Of the 47 lawyers recognized, 12 of the firm’s attorneys were recognized for the very first time and 14 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)
• Lillian Arango (Real Estate Law)
• Maria Victoria Currais (Real Estate Law)
• Jeffrey Decarlo (Commercial Litigation, Public Finance Law)
• Alan K. Fertel (Sports Law)
• Chad S. Friedman (Land Use and Zoning Law, Real Estate Law)
• Jessika Arce Graham (Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization 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)
• Anthony L. Recio (Land Use and Zoning Law)
• 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 K. Wendell (Appellate Practice)
• David M. Wolpin (Employment Law – Management, Government Relations Practice)
• Daniela Cimo (Ones to Watch: Land Use and Zoning Law)
• Kelsie Elmer (Ones to Watch: Real Estate Law)
• Roger C. Pou (Ones to Watch: Municipal Law)
• 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

• Daniel L. Abbott (Litigation – Land Use and Zoning)
• Mitchell J. Burnstein (Commercial Litigation, Eminent Domain and Condemnation Law)
• Jamie A. Cole (Commercial Litigation)
• Alicia Gonzalez (Real Estate Law)
• Paul 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)
• Isabella Falcon (Ones to Watch: Commercial Litigation)
• Anne Reilly Flanigan (Ones to Watch: Appellate Practice, Civil Rights Law, Commercial Litigation)
• Narinah Jean-Baptiste (Ones to Watch: Municipal Law)
• Bryan C. Siddique (Ones to Watch: Commercial Litigation)
• Alison F. Smith (Ones to Watch: Labor and Employment Law – Management)
• Blayne Yudis (Ones to Watch: Commercial Litigation)

Boca Raton

• Howard D. Dubosar (Commercial Litigation, Litigation – Bankruptcy)
• Andrew S. Maurodis (Land Use and Zoning Law)
• Brett J. Schneider (Employment Law – Management, Labor Law – Union, Litigation – Labor and Employment)
• David N. Tolces (Real Estate Law)
• Ethan Goldstein (Ones to Watch: Commercial Litigation)
• Ryan Hudak (Ones to Watch: Labor and Employment Law – Management)
• Jeremy S. Rosner (Ones to Watch: Commercial Litigation)

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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)

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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.

The post 2021 South Florida Legal Guide Recognizes WSHC+B as a Top Law Firm and 17 Attorneys as Top Lawyers 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 Bierman
• Mitchell Burnstein
• Jamie Cole
• Ignacio Del Valle
• Alan Fertel
• Edward Guedes
• Michael Kurzman
• John Quick
• Anthony Recio
• Brett Schneider
• Clifford Schulman
• Joseph Serota
• Richard Weiss

Top Up and Comers

• Justin Luger
• Edward Martos
• Alicia Gonzalez

Click here to view the full 2020 South Florida Legal Guide.

The post South Florida Legal Guide Recognizes 16 Attorneys from Weiss Serota Helfman Cole & Bierman in 2020 Edition appeared first on Weiss Serota Helfman Cole + Bierman.

We are so very proud that 12 of our attorneys have been named to the South Florida Legal Guide List of Top Lawyers and Top Up & Comers:

Top Lawyers

RICHARD JAY WEISS                        Government

JOSEPH H. SEROTA                          Corporate and Business Litigation,                                                                    Government Litigation

JAMIE A. COLE                                 Government Litigation, Corporate, &                                                                Business Litigation

MITCHELL A. BIERMAN                     Government Relations, Litigation

GILBERTO PASTORIZA                      Real Estate – Land Use and Zoning

CLIFFORD A. SCHULMAN                   Environmental, Real Estate – Land Use &                                                           Zoning

ALAN K. FERTEL                               Entertainment and Sports, Civil Litigation

IGNACIO G. DEL VALLE                     Real Estate, Corporate and Business

ANTHONY L. RECIO                          Real Estate – Land Use and Zoning

Top Up and Comers

ALISON F. SMITH                             Labor and Employment            

JOHN J. QUICK                                Litigation

EDWARD O. MARTOS                        Real Estate – Land Use and Zoning

The post 12 Attorneys Named to South Florida Legal Guide Top Lawyers & Top Up & Comers List appeared first on Weiss Serota Helfman Cole + Bierman.

Mitchell John Burnstein (Real Estate) – As chair of WSH’s Eminent Domain Practice Group, Mitch has served as lead counsel in hundreds of condemnation matters throughout Florida on behalf of public sector clients, private property owners, businesses and utilities. He is a senior trial attorney responsible for handling a wide variety of disputes involving real property. Mitch has served on the Florida Bar’s Eminent Domain Committee since 1993. A Member of the Firm, Mitch also serves as the Partner-in-Charge of the Broward Office.

Jamie A. Cole (Commercial Litigation) – Jamie is a skilled litigator and appellate advocate who represents private and public clients with an emphasis on commercial litigation and governmental matters. A member of our Litigation Division, Jamie has served as special litigation counsel for numerous municipalities and served as lead litigation counsel in lawsuits invalidating SB 360 (a bill relating to growth management) on constitutional grounds. He is also a member of our Local Government Law Division, and currently serves as City Attorney for the cities of Miramar and Weston. Jamie also serves as WSH’s Managing Director.

Jeffrey DeCarlo (Banking & Finance) – Jeff chairs WSH’s Public Finance Practice Group. He has practiced for more than 30 years in public finance and served as counsel on more than 800 bond financings totaling more than $10 billion. His practice includes representation of municipal governments in general matters of public finance. A member of the National Association of Bond Lawyers, Jeff is recognized as in the Bond Buyer’s Municipal Marketplace’s Red Book.

Ignacio G. del Valle (Real Estate) – A Partner in the Firm, Ignacio has more than 37 years experiencing practicing real estate law, including complex public/private transactions. He is a member of our Real Estate Practice Group, and has represented real estate investment funds and other investors in the acquisition, leasing, managing and disposition of numerous properties. Ignacio also serves as a title agent for several major title insurance companies.

Douglas R. Gonzales (Commercial Litigation) – A Partner in the Firm, Doug focuses his practice on general municipal representation, including general and municipal litigation. He serves as the Municipal Prosecutor for the City of Weston, and previously served as the Municipal Prosecutor and Assistant City Attorney for the City of Hollywood. As Chair of WSH’s Asset Forfeiture Group, Doug represents law enforcement agencies that have seized various assets being used in violation of the Florida Contraband Forfeiture Act.

Stephen J. Helfman (Real Estate) – A Founding Member of the Firm, Steve practices in the areas of real estate, zoning, growth management, subdivision law and land development. Steve serves as special real estate and zoning counsel to public companies and real estate development companies. A member of WSH’s Public Land Use and Zoning Practice Group, he has been extensively involved in the preparation of local government comprehensive plans and the adoption of municipal ordinances implementing those plans. Steve holds a Master of Law in Real Estate Finance and Development, and has served on the City of Miami Mayor’s Economic Advisory Council.

Gilberto Pastoriza (Real Estate) – A longtime Member of the Firm, Gil chairs WSH’s Private Land Use and Zoning Practice Group. His expertise covers the entire development spectrum, from property acquisition to certificate of occupancy for completed buildings. Gil has amassed numerous awards in the South Florida legal community for his work in real estate matters.

Gail Serota (Real Estate) – Gail has extensive experience in numerous aspects of commercial real estate transactions. A member of WSH’s Real Estate Practice Group, she has represented governments, developers, and lenders in a wide variety of real property sales, acquisitions, development, financing and leasing. Gail is Of Counsel to the Firm.

Joseph H. Serota (Commercial Litigation) – One of the Firm’s Founding Members, Joe has extensive experience representing private and public entities throughout South Florida in an array of matters from governmental to complex civil litigation. A skilled trial attorney and appellate advocate, Joe is a member of WSH’s Litigation Division and Appellate Practice Group, and has numerous reported opinions to his credit.

Author(s): Brooke P. Dolara

The post WSH Attorneys Recognized as appeared first on Weiss Serota Helfman Cole + Bierman.

Richard Jay Weiss (Top Lawyer) – Founding Member Richard Jay Weiss was named the 2012 Miami Government Relations Practice Lawyer of the Year by BestLawyers. He is an AV rated attorney who serves as City Attorney for Homestead and Village Attorney for Bal Harbour. A member of our Local Government Law Division, Richard focuses his practice on governmental and municipal law advice and guidance to both private sector and public sector clients.

Joseph H. Serota (Top Lawyer) – Founding Member Joseph Serota is an experienced trial and appellate attorney with numerous reported opinions to his credit. A member of our Litigation Division, he has extensive experience representing both municipal and private clients in all phases of litigation.

Stephen J. Helfman (Top Lawyer) – Founding Member Stephen Helfman serves as Village Attorney for both Indian Creek and Key Biscayne, as well as Town Attorney for Golden Beach. He is a member of the Florida Planning & Zoning Association, and has served as a member of the Coral Gables Planning & Zoning Board.

Gilberto Pastoriza (Top Lawyer) – Member Gilberto Pastoriza chairs our Private Land Use and Zoning Practice Group. He has successfully represented numerous private and public sector clients in obtaining all types of governmental approvals for property development. He has extensive experience with code enforcement issues and mitigation of code enforcement liens and fines.

Jamie A. Cole (Top Lawyer) – Managing Director Jamie Cole is a skilled litigator and appellate advocate who represents private and public clients with an emphasis on commercial litigation and governmental matters. He has served as special litigation counsel for numerous municipalities; he also serves as City Attorney for the cities of Miramar and Weston.

Nina L. Boniske (Top Lawyer) – Member Nina Boniske concentrates her practice primarily on the representation of newly-formed municipalities and public/private partnerships. She is Board Certified by the Florida Bar in City, County and Local Government Law. She currently serves as Village Attorney for Islamorada and City Attorney for North Bay Village.

Mitchell A. Bierman (Top Lawyer) – Member Mitchell Bierman chairs our Airports and Aviation Services Group; his work includes winning and negotiating large public contracts, public/private partnerships, public infrastructure improvements, and advocating for industry clients on legislative issues affecting their industry. Prior to joining WSH, Mitch served as counsel to Miami International Airport.

Abigail C. Watts-FitzGerald (Top Lawyer) – Partner Abi Watts-FitzGerald routinely serves as outside general counsel to various for-profit and non-profit entities. She has extensive experience representing clients in mergers, acquisitions and divestitures, corporate partnerships, joint ventures and LLCs, tax-exempt organizations, sports and entertainment law and sponsorships, closely held corporations, shareholders agreements, and licensing agreements. SFLG also singled out Abi as a “Distinguished Attorney”; the publication featured an interview with Abi that can be found here.

Edward G. Guedes (Top Lawyer) – Partner Edward Guedes chairs WSH’s Appellate Practice Group, and is Board Certified in Appellate Practice by the Florida Bar. His appellate experience encompasses significant representation medical malpractice defense, premises liability defense, intellectual property, land use and zoning law, election law, constitutional law, and employment and labor defense.

Clifford A. Schulman (Top Lawyer) – Partner Cliff Schulman chairs WSH’s Environmental Law Group, focusing his practice in zoning, growth management, subdivision law and land development. He has served as Chairman of the Florida Bar’s Committee on Land Use and Environmental Law.

Gary L. Brown (Top Lawyer) – Partner Gary Brown chairs WSH’s Construction Group. He is Board Certified by the Florida Bar in Construction Law, and practices general commercial and business litigation, handling both complex and routine matters for clients with special expertise in construction-related matters.

Ignacio G. Del Valle (Top Lawyer) – A member of WSH’s Real Estate Group, Partner Ignacio Del Valle has extensive experience in complex public/private transactions, real estate negotiations, acquisitions, sales, financing, construction, management and leasing of commercial, residential and industrial properties. He also serves as title agent for several major title insurance companies.

Matthew H. Mandel (Top Lawyer) – As Chair of WSH’s Litigation Division, Partner Matt Mandel has extensive litigation and trial experience at both the State and Federal levels for municipal and private clients alike. Matt also has extensive appellate experience at both the State and Federal levels and has several published decisions to his credit.

Anthony L. Recio (Top Up & Comer) – Partner Tony Recio focuses his practice in the representation of private developers in land use and zoning matters. He has significant experience with complex tax-credit financing guidelines and procedures established by the Department of Housing and Urban Development and Florida Housing Finance Corporation.

Author(s): Brooke P. Dolara

The post WSH Named Top Law Firm by South Florida Legal Guide, Attorneys Also Recognized appeared first on Weiss Serota Helfman Cole + Bierman.

Richard Jay Weiss (Top Lawyer) – Founding Member Richard Jay Weiss was named the 2012 Miami Government Relations Practice Lawyer of the Year by BestLawyers. He is an AV rated attorney who serves as City Attorney for Homestead and Village Attorney for Bal Harbour. A member of our Local Government Law Division, Richard focuses his practice on governmental and municipal law advice and guidance to both private sector and public sector clients.

Joseph H. Serota (Top Lawyer) – Founding Member Joseph Serota is an experienced trial and appellate attorney with numerous reported opinions to his credit. A member of our Litigation Division, he has extensive experience representing both municipal and private clients in all phases of litigation.

Stephen J. Helfman (Top Lawyer) – Founding Member Stephen Helfman serves as Village Attorney for both Indian Creek and Key Biscayne, as well as Town Attorney for Golden Beach. He is a member of the Florida Planning & Zoning Association, and as served as a member of the Coral Gables Planning & Zoning Board.

Gilberto Pastoriza (Top Lawyer) – Member Gilberto Pastoriza chairs our Private Land Use and Zoning Practice Group. He has successfully represented numerous private and public sector clients in obtaining all types of governmental approvals for property development. He has extensive experience with code enforcement issues and mitigation of code enforcement liens and fines.

Jamie A. Cole (Top Lawyer) – Managing Director Jamie Cole is a skilled litigator and appellate advocate who represents private and public clients with an emphasis on commercial litigation and governmental matters. He has served as special litigation counsel for numerous municipalities; he also serves as City Attorney for the cities of Miramar and Weston.

Nina L. Boniske (Top Lawyer) – Member Nina Boniske concentrates her practice primarily on the representation of newly-formed municipalities and public/private partnerships. She is Board Certified by the Florida Bar in City, County and Local Government Law. She currently serves as Village Attorney for Islamorada and City Attorney for North Bay Village.

Mitchell A. Bierman (Top Lawyer) – Member Mitchell Bierman chairs our Airports and Aviation Services Group; his work includes winning and negotiating large public contracts, public/private partnerships, public infrastructure improvements, and advocating for industry clients on legislative issues affecting their industry. Prior to joining WSH, Mitch served as counsel to Miami International Airport.

Abigail C. Watts-FitzGerald (Top Lawyer) – Partner Abi Watts-FitzGerald routinely serves as outside general counsel to various for-profit and non-profit entities. She has extensive experience representing clients in mergers, acquisitions and divestitures, corporate partnerships, joint ventures and LLCs, tax-exempt organizations, sports and entertainment law and sponsorships, closely held corporations, shareholders agreements, and licensing agreements. SFLG also singled out Abi as a “Distinguished Attorney”; the publication featured an interview with Abi that can be found here.

Edward G. Guedes (Top Lawyer) – Partner Edward Guedes chairs WSH’s Appellate Practice Group, and is Board Certified in Appellate Practice by the Florida Bar. His appellate experience encompasses significant representation medical malpractice defense, premises liability defense, intellectual property, land use and zoning law, election law, constitutional law, and employment and labor defense.

Clifford A. Schulman (Top Lawyer) – Partner Cliff Schulman chairs WSH’s Environmental Law Group, focusing his practice in zoning, growth management, subdivision law and land development. He has served as Chairman of the Florida Bar’s Committee on Land Use and Environmental Law.

Gary L. Brown (Top Lawyer) – Partner Gary Brown chairs WSH’s Construction Group. He is Board Certified by the Florida Bar in Construction Law, and practices general commercial and business litigation, handling both complex and routine matters for clients with special expertise in construction-related matters.

Ignacio G. Del Valle (Top Lawyer) – A member of WSH’s Real Estate Group, Partner Ignacio Del Valle has extensive experience in complex public/private transactions, real estate negotiations, acquisitions, sales, financing, construction, management and leasing of commercial, residential and industrial properties. He also serves as title agent for several major title insurance companies.

Matthew H. Mandel (Top Lawyer) – As Chair of WSH’s Litigation Division, Partner Matt Mandel has extensive litigation and trial experience at both the State and Federal levels for municipal and private clients alike. Matt also has extensive appellate experience at both the State and Federal levels and has several published decisions to his credit.

Anthony L. Recio (Top Up & Comer) – Partner Tony Recio focuses his practice in the representation of private developers in land use and zoning matters. He has significant experience with complex tax-credit financing guidelines and procedures established by the Department of Housing and Urban Development and Florida Housing Finance Corporation.

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