N. Diane Holmes
Attorney at Law - Family Law
N. Diane Holmes is one of the most respected family law attorneys in the state of Florida. Consistently ranked as a Florida “Super Lawyer” (most recently by the Wall Street Journal), she is held in high regard by her peers with the coveted 5.0 Martindale-Hubbell® peer rating for “high ethical standards and professional ability”. This is the highest peer ranking possible.
She holds the impressive distinction as the first woman lawyer in Central Florida who has earned the designation as a Fellow of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers.
Since 1984, Ms. Holmes has built a family law practice based on her firm belief in fairness, creative strategies and results. She will represent you with the experience and tenacity that has earned her a solid reputation in the legal community.
A pioneer in collaborative divorce, she is known for developing unique and creative solutions for the benefit of her clients. She has earned great admiration and respect from the bench, her clients and opposing counsel for the caliber of representation and experience she brings to the table.
She holds the impressive distinction as the first woman lawyer in Central Florida who has earned the designation as a Fellow of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers.
Since 1984, Ms. Holmes has built a family law practice based on her firm belief in fairness, creative strategies and results. She will represent you with the experience and tenacity that has earned her a solid reputation in the legal community.
A pioneer in collaborative divorce, she is known for developing unique and creative solutions for the benefit of her clients. She has earned great admiration and respect from the bench, her clients and opposing counsel for the caliber of representation and experience she brings to the table.
Career Highlights:
- Named Florida Super Lawyer (2007-2020)
- Featured in the Top Attorneys in Florida, published by the Wall Street Journal
- Included in Orlando Home & Leisure – Top Lawyer,
- Featured as Florida Trend's Florida Legal Elite - Top Attorneys by Practice Area, Adoption, Marital & Family
Education:
Juris Doctorate Degree – University of Florida
Bachelor of Arts with Honors – University of Florida
Certifications:
- Fellow, American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers
- Board Certified in Marital & Family Law, Florida Bar
- Certified Family Mediator, Supreme Court of Florida
- 5.0 AV Peer Review Rating, Martindale-Hubbell®
- National Board Trial Advocacy Certification
Professional Memberships:
The Florida Bar
° Family Law Section
American Bar Association
° Family Law Section
° Law Practice Management Section
American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers
° Florida Chapter of American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers
Florida Association for Women Lawyers
Central Florida Association for Women Lawyers
Seminole County Bar Association
Orange County Bar Association
° Family Law Section
George C. Young First Central Florida American Inn of Court
Central Florida Family Law American Inn of Court
Collaborative Family Law Group of Central Florida
International Academy of Collaborative Professionals
The National Board of Trial Advocacy
Florida Trend's Florida Legal Elite™
Florida Academy of Collaborative Professionals
° Family Law Section
American Bar Association
° Family Law Section
° Law Practice Management Section
American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers
° Florida Chapter of American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers
Florida Association for Women Lawyers
Central Florida Association for Women Lawyers
Seminole County Bar Association
Orange County Bar Association
° Family Law Section
George C. Young First Central Florida American Inn of Court
Central Florida Family Law American Inn of Court
Collaborative Family Law Group of Central Florida
International Academy of Collaborative Professionals
The National Board of Trial Advocacy
Florida Trend's Florida Legal Elite™
Florida Academy of Collaborative Professionals
Professional Appointments:
Florida Chapter of American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers
° Board of Managers (2009-present)
° Newsletter Editor (2011-2019)
Central Florida Family Law American Inn of Court – founding board member
° Executive Committee (2005-2011)
° President (2006-2007)
° President Elect (2005-2006)
Seminole County Family Law Advisory Committee (2003-present)
Collaborative Family Law Group of Central Florida – founding board member
° Representative to Collaborative Family Law Council of Florida (2008-2011)
° Board of Directors (2002-2007)
The Florida Bar – Family Law Section
° CLE Committee (2006-2007)
° Mediation & Collaborative Law; Secretary (2006-2007)
Ninth Judicial Circuit Commission on Domestic Relations Courts Commission (2003-2005)
The American Bar Association Family Law Section
° Membership, Marketing and Public Relations Committee Co-Chair (1999-2005)
° Conference Host Committee Chair (2002)
° Child Support Committee
Seminole County Bar Association – Family Law Section
° Chair (1996-1997)
° Chair-Elect (1995)
Legal Aid Society of The Orange County Bar Association, Inc.
° Member of Board of Trustees; Secretary (1983-1987)
Central Florida Association for Women Lawyers
° Founding member
° Officer
° Board of Managers (2009-present)
° Newsletter Editor (2011-2019)
Central Florida Family Law American Inn of Court – founding board member
° Executive Committee (2005-2011)
° President (2006-2007)
° President Elect (2005-2006)
Seminole County Family Law Advisory Committee (2003-present)
Collaborative Family Law Group of Central Florida – founding board member
° Representative to Collaborative Family Law Council of Florida (2008-2011)
° Board of Directors (2002-2007)
The Florida Bar – Family Law Section
° CLE Committee (2006-2007)
° Mediation & Collaborative Law; Secretary (2006-2007)
Ninth Judicial Circuit Commission on Domestic Relations Courts Commission (2003-2005)
The American Bar Association Family Law Section
° Membership, Marketing and Public Relations Committee Co-Chair (1999-2005)
° Conference Host Committee Chair (2002)
° Child Support Committee
Seminole County Bar Association – Family Law Section
° Chair (1996-1997)
° Chair-Elect (1995)
Legal Aid Society of The Orange County Bar Association, Inc.
° Member of Board of Trustees; Secretary (1983-1987)
Central Florida Association for Women Lawyers
° Founding member
° Officer
Community Involvement:
N. Diane Holmes is a celebrated leader in our community, guiding efforts to protect children, raising money to fund breast cancer research and supporting the arts in Central Florida.
She was one of the strongest advocates to build the Legal Aid Society of the Orange County Bar Association’s Guardian ad Litem program*, ensuring that thousands of abused and neglected children could rely on trained, compassionate volunteers to guide them through the sometimes scary and unfamiliar judicial process.
Ms. Holmes continues to be a dedicated mentor for young lawyers. She regularly invites young attorneys to lunch or to offer them a seat at her famous “Table for Eight.” She also inspires students to consider the profession of law.
She points to her involvement in the Florida Lawyer's Assistance Program as one of the most rewarding commitments of her career. The program was created to provide assistance to help law professionals and students who face stress-related, substance abuse and other challenges that could impact their ability to live and work effectively.
Ms. Holmes is also a proud supporter and active participant in the arts, including the Winter Park Playhouse and the Winter Park Autumn Arts Festival. Other non-profit organizations she is involved in include The Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation and “A Place for Children,” which is a free courthouse day care program in Orange County.
The cause most personal to her is the fight to find a cure for breast cancer. A two-time breast cancer survivor, she serves as a positive example to others. In recognition of her tireless efforts, she was recently selected as the 2011 Honorary Breast Cancer Survivor for the “Central Florida Making Strides Against Breast Cancer” walk in Downtown Orlando, personally raising more than $10,000 for the cause. For more than a decade, Ms. Holmes has supported the American Cancer Society as a Reach to Recovery volunteer and is featured in an American Cancer Society video, “Conqueror of Cancer: Surfing Diane.”
*In 2010 alone, the Legal Aid Society of the Orange County Bar Association’s Guardian ad Litem program helped 1,300 local abused children. You, too, could volunteer by clicking here.
She was one of the strongest advocates to build the Legal Aid Society of the Orange County Bar Association’s Guardian ad Litem program*, ensuring that thousands of abused and neglected children could rely on trained, compassionate volunteers to guide them through the sometimes scary and unfamiliar judicial process.
Ms. Holmes continues to be a dedicated mentor for young lawyers. She regularly invites young attorneys to lunch or to offer them a seat at her famous “Table for Eight.” She also inspires students to consider the profession of law.
She points to her involvement in the Florida Lawyer's Assistance Program as one of the most rewarding commitments of her career. The program was created to provide assistance to help law professionals and students who face stress-related, substance abuse and other challenges that could impact their ability to live and work effectively.
Ms. Holmes is also a proud supporter and active participant in the arts, including the Winter Park Playhouse and the Winter Park Autumn Arts Festival. Other non-profit organizations she is involved in include The Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation and “A Place for Children,” which is a free courthouse day care program in Orange County.
The cause most personal to her is the fight to find a cure for breast cancer. A two-time breast cancer survivor, she serves as a positive example to others. In recognition of her tireless efforts, she was recently selected as the 2011 Honorary Breast Cancer Survivor for the “Central Florida Making Strides Against Breast Cancer” walk in Downtown Orlando, personally raising more than $10,000 for the cause. For more than a decade, Ms. Holmes has supported the American Cancer Society as a Reach to Recovery volunteer and is featured in an American Cancer Society video, “Conqueror of Cancer: Surfing Diane.”
*In 2010 alone, the Legal Aid Society of the Orange County Bar Association’s Guardian ad Litem program helped 1,300 local abused children. You, too, could volunteer by clicking here.