Matthew B. Capstraw, Esquire
Attorney

Matthew Capstraw is a graduate of the University of Florida with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science. Following his graduation, he enrolled in St. Thomas University School of Law and obtained his Juris Doctorate. He was admitted to the Florida Bar in 1998 and is also admitted to practice before the Federal Middle District of Florida. He is a member of the Florida Bar Family Law Section, the Seminole County Bar Association, Vice Chair of the Family Law Section of the Seminole County Bar, a member of the Seminole County Domestic Violence Education Commitee, President of the Advisory Board to the Salvation Army Family Focus Program, and a member of the District Task Force for the Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect. He is actively involved in committee work with the Florida Bar Family Law Section.

Education:

St. Thomas University School of Law, Miami, Florida - Juris Doctorate University of Florida - Bachelor of Arts in Political Science, Minor in History

Legal Experience:

Associate Norman D. Levin, P.A.
August 2001 to Present
Staff Attorney

Seminole County Bar Association Legal Aid Society
October 1998 to August 2001

Responsibilities include: representation of clients in Family Law and Landlord/Tenant actions before the courts of Seminole County Florida. Also prepare all motions, pleadings, mediation of cases, negotiate of settlements, representation at trial, and all client contact from initiation to final hearing.

Certified Legal Intern
Legal Aid Services of Broward County
September 1997 to May 1998

Responsibilities included: representation of clients in administrative, motion, and final hearings, conducting pretrial discovery, drafting correspondence, motions and pleadings, negotiation settlement of cases, research, client intake, counseling, and representation of clients against private individuals, Federal and Tribal entities.

Law Clerk
United States Attorney's Office, Middle District of Florida, Orlando
June 1997-August 1997

Responsibilities included: researching state and federal civil, criminal, and evidentiary issues, preparation of memoranda and motions, and assisting in trial preparation.

Professional Licenses:

Admitted to the Florida Bar - September 1998
Admitted to the Federal Middle District of Florida - January 1999

Activities:

Florida Bar Family Law Section, Legislative committee and Chair of Collaborative Law
Subcommittee for Drafting of Statute

*Seminole County Task Force on the Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect
February 2001 to present

*President of the Advisory Board to the Salvation Army Family Focus Program
August 2001 to present

*Advisory Board Salvation Army Family Focus Program
November 2000 to present

*Vice President of the Seminole County Bar Association Family Law Section
January 2001 to present

*Secretary Seminole County Bar Association Family Law Section
January 2000 to January 2001

*Member of the Seminole County Domestic Violence Education Committee
November 1999 to present

*Coordinated the Continuing Legal Education Seminar: Would you know Domestic Violence if it didn't hit you over the head?

*Member of the Seminole County Bar Association along with the Young Lawyer's Division and the Family Law section.- October 1998 to Present