Cynthia Stump Swanson is the senior attorney and sole shareholder of the
firm. She graduated from the University of Florida Levin College of Law
in 1981 and was admitted to the Florida Bar in 1982. Since that time,
her practice has focused primarily on legal matters which involve individual
and family related matters, including adoptions, wills and probate, divorces,
and family law appeals. Cynthia is actively involved in the legal community
and chairs the Family Law Section of the Eighth Judicial Circuit Bar Association.
She has published several book chapters and articles, and writes a monthly
column on family law for the Eighth Judicial Circuit Bar Association newsletter.
She is a member of the Eighth Judicial Circuit Bar Association, the Florida
Adoption Council, and the James C. Adkins Inn of Court and is a Fellow
of the American Academy of Adoption Attorneys, a national association
of approximately 300 attorneys who have distinguished themselves in the
field of adoption law. She has been the volunteer legal counsel for Planned
Parenthood of North Central Florida, Inc. since 1995, and serves as a
volunteer attorney for Three Rivers Legal Services, Inc. She is the 2003
recipient of the Florida Bar President’s Pro Bono Service Award
for the Eighth Judicial Circuit. Since 1983, she has been a member of
the Pilot Club of Greater Gainesville, Inc., a community service organization
dedicated to providing funds and support for those with brain disorders,
and to hearing impaired children in our community, and supporting qualified
students at the University of Florida through the Southern Scholarship
Foundation. Cynthia is trained in Collaborative Practice, and is a member
of the Gainesville Collaborative Divorce Team.
View Cynthia's LinkedIn Profile
Darcy Kochanowsky is a Florida Registered Paralegal for the firm and her
primary areas of expertise are in the fields of adoption and appeals.
She is a current member of the Paralegal Association of Florida and the
First Coast Chapter of PAF. She joined the Swanson law firm in August
1999. She works closely with birth parents, coordinates and manages their
adoption plans and helps them throughout their pregnancy, delivery and
placement. She also works directly with adoptive couples in the adoption
process and is the liaison between the adoption attorney and the adoptive
parents. Her caring, helpful nature is a fundamental part of the private
adoption process and is a great asset in the development of her relationships
with the clients and the birthparents. She has been quite successful in
making the adoption process a success for all involved. In addition to
managing the adoptions for the team, Darcy is also the appellate paralegal
and assists the attorneys in the handling of appellate matters at the
First District Court of Appeal in Tallahassee and the Fifth District Court
of Appeal in Daytona. Darcy works most often as a virtual paralegal from
her home in Jacksonville, Florida, and is married with five children and
step-children.
David Pugh is a paralegal for the firm and hails from New York and, while
he is not a member of the Florida Bar, he remains a member of the New
York Bar where he practiced for over 20 years. David joined our team in
March 2012, and has a knack for research and analysis. His primary area
of expertise is in the field of family law. David works closely with divorce
and post-divorce clients to assist them in most every aspect of their
case – from assembling and analyzing their (and their spouse’s)
financial paperwork to being the liaison between the client and the attorney.
David has a practical approach to family law and is highly regarded by
our clients for his no nonsense and straightforward manner of assistance.
David is married and has three grown children.
We are here to support individuals and families through stressful times in their lives. Whether this means guiding you through divorce, custody disputes, probate, or estate planning, we will do our utmost to protect your interests, secure your peace of mind, and promote your future stability. Our aim is to be unlike any other law firm, providing you with a calm and comfortable experience as we provide excellent solutions and representation.