“We are thrilled to be selected by the DBR as a 2024 Florida Legal Awards finalist in the Innovators category. Our well-rounded RTWC2026 Focus Group is at the forefront of helping businesses and governments take advantage of the exciting opportunities offered by the 2026 FIFA World Cup games being hosted in South Florida,” says Marlon Hill, WSHC+B Partner and member of the RTWC2026 Focus Group.

Our RTWC2026 Focus Group, composed of Alan K. Fertel, Chad S. Friedman, Fabio Giallanza, Marlon A. Hill, Mitchell A. Bierman, and Nelson Slosbergas, will be at the forefront of the Firm’s efforts in assisting clients with their World Cup-related business activities. 

The firm’s RTWC2026 Focus Group will be honored at the DBR’s Florida Legal Awards event on April 4, 2024. 

Read more here: https://www.law.com/dailybusinessreview/2024/03/10/innovators-weiss-serota-helfman-cole-bierman/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss

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Our Road to the World Cup Focus Group – RTWC2026 Focus Group, composed of Alan K. Fertel, Chad S. Friedman, Fabio Giallanza, Marlon A. Hill, Mitchell A. Bierman, and Nelson Slosbergas, was recognized for its innovative approach to providing professional assistance to clients preparing for the 2026 World Cup.

The RTWC2026 Focus Group will be at the forefront of the Firm’s efforts in assisting clients with their World Cup-related business activities. With its multilingual and multicultural team, the RTWC2026 Focus Group is well versed in serving domestic as well as international businesses and organizations in French, Italian, Mandarin Chinese, Portuguese, Spanish and Hebrew.

The firm’s RTWC2026 Focus Group will be honored at the DBR’s Florida Legal Awards event on April 4, 2024. 

To view the full list of honorees and finalists, click here.

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The World Cup will be held in 3 host countries: the United States, Mexico, and Canada from June 11 to July 19, 2026. As the largest FIFA World Cup with forty-eight (48) participating teams, the 2026 World Cup will draw millions of visitors and the support of numerous local and multinational sponsors.

Miami has been selected as one of 16 host cities in the United States and the Hard Rock stadium in Miami Gardens will be the venue for matches. Other locales in Miami-Dade County and around South Florida, including those surrounding major transportation hubs, universities, and other public venues, will benefit from the hosting of this international sporting event.

WSHC+B has a proven track record in assisting both public and private entities with the production and hosting of major sporting and cultural events in Miami and South Florida.  The focus group, named the Road to The World Cup – RTWC2026 Group, is composed of professionals practicing in the areas of governmental affairs, sports and entertainment, immigration, intellectual property, business transactions, labor & employment, and real property.

Attorneys at WSHC+B have represented event stakeholders and producers during various stages of event planning, promotion, and final production, including the challenges of balancing neighborhood quality of life and the economic impact of the events. WSHC+B attorneys have been involved with, in different capacities, major events such as Superbowls, NBA championships, Miss Universe, Formula 1 races, Art Basel Miami Beach, NASCAR, Miami Caribbean Carnival, international tennis tournaments, and the Miami International Boat Show, among others.

The RTWC2026 Group will be at the forefront of the Firm’s efforts in assisting clients with their World Cup-related business activities. With its multilingual and multicultural team, the RTWC2026 Group is well versed in serving domestic as well as international businesses and organizations in French, Italian, Mandarin Chinese, Portuguese, Spanish and Hebrew.

Clients may leverage the expertise of the RTWC2026 Group to receive assistance in such matters as participating in: 

• Logistics, permitting, and public space use agreements for major public events;
• Government procurement procedures and compliance matters;
• Negotiating sponsorship or endorsement agreements;
• Developing immigration plans for the movement of talent and personnel;
• Drafting international commercial contracts and strategic guidance for the licensing or leasing of real property for special events. 

About Weiss Serota Helfman Cole + Bierman, P.L.:

Weiss Serota Helfman Cole + Bierman, P.L. is a prominent Florida law firm serving corporate, governmental and individual clients with an integrated array of professional services including commercial litigation, land-use and real estate law, construction law, telecommunications law, labor and employment law, government law and governmental relations. The firm has offices in Miami, Ft. Lauderdale, Boca Raton, Tampa and Gainesville. For more information, visit www.wsh-law.com.?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss

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Of the 41 lawyers recognized, 12 of the firm’s attorneys were recognized for the very first time and 12 attorneys were recognized as Ones to Watch. 

Best Lawyers has employed the same transparent methodology for more than 35 years, based entirely on peer review. 

The following includes all Firm attorneys named and areas in which they are recognized:

Miami

• Mitchell A. Bierman (Administrative / Regulatory Law; Government Contracts; Government Relations Practice)
• Lewis R. Cohen (Banking and Finance Law; Real Estate Law)
• Jeffrey Decarlo (Commercial Litigation)
• Ignacio G. Del Valle (Real Estate Law)
• Alan K. Fertel (Sports Law)
• Chad S. Friedman (Land Use and Zoning Law)
• Edward G. Guedes (Appellate Practice) 
• Stephen J. Helfman (Land Use and Zoning Law)
• Juan P. Loumiet (Litigation – Real Estate; Real Estate Law)
• Justin Luger (Commercial Litigation)
• Paul Ryder (Employment Law Management)
• Clifford A. Schulman (Environmental Law, Land Use and Zoning Law)
• Joseph H. Serota (Commercial Litigation)
• Eduardo M. Soto (Real Estate Law)
• Richard Jay Weiss (Government Relations Practice) 
• Laura Wendell (Appellate Practice)
• David M. Wolpin (Employment Law – Management; Government Relations Practice)
• Jake Bland (Ones to Watch: Commercial Litigation; Litigation – Construction)
• Daniela Cimo (Ones to Watch: Land Use and Zoning Law)
• Roger C. Pou (Pnes to Watch: Municipal Law)
• Caroline G. Saiz (Ones to Watch: Litigation – Labor and Employment)
• Samantha W. Soto (Ones to Watch: Labor and Employment Law – Management; Litigation – Labor and Employment)
• Alejandro Uribe (Ones to Watch: Land Use and Zoning Law)

Fort Lauderdale

• Mitchell J. Burnstein (Commercial Litigation; Eminent Domain and Condemnation Law)
• Jamie A. Cole (Commercial Litigation)
• Paul R. Gougelman (Land Use and Zoning Law)
• Michael J. Kurzman (Construction Law; Litigation – Construction)
• Matthew H. Mandel (Commercial Litigation)
• Eric L. Stettin (Commercial Litigation)
• Susan L. Trevarthen (Land Use and Zoning Law)
• Peter D. Waldman (Eminent Domain and Condemnation Law)
• Anne R. Flanigan (Ones to Watch: Appellate Practice; Civil Right Law; Commercial Litigation)
• Narinah Jean-Baptiste (Ones to Watch: Municipal Law)
• Scott Mullin (Ones to Watch: Commercial Litigation)
• Alison F. Smith (Ones to Watch: Labor and Employment Law – Management)

Boca Raton

• Howard D. DuBosar (Commercial Litigation)
• Andrew S. Maurodis (Land Use and Zoning Law)
• Brett J. Schneider (Litigation – Labor and Employment, Employment Law – Management)
• Harrison R. DuBosar (Ones to Watch: Appellate Practice; Commercial Litigation) 
• Ryan Hudak (Ones to Watch: Labor and Employment Law – Management)

Tampa, FL

• Sarah L. Johnston (Government Relations Practice)

The post WSHC+B Attorneys Selected For Inclusion In The Best Lawyers In America 2024 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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Last week, Judge Alan Fine said he won’t hold an injunction hearing before the Miami Grand Prix begins May 6, denying a request by Miami Gardens residents who say noise from the event could cause hearing damage. He determined that the evidence presented in opposition to the event was “highly speculative.”

Joe, Chad, and Laura effectively prevented the economic loss of an estimated $300 million dollars, which could have been the result of canceling the F1 Miami Grand Prix races so close to the event date.

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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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TIMING

• Funds must be spent by December 31, 2024.
• Large cities will receive direct funding from the Federal Government within 60 days.
• Small cities will receive funds through the State. The Federal Government will distribute the funds to the State within 60 days, which will have 30 days to distribute funding to the Cities.
• Funds will be distributed in two tranches.

USE OF FUNDS

• To respond to the public health emergency with respect to COVID–19.
• Replacement of revenues lost due to the COVID-19 public health emergency
• Premium pay or grants for essential workers.
• Assistance to small businesses, households, and hard-hit industries, and economic recovery.
• Investments in water, sewer, or broadband infrastructure.

The information contained in this document does not constitute legal advice.

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Local, state and federal officials recognize that sea-level rise presents a real danger to properties across Florida. Vulnerable areas have been identified and plans have been developed to address its effects. However, what is missing is a dedicated funding source to tackle this existential problem.

One possible solution is the creation of a resiliency utility. It would have the authority to adopt fees sufficient to plan, construct, operate, acquire and maintain systems identified in a master plan.

Funds could be collected on a property-tax bill and pledged to finance necessary capital improvements. Private entities could administer the utility to shift risk and create better efficiencies. The Florida Legislature should authorize this.

Local governments can plan for sea-level rise, but without a dedicated funding source, such plans will succumb, along with any structures, to the sea.

Chad represents developers and governmental entities in land use, zoning and general government matters. He is also a leader in the field of Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) programs.

 To read the original article in the Miami Herald, click here.

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Federal Guidance Update

On May 4, 2020, the federal government updated its Frequently Asked Questions relating to the CARES Act to provide that a County may share the direct funding it receives under the CARES Act with cities provided that the transfer qualifies as a necessary expenditure incurred due to the public health emergency and meets the other criteria of Section 601(d) of the Social Security Act. This is an important update to the previous guidance that provided that States may share CARES Act funding with cities.

Click here for more information.

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