Alex Caballero is Florida Bar Board Certified in Marital and Family Law, is a fellow of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, is listed in The Best Lawyers of America, is named to the 2024 lists of Top 100 Florida and Top 50 Tampa Bay Super Lawyers, and is rated AV Preeminent® by Martindale Hubbell.

Martindale-Hubbell® Peer Review Ratings™ serve as objective indicators that lawyers have demonstrated ethical standards and professional ability.  This honor is a reflection of an attorney’s skill, experience, integrity, and overall professional excellence.  By earning an AV rating by Martindale Hubbell, an attorney is part of a select group of Tampa area lawyers recognized for their legal abilities and professional ethical standards.

After earning a Juris Doctor degree with high honors from Florida State University College of Law, Alex joined the Hillsborough County State Attorney’s Office where he became a Lead Trial Attorney.  During his five-year tenure as an Assistant State Attorney, Alex tried numerous jury trials—including prosecuting in the Felony Domestic Violence Specialty Division.  In 1999, Alex began devoting his practice 100% to marital and family law.

Alex is actively involved in state and local professional legal organizations in his pursuit of excellence.  He was appointed by Governor Rick Scott to the Judicial Nomination Commission for the Thirteenth Judicial Circuit and served as Chair from August 2017 to August 2018. Alex’s term on the Judicial Nomination Commission for the Thirteenth Judicial Circuit ended in November 2019, when he was appointed by Governor Ron DeSantis to the Judicial Nomination Commission for the Second District Court of Appeal for a term that ended July 1, 2022. Gov. DeSantis has reappointed Alex to the Second District Court of Appeal JNC for a four-year term that ends July 1, 2026.

Alex is an active member of The Florida Bar and in 2018 was appointed as a member of the Professional Ethics Committee. He served as a member of The Florida Bar Marital and Family Law Certification Committee for two, three-year terms and chaired the committee from July 2015 to August 2016.  Since 2008, Alex has been an Emeritus Member of The Florida Board of Bar Examiners after his five-year term as a member.  Alex has also chaired and participated in various Florida Bar Grievance Committees in addition to chairing and serving on various Family Law Section committees.

On a local level, Alex recently was sworn in as the 2023-2024 President of the Hillsborough County Bar Association (HCBA). He is a Past Chair of the HCBA Family Law Section and continues to serve on its Executive Council. Prior to this, Alex served one-year terms as Secretary/Treasurer and Chair-Elect.  Alex has also chaired various committees for the Family Law Section including the Long Range Planning Committee, Education/Articles Committee, and the Interdisciplinary Committee.

In addition to all his other achievements, Alex is both an accomplished writer and speaker.  Alex has authored numerous family law articles that have been published in legal publications including HCBA Lawyer magazine, the Florida Bar Journal, and the Florida Bar Family Law Section Commentator.  Alex has spoken on family law, trial advocacy, and ethical issues to various groups including the HCBA and the Florida Bar.

Legal Experience:

• Sessums Black P.A., Managing Partner, Tampa, Florida (1999-present)
• Assistant State Attorney Lead Trial Attorney, Felony Division (1999)
• Hillsborough County State Attorney’s Office (1993-1995; 1995-1999)
• Fowler, White, Gillen, Boggs, Villareal and Banker, P.A., Attorney, Tampa, Florida (1995)

Professional Associations and Memberships:

American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers

• Fellow (2014-Present)
• Member, National Continuing Legal Education Committee (2017-Present)
• Member, National Testing Committee (2017-2018)
• Member, National Continuing Legal Education Committee (2016-2017)
• Member, National Testing Committee (2015-2016)
• Member, National Admissions Committee (2015-2016)

Hillsborough County Bar Association

• President, Hillsborough County Bar Association (2023-2024)
• President-Elect, Hillsborough County Bar Association (2022-2023)
• Director, Hillsborough County Bar Association (2016-Present)
• Chair, Family Law Section (2012-2013)
• Chair-Elect, Family Law Section (2011-2012)
• Secretary/Treasurer, Family Law Section (2010-2011)
• Former Executive Council Member, Family Law Section
• Former Chair of the Education/Articles Committee, Family Law Section
• Former Member of Newsletter Editorial Staff, Family Law Section
• Former Chair of Interdisciplinary Committee, Family Law Section
• Former Chair of Long Range Planning Committee, Family Law Section

The Florida Bar

• Member, The Florida Bar Professional Ethics Committee (July 2018-2021)
• Chair, The Florida Bar Marital and Family Law Certification Committee (July 2015-August 2016)
• Member, The Florida Bar Marital and Family Law Certification Committee (August 2012-July 2015)(August 2015-July 2018)
• Chairperson, Grievance Committee 13F (January 2009-December 2009)
• Member, Grievance Committee 13F (May 2007-January 2009)
• Chairperson, Grievance Committee 13B (June 2002-June 2003)
• Member, Grievance Committee 13B (May 2000-June 2002)
• Secretary, Publication Committee of Family Law Section (2008-2009)
• Member, Family Law Section Executive Council (2003-2008)
• Co-Chair, Continuing Legal Education Committee (2004-2005)
• Secretary, Continuing Legal Education Committee of Family Law Section (2003-2004)
• Member, Continuing Legal Education Committee of Family Law Section (2002-2003)

Appointments

• Appointed by Governor Ron DeSantis to Judicial Nominating Commission for Second District Court of Appeal (September 2022 – July 1, 2026)
• Appointed by Governor Ron DeSantis to Judicial Nominating Commission for Second District Court of Appeal (November 2019 – Present)
• Chair, Judicial Nominating Commission for Thirteenth Judicial Circuit (August 2017-August 2018)
• Appointed by Governor Rick Scott to Judicial Nominating Commission for Thirteenth Judicial Circuit (August 2012-March 2017)(March 2017-July 2020)
• Emeritus Member, Florida Board of Bar Examiners (2008 to Present)
• Appointed by Florida Supreme Court to Florida Board of Bar Examiners (2003-2008)
• Appointed as Special Prosecutor for Family Law Contempt Proceedings in Hillsborough County

Tampa Bay Academy of Collaborative Professionals

• Member (2012 to 2019)

International Academy of Collaborative Professionals

• Member (2012 to 2019)

Community Affairs

• Member, Tiger Bay Club (2009-2014)
• Rough Riders Civic Organization (1994-2002)
• The Tampa Connection (1999-2000)

Lectures and Seminars:

Speaker, “Financial Aid, (addressing Financial Affidavits, Attorney’s Fees, and Business Valuations),” The Hillsborough County Bar, October 2023.

Speaker, “Opening Statements,” Matrimonial Trial Advocacy Seminar, The Florida Bar Family Law Section, July 2023.

Speaker, “Trauma Informed Parenting Plans: Why Are They Needed, What is Required, and Evolving Case Law Regarding Prospective Plans,” The American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers Institute, May 2022.

Workshop Leader, “Matrimonial Trial Advocacy Seminar,” The Florida Bar Family Law Section, October 2021; August 2017; August 2015; August 2009.

Speaker, “Children Issues,” 2021 Marital & Family Law Review Course, The Florida Bar Family Law Section and the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, January 2021.

Speaker, “Alimony and Child Support, A 20/20 Perspective on Alimony and Child Support,” The American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers Institute, May 2020.

Speaker, “Practice & Procedure,” 2020 Marital & Family Law Review Course, The Florida Bar Family Law Section and the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, January 2020.

Speaker, “Advanced Strategies & Procedures for Litigating Claims for Attorneys’ Fees & Costs” (co-presenter with Richard Mockler, Esq.), Hillsborough County Bar Association, October 2019.

Speaker, “Rights and Remedies for Enforcing Family Law Financial Obligations,” 2019 Marital & Family Law Review Course, The Florida Bar Family Law Section and the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, January 2019.

Speaker/Panelist, “Family Law Legal Updates/Celebrity Clients/Ethics and Professionalism,” Basic Family Law, The Florida Bar Young Lawyers Division, October 2017.

Workshop Leader, “Matrimonial Trial Advocacy Seminar,” The Florida Bar Family Law Section, August 2017.

Speaker, “Parenting Plans,” 2016 College of Advanced Judicial Studies, May 2016.

Speaker, “Complex Issues in Equitable Distribution: Stock Options, Restricted Shares, and Other Employee Benefits and Business Valuations in Equitable Distribution,” Hillsborough County Bar Association, February 2016.

Speaker, “Using Your Expert’s Advice in Crafting Better Discovery,” American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, August 2015.

Workshop Leader, “Matrimonial Trial Advocacy Seminar,” The Florida Bar Family Law Section, August 2015.

Speaker, “Ethical Issues: What are They and What to do About Them,” The Florida Bar Family Law Section, October 2014.

Speaker, “Digital, Electronic Issues, Including Who’s Spying on Whom?” The Florida Bar Family Law Section, March 2014.

Speaker, “Direct and Cross Examinations of Witnesses,” Trial Advocacy Seminar, Hillsborough County Bar Association, January 2012.

Speaker, “Opening Statements, Defendant’s Perspective,” State Court Trial Seminar, Hillsborough County Bar Association, June 2010, 2011, and 2012.

Speaker, “Efficient Communications: Scheduling and time management, email communications,” The Florida Bar Family Law Section, March 2011.

Chair, “Understanding Bankruptcy Issues in Family Law Cases,” Family Law Section seminar, Hillsborough County Bar Association, March 2011.

Speaker, “Opening Statements, Defendant’s Perspective,” State Court Trial Seminar, Hillsborough County Bar Association, June 2010.

Program Co-Chair and Speaker, “Show Me the Money,” Alimony and Child Support Seminar, The Florida Bar Family Law Section, March 2010.

Panel Participant, “Practicing with Professionalism,” The Florida Bar, September 2009.

Workshop Leader, “Matrimonial Trial Advocacy Seminar,” The Florida Bar Family Law Section, August 2009.

Speaker, “Thinking Outside the Box: Innovative Approaches to Families in the Courts,” The Florida Chapter of AFCC: Association of Family and Conciliation Courts, February 2009.

Speaker, “Parenting Plans/Time-Sharing Evaluations,” Hillsborough County Bar Association, November 2008.

Program Co-Chair, “Matrimonial Trial Advocacy Seminar,” The Florida Bar Family Law Section, August 2005 and August 2007.

Speaker, “Family Law Update,” Florida Law Update seminar, The Florida Bar Continuing Legal Education Committee and the General Practice, Solo and Small Firm Section of the Florida Bar, June 2005.

Program Co-Chair, “Child Support and Alimony; Investigating the Numbers,” Florida Bar, Family Law Section, March 2005.

Speaker, “Mechanics of the Matrimonial/Family Law Certification Exam,” The Florida Bar Family Law Section, December 2004.

Speaker, “Fees and Costs in Family Law – How to Get Awards and Avoid Pitfalls,” The Florida Bar Continuing Legal Education Committee, October 2004.

Speaker, “Family Law Update,” Florida Law Update seminar, The Florida Bar Continuing Legal Education Committee and the General Practice, Solo and Small Firm Section of the Florida Bar, June 2004.

Speaker, “Rotating Custody,” Hillsborough County Bar Association, February 2004.

Speaker, “Marital Agreement” and “Ethical Issues in Family Law Practice,” Family Law Update Seminar, May 2003.

Program Co-Chair, “Solutions to Discovery Roadblocks,” The Florida Bar Family Law Section, April 2003.

Speaker, “Legal, Emotional & Ethical Issues: Our Role in Helping Clients Through the Divorce Process,” Tampa Bay Association for Marriage & Family Therapy, April 2001.

Published Works:

New Administrative Order for Temporary Relief Hearing, Hillsborough County Bar Association Lawyer Magazine February 2010.

Parenting Coordination: The only child-focused process in parental separation and divorce that empowers parents to parent. Co-written with Valorie Hoppenworth, M.A., LPC, The Florida Bar Family Law Section Commentator, Summer 2008

Protecting Children from Sexual Abuse by Those Entrusted with Their Care, The Florida Bar Journal, March 2008

What Defines Income Under F.S. Ch. 61: From a Business Perspective., Co-written with Ingrid Anderson, Esq., The Florida Bar Journal, November 2004

Real Property vs. Personal Property-Do Titles Make a Difference?, Hillsborough County Bar Association Lawyer Magazine, June 2004

Factors in Determining Attorney Fees Awards, Hillsborough County Bar Association Lawyer Magazine, May 2002

How Long is The Bridge for Bridge The Gap Alimony, Hillsborough County Bar Association Lawyer Magazine, November 2001

Domestic Violence Injunctions in Divorce Cases, Hillsborough County Bar Association Lawyer Magazine, December 2000