Ed Guedes, Chair of the firm’s Appellate Practice Group, was ranked in Litigation: Appellate – Florida. One commentator observed, Ed “is very well respected among the appellate bench,” while another stated, “Ed is a very prominent, local lawyer. He specializes in representing local government entities and is very knowledgeable and effective in this field.”

Cliff Schulman was recognized as “Senior Statesperson” in Environment – Florida and Real Estate: Zoning/Land Use – Florida. Clients say, “Clifford is very good and one of the best lawyers over in Miami-Dade County.”

The Chambers USA guide annually ranks preeminence in key practice areas and achievements of law firms and lawyers throughout the country. The qualities on which individual lawyers are ranked, includes their legal knowledge and experience, their ability, their effectiveness and their client-service.

To view the full guide, click here.

The post WEISS SEROTA HELFMAN COLE + BIERMAN ATTORNEYS RECOGNIZED BY CHAMBERS AND PARTNERS appeared first on Weiss Serota Helfman Cole + Bierman.

Joe Hernandez is a sought-after transactional real estate lawyer and leads the firm’s real estate practice. Cayla Ross represents hotel, condominium and retail developers in commercial real estate development and financing transactions, joint venture deals, acquisitions, dispositions and leasing matters.

The post WSHC+B team successfully closed the sale of a $6 million parcel on behalf of Allapattah-based client Easterseals South Florida 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.

Despite preventative HOA rules, many homeowners can’t resist renting out their idyllic ocean-side units. Joe, who represents the owners’ association at a 250-unit condominium, explained that the oceanfront community where the condo is located has gotten “a lot of cases where buildings that were meant to be apartments were actually becoming transient-use hotels, and it was leading to a lot of problems.” While citizens should follow rules and regulations related to Airbnb, developing a high-rise condo that has determined short-term rental rules from the start can minimize conflicts.

As a sought-after transactional real estate and business lawyer, Joe has developed a particular niche representing condominium associations and cooperative corporations being pursued by developers for acquisition of the units and termination of the condominium or cooperative. He coordinates a multi-disciplinary approach in order to counsel clients in navigating the myriad of legal issues faced by associations and unit owners in these situations. He also represents condominium associations, community associations, developers of condominium projects, and groups of unit owners in a variety of condominium law and community association matters, including turnovers, dispute resolution, casualties, and construction defects issues.

Click here to read more.

The post Joseph M. Hernandez discusses conflicting perspectives on short-term rental restrictions in Miami appeared first on Weiss Serota Helfman Cole + Bierman.

Maria’s work produced a win-win for all parties. “If the buyer, seller and their respective attorney work in a cooperative manner, it is much easier to resolve any issues that arise throughout the transaction,” she said, encapsulating the WSHC+B approach to complex transactions.

Maria’s practice includes complex real estate, banking, and public finance matters with an emphasis on commercial real estate transactions.

Click here to read the full article.

The post Maria Currais discusses successful $25 million deal with the Daily Business Review appeared first on Weiss Serota Helfman Cole + Bierman.

According to Colliers’ second-quarter retail market report, Downtown Miami’s total retail space vacancy is at 20% going for $55.13 on average direct asking retail rate. On the other hand, Brickell’s retail space vacancy is at 7.6% and $58.19 average direct asking rental rate.

 “There’s a lot more people who live in the south Brickell area who will still go shopping and eat-out in the area, who are the natural audience for those retail establishments and are keeping them afloat throughout the pandemic,” Hernandez explained.

 Click here for the full article.

The post Joseph Hernandez Discusses Retail Vacancy Differences Between Brickell and Downtown Miami in Miami Today appeared first on Weiss Serota Helfman Cole + Bierman.

Florida Trend invited all actively practicing Florida lawyers to name the attorneys that they hold in highest regard – lawyers with whom they have personally worked and would recommend to others.

The following attorneys received the Legal Elite designation in 2021.

Miami

Joseph H. Serota – Commercial Litigation – Hall of Fame
Joseph M. Hernandez – Real Estate

Fort Lauderdale

Mitchell J. Burnstein – Eminent Domain

Boca Raton

Ronald S. Nisonson – Business Law

Click here to view Florida Trend’s Legal Elite 2021.

The post WSHC+B Attorneys Recognized as 2021 Florida Legal Elite appeared first on Weiss Serota Helfman Cole + Bierman.

“We were able to reach a resolution with the developer, where the developer was taking over some of the expenses that the association would otherwise have had to pay,” Joseph said.

The dispute arose when unit owners contested a new five-story, 65-unit condominium project called Markers Grove Isle. Developers and new landowners wanted to close the facilities the unit owners frequently used and rebuild. The Third District Court of Appeal affirmed an amended agreement between Grove Isle Association and Grove Isle Yacht & Tennis Club LLC, Grove Isle Club, Inc. and Grove Isle Associates LLP, the defendants in the case.

Joseph, the lead attorney in this case and 10 other attorneys from WSHC+B, represented Grove Isle Association. Joseph said compromise between the parties played a huge part in the settlement. He also said the lawsuit shows homeowners should know that development can be opposed and that they aren’t powerless in raising legitimate issues. 

“People do have rights to contest development and judges listen to them. We were able to show that we did have rights that prevented the developer from doing what the developer intended,” Joseph said.

Click here to read the full article.

The post Joseph H. Serota Discusses with the Daily Business Review His Recent Favorable Settlement on Behalf of Grove Isle, After a 6-Year Fight appeared first on Weiss Serota Helfman Cole + Bierman.

Ed Guedes, Chair of the Appellate Practice Group, was ranked in Litigation: Appellate – Florida. Clients say he is “an excellent advocate,” and “he is an outstanding lawyer and very good to work with.”

Cliff Schulman was recognized as “Senior Statesperson” in Environment – Florida and Real Estate: Zoning/Land Use – Florida. Sources say Cliff is “a very bright and very experienced attorney” and that he is “an exceptionally good lawyer.”

Joseph Hernandez was recognized for his excellence in Real Estate Law – Florida category. One commenter stated “he’s very personable and a pleasure to work with. A quick, efficient, ‘no drama’ and very knowledgeable attorney.”

The Chambers USA guide annually ranks preeminence in key practice areas and achievements of law firms and lawyers throughout the country. The qualities on which individual lawyers are ranked, includes their legal knowledge and experience, their ability, their effectiveness and their client-service.

To view the full guide, click here.

The post Weiss Serota Helfman Cole + Bierman Attorneys Recognized By Chambers And Partners appeared first on Weiss Serota Helfman Cole + Bierman.

“An estoppel certificate is a signed statement usually by a tenant (either residential or commercial) certifying as true particular facts related to the lease,” Joe told Rent.com

An estoppel certificate is usually required of a tenant when the leased property is being sold. In some cases, it’s required when property finance occurs. “A purchaser of an apartment building with 50 units would want to have the assurance that all tenants are paying their rent, there’s no dispute between the tenant and landlord, no defaults, deposits have been made, etc.,” Joe said.

Joe told Rent.com that you can usually find in your lease if you are required to respond and sign an estoppel letter but advises that even if it is not required, it is still usually a good idea to cooperate.

“If there are defaults or other issues that must be disclosed in the estoppel certificate, a tenant may need to seek counsel to assist in responding to such a request. It may be advisable for a tenant to seek legal counsel for assistance with determining what facts are in existence and reviewing the language for the estoppel certificate,” Joe said

Click here to read the full article.

The post Joe Hernandez comments on estoppel certificates appeared first on Weiss Serota Helfman Cole + Bierman.