This ruling will have a statewide impact on the disclosure of information related to police-involved shootings and potentially other police-community interactions. By setting this precedent, the Court has substantially advanced the discourse on public access to information and the balance of individual rights within the justice system.

John is both a local government attorney and a litigator. In his role as counsel for municipal clients, John handles land use and zoning matters, statutory and code interpretation issues, ethics concerns, taxation and budget matters, special assessments, police and fire issues, disability accommodations, public development and historic preservation.

Ed is Board Certified in Appellate Practice by the Florida Bar and is chair of the firm’s Appellate Practice Group. He has litigated dozens of appeals before the Florida Supreme Court, Florida’s district courts of appeal and the U.S. Courts of Appeals in a wide variety of matters, including medical malpractice, premises liability, probate, First Amendment and constitutional litigation, family law, state and federal administrative rule-making and regulation, home rule authority and preemption, election law, civil rights, land use and zoning, intellectual property and labor and employment issues.

The post WSHC+B Partners John Quick and Edward Guedes Played a Significant Role in a Landmark Florida Supreme Court Decision 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.

The post WSHC+B attorneys named among Top Lawyers and Top Up and Comers in the 2022 South Florida Legal Guide appeared first on Weiss Serota Helfman Cole + Bierman.

Joseph Serota was recognized as a 2022 Best Mentor. One of the firm’s founding members and the firm’s first managing director, Joe’s leadership over the past three decades has helped to grow WSHC+B into a leading Florida law firm for business and government clients. In addition to his full-time legal work and other professional and community endeavors, Joe carves out time to be a resource and mentor for new attorneys at his firm, inspiring and informing our next generation of legal professionals in South Florida.

John Quick was also recognized as a 2022 Unsung Hero. John’s work positively impacts Miami-Dade County’s community relations, public safety, and quality of life through his robust law practice and vast community involvement. As one of only a few attorneys in Florida to serve as a civilian oversight practitioner, John is recognized as a Certified Practitioner of Oversight by the National Association for Civilian Oversight of Law Enforcement. He serves as Independent Counsel to the City of Miami Civilian Investigative Panel, Chair of the Miami-Dade County Community Relations Board, and President of the Parks Foundation of Miami-Dade.

Last but not least, the firm’s real estate department, led by Joe Hernandez, was recognized in the Real Estate Transactions category for its work on deals totaling more than $2.5 billion. These projects include a ground lease for the Bahia Mar Marina and mixed-use development in Fort Lauderdale, a joint-venture agreement for the E11even Residences development in downtown Miami, and a pending ground lease in the City of Miami. 

Joe, John, and the firm’s real estate team will be honored at the publication’s Florida Legal Awards event on May 19.

To view the full list of honorees, click here.

The post WSHC+B recognized by DBR Florida Legal Awards in Three Categories appeared first on Weiss Serota Helfman Cole + Bierman.

As South Florida’s industry sectors become increasingly diversified, the legal landscape has become more complex, with clients demanding a high level of service and sophistication in all practice areas. SFBW understands how much the region’s success depends on top-flight attorneys and are celebrating their accomplishments, acumen, and dedication with the Legal Awards.

John will be officially recognized as the Social Impact Honoree, during the in-person joint Awards Ceremony and Legal Guide Release Party on November 4th, 2021, at the Museum of Discovery and Science.

Click here for more information about the event.

The post WSHC+B Partner Recognized as Social Impact Honoree for the South Florida Business & Wealth 2021 Legal Awards appeared first on Weiss Serota Helfman Cole + Bierman.

In June 2019, the City of Miami Gardens applied for a boundary change with the Miami-Dade Clerk of the Board. An advertised public hearing took place, and the proposed boundary change was approved. The annexation remains unfinalized, however, the appellants claimed the annexation would cause irreparable harm to them.

The city and county said there were still many steps to go before the county commission’s final consideration of the decision and since the annexation was not finalized, it could not cause irreparable harm.

Firm partner, Edward Guedes, said “The Third District Court of Appeal correctly understood that our system of government, as encompassed by the separation-of-powers doctrine, doesn’t allow the judicial branch to interfere with ongoing political or legislative processes such as the county’s evaluation of Miami Gardens’ annexation request.”

Weiss Serota Helfman Cole & Bierman P.L. partner John Quick followed up stating “rather than side with the plaintiffs, which would have effectively thwarted the voice of the people and our elected officials, the courts stood aside — as they should at this stage — and allowed the legislative process to proceed.”

The appellate panel agreed with Miami-Dade Circuit Court Judge Valerie Manno Schurr, who found the appellants lacked jurisdiction.

Click here to read the full article.

The post WSHC+B Successfully Represents the City Of Miami Gardens in a Land Annexation Challenge appeared first on Weiss Serota Helfman Cole + Bierman.

“We need to make sure people aren’t surprised by what they can and can’t do.” John stated that business owners and the property owners also need to be aware of the regulations.

Police in Miami Beach are working to make sure the streets remain safe during Memorial Day Weekend. They have a plan in place to avoid the chaos seen in the area during spring break. The city announced steps like restricting access to residential neighborhoods and suspending rentals of scooters and other specialized vehicles, like golf carts, scooters and the like.

Additionally, some of the high impact measures include no alcohol and setting capacity limits on beaches. Police will also be using license plate readers on main corridors coming into the city.

Click here to watch the full video.

The post John Quick Comments on Officials’ Plan to Keep Miami Beach Under Control During Memorial Day Weekend 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.

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.

“Come and be smart,” John said. “We are still going through a pandemic–be respectful of our regulations, be respectful of our laws, and have a good time, but have a good time within the confines of what’s going on within the pandemic.”

“We’ve been dealing with this for a year now and we want to make sure that our hard work has paid off and will continue to pay off,” he said.

Click here to watch the full video.

Additional press includes:

CNN: Miami Beach officials say they’re prepared for another weekend of large spring break crowds

NBC 6: Miami Beach Restaurants Impacted By Spring Break Crowds

Miami Cop Talk: Robert Asencio and Raul Correa talk with John Quick, Attorney and Independent Counsel for City of Miami Civilian Investigative Panel

The post John Quick speaks to Channel 4 News about mitigating the spread of COVID-19 during spring break appeared first on Weiss Serota Helfman Cole + Bierman.

As we close out October, we now enter what is one of my favorite American pastimes, outside of Thanksgiving, that also happens to be one of our most divisive — national general elections.

This year is no different, and in many ways has been more divisive than past elections. Still, I would not trade it for the alternative. As Americans, regardless of our family origins, we have the opportunity to select our leader and to do so while openly discussing difficult and complex issues that the country is grappling with.

Moreover, in America, the president is not elected by a parliamentary vote or by dictatorial fiat as in other countries. Instead, that decision rests in the hands of the American electorate.

Many historians have described American democracy as the “Great Experiment.” Far greater thinkers than I have cited to our elections as the hallmark of a free society. While I agree with them as to the importance of elections, I disagree in one regard. I think that the true hallmark of our society — and one of the elements that has so far made this Great Experiment a successful one — is the post-election process where we transition from campaigning to leading.

Going into Election Day, many of us have made up our minds for whom we will vote, while others remain undecided or indifferent. Some are Democrats, some are Republicans and many others are something else. Regardless, as we leave Election Day and move forward into a new year, we have generally come back together as Americans and moved forward.

This is not to say that our great country has not had to deal with many deeply rooted issues or that we do not still need to do so (or even that the pace of discussion has been what many had hoped). But by moving forward as one, we are able to overcome division and, it is hoped, address old issues and tackle new ones.

That said, this cannot happen if we do not come together after the election as Americans to guide this country into the future. As a result, whether you want to “Build Back Better,” “Make America Great Again” or support something else, it is important for us all to remember that every resident of this country experiences a range of emotions, from happiness to heartache, just like everyone else.

Whether we will continue with an existing administration or transition to a new one, civil discourse and human understanding should lead the way on Election Day and beyond. That is what makes American democracy unique and, frankly, is what we should all stand for.

While some may call this view naïve, it is important to remind everyone that this is not a novel concept and has certainly not been a naïve one during the past more than 200 years. Some of our recent past leaders have told us just that, whether by reminding us that, “All great change starts at the dinner table” or that, sometimes, there is a need to “get in good trouble, necessary trouble.”

The hallmark of each is that this is something that is done together as Americans. Working together is how we thrive as a nation and as a community. We cannot allow those who seek to divide us to succeed — whether those pressures are external or come from within.

I urge you to vote and have your voice heard. Then, when the polls close on Election Day, be ready to move forward with your fellow Americans for, make no mistake, we are the ones who will guide this country. While many pundits point to our leadership to determine whether America is a world leader, this assertion provides a false narrative. It is not leaders who should guide us; rather, we, as Americans, should instruct our leaders and determine our standing in the world. Come Nov. 4, we must be ready to do this together.

John is chair of the Miami-Dade County Community Relations Board, Criminal Justice and Law Enforcement Committee and Certified Practitioner of Oversight by the National Association for Civilian Oversight of Law Enforcement.

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

To read the original article in El Nuevo Herald in Spanish, click here.

The post In Miami-Dade, I urge you to vote. Then when the polls close, be ready to move forward | Opinion appeared first on Weiss Serota Helfman Cole + Bierman.

Citizen Advisory Initiatives, such as investigatory boards, enable local governments to provide residents a means with which to independently participate in and make recommendations regarding law enforcement practice and procedure.  Panels are often responsible for making recommendations regarding complaints about police conduct, though the community boards do not have authority to impose discipline.  Municipalities also may grant such panels authority to review and provide non-binding input regarding policies and procedures.  The boards afford municipalities an additional forum for community involvement and buy-in.

There are numerous legal issues regarding the formation and implementation of these board and the scope of their authority.  Municipalities that are interested in exploring the creation of a board must carefully assess these issues, including the limitations imposed by the Florida Police Officers’ Bill of Rights contained in Chapter 112, Florida Statutes.  For example, in D’Agastino v. City of Miami, 220 So. 3d 410 (Fla. 2017), the Florida Supreme Court held that the Police Officers’ Bill of Rights did not preempt the City from creating its Citizen Investigation Panel because that panel was carefully formed to avoid impinging responsibilities delegated exclusively to law enforcement agencies.

If your agency is interested in exploring the creation of a Community Oversight Board or you have any questions related thereto, please feel free to reach out to us to discuss.

The post Understanding Law Enforcement Citizen Review Panels appeared first on Weiss Serota Helfman Cole + Bierman.