• Young Lawyers Division of the Florida Bar Association, Member, 2024-Present
• Annual Luncheon for a Cure for the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation, Committee Member, 2025-Present

Florida

U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida

U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida

U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida

University of Virginia School of Law, J.D., 2022

University of Florida, Heavener School of Business, B.A., cum laude, 2019

Janette Smith is a skilled attorney with a strong background in technology law, public sector representation, and complex contract negotiations. She has substantial experience advising clients on regulatory compliance, artificial intelligence governance, data privacy, and cybersecurity.

Janette has served as general counsel for various government entities and has advised municipalities, school boards, and regulatory agencies on technology procurement, legislative compliance, and risk management. She has successfully structured and negotiated technology contracts to remain compliant with evolving regulations while optimizing efficiency for public and private sector clients.

Janette has also served as a city attorney and held senior legal roles at multiple county and municipal agencies, where she provided guidance on public records, cybersecurity policies, and legislative affairs. Her unique practice makes her a trusted advisor in navigating the intersection of law and emerging technologies.

Professional & Community Involvement

• Florida Bar, 2006-present
  • City, County Local Government, Chair, 2022-2023; Executive Council, 2008-present
  • Commission on Technology, 2017-2019
  • Governmental and Public Policy Advocacy, 2017-2019
• Broward County Bar Association, 2007-present
  • Technology Committee, 2017-2020
  • Legislative Committee, 2016-2018
• Broward County Board of County Commissioners, 2010-2012
  • Resource Recovery Board, 2010-2012
  • Consolidated Communications Committee (4-C), 2011-2012
  • Public Safety 911 Center Task Force, 2010-2011
• Broward League of Cities, 2007-present
  • Fiscal Stewardship Committee, 2011-2012
• Broward County Municipal Clerks Association (BCCMA), 2007-2012
  • Nomination Committee, 2011
  • By-Laws Committee, 2009-2011
  • Scholarship Committee, 2009
• Florida Association of County Attorneys (FACA), 2015-present
• Florida School Board Attorneys Association (FSBAA), 2016-2018
• Florida Municipal Attorneys Association (FMAA), 2007-present
• Florida Court Clerks & Comptrollers (FCCC), 2013-2015
  • Technology Subcommittee, 2013-2015
  • Legal Subcommittee, 2013-2015
  • Public Records and Court Records Best Practices Committee, Chair, 2014-2015
  • Evidence Best Practices Committee, Co-Chair, 2014-2015
• Florida League of Cities (FLC), 2007-2015
• Florida City and County Managers Association (FCCMA)
• Florida Prosecuting Attorneys Association (FPAA), 2012-2013
• International City County Managers Association (ICMA), 2007-2014
  • Governmental Affairs and Policy Committee, 2011-2014
• Lee County Bar Association, 2012-2017
  • Membership Committee Chair, 2013-2016
• Town of Davie, Florida, 2010-2012
  • Parks and Recreation Advisory Board, Vice-Chair, 2010-2012
  • Police Athletic League Advisory Board, 2011-2012
  • Urban Farming Initiative Task Force, Chair, 2010

Presentations

• Navigating the Intersection of Florida Public Records Law, Privacy, Ethics, and Social Media, Florida Bar Association, March 2023
• Current Issues: Trials and Tribulations, Florida Bar Association, April 2023

Publications

• Dissertation Publication: Information Governance: A Study of Technological Advancements and its Effect on Open Government and Public Records in Florida, Florida State University (FSU)

Florida, 2006

• Nova Southeastern University, J.D., 2005

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  Nova Southeastern University, M.B.A., 1999

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  Nova Southeastern University, B.S., 1998

Austin North’s practice involves pre- and post-litigation matters related to insurance coverage disputes with experience representing both domestic and international insurers, including those in the London markets. His practice is focused predominantly on litigating insurance coverage issues related to property and casualty, bad faith, and breach of contract claims in state and federal courts. Prior to joining the firm, Austin worked with multi-state law firms in South Florida, where he gained extensive experience litigating hundreds of cases.

Austin holds a Juris Doctor from the University of Miami School of Law and a B.A. in Political Science from Boston University. He also served as a congressional intern for the late Congressman John Lewis, where he attended congressional hearings and prepared briefings for staff.

Professional & Community Involvement

• Coral Gables Bar Association, Member, 2017

Reported Cases

• Big League Ventures, LLC v. Certain Underwriters at Lloyd’s, London, 2020 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 94944 (S.D. Fl. May 31, 2020)

Florida, 2014

S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida, 2018

U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida, 2018

University of Miami School of Law, J.D.

Boston University, B.A., 2011

English

Kristin Ottinger’s practice focuses on insurance-related litigation as well as education law. It involves handling disputes arising from insurance policies, including defending businesses and government entities in lawsuits, achieving successful outcomes through strategic litigation and settlement strategies, and representing clients in the firm’s education law practice.

Before joining the firm, Kristin defended the City of Tampa in liability cases, handling property damage and bodily injury lawsuits, contract disputes, and acting as the City’s municipal prosecutor in pursuit of ordinance violations. She previously served as in-house counsel for one of the largest insurance companies in the U.S., where she managed all phases of litigation and provided legal advice and representation for the company in both property and bodily injury coverage disputes.

Kristin is adept in both civil and criminal law, having managed her own practice for four years, following her tenure as criminal prosecutor with the State of Florida. With over two decades of experience as an attorney, Kristin has successfully participated in over 80 jury trials and more than 100 bench trials.

Kristin graduated from the Stetson University College of Law, where she was a Legal Writing Honor Society member, a Client Counseling competitive team member, and was awarded the William F. Blews Pro Bono Service Award.

Florida, 2000

U.S. Supreme Court, 2018

Stetson University College of Law, Juris Doctor, 2000

University of Florida, B.S. Psychology,1997

Cesar Francia represents artists, businesses, and entrepreneurs in immigration, intellectual property, corporate, and government matters.

With a decade of experience in corporate law, Francia has handled complex commercial litigation matters, internal and government investigations, as well as white-collar, money laundering, and anti-corruption matters. Born in Venezuela, Francia focuses at WSHC+B on filing business and family immigration visa petitions for investor entrepreneurs, specialty occupation professionals, talent, and multi-national executive transferees.

An artist in his own right, Francia counsels entertainers, media professionals, and music executives in intellectual property matters, registration with the U.S. Patent and Trademark office, contractual agreements, and immigration visas based on extraordinary ability.

In the non-profit space, Francia worked as a consulting attorney at UNICEF handling a wide range of investigations and has focused his pro-bono practice on efforts to achieve marriage equality in Latin America, while serving as Board Member of LGBTQ+ rights organization Somos Familia.

Francia graduated from New York University (NYU) with a bachelor’s in international politics and worked as Aide to the Chambers of Justice Sonia Sotomayor at the Supreme Court of the U.S. before attending NYU School of Law.

Professional & Community Involvement

• Council on Foreign Relations, Term Member, 2020-2022
• International Bar Association, Human Rights Law Committee, Latin American Officer, 2018-2020
• New York Bar Association, Inter-American Affairs Committee, 2016-2017

Press Mentions

• #NBCLatino20: Exporter of Equality, Cesar Francia, NBC News, October 11, 2017

Awards & Recognition

• World Economic Forum, Global Shaper, 2014-2018
• Morrison Foerster, Pro Bono Star, 2018
• Arent Fox, Pro Bono Award, 2016, 2017
• Paul & Daisy Soros Fellowship for New Americans
• American Bar Association (ABA) Legal Opportunity Scholarship

New York, 2015

New Jersey, 2015

Washington, D.C., 2016

New York University School of Law, J.D., 2014

New York University, B.A., 2010

Aaron Graubert is an associate in the firm’s Litigation Division, where he represents clients in a wide variety of matters with an emphasis on municipal litigation.

Prior to joining the firm, Aaron honed his appellate and litigation support skills at two Miami-based firms. His responsibilities included conducting in-depth legal research, drafting dispositive motions, including motions for summary judgment, motions to dismiss, motions to vacate defaults, and other responsive motions, as well as providing other substantive litigation support.

Aaron worked as a legislative assistant in Washington, D.C., where he tracked and summarized legislation, wrote memoranda for Congressional hearings, advised clients on COVID-19 relief disbursements, and made appropriations requests for community funding projects.

As a law student, in 2019, the B’nai B’rith Justice Unit #2507 selected him as a Maurice Berkowitz Summer Fellow. During his fellowship, he worked with legal aid providers in Broward County, including the Legal Aid Service of Broward County and the Coast-to-Coast Legal Aid of South Florida. In this role, he worked closely with clients and attorneys on immigration issues.

While studying at the University Miami School of Law, he was a Charles C. Papy, Jr. Moot Court Board Member and competed in the 70th Annual National Moot Court Competition, reaching the playoff rounds. Aaron earned his law degree from the University of Miami School of Law and his Bachelor’s degree cum laude from the University of Florida.

Press Mentions

• University of Miami law student Aaron Graubert selected as the 2019 Fellow, Legal Aid Service of Broward County, June 25, 2019

Florida, 2021
Washington, D.C. Bar, 2022 (inactive)
U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida, 2022

The University of Miami School of Law, J.D., 2020

University of Florida, B.A., cum laude, 2017

Emma Rodgers focuses her practice on real estate law. Before joining WSHC+B as an attorney, she clerked for the firm, gaining hands-on experience working alongside WSHC+B partners on business and commercial real estate transactions, drafting land use documents for local municipalities, and negotiating entertainment service contracts.

In 2023, she graduated from the University of Miami School of Law with her Juris Doctor and LL.M. in Real Property Development. Emma also graduated with two Bachelor of Science degrees in sociology and criminal justice from Clemson University Honors College.

In addition to her legal work, Emma co-founded Lauren-Elizabeth Jewels, a nonprofit that supports oppressed women and children asylum seekers.

Awards & Recognition

• Dean’s Merit Scholarship, University of Miami School of Law, 2020-2023

Professional & Community Involvement

• Co-founder, Lauren-Elizabeth Jewels

Press Mentions

• WSHC+B Makes Several Key Additions Across South Florida, Citybiz, December 11, 2024

Florida, 2023

University of Miami School of Law, LL.M. in Real Property Development, 2023

University of Miami School of Law, J.D., 2023

Clemson University Honors College, B.S., 2020

• Martindale-Hubbell, AV® Preeminent rated
• South Florida Business & Wealth Legal Award, Leadership in Law, 2022
• Super Lawyers Rising Star, 2016-2022

Reported Cases

• JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., v. Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., 103 So.3d 282 (Fla. 5th DCA 2010)

Clerkship

• Externship servicing as a Clerk for Judge James P. Nilon, Eighth Judicial Circuit of Florida, Spring 2007

Florida, 2008

U.S. Court of Appeals, 11th Circuit

U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida

U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida

U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida

U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Florida

University of Florida Levin College of Law, J.D., cum laude, 2008

Florida International University Honors College, B.A. in Political Science and B.A. in Economics, magna cum laude, 2004

Pooja Patel works with public and private sector employers to analyze their compliance with labor and employment laws and to help mitigate potential future legal problems.

When litigation arises, she is experienced in representing employers in claims involving the Americans with Disabilities Act, Age Discrimination in Employment Act, Family and Medical Leave Act, the Fair Labor Standards Act, and other federal and state anti-discrimination laws. She has represented employers in state, local, and federal administrative proceedings throughout the United States by conducting related investigations and preparing position statements.

Pooja holds a Bachelor of Arts from the University of British Columbia and obtained her J.D. from Florida International University College of Law. While attending law school, she served as a Judicial Intern for The Honorable William L. Thomas for the Eleventh Judicial Circuit Court of Florida and interned for the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.

Professional & Community Involvement

• Miami-Dade Guardian ad Litem Program, Attorney Ad Litem, 2016

Publications

• Contributing Author for Annual Report on EEOC Developments, 2022 and 2023

Press Mentions

• WSHC+B Makes Several Key Additions Across South Florida, Citybiz, December 11, 2024

Florida, 2024

U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida, 2021

U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida, 2021

Florida International University College of Law, J.D., 2020

• Honors: Dean’s List; Dean’s Scholar; Excellence in Civic Engagement Medallion
• North American South Asian Law Student Association, Internal Vice President

University of British Columbia, B.A. in Psychology, 2014