Super Lawyers recognizes distinguished attorneys who have undergone a rigorous screening process and who are ultimately selected for inclusion in their annual list of exceptional legal professionals. Published by Thomson Reuters, Super Lawyers is a rating service of attorneys from more than 70 practice areas and determines its rankings through independent research, peer nominations, and peer evaluations. Only the top 5 percent of outstanding lawyers in Florida are rated by Super Lawyers, while no more than 2.5 percent of lawyers under 40 years old or who have practiced for fewer than 10 years are selected as Rising Stars.

The Firm’s recognized attorneys are listed below.

Miami

Recognized as Super Lawyers

• Mitchell A. Bierman
• Alan K. Fertel
• Edward G. Guedes
• Joseph H. Serota

Recognized as Rising Star

• Justin D. Luger
• Richard Rosengarten

Fort Lauderdale

Recognized as Super Lawyers

• Mitchell J. Burnstein
• Jamie A. Cole
• Susan Trevarthen
• Peter D. Waldman

Recognized as Rising Stars

• Candice Balmori
• Anne Reilly Flanigan
• Alicia Gonzalez
• Chanae L. Wood

Boca Raton

Recognized as Super Lawyers

• Howard D. DuBosar
• Alen H. Hsu
• Brett J. Schneider

Recognized as Rising Stars

• Harrison R. DuBosar

The post WSHC+B ATTORNEYS RECOGNIZED AS 2023 SUPER LAWYERS AND RISING STARS appeared first on Weiss Serota Helfman Cole + Bierman.

The firm’s attorneys included in the guide are listed below.

Top Lawyers

Mitchell A. Bierman – Government Relations, Litigation

Mitchell J. Burnstein – Eminent Domain

Jamie A. Cole – Government Litigation, Corporate And Business Litigation

Andrew Demers – Banking and Financial Institutions

Alan K. Fertel – Entertainment And Sports, Civil Litigation

Chad S. Friedman – Land Use, Zoning and Environmental Law

Edward G. Guedes – Appellate Law

Alen H. Hsu – Business and Real Estate Litigation

Michael J. Kurzman – Construction Law

John Quick – Litigation

Anthony L. Recio – Real Estate – Land Use And Zoning

Brett J. Schneider – Employment Law

Clifford A. Schulman – Environmental, Real Estate – Land Use And Zoning

Joseph H. Serota – Corporate And Business Litigation, Government Litigation

Marc I. Solomon – Business Organizations, Acquisitions and Conveyances

Richard J. Weiss – Government

Rana M. Gorzeck – Banking or Commercial Real Estate

Lewis R. Cohen – Banking or Commercial Real Estate

Top Up and Comers

Alicia Gonzalez – Real Estate, Eminent Domain

Justin D. Luger – Litigation

Edward O. Martos – Land Use And Zoning

Click here to view the full 2022 South Florida Legal Guide.

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The interview highlighted Judge Beamer’s experience as an Asian American in the legal industry, her advice for Asian American aspiring lawyers, and how her culture shaped her into the person she is today.

Born and raised in West Palm Beach, Judge Beamer had a strong work ethic since childhood. Her family immigrated from South Korea and owned a dry-cleaning business in West Palm Beach where they worked 60-70 hours a week. Judge Beamer graduated from the University of Florida with a bachelor’s in Business Administration and soon after taught English in Korea. Later, she attended Barry University – Dwayne O. Andreas School of Law and began her work experience as a Prosecutor in Miami-Dade County in addition to the Office of the Attorneys General Office in Orlando. In 2019, Judge Beamer was appointed by Governor Rick Scott. 

In the virtual interview with Alen and Kayla, Judge Beamer spoke about how her Asian American identity influenced her, gave advice to aspiring lawyers and talked about what she believes legal professionals can do to speak out against Asian hate crime.

Q: What drew you to the legal profession? 

A: As a lawyer, I acted as my parents’ advocate when they got sued occasionally by customers. Advocating and extending my career in public service felt like the perfect fit for me and motivated me to continue to represent people who needed assistance. As a young Asian, I did not think being a judge was possible, at first. I wanted to be a role model for my own kids and show them that they can do anything they set their minds to – ultimately, they have to give it a shot.

Q: What’s your favorite thing about being a judge? 

A: I am fortunate to serve the people and the community. Serving others is what I think I was put on Earth to do. It’s my calling and has been instilled in me since childhood. Also, I handle the civil division where I am constantly learning and growing. Overall, the areas of civil practice are diverse. I write a lot and enjoy it.

Q: How did your Asian American identity influence you? 

A: I was raised with a strong work ethic as my parents would work 60-70 hours a week doing hard physical labor. I grew up with different perspectives, especially humility. Humility was learned early on by my parents. My father valued humility, and this continues to influence me in daily life and with raising my children.

Q: In this current moment – what else can legal professionals do to speak out against Asian hate crime? 

A: The issue Asian Americans are dealing with makes me so sad. In terms of our communities, it’s important to connect with people who are different from us, making sure to be visible and present. We all go through the same things and finding that commonality rather than what separates us is crucial.

Q: In regard to the legal industry, do you have any advice for aspiring lawyers? 

A: Mentoring is a big one – I seek mentors who tell me the truth, and those that later become friends. I tell others to find people that are going to be honest with you, that have a different perspective, and have your best interest at heart. Networking helps as well and finding opportunities that you really enjoy. Alen Hsu, a partner at WSHC+B, and I met organically in a courtroom, but we always kept in touch. Maintaining those relationships is important – taking the initiative, reaching out, and looking for opportunities.

Q: What do you think is the biggest issue Asian Americans are facing in the field today? 

A: Florida is different from New York and California. Florida is unique in that there is a very low Asian American population (I believe 3% of Florida’s population is comprised of Asian American). Trying to get people to engage and network especially in our busy lives is hard, but we have to take responsibility for these relationships – keep asking and try to include others.

Q: What can professionals do to increase the presence of Asian Americans? 

A: It’s all about inclusion like including other Asian American attorneys in different opportunities. Pro-bono cases or even just events, barbecues, and everyday traditional life events make a difference.

Q: Who inspires you the most? 

My parents. They immigrated to the United States, and I think, could I start a business where I don’t know the language spoken in that country, the culture, and raise kids at the same time? I don’t know. Am I that brave? I don’t know. My parents always taught me that if you work really hard and make those connections, keep a positive attitude, and keep trying then it will all work out. Growing and saying yes, while not thinking of the end result, but building relationships organically is important. This is exactly what I did.

Q: Having been a young active attorney, how did you get this active? Did someone help you? 

A: I was always showing up and just started talking to people. I would volunteer and then be invited to different things. We lift each other up when one succeeds.

Q: Do you recommend aspiring lawyers to be as active as possible? 

A: Yes, but it’s hard. Bar associations can feel cliquey sometimes, but you have to try. I suggest going with a friend, slowly getting to know more people. Ultimately bar associations become a great source for friendships.

The post In celebration of Asian Pacific American Heritage Month, WSHC+B Partner and Summer Law Clerk Interview Florida’s first Korean American circuit court judge appeared first on Weiss Serota Helfman Cole + Bierman.

The Firm was also selected as a Top Law Firm, which highlights firms with excellent credentials. Firms included are nominated by the Top Lawyers and Top Up and Comers in the publication’s annual submission.

The Firm’s attorneys included in the guide are listed below.

Top Lawyers
Mitchell A. Bierman – Government Relations, Litigation
Mitchell J. Burnstein – Eminent Domain
Jamie A. Cole – Government Litigation, Corporate And Business Litigation
Ignacio G. Del Valle – Real Estate, Corporate And Business
Andrew Demers – Banking and Financial Institutions
Alan K. Fertel – Entertainment And Sports, Civil Litigation
Chad S. Friedman – Land Use, Zoning and Environmental Law
Edward G. Guedes – Appellate Law
Alen H. Hsu – Business and Real Estate Litigation
Michael J. Kurzman – Construction Law
John Quick – Litigation
Anthony L. Recio – Real Estate – Land Use And Zoning
Brett J. Schneider – Employment Law
Clifford A. Schulman – Environmental, Real Estate – Land Use And Zoning
Joseph H. Serota – Corporate And Business Litigation, Government Litigation
Marc I. Solomon – Business Organizations, Acquisitions and Conveyances
Richard J. Weiss – Government

Top Up and Comers
Alicia Gonzalez – Real Estate, Eminent Domain
Justin D. Luger – Litigation
Edward O. Martos – Land Use And Zoning
Alison F. Smith – Labor And Employment

Click here to view the full 2021 South Florida Legal Guide.

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Based in the firm’s Miami office and part of the Litigation Division, Coppolecchia represents private entities in complex commercial litigation and municipalities and other governmental entities in disputes throughout Florida. Her practice focuses on the representation of clients in construction contract drafting and negotiation, as well as construction claims and defense.

Gonzalez represents private and public sector clients in litigation involving real property and local governments. Based in the firm’s Fort Lauderdale office, she advises her clients in the areas of eminent domain and inverse condemnation. Gonzalez also handles complex litigation involving acquisition and valuation of private property rights, governmental regulation of private property and business disputes.

Hsu is based in the firm’s Boca Raton office and represents startups, multinational businesses and publicly traded companies with respect to domestic and international legal issues. Hsu also advises clients on corporate governance, labor and employment, financing, acquisitions and sales.

Part of the Government Division, Natiello is based in the firm’s Fort Lauderdale office. He counsels his clients in the areas of police operational and legal concerns, forfeiture litigation, liability defense, municipal government litigation and worker’s compensation defense. He also practices in the areas of code enforcement, and civil rights and torts.

“We are pleased to recognize the hard work and achievements of these four attorneys,” said firm Managing Director Mitchell Burnstein. “Their longstanding dedication and commitment to their clients and our community will help the Firm succeed, and we look forward to their continued success.”

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Super Lawyers recognizes distinguished attorneys who have undergone a rigorous screening process and who are ultimately selected for inclusion in their annual list of exceptional legal professionals. Published by Thomson Reuters, Super Lawyers is a rating service of attorneys from more than 70 practice areas and determines its rankings through independent research, peer nominations and peer evaluations. Only the top 5 percent of outstanding lawyers in Florida are rated by Super Lawyers, while no more than 2.5 percent of lawyers under 40 years old or who have practiced for fewer than 10 years are selected as Rising Stars.

Elizabeth Coppolecchia and Alicia Gonzalez were recognized as Florida Rising Stars for the first time this year.

The Firm’s recognized attorneys are listed below.

Miami

Recognized as Super Lawyers

• Mitchell Bierman
• Alan Fertel
• Edward Guedes
• Joseph Serota
• Peter Waldman

Recognized as Rising Star

• Elizabeth Coppolecchia
• Justin Luger

Fort Lauderdale

Recognized as Super Lawyers

• Mitchell Burnstein
• Jamie A. Cole
• Matthew Mandel

Recognized as Rising Star

• Alicia Gonzalez
• Anne Reilly Flanigan
• Michael Kantor

Boca Raton

Recognized as Super Lawyers

• Brett Schneider

Recognized as Rising Star

• Alen Hsu
• Anthony Soroka

The post WSHC + B Attorneys Recognized as 2020 Super Lawyers and Rising Stars appeared first on Weiss Serota Helfman Cole + Bierman.

The Florida Bar Journal/News Editorial Board advises and assists the Bar’s editorial staff. The board works closely with the Journal and News staff to develop articles of current interest and concern to the profession and, as a reviewing board, selects for publication only the most worthy manuscripts.

Alen has been a member of the Florida Bar Journal/Florida Bar News Editorial Board since 2017.

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Founding Partner Joseph Serota was recognized as a 2020 Distinguished Leader. This award recognizes lawyers who have achieved impressive results in the past year and demonstrated clear leadership skills that helped them achieve those results.

Alen Hsu was recognized as a 2020 On the Rise honoree. The On the Rise program recognizes the region’s most promising lawyers under the age of 40 who have wielded influence in their practice areas in South Florida and beyond.

Joseph and Alen will be honored at the publication’s Professional Excellence awards event scheduled to be held on October 7.

To view the full list of honorees, click here.

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-Joseph Serota

-Jamie Cole

-Mitch Bierman

-Mitch Burnstein

-Brett Schneider

-Ed Guedes

-Susan Trevarthen

-Matthew Mandel

-Michael Kurzman

-Alison Smith

-Alan Fertel

-Anthony Soroka

-Roger Kobert

-Peter Waldman

-Justin Luger

-Alen Hsu

-Michael Kantor

-Anne Reilly

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