Sarah M. Chaves

44 yrs licensed

Sarah M. Chaves Law Office

68 Pinellas cases since 2020

Background

·Sarah Mcglynn Chaves is a family law attorney in St. Petersburg, FL, admitted to The Florida Bar in 1982 (Bar #350095). She earned her J.D. cum laude from Stetson University College of Law in 1982, where she was Notes and Comments Editor of the Stetson Law Review. She founded her firm in 1996, focusing exclusively on marital and family law matters including divorce, child custody, paternity, alimony, and property division. Previously a shareholder at Baynard, Harrell, Mascara & Ostow, P.A. and Ostow & Chaves, P.A., she clerked for Chief Judge Herboth S. Ryder. She holds an AV Preeminent rating from Martindale-Hubbell and is active in bar associations and community organizations. 44 years licensed (FL Bar #350095, admitted 1982). Former law clerk to Chief Judge Ryder (2nd DCA). Founding member of the Canakaris Inn of Court.

Sarah M. Chaves has 68 Pinellas family cases filed 2020-2026. Most frequent bench: Jack Helinger (18x). Appears before 12 judges total. Tier: T2.

AV Preeminent by Martindale-Hubbell (Peer Rated 5.0/5.0)

J.D., Stetson University College of Law

Case Analytics

From 7,853 dissolution cases filed 2020–2026 · Pinellas County clerk portal

Total Cases68Dissolution cases in Pinellas County

Settled at FJ13(28%)Cases where parties agreed before the judge ruled

Reopened10Cases returned to court after final judgment

With Children28Cases involving custody and timesharing

Without Children26Cases with no custody issues

Motions / Case4.0Legal filings per case — higher means more aggressive

Recent Cases24Filed in the last two years

Performance by Judge

Jack Helinger (18x), Steve D. Berlin (10x), Elizabeth Jack (10x)

Final Judgments32Cases ending with a signed divorce decree

Dismissed7Cases closed without a final judgment

Most Frequent Judges (Pinellas)

Jack Helinger (18x), Steve D. Berlin (10x), Elizabeth Jack (10x)

Institutional Roles

·FL Bar committees: Individual Rights, Family Law Rules, Mental Health Professionals, Family Law CLE, Family Law Ethics, Family Law Section
·FL Bar 6th Circuit Attorneys' Fee Arbitration Committee (5 yrs)
·FL Bar Grievance Committee member
·Canakaris Inn of Court — founding member, President (2001), Executive Committee
·St. Pete Bar — Family Law Section, Professional Responsibility, Bench & Bar, Media, Diversity committees
·Clearwater Bar Family Law Section
·West Pasco Bar Association
·Pinellas Co. Chapter FL Association of Women Lawyers
·Pinellas County Trial Lawyers Association

Bar & Governance Roles

·Past President
·Canakaris American Inn of Court (2001)
·Past Member
·FL Bar Family Law Rules Committee
·Past Member
·FL Bar 6th Circuit Grievance Committee

Links

Website LinkedIn

All data sourced from public court records. Case counts reflect dissolution filings in Pinellas County 2020–2026. This is not legal advice. Past case patterns do not predict outcomes in individual matters.

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