Member Spotlight

Bonnie Sockel-Stone

Where do you work ?

Sockel-Stone Family Law

What type of legal work do you do? 

Family Law

When and why did you join MDFAWL?

I joined MDFAWL approximately 20 years ago. MDFAWL's membership is and has always been composed of a diverse group of excellent lawyers that give back to the Miami-Dade community and support the professional development of women lawyers. I certainly wanted to be part of this organization

What was your most rewarding professional achievement? 

I represented a client that had limited financial resources and could not afford a forensic accountant to assist in her dissolution-of-marriage action. Her spouse engaged in a sophisticated scheme to hide assets and income. The spouse also made every effort to delay the proceedings and did not cooperate in the discovery process, thinking I would withdraw because my client did not have the funds to pay my fees. I did not give up and did not abandon my client. I ultimately discovered where the assets were hidden, and my client's spouse had to pay my fees.

What does your pro bono practice look like?

I spend approximately 100 hours a year on pro bono work that includes serving as a pro bono guardian ad litem and representing formerly incarcerated women.

When you have 30 minutes of free time, how do you use it?

Have an uninterrupted conversation with my husband.