Dade County Bar Association
Legal Ratings
- AV®Preeminent™ – Martindale-Hubbell
- National Trial Lawyers Top 100 Membership, 2025
- 2013 – 2025 Super Lawyers®, – Thomson Reuters
- 2025 Super Lawyers® 10 Year Award, – Thomson Reuters
- 2017, 2019, 2020 - Florida Trend Legal Elite, Florida Trend Magazine
- 2025 “10 Best Law Firm” – For client satisfaction from the American Institute of Family Law Attorneys
- Rated Lead Counsel – Thomson Reuters
- Rated a Florida Top Lawyer in Family Law by ALM
- 2025, 10 Superb – Avvo Rating
- Top Lawyers, South Florida Legal Guide
- A Top 100 Lawyer, The National Advocates
- A Top 10 Family Law Attorney, National Academy of Family Law Attorneys, Inc.
- A Top 30 Matrimonial and Family Law Lawyer, The National Advocates
- Top One Percent, The National Association Of Distinguished Counsel
- 2015 – 2022, “10 Best Attorney” – American Institute of Family Law Attorneys
- 2019-2020 – “Top 100” – American Academy of Attorneys
- 2020-2024 – Litigator of the Year – American Institute of Trial Lawyers
Employment
January 2017-Present
Rafool, PLLC, Miami, Florida
January 2013-December 2016
Rafool & Hernandez,PLLC, Miami, Florida
October 2008-January 2013
Raymond J. Rafool, PLLC, Coral Gables/Miami, Florida
October 2006-October 2008
Barranco & Kircher, P.A., Miami, Florida.
January 1998-October 2006
Rafool & Rafool, P.A., Winter Haven, and Lakeland, Florida.
June 1996-December 1997
Raymond J. Rafool, Attorney and Counselor at Law, Winter Haven, Florida.
June 1994-June 1996
ASSOCIATE: Curtis Alexander and Varner, Winter Haven, Florida. Associate in civil and criminal Litigation firm.
February 1993- June 1994
ASSISTANT STATE ATTORNEY: Office of the State
Attorney, 10th Judicial Circuit, Bartow, Florida.
Felony and Misdemeanor Prosecutor.
May 1991-February 1993
ASSOCIATE: Gentry and Phillips, P.A., Jacksonville, Florida
Associate in civil litigation firm.
Lectures
- 'If I Knew Then What I Know Now', Speaker, Presented by Women of the NFL and Sports & Entertainment Today, June 8, 2019
- “Florida Family Law Practice for Paralegals”, Speaker, Presented by HalfMoon Education, Inc., April 17, 2019
- “Level Up Conference: For The Love Of Money”, Speaker, Presented by Healthy and Happy Ever After, March 30, 2019
- “Winning Your Case In Closing Arguments”, Speaker, Presented by American Inns of Court, March 1, 2019
- “Florida Family Law Financials Workshop: Discovery and Depositions,” Speaker, Presented by The University of Miami, February 8, 2018
- “Family Law Legal Updates/Celebrity Clients/Ethics and Professionalism,” Panelist, Presented by The Florida Bar, October 20, 2017
- “Child Support Law in Florida,” Speaker, Presented by mylawCLE and the Palm Beach Bar Association, May 22, 2017
- “Alimony in Florida 101: Types of Alimony, Defenses & Modification,” Speaker Presented by mylawCLE and the Palm Beach Bar Association, April 18, 2017
- “Collaborative Law Panel,” American Bar Association, Round table Program, 2016
- “Alimony and Child Support,” Presented by the Florida Bar – Young Lawyers Division Basic Family Law 2015, October 30, 2015
- “Summary Judgments In Family Law,” American Bar Association, Sound Advice, Digital Asset Abstract
- The 22nd Annual Nuts Bolts of Family Law Seminar, Presented by the Dade County Bar Association, September 2014 – “Experts” and “Discovery”
- “The Potential Family Law Client (Initial Consultation Topics, Retainer Agreements)” Basic Family Law 2012, November 9, 2012
- “What Every Plaintiff’s Lawyer Should Know About Criminal Law”, Academy of Florida Trial Lawyers, 1997 Winter CLE Ski Seminar, Colorado, December 15, 1997
Publications
- “Top 10 Tips For Celebrity Divorce Or Paternity Action,” American Bar Association, Section of Litigation, Family Law, Practice Points (March 10, 2016)
- “Legal Effects Of Cohabitation”, Adoption, Paternity, And Other Florida Family Practice, Florida Bar practice series/treatise, 2015
- “Legal Effects Of Cohabitation”, Adoption, Paternity, And Other Florida Family Practice, Florida Bar practice series/treatise, 2014
- “Legal Effects Of Cohabitation”, Adoption, Paternity, And Other Florida Family Practice, Florida Bar practice series/treatise, 2013
- “Legal Effects Of Cohabitation”, Adoption, Paternity, And Other Florida Family Practice, Florida Bar practice series/treatise, 2012
- “Legal Effects Of Cohabitation”, Adoption, Paternity, And Other Florida Family Practice, Florida Bar practice series/treatise, 2011
- “Legal Effects Of Cohabitation”, Adoption, Paternity, And Other Florida Family Practice, Florida Bar practice series/treatise, 2010
- “Legal Effects Of Cohabitation”, Adoption, Paternity, And Other Florida Family Practice, Florida Bar practice series/treatise, 2009
- “Legal Effects Of Cohabitation”, Adoption, Paternity, And Other Florida Family Practice, Florida Bar practice series/treatise, 2007
- “Legal Effects Of Cohabitation”, Adoption, Paternity, And Other Florida Family Practice, Florida Bar practice series/treatise, 2005/2006 – Co-Author with Associate Adam Cowhey, Esquire
- “It Must Be Relevant to A Felony Or The Means to Commit a Crime and Facts in Support Must Be Clearly Stated in the Supporting Affidavit for A Search Warrant,” Florida Criminal Law Journal, Vol. 21, No. 2, Summer 1998.
- “There is No Better Late Than Never: The Filing Of a Charging Document Stops The State’s Free Vacuum Of Discovery,” The Florida Defender, Vol. 10, No. 1, Spring 1998.
- Co-author of 'Know Your Confidential Informant,' The Florida Police Chief, February 1991.
Steering Committee
- Florida Bar, Dissolution Of Marriage, 10th Edition, Publications
- Florida Bar, Dissolution Of Marriage, 9th Edition, Publications
- Florida Bar, Dissolution Of Marriage, 8th Edition, Publications
