In recognition of South Florida’s unique position as the gateway for investment, commerce and real estate in Latin America, WSH has announced the formation of the International Group, a new practice group working with our Business Organization and Transaction Group, Litigation Division, and Real Estate Group to offer services to clients doing business in the Americas. The International Group assists and represents entrepreneurs, private businesses, publicly traded companies, financial institutions, and other ventures conducting business across international borders. Attorneys in the Group have extensive experience in business litigation, including contract disputes, secured transactions, shareholder and partnership disputes, and the prosecution and defense of class actions. The Group also handles real estate matters across international borders, including acquisitions, development, financing, leasing, and joint ventures. Lastly, the Group offers dispute resolution services, representing individuals and sovereign nations alike in matters of private and public importance. Attorneys in the Group serve our clients’ comfort by speaking in their native tongue, including Spanish, French, Italian, and Portuguese. Members of the Group include:
Mitchell A. Bierman (Member) – Mitch routinely handles government affairs and administrative matters for major international companies in the transportation, environmental and solid waste, engineering and construction industries. Mitch chairs WSH’s Airports and Aviation Services Group, and has nearly 20 years of experience in airport finance, airline negotiations, airport concessions and land leasing and development.
Joseph Hernandez (Partner) – Joe represents real estate developers, financial institutions, private equity firms, hotel companies, and public and private universities in all phases of commercial real estate and business transactions. He also works with banks and other lending institutions in secured corporate loan transactions.
Roger S. Kobert (Partner) – An experienced trial attorney, Roger has prosecuted and defended cases and claims for individuals, foreign and domestic companies, partnerships, joint ventures, trusts, and publicly-traded Fortune 500 businesses. Roger has advised foreign governments on matters of U.S. law, and appeared as an expert witness on matters of U.S. law in foreign court proceedings.
Michael S. Popok (Member) – Michael focuses his practice on complex litigation; his experience has involved the successful representation of a global financial services firm in a multimillion dollar suit involving its purchase of a life settlements firm, representation of a financial institution in $50 million worth of commercial foreclosures, and a developer in its efforts to develop a $50 million condominium project. A skilled appellate advocate, Michael’s successful advocacy on behalf of his clients has resulted in a number of reported appellate decisions in both Federal and State courts.
Marc C. Pugliese (Of Counsel) – Marc’s practice emphasizes international litigation; he has represented clients from Argentina, Brazil, Italy, Mexico, Spain, and Venezuela. He has extensive experience handling litigation of commercial matters, including title insurance claims, deceptive and unfair trade practices litigation, business fraud, class actions, and secured transactions.
Carlos M. Rodriguez (Of Counsel) – Carlos provides legal and business counsel to individuals, publicly-owned entities, and privately held domestic and foreign entities. He has advised clients in U.S. and foreign title insurance matters, site location, valuation, acquisition, disposition, and leasing of real property.
Joseph H. Serota (Founding Member) – An experienced litigator, Joe has successfully represented private and public entities throughout South Florida. He is also a skilled appellate advocate, and was inducted into the Florida Trend Legal Elite (Top 1% Florida Lawyers) Hall of Fame in 2012.
Author(s): Brooke P. Dolara
