Judge Kevin Bruning

Judge Bruning graduated from the University of Florida in 1994 with a degree in Journalism, followed by an MBA from Rollins College in 1996. He earned his law degree, cum laude, from Stetson College of Law in 2000. During law school, he clerked at the law firm of Williams, Parker, Harrison, Dietz, and Getzen, where he later joined as an attorney and became a partner around 2008.

In 2011, Judge Bruning and attorney Morgan Bentley left Williams Parker to co-found their own firm, Bentley & Bruning. Under their leadership, the firm grew to include 10 attorneys by the time Judge Bruning left in 2020 to become a judge. As managing member of the firm, his practice focused on complex commercial litigation, particularly real estate and business-related disputes. He was primarily a trial attorney.

Judge Bruning held several leadership roles in the legal community, serving as President of the Sarasota County Bar Association from 2013 to 2014, a Guardian Ad Litem for the Twelfth Judicial Circuit, and Chair of the Florida Bar Grievance Committee for the 12th Judicial Circuit. He was also involved in civic leadership, having served as Chairman of the Board for both the American Red Cross Southwest Florida chapter and the Sarasota County Historic Preservation Board.

Recognized for his legal expertise, Judge Bruning received Martindale Hubbell’s AV rating, the highest honor for skill and ethics in the legal profession. In 2019, he was named a “Legal Elite” by Florida Trend Magazine. Additionally, he is proud to be an Eagle Scout.

Currently, Judge Bruning serves on the Civil Law Bench, Division C, of the 12th Judicial Circuit in Sarasota County. Outside the courtroom, he enjoys coaching baseball for his oldest son and spending quality time with his younger son.

Dr. Deborah Gilman

Dr. Deborah Gilman is a renowned clinical psychologist with two decades of experience fostering healthy bonds between children and parents. Her passion for helping families navigate challenging transitions is evident in her dedication to promoting positive, healthy relationships.

Dr. Gilman's academic journey began at Carnegie Mellon University, where she earned a B.S. with honors in developmental psychology. She furthered her expertise by obtaining a Ph.D. in clinical psychology from Tulane University, where she contributed to groundbreaking research on infant and adolescent development. Her involvement in the Bucharest Early Intervention project provided invaluable insights into a wide range of developmental domains, including physical growth, cognitive function, social-emotional development, and attachment.

Following her residency at Johns Hopkins Medical School and a 3-year fellowship at Nationwide Children's Hospital/The Ohio State University, Dr. Gilman gained practical experience in applying her knowledge to clinical settings. Her participation in an NIH-funded study examining physical growth interventions for toddlers with Cystic Fibrosis solidified her commitment to improving the lives of children and families facing health challenges.

Beyond her clinical work, Dr. Gilman is actively involved in the professional community. She serves on the boards of the Greater Pittsburgh Psychological Association (GPPA) and the International Academy of Collaborative Professionals (IACP), demonstrating her dedication to advancing the field of psychology. Her expertise is widely recognized, as evidenced by her role as a presenter and commentator in the PBA Family Law Section's video "Tips and Tools for Better Co-Parenting." which is widely disseminated throughout Pennsylvania.

Dr. Gilman is a highly sought-after speaker and trainer, educating mental health professionals, judges, lawyers, and other family law professionals on a variety of topics related to child development, parenting strategies, family systems, and high-conflict dynamics. Her ability to bridge the gap between theory and practice makes her a valuable resource for professionals seeking to enhance their skills and knowledge.

A dedicated mentor to graduate students, Dr. Gilman encourages them to engage in advocacy and leadership. Her passion for empowering others and making a positive impact on the world is evident in her commitment to fostering the next generation of mental health professionals.

Rana Alexander, Esq.

Rana Alexander has worked in the domestic and sexual violence field since 1997. Ms. Alexander join the Hennepin County Attorney’s Office in 2024 to coordinate their Extreme Risk Protection Order (ERPO) response and provide training on domestic and sexual violence. Before joining Hennepin County, Rana worked for Standpoint for 19 years. As an attorney for Standpoint, she provided legal advice and consultation to domestic and sexual violence victims, advocates and attorneys on legal issues that affect domestic and sexual violence victims. Ms. Alexander also provided training and outreach to attorneys involving issues of domestic and sexual violence and the law.

Ms. Alexander is a graduate of Northeastern University School of Law in Boston, Massachusetts, and received, with distinction, her Bachelors of Science degree in Psychology and a minor in Women Studies from Iowa State University.

Danielle Kestnbaum, J.D., M.S.W.

Danielle earned her law degree with honors from IIT/Chicago-Kent College of Law in Chicago, Illinois. Prior to graduating from law school, she received her Masters degree in Social Work from Columbia University in New York City and a BA from Brandeis University in Waltham, Massachusetts. Danielle externed with the Chief Judge of the Domestic Relations Court for the Circuit Court of Cook County during law school. She has worked in the public sector as a child’s advocate and also in the private sector representing parents in a broad range of family law matters. She currently works as a professional liaison for the OurFamilyWizard website and serves as the President of the North Carolina Chapter of the Association of Family and Conciliation Courts.