Meet Our Principal

Allyson Hughes | Attorney/Principal

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Allyson is the principal at Hughes Law Group. Allyson is Board Certified as a Marital and Family Law Specialist with over 30 years of experience. Allyson received her law degree, with honors, from the University of Florida in 1987. While at the University of Florida, Allyson was a Teaching Fellow for Appellate Advocacy and received the American Jurisprudence Book Award in Family Law.

Mediation friendly, Allyson has extensive experience in aggressive, courtroom litigation. With a keen interest in trial advocacy and teaching others, she revamped the Florida Bar’s Matrimonial Trial Advocacy multi-day program and served as its Co-Chair for 6 years. She also practices collaborative law and is an active board member within the Tampa Bay Academy of Collaborative Professionals. A leader in the legal community, she is former Chair of the Family Law Section of the Florida Bar and former Co-Chair for the Florida Bar’s Family Law Section’s Legislative Committee, former Chair of the Publications Committee, and former Chair of the Continuing Education Committee. Locally, Allyson founded the West Pasco Family Law Committee and served as President of the West Pasco Bar Association. Allyson is frequently a lecturer and cited in respected directories and references, including a Top Florida Lawyer in Super Lawyers and a 10 rating in AVVO. Allyson has a Martindale-Hubbell AV rating and remains a sought-after divorce lawyer. She also testifies as an expert witness.

Allyson’s clients find that she demonstrates great common sense and provides a calm, cool demeaner, while aggressively pursuing their goals. Several of the firm’s clients have commented they were particularly impressed with Allyson’s attention to detail and preparation, which assisted in setting their case or getting the best result in the courtroom.

Allyson brings the same intensity she brings to her practice of law to her hobbies. Allyson’s hobbies include training and showing Morgan horses and photography. Allyson trains and shows Morgan horses on a Regional and National level, to multiple titles. Allyson states: “I enjoy working with such sensitive yet imposing creatures. They are 1,000 pounds of power that could easily damage a person, yet their intelligence allows you to channel their energies to your will.” Another of her interests is photography. “Photography is a great way to slow your mind down and appreciate the beauty and texture in life.”  

EDUCATION AND HONORS

• The Florida Bar Board Certified-Marital and Family Law (1998)
• Martindale-Hubbell AV Peer Review Rate
• University of Florida College of Law-Book Award-Family Law
• University of Florida College of Law J.D.- graduated with honors (1987)
• Florida Atlantic University, B.A. Political Science (1984)
• Broward Community College, A.A. (1981)
• Florida Super Lawyers in Marital and Family Law (2007 to present)

MEMBERSHIPS

• American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers (2019 – present)
• Gulf Coast Estate Planning Council (2018 – present)
• BNI, Referral Connection (2016 – present)
• Trinity Rotary Club (2015 – 2018)
• American Bar Association, Family Law Section (2001 – present)
• American Bar Association Law Practice Management (2011 – present)
• The Florida Bar, Family Law Section (1987 – present)
• The Florida Bar, Health Law Section (2006 – 2013)
• Tampa Bay Academy of Collaborative Professionals Group (2010 – present)
• International Academy of Collaborative Professionals (2010 – present)
• Family Law Inn of Tampa (2001 – 2004) (2007 – 2010)
• Association of Family and Conciliation Courts (2004 – present)
• North SunCoast Estate Planning Council (2004 – present)
• Clearwater Bar Association (2001 – present)
• West Pasco Bar Association (1988 – present)
• Allgood-Altman American Inn of Court (2005 – 2007)
• Allgood-Misemer Inn of Court (1995 – 2004)
• Tampa Bay Bankruptcy Bar Association (1995 – 2002)
• Leadership Tampa Bay – Class of ‘13
• Leadership Pasco – Class of ’96

COMMITTEES AND LEADERSHIP

• Florida Bar, 6th Judicial Circuit Grievance Committee “B” (2014-2016), Chair (2016)

• Tampa Bay Academy of Collaborative Professionals, Board Member (2013 – 2019)

• Tampa Bay Academy of Collaborative Professionals, Newsletter Editor (2016 – 2019)

• The Florida Bar, Family Law Board Certification Committee,
  Member (2007-2014), Chair (2013-2014)

• The Florida Bar, Family Law Legislation Committee Member (2011 – 2012)

• The Florida Bar, Family Law Section, Chair (2007 – 2008)

• The Florida Bar, Family Law Section, Executive Council (2000 – 2005)

• The Florida Bar, Family Law Section, Publications Chair and Editor,
  The Commentator (2004 – 2005)

• West Pasco Bar Association, Founder and Chair of Family Law Committee (1995 – 1999) (2001) 
  (2004 – 2006)  (2009 – Present)

• The Florida Bar, Family Law Section, Continuing Legal Education Committee (1995- Present);   Secretary (1997); Vice Chair (1998); Co-Chair (1999 – 2001); Chair Emeritus (2002)

• The Florida Bar, Family Law Section, Legislative Committee, Co-Chair (2003 – 2004)
  Member (2011)

• The Florida Bar, Attorney Fee Arbitration Committee (2003 – 2004)

• Sixth Judicial Circuit Task Force (2000)

• Tampa Bay Bankruptcy Bar Association, Continuing Legal Education Committee (1995- 2000); Board Member (1998 – 1999); Co-Chair (1998 – 2000)              

• The Florida Bar, Family Law Section, Ethics and Attorney’s Fees Committee (1997 – 1999)

• West Pasco Pro Se Advisory Committee (1997 – 2004)

• West Pasco Bar Association; Secretary (1998), Treasurer (1999), Vice President (2000),   President-Elect (2001), President (2002)

• Pasco Access Center Task Force; Organizer and Chair (1998 – 2004)

• The Florida Bar, Continuing Legal Education Committee:
  Family Law Representative (1998 -1999)

• Pasco Fine Arts Council, Chair (1998 – 2002)

   

SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS, SEMINAR PRESENTATIONS AND ARTICLES

• Speaker, Adverse Childhood Experiences, University of South Florida, September 2016

• Program Chair and Speaker, Guardian Ad Litem Training Seminar, East Pasco Bar Assoc., 2015

• Speaker, Alimony and Child Support, National Business Institute, December 2015        

• Program Chair, Guardian Ad Litem Training Seminar, West Pasco Bar Association, 2012

• Program Chair, Matrimonial Trial Advocacy Seminar, The Florida Bar, 2011

• Speaker, Examining Parenting Plan Evaluators, Matrimonial Trial Advocacy Seminar,
  The Florida Bar, 2011

• Program Co-Chair, Matrimonial Trial Advocacy Seminar, The Florida Bar, 2009

• Speaker, Paralegal Registration and Opportunities, Ethical Issues, FLAFCC, February 2009

• Speaker, 2007-2008 Legislative Update, Canakaris Inn of Court, 2008

• Article, “Managing Your Parenting Cases,” The Florida Bar Family Law Section,
  The Commentator, 2008

• Speaker, Parenting Plans/Developmental Stages, The Florida Bar, 2008

• Speaker, Leadership Conference, The Florida Bar, 2006

• Speaker, Initial Office Contacts and Handling Clients Through Trial, The Florida Bar Continuing Legal Education Committee and the Young Lawyers Division, Florida Bar, 2006

• Speaker, Matrimonial Certification Review, The Florida Bar, 2006

•  Program Co-Chair, Matrimonial Trial Advocacy Seminar, The Florida Bar, 2005

• Speaker, Direct and Cross Examination, Matrimonial Trial Advocacy Seminar,
  The Florida Bar, 2005

• Article, “Addressing Frustrations:  Handouts for Family Law Clients,”
  The Florida Bar Family Law Section, The Commentator, 2005

• Article, “Mediation Hot Tips,” The Florida Bar Family Law Section, The Commentator, 2005

• Program Co-Chair, When the Love Boat Becomes the Titanic, The Florida Bar, 2004

• Program Co-Chair, Matrimonial Certification Review, The Florida Bar, 2003

• Program Co-Chair, Matrimonial Trial Advocacy Seminar, The Florida Bar, 2003

• Speaker, Direct and Cross Examination, Matrimonial Trial Advocacy Seminar, 
  The Florida Bar, 2003

• Program Co-Chair, Family Law Legislative Update, The Florida Bar, 2002

• Program Co-Chair and Speaker, Matrimonial Certification Telephonic Seminar,
  The Florida Bar, 2002

• Program Co-Chair, Matrimonial Certification Review, The Florida Bar, 2002

• Program Chair, Family Law Legislative Update, The Florida Bar, 2001

• Speaker, Family Law Modification, The Florida Bar, 2000

• Program Co-Chair and Speaker, Matrimonial Trial Advocacy Seminar, The Florida Bar, 2000

• Program Chair, The Trustee’s 8th Nuts & Bolts Seminar on Chapter 13 Bankruptcy Law &     
  Practice, Speakers: Terry E. Smith and panel Tampa Bay Bankruptcy Bar Association, 2000

• Program Co-Chair and Speaker, Matrimonial Certification Review, The Florida Bar, 2000

• Speaker, Presenting the Petitioner’s Case in a Domestic Violence Action, 

• Bay Area Legal Services, 1997-2001

• Program Chair, High Conflict Custody Cases, The Florida Bar, 1999

• Program Chair, Handling the Media, The Florida Bar, 1999

• Program Co-Chair, Family Law Rules & Legislative Update, The Florida Bar, 1999

• Program Co-Chair, Family Law Issues in Bankruptcy, Speaker: Honorable Jeffrey Gallett,
  Tampa Bay Bankruptcy Bar Association, 1999

• Program Co-Chair, Investigating Fraud in Bankruptcy, Speakers: Theresa Boatner and Dennis
  Moore, Tampa Bay Bankruptcy Bar Association, 1999

• Speaker, So You Want to Get Paid: Attorney’s Fees and the Family Law Case,West Pasco Family Law Committee, 1998

• Program Co-Chair, Matrimonial Trial Advocacy Seminar, The Florida Bar, 1998

• Program Co-Chair, Family Law Rules and Legislative Update,
  The Florida Bar Association, 1998

• Program Co-Chair, The Trustee’s 7^th Nuts & Bolts Seminar on Chapter 13 Bankruptcy Law & Practice, Tampa Bay Bankruptcy Bar Association, 1998

• Program Co-Chair, Preparing the Rehabilitative Alimony Case, Speaker: Kathleen Counts,
  West Pasco Family Law Committee, 1997

• Program Co-Chair, Child Custody Evaluations, Speaker: Dr. Deborah O. Day,
  West Pasco Family Law Committee, 1997

• Program Co-Chair, Family Law Legislative Update, Speakers: Deborah Marks and Jeffrey
  Wasserman, The Florida Bar, 1997

• Speaker, Mandatory Disclosure, West Pasco Legal Secretaries, 1997

• Program Co-Chair, Consumer Issues in Bankruptcy,
  Tampa Bay Bankruptcy Bar Association, 1996

• Program Co-Chair, Mini View from the Bench, Tampa Bay Bankruptcy Bar Association, 1996

• Program Co-Chair, Preserving Your Case for Appeal, Speaker: Honorable Stevan T. Northcutt,
  West Pasco Family Law Committee, 1996

• Speaker, Hot Tips and Helpful Hints, panel discussion, West Pasco Family Law Committee, 1996

• Speaker, New Family Law Rules of Procedure, West Pasco Bar Association, 1995

• Speaker, Impact of Changes of the Bankruptcy Code on Family Law,
  Hernando County Bar Association, 1995

• Moderator and Program Co-Chair, Consumer Issues in Bankruptcy,
  Tampa Bay Bankruptcy Bar Association, 1995

   

CONTINUING LEGAL EDUCATION (WITHIN THE LAST 15 YEARS)

• Judicial Roundtable — Judge David Ellis, September 2023
• American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers 45th Annual Institute, May 2023
• AAML Mediation Training Program, June 2022
• FL Acad. of Collaborative Professionals Conference, June 2022
• American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers 43rd Annual Institute, May 2022
• 2022 Marital & Family Law Review Course, January 2022
• An Evening of Collaborative Law, September 2021
• Sixth Circuit Family Law Covid-19 Update, July 2021
• Expanding Access to Collaborative Meeting Needs, June 2021
• Hon. Elizabeth Jack Judicial Roundtable, June 2021
• Family Law Judicial Roundtable, February 2021
• 2021 Marital & Family Law Review Course, January 2021
• This Really Happened: Taking the High Road of Civility and Professionalism, September 2020
• E-Discovery: Ethics & Technology in Family Law, July 2020
• Seeking or Defending Modifications and Urgent Temporary Abatement of Support, June 2020
• American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers 42nd Annual Institute, April 2020
• Family Law Judicial Meeting, April 2020
• 2020 Marital & Family Law Review Course, January 2020
• Emerging Issues in Technology and Family Law, November 2019
• 2019 Case Law Update, November 2019
• The Return of Daubert, November 2019
• Parenting Plans within loco parentis and defacto, October 2019
• Trying Times for Alimony? Trying Your Alimony Case, September 2019
• AAML – Evidentiary Issues Related to Family Law, May 2019
• American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers 41st Annual Institute, May 2019
• AAML – What would the Reptiles Say? April 2019
• 2019 Marital & Family Law Review Course, January 2019
• Basic Family Law 2017 – Family Law Legal Updates, December 2018
• Basic Family Law 2017 – Prospective Client Intake, December 2018
• Basic Family Law 2017 – Paternity and Divorce, October 2018
• International Academy of Collaborative Professionals 19th Annual Networking and Educational Forum, October 2018
• Reading a Tax Return and Using that Information, September 2018
• American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers 40th Annual Institute, May 2018
• 2018 Family Law Section Legislative Update, April 2018
• Oh No! You Have to Deal with the Child Protection Team, February 2018
• Thorny Mortgage Issues in Family Law, January 2018
• 2018 Marital & Family Law Review Course, January 2018
• 2017 Case Law Update, December 2017
• Law Office Cyber Security, October 2017
• 2nd Annual AAML, Blackletter Law Seminar, September 2017
• Your Client Wants to Record What? August 2017
• The Pitfalls of Dividing Military Pensions, AAML, July 2017
• 2017 FACP Annual Conference, June 2017
• American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers 39th Annual Institute, May 2017
• Next Generation Collaborative Divorce Training, April 2017
• 2017 Marital & Family Law Review Course, January 2017
• 2016 Case Law Update, November 2016
• 2016 Cyber Threat: Real or Myth, June 2016
• 2016 FACP Annual Conference, May 2016
• American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers 38th Annual Institute, May 2016
• 2016 Family Law Section Legislative Update, April 2016
• 2016 Marital & Family Law Review Course, January 2016
• Advanced Discovery in Divorce, October 2015
• American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers 37th Annual Institute, May 2015
• Avoiding Malpractice and Other Headaches in Splitting Retirement Assets: Martial & Family Law Review Course, January 2015
• Dividing Executive Compensation in Divorce, December 2014
• Marriage, Divorce & Separation for Same Sex Couples, December 2014
• Dealing with the “We” & the “I” of Collaborative Law, November 2014
• Dividing Digital Assets in Divorce, November 2014
• Understanding Corporate Returns, Trust returns and the Related Financial Issues Impacting a Family Law Case, August 2014
• American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, May 2014
• Martial &Family Law Review Course, January 2014
• Negotiating in the Eye of the Storm (collaborative), November 2013
• The Change in Admitting Expert Testimony Law Update, October 2013
• Planning With Digital Assets, September 2013
• American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers 35th Annual Seminar, May 2013
• Marital and Family Law Review Course, January 2013
• Up Periscope, Get a Good Look at Offshore Income and High Asset Divorce Taxation, January 2013
• Analytical Steps to a Well Organized , Concise and Engaging Trial: How to Impress the Judge, July 2012
• Common Evidentiary Foundations for Family Law Litigation, July 2012
• American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers 34th Annual Seminar, May 2012
• Guardian Ad Litem Training Seminar, March 2012
• Drafting Marital Settlement Agreements, March 2012
• Marital and Family Law review Course, January 2012
• Taking and Defending Depositions, December 2011
• Using Performance Techniques to improve Your Advocacy Skills,  November 2011
• 16th Annual Certification Leadership Conference, September 2011
• Matrimonial Trial Advocacy seminar, August 2011
• American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers April, 2011 32nd Annual Seminar
• Premarital Agreements: Representing the Stronger/Weaker Party; April, 2011
• 2011 Marital and Family Law Review Course January, 2011
• Family Law Case Law Update 2010 November, 2010
• Find Info Like a Pro September, 2010
• Charging liens, Retaining Liens, and Enforcement in Family Law Cases August, 2010
• American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers 32nd Annual Seminar April, 2010
• 2010 Marital and Family Law Review Course February, 2010
• Interactive Roundtable Discussion February, 2010
• American Bar Association ABA Center for Continuing January, 2010
• Legal Education: Client Trust Accounts January, 2010
• Legal Education: Divide and Conquer September, 2009
• Matrimonial Trial Advocacy Seminar August, 2009
• American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers 31st Annual Seminar, April, 2009
• Parenting Plans: Why? What? How? February, 2009
• The Last Thirty Days Before Trial January 2009
• American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers 30th Annual Institute Symposium on Marital and Family Law, May, 2008
• How to identify, Represent and Litigate Against the Mentally Ill or Addicted Party, March, 2008
• Specialized Divorce Tax Issues, January, 2008
• Parenting Coordinators – Who Are They and Can They Help?, November 2007
• Domestic Relations Legislative Update 2007, July, 2007
• American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers 29th Annual Institute Symposium on Marital and Family Law, May, 2007
• Crunching the Numbers – A Financial Workout for Matrimonial Lawyers, March 2007 Representing the Physician, February 2007
• Matrimonial Law Certification Review, January, 2007 Family Law Ethics – A View From the Bench October 2006
• Changes: The Future of Custody Litigation, September 2006
• Family Law Legislative Update, July 2006
• American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers 28th Annual Seminar, May 2006
• Matrimonial Law Certification Review , February 2006
• Child Support and Alimony: Investigating the Numbers, March 2005
• Representing the Physician, February 2005
• Matrimonial Law Certification Review, February 2005
• Changes: The Future of Custody Litigation, September 2006
• Â Family Law Legislative Update, July 2006
• American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers 28th Annual Seminar, May 2006
• Matrimonial Law Certification Review , February 2006
• Child Support and Alimony: Investigating the Numbers, March 2005
• Representing the Physician, February 2005
• Matrimonial Law Certification Review, February 2005
• American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers 26th Annual Seminar, May 2004
• Matrimonial Law Certification Review, February 2004
• Valuation & Accounting Issues in Matrimonial Cases, September 2003
• Matrimonial Trial Advocacy, August 2003
• Matrimonial Law Certification Review, February 2003