This is your go-to Podcast, where we help parents navigate the complexities of family life. Hosted by Ali Kessler of Greyson’s Choice, we’ll cover everything from understanding domestic violence to navigating the legal system, finding the right therapists, life hacks, family law, mental health, custody battles, and how to protect children in dangerous situations.
In this episode of Grey Minds Think Alike, Ali speaks with Steven Eichenblatt, an Orlando-based trial attorney, Florida Super Lawyer, and volunteer guardian ad litem since 1988 who has spent over 30 years advocating for children in Florida courts. Steven explains what GALs do behind the scenes, how they’re appointed through Legal Aid and the court, and how their investigations and testimony can influence child placement decisions, especially in complex cases involving domestic violence, incarceration, and abuse. He discusses spotting manipulation, the need for documentation and safety planning, and the system’s resource and backlog challenges, including DCF understaffing. The conversation covers Greyson’s Law, the value of judge training like Kayden’s Law, and Steven’s memoir Pretend They Are Dead about overcoming childhood trauma, therapy, and turning pain into purpose.
About Steven Eichenblatt
Steven Eichenblatt is a graduate of Florida State University and the University of Florida College of Law and a practicing trial attorney with Page and Eichenblatt in Orlando, Florida. For over three decades, he has fought on behalf of individuals and families in complex litigation, earning distinctions including AV Preeminent rating, Florida Super Lawyer recognition, and being named among 2025 Best Lawyers in America by Orlando Magazine.
Beyond his litigation work, Steven has served as a pro bono Guardian ad Litem for more than 30 years and was honored as Guardian Ad Litem of the Year for his advocacy on behalf of vulnerable children. He has also represented families of firefighters killed in the 9/11 terrorist attacks and regularly speaks to students and community groups about addiction, bullying, and the dangers of impaired driving.
He is the author of Pretend They Are Dead: A Father’s Search for The Truth, with a memoir forthcoming, and is a father of five. He lives in Orlando with his wife, Melissa Ross.
Contact: https://www.floridalawonline.com/
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About Ali Kessler
Ali Kessler is a writer, marketing professional, passionate parent advocate, and founder of Greyson’s Choice, a 501(c)(3) created to raise awareness about the risk of domestic abuse on children. Greyson’s Choice was founded by Ali Kessler in memory of her sweet, vibrant, and fearless 4.5-year-old son, Greyson, who was murdered by his biological father in a murder-suicide during an unsupervised, court-approved visit in Ft. Lauderdale, FL, in 2021. This came just hours after her petition for a domestic violence injunction was denied by a Broward County judge, citing that the “petitioner has failed to allege any overt acts by the respondent which would constitute domestic violence under Florida Statute.”
Ali’s advocacy efforts culminated in the successful passage of Greyson’s Law during the 2023 legislative session. This bill now requires the court to consider threats against ex-partners or spouses when making child visitation and custody determinations in the court, expanding to include the following factors: evidence of domestic violence, whether a parent in the past or currently has reasonable cause to believe that they or a minor child is, or has been in imminent danger of becoming the victim of domestic/sexual violence by the other parent, even if no other legal action has been brought or is currently pending in court.
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