Wayne M. Pathman (Partner) born Miami Beach, Florida, August 25, 1959; admitted to bar, 1986, Florida. Education: University of South Florida (B.S., cum laude, 1981); Florida State University (J.D., 1985). Wayne M. Pathman is a partner with the Miami law firm of Pathman Lewis, LLP. He heads the environmental/land use and zoning sections of the firm. Mr. Pathman's experience covers all aspects of commercial law, as well as administrative, environmental, land use, zoning and litigation. Among his clients are:
Various automobile dealerships
Insurance companies
Publicly traded distribution companies, hotel groups, and developers of residential and commercial projects
Mr. Pathman has been representing automobile dealerships for more than 15 years. His practice focuses on employing the right combination of resources to effectively achieve the client's desired results in a cost and time effective manner.
He practices before administrative bodies at the municipal, state and federal levels in land use and environmental matters -- often representing clients with problems related to toxic and hazardous waste as well as petroleum-related matters.
He has represented movie production companies in obtaining necessary environmental licensing and permitting from local, state, and federal agencies, and is a guest speaker on environmental and land use matters before various groups.
Mr. Pathman is a member of the Florida Bar's Litigation and Environmental Law Sections, the Miami Beach Chamber of Commerce, Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce, the Mt. Sinai Medical Center Founder's Club, University of Miami/Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, and a board member of The Victory School for autistic children. In addition, he is a member of the fundraising committee to establish a Jewish Community Center on Miami Beach.
Mr. Pathman graduated cum laude with a Bachelor of Science in Political Science and International Law from the University of South Florida. He was a recipient of the Tau Epsilon Phi Memorial Scholarship, Outstanding Undergraduate, 1982 and a member of Phi Kappa Phi. While attending the Florida State University College of Law, he clerked for Chief Judge Larry Smith of the First District Court of Appeals and was a special assistant to Florida Governor Robert Graham.
Among the distinctions Mr. Pathman has earned are recognition as a Heavy Hitter in Real Estate by the South Florida Business Journal in 2004 and 2007, named as a top lawyer in both Florida SuperLawyers and the South Florida Legal Guide in 2007, and a 2007 Finalist for the Key Partners Award from the South Florida Business Journal. Member: Dade County Bar Association (Member, Sections on: Trial Lawyers; Environmental; Land Use); The Florida Bar. Practice Areas: Commercial Litigation; Environmental Law; Land Use Law.Email: Wayne M. Pathman
Harold L. Lewis (Member) born Miami, Florida, November 7, 1959; admitted to bar, 1984, Florida; 1986, U.S. District Court, Southern District of Florida. Education: Duke University (B.A., magna cum laude, 1981); University of Miami (J.D., cum laude, 1984). Harold L. Lewis is a partner of the Miami law firm of Pathman Lewis, LLP, and is head of the firm's real estate and banking, corporate, and transactional departments.
He is an experienced real estate, corporate, and transactional lawyer, whose areas of practice include real estate acquisition and development, real estate and asset based lending, loan workouts and debt restructuring, leasing, business acquisitions and sales, and condominium development. He has written and lectured extensively in such varied areas as loan workouts, bulk purchase and sale of condominiums, short sales, lease negotiations, enforcement and remedies, contract enforcement and cancellation, structuring of commercial loan transactions, green building and sustainability, and Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act. He has been involved with the purchase and development of numerous commercial and residential properties "from the ground up" and has structured numerous sophisticated corporate transactions.
Mr. Lewis is knowledgeable in real property title issues and writes on several nationally recognized title insurance companies.
Mr. Lewis represents numerous businesses, both large and small, and prides himself on providing practical legal and business advice on the day-to-day issues affecting business owners.
Mr. Lewis is currently involved with several residential and commercial condominium projects. He is fully versed with state and federal regulatory issues affecting the development of real estate including the Florida Condominium Act and Interstate Land Sales Act (ILSA).
He received his Bachelor of Arts from Duke University where he graduated magna cum laude in 1981. He attended the University of Miami School of Law where he received his J. D. degree cum laude in 1984, and was a member of the Law Review. Mr. Lewis was admitted to practice in Florida in 1984.
Mr. Lewis is a member of the Florida Bar, the Dade County Bar Association and the American Bar Association. He is a member of the United States District Court, Southern District of Florida. Mr. Lewis previously served five-year tenure as a member of the Board of Directors of the Coral Gables Bar Association and three year tenure on the Board of Directors of the Industrial Association of Dade County (IADC). He is a member of the International Council of Shopping Centers and is currently Program Chair for Miami-Dade County, Florida. He currently serves on the Board of Directors of the Commercial and Industrial Association of South Florida (CIASF).
Mr. Lewis is involved with a number of civic and philanthropic organizations in the South Florida area and is a member of several chambers of commerce. He previously served on the Board of Directors of Jewish Family Services and on the Executive Board and Board of Directors of his temple. Member: Coral Gables (Member, Board of Directors, 1992-1995), Dade County and American Bar Associations; The Florida Bar. Practice Areas: Real Estate; Corporate Law.Email: Harold L. Lewis
Roger Slade (Partner) born Brooklyn, New York, October 17, 1960; admitted to bar, 1989, New York, Connecticut, New Jersey, Florida and U.S. District Court, Southern and Eastern Districts of New York, District of New Jersey and Southern and Middle Districts of Florida. Education: State University of New York at Binghamton (B.A., 1983); Brooklyn Law School (J.D., 1988). Roger Slade is a partner in the Miami law firm of Pathman Lewis, LLP and is the chair of the firm's litigation department. Mr. Slade is an AV rated commercial litigator with over 19 years of business litigation experience. Mr. Slade has established himself as a skilled plaintiff's class action attorney who recently settled a federal class action lawsuit filed on behalf of 565,000 Florida consumers, against a major federal bank, for Fifty Million Dollars. The case, Kehoe v. Fidelity Federal, was litigated at the federal trial and appellate levels and reached the United States Supreme Court before the settlement was achieved.
Throughout his 19 year career, Mr. Slade has handled all types of commercial litigation matters including business fraud, class actions for both plaintiffs and defendants, real estate litigation, and employment discrimination claims. Mr. Slade has developed particular expertise in representing buyers and sellers of real estate in contract disputes. Mr. Slade is an experienced collection attorney who has collected millions of dollars for his clients.
Mr. Slade practiced extensively in New York City at two national law firms before joining Pathman Lewis. Mr. Slade regularly appears in cases throughout the country representing real estate developers and major national chain stores in commercial matters, and is admitted in Florida, New York and Connecticut.
Mr. Slade graduated from the State University of New York at Binghamton and Brooklyn Law School at the top of his class where he was the Managing Editor of the Brooklyn Law Review and also received the American Jurisprudence Award in Constitutional Law.
Mr. Slade is active in his community and is a former member of the Florida Bar Grievance Committee which polices the ethical obligations of attorneys. He has also served as the President of the Doral & Airport West Chamber of Commerce for two years where he was a long-standing board member prior to his presidency. Mr. Slade has also dedicated a portion of his career to representing abused and neglected children in Miami-Dade County, Florida and was recognized for his contribution by the Miami-Dade County Bar Association who bestowed upon Mr. Slade a Pro Bono Award for his efforts.
Mr. Slade was recently appointed to the Board of Directors of the Council for Educational Change, a non-profit Florida based organization focusing on school leadership and student achievement.
Mr. Slade was recently appointed Chairman of the Dade County Bar Association Newsletter Committee and is the author of a monthly column in the publication on litigation skills.
Mr. Slade is also a frequent contributor to scholarly legal publications. He has recently authored the following articles:
· "Protecting and Avoiding Brokerage Commissions," Vol. 23, No. 4, Real Estate Finance (December 2006)
· "Damages for Invasion of Privacy," Vol. 12, No. 2, Consumer & Personal Rights Litigation Newsletter (Spring 2007)
· "Big Brother is Watching You," Vol. 2, No. 4, Privacy & Security Journal (March 2007)
His achievements include: Member, 1986-1988 and Managing Editor, 1986-1987, Brooklyn Law Review. Recipient: Miami-Dade County Pro Bono Award (1999); American Jurisprudence Award: Constitutional Law Seminar; New York State Bar Association Student Ethics Award. Author: Comment, "Federal Obstruction of State Antitrust Enforcement: The Second Circuit Finds No Place for State Participation in the Fast World of Mergers," 52 Brooklyn L. Rev. 591 (1986). President, Doral & Airport West Chamber of Commerce (1998-2000). Who's Who in International Business In Miami and South Florida (2000-2001). Member, Advisory Board, Carlos Albizu University. Practice Areas: Commercial Litigation; Class Actions; Employment Discrimination.Email: Roger Slade
David E. Sacks (Partner) born Brooklyn, New York, September 20, 1967; admitted to bar, 1993, Florida; 1995, U.S. District Court, Southern District of Florida. Education: University of Florida (B.A., 1989); University of Miami (J.D., 1993); Florida International University (M.B.A., with honors, 1997). David Sacks is a partner in the Miami law firm of Pathman Lewis, LLP, where he practices in the areas of real estate, land use, zoning, and environmental law. Mr. Sacks provides legal advice ranging from the negotiation and structuring of major land acquisitions, analysis of zoning and property entitlements, due diligence review including permitting and development requirements including the filing of applications and appearances at public hearings before state, county and municipal legislative and administrative bodies. Additionally, Mr. Sacks regularly advises clients on complex real estate transactions and has done extensive work in commercial, industrial and residential land use matters, amendments to master plans, Brownfield redevelopment initiatives and representation of land owners and developers in obtaining dock and marina rights throughout the State of Florida. Mr. Sacks gives regular seminars on business development grants and other economic benefit and incentive programs, commercial leasing, representation of foreign buyers/investors, short sales, commercial and industrial redevelopment, and dock and marina development for waterfront property owners throughout the state. Mr. Sacks also serves as an Adjunct Professor at Florida International University teaching the Legal Environment of Business. Mr. Sacks is a member of the Pillar Trustee Board, Advocacy Council, Arts and Design Council and Global Business Access Council of the Miami Beach Chamber of Commerce. He is also a Project Advisory Group Member of the Florida Department of Transportation Alton Road Project and member of the Oasis Entrepreneur Group. Mr. Sacks is a member of the Dade County Bar Association and the Environmental & Land Use Law Section, Real Property Probate & Trust Law Section, City, County & Local Government Law Section, Administrative Law Section and Government Lawyer Section of the Florida Bar Association. Mr. Sacks was recognized as one of "South Florida's Up and Comers" by South Florida Legal Guide, 2007 and 2008 He has also written articles for Florida Real Estate Journal, including "Development Strategy Can Mitigate Fees' Impact" and "Docks Take Due Diligence in Waterfront Purchases." Mr. Sacks graduated with a Bachelor of Arts from University of Florida in 1989. He holds an MBA from Florida International University and received his Juris Doctor degree in 1993 from University of Miami. Member: The Florida Bar; Bankruptcy Bar Association for the Southern District of Florida (Vice President, Director, Business, Inc.). Practice Areas: Corporate Law; Real Estate; Zoning Law; Land Use; Environmental Law.Email: David E. Sacks
Alan K. Fertel (Member) born Bronx, New York, July 31, 1959; admitted to bar, 1984, Florida; 1989, New Jersey. Education: Shippensburg State College (B.A., 1981); University of Miami (J.D., 1984). Alan K. Fertel chairs Pathman Lewis, LLP's state court civil litigation division. Mr. Fertel is an accomplished litigator, having tried over one hundred jury and non-jury trials and obtained verdicts and settlements of multi-millions of dollars. He is a tenacious litigator and aggressive negotiator who protect the rights of his clients, in and out of court, utilizing his extensive experience as a trial lawyer. In Mr. Fertel's over twenty years of experience, he has represented a broad spectrum of clients, and litigated cases both on behalf of and against banks, developers, financial institutions, real estate agencies, corporations, partnerships, estates and individuals, involving fraud, breach of contract, intentional interference with contractual relationships, defamation, negligence, breach of fiduciary duty, RICO and civil theft, as well as numerous equitable actions. Mr. Fertel has represented investors, both foreign and domestic, who have been defrauded in land and real estate syndication schemes. Mr. Fertel has experience in civil litigation, including commercial litigation, family law and personal injury. He has successfully represented his clients in numerous jurisdictions, in the State and Federal Courts. Mr. Fertel has practiced law in the State Courts of Miami-Dade County, Florida, since 1984 and the Southern District of Florida since 1986, and continues to zealously and effectively represent his clients to this day. In addition to his successful civil litigation practice, Mr. Fertel is also an accomplished and experienced entertainment and sports lawyer and has represented many diverse individuals in areas of the entertainment and sports community, from athletes and entertainers to agents, leagues, radio stations, models, modeling agencies, restaurants and clubs. Mr. Fertel has utilized his wide range of skills to assist his clients, and has consulted and advised eight first round draft picks in the NFL draft and been featured on the NFL League Security Video filmed by NFL films, shown to every NFL player to counsel the players on how to avoid the problems and pitfalls of being a celebrity and professional athlete. Mr. Fertel has negotiated with the Florida Marlins, the Miami Dolphins, the Florida Panthers, and the University of Miami Hurricanes. Mr. Fertel presently is a member of the Executive Council of the Entertainment, Arts and Sports Law Division of the Florida Bar and a member of the Board of Directors of the Miami Sports Commission. He is a frequent speaker and lecturer at Sports and Entertainment Law seminars throughout Florida and throughout the world. Mr. Fertel is recognized as one of South Florida's top lawyers by the South Florida Legal Guide 2004, 2005, 2006 and 2007 editions. Mr. Fertel is also recognized as one of Florida 's top attorneys by Florida SuperLawyers 2006 and 2007. Mr. Fertel was also former general counsel to the Dade County Special Olympics, where he was named Volunteer of the Year. Practice Areas: Entertainment and Sports Law; Family Law; Civil Litigation; Commercial Litigation.Email: Alan K. Fertel
Louis P. Archambault (Partner) born Appleton, Wisconsin, 1972; admitted to bar, 1998, Florida and U.S. District Court, Southern District of Florida. Education: University of Wisconsin-Madison (B.A., with distinction, 1995); University of Miami (J.D., cum laude, 1998). Phi Delta Phi; Pi Sigma Alpha. Recipient, Elizabeth Tobler Scholar. Member: Dade County Bar Association; The Florida Bar. Languages: Spanish. Practice Areas: Corporate Law; Real Estate.Email: Louis P. Archambault
Bruce L. Bennett (Partner) born Pine Bluff, Arkansas, September 28, 1957; admitted to bar, 1984, Pennsylvania; 1998, District of Columbia; 2005, Arkansas. (Not admitted in Florida). Education: University of California (B.A., 1980); Georgetown University (J.D., 1983). Mr. Bennett directs the firm's public policy department. This area of work is focused exclusively on legislative matters on the state and federal levels. In this capacity, Mr. Bennett provides strategic advice to municipal, corporate, educational, construction, trade association and organizational clients on a broad range of government relations and international policy matters. With more than 20 years of experience serving the public and private sectors, Mr. Bennett began his career in Washington, D.C. working as a legislative representative on Capitol Hill on behalf of the City of New York. Since that time, he has worked on national domestic policy issues and on international business, development and security matters in Europe, Asia, the Middle East, Africa and South America. He has also specialized in corporate legislative issues in the area of internet security and data privacy matters on Capitol Hill as well as with several state legislatures. As a public servant, he has been very active in his community. Mr. Bennett has been recognized on Capitol Hill for the work that he has done on behalf of homeless families in the Washington, D.C. area. He has also spoken at conferences in Brazil that focused on street children, worked on environmental issues in Haiti and on food security matters in Ethiopia. Finally, he represented Georgetown University Law Center in a prison educational program designed to help people transition back into the local community. He is a graduate of Georgetown University Law Center where he focused on International Law and Trade Matters. He received his undergraduate degree from the University of California at Los Angeles, where he majored in Political Science/International Relations. He is a member of the Washington, D.C. Bar. He also completed the Strategic Public-Sector Negotiation Program at the Kennedy School of Government in Cambridge, Massachusetts and the International Conflict Resolution Program at the United States Institute for Peace, Bethesda, Maryland. Member: Arkansas and Pennsylvania Bar Associations; Bar Association of the District of Columbia. Practice Areas: Government Relations; Contracts.Email: Bruce L. Bennett
ASSOCIATES
Anna Marie Hernandez (Associate) born Miami, Florida, April 17, 1976; admitted to bar, 2001, Florida; 2002, U.S. District Court, Southern and Northern District of Florida; 2008, U.S. District Court, Middle District of Florida. Education: Florida International University (B.A., 1997); University of Miami (J.D., cum laude, 2001). Anna Marie "Annie" Hernandez is an associate in the litigation department at Pathman Lewis, LLP. Ms. Hernandez's areas of practice include commercial lease disputes, title insurance litigation, foreclosure, and general commercial litigation. She was previously a litigation associate with a state-wide firm where she litigated complex tort cases. Ms. Hernandez received her Juris Doctor, cum laude, in May 2001 from University of Miami School of Law. While at the University of Miami, Ms. Hernandez served as the Executive Vice President of the Moot Court Board from 2000 through 2001, received the Book Award in Bankruptcy, and competed in the Duberstein National Bankruptcy Competition. After graduation, she continued to volunteer her time to the University of Miami's Bankruptcy Team through 2006. Ms. Hernandez obtained her undergraduate degree in History and Political Science from Florida International University in December 1997. She was recognized as an "Up & Coming Attorney" in the 2007 Edition of Florida Trend's Florida Legal Elite. She is a frequent lecturer on various litigation topics including landlord and tenant law. Ms. Hernandez is admitted to practice in Florida, United States District Court, Southern, Middle and Northern Districts of Florida. Ms. Hernandez has served on the Board of Directors of the Cuban American Bar Association since 2006, and is currently its Secretary. She also serves as the Cuban American Bar Association's representative to the Dade County Bar Association. Ms. Hernandez is also a member of the Florida Bar Young Lawyers Division, Dade County Bar Association Young Lawyers Section, and Florida Association for Women Lawyers. Ms. Hernandez has demonstrated her leadership in other local civic organizations, including serving as the Treasurer of the Coconut Grove Junior Chamber of Commerce ("Jaycees") from 2003-2004, and founding its "Third Thursdays at McLamore House", a recurring mentoring project involving the local foster children community of the Children's Home Society. She also served as a Director and Treasurer of the Dr. Rafael Peñalver Clinic, a Miami-Dade Public Health Trust facility from 2000-2002. She is currently a mentor with Take Stock in Children, a state-wide non-profit organization that helps at-risk children stay in school, earn a high school diploma, graduate from college and enter the workforce. Ms. Hernandez is a Miami native and is fluent in Spanish. Member: Dade County Bar Association (Member, Young Lawyers Section, 2001); Cuban American Bar Association (Member, Board of Directors, 2006 and Secretary, 2006); Florida Association of Women Lawyers. Languages: Spanish. Practice Areas: Commercial Litigation; Commercial Landlord and Tenant Law; Title Insurance.Email: Anna Marie Hernandez
Jessica Alhalel (Associate) born Miami, Florida, August 5, 1982; admitted to bar, 2007, Florida. Education: University of Florida (B.A., 2004); Emory University School of Law (J.D., 2007). Jessica Alhalel, an associate at the Firm, concentrates her practice in the areas of real estate, land use and zoning and commercial litigation. Ms. Alhalel is a graduate of Emory University School of Law, where she was a Managing Editor of the Emory Bankruptcy Developments Journal, as well as a member of the Sports and Entertainment Law Society and The Jewish Law Students Association. Ms. Alhalel earned her Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Florida, graduating cum laude in Business Administration with a major in Finance. Ms. Alhalel is a member of the Dade County Bar Association Young Lawyers Section, the American Bar Association Young Lawyers Division and the Florida Association for Women Lawyers. Ms. Alhalel is also involved in other community activities including participation in the Leadership Development Institute of the Greater Miami Jewish Federation and the Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce. Ms. Alhalel is admitted to practice in Florida and the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida. Member: The Florida Bar; Dade County Bar Association. Practice Areas: Real Estate(30%); Land Use and Zoning(40%); Commercial Litigation(30%).Email: Jessica Alhalel
Adam J. Shapiro (Associate) born Torrance, California, March 3, 1979; admitted to bar, 2004, Florida. Education: Bucknell University (B.A., 2001); University of Miami School of Law (J.D., cum laude, 2004). Adam Shapiro is an associate with Pathman Lewis, LLP. He practices in the areas of general civil and commercial litigation. Mr. Shapiro was born in Torrance, California. He received his Juris Doctor from the University of Miami School of Law where he graduated cum laude. He served as Managing Editor of the University of Miami Law Review. His article, "Defining the Rights of Law Students with Mental Disabilities," was published in Volume 58:3 of the University of Miami Law Review. Mr. Shapiro also represented the School of Law in the National Moot Court Competition in Atlanta, Georgia. Other honors and distinctions received in law school include: Moot Court Board, Dean's List, Honor Council, and Alpha Epsilon Lambda Honor Society. While in law school, Mr. Shapiro also served as a judicial intern for the Honorable Patricia A. Seitz at the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida. As an intern, he observed courtroom procedures, conducted extensive research, and drafted memorandum orders for the Judge's approval. Mr. Shapiro earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Bucknell University where he double majored in Economics and Political Science. Over the past few years, Mr. Shapiro has gained considerable legal experience, primarily in the area of civil litigation. He has previously practiced in the areas of commercial litigation, taxation, contract law and white collar criminal defense. He has also tried several jury trials to verdict. Mr. Shapiro is a member of the Dade County Bar Association Young Lawyers Section (DCBA/YLS) Board of Directors, Chair of the DCBA/YLS TRAPping Empowerment for Children with Disabilities Committee and Vice-Chair of the DCBA/YLS Sports Committee. Additionally, Mr. Shapiro serves on the American Bar Association Young Lawyers Division (ABA/YLD) Governing Council as the ABA/YLD District 11 Representative for the State of Florida. Mr. Shapiro is also a member of the Florida Bar and the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida. Member: The Florida Bar; Dade County Bar Association; American Bar Association. Practice Areas: Commercial Litigation; Corporate Law.Email: Adam J. Shapiro
Lewis D. Kuhl (Associate) born Louisville, Kentucky, July 6, 1962; admitted to bar, 1987, Kentucky; 1992, U.S. District Court, Western District of Kentucky; 1993, U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Kentucky; 2009, Florida. Education: Eastern Kentucky University (B.A., 1984); Salmon P. Chase College of Law (J.D., 1987). Lewis D. Kuhl concentrates in the area of motor vehicle dealer and automotive industry law. He brings more than 20 years of legal experience to the firm including significant experience with motor vehicle dealer and automotive industry issues. Before joining Pathman Lewis, Mr. Kuhl was Senior Counsel for the JM&A Group. Based in Deerfield Beach, Florida, the JM&A Group of companies is one of the largest independent insurance and automotive service contract companies in the United States. It has one of the largest dealer distribution networks throughout the United States. In addition, he also served in the legal departments of JM Family Enterprises, Inc. subsidiaries: World Omni Financial Corp. and Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC. Prior to joining the JM Family Enterprises, Inc. companies, Mr. Kuhl served in both legal and operational positions with a Louisville, Kentucky based, closely held group of companies comprising motor vehicle rental operations, motor vehicle dealerships and an automotive finance company with locations in the Southeast and Midwest. He is a graduate of Eastern Kentucky University and earned his J.D. from Northern Kentucky University, Salmon P. Chase College of Law. He is a member of the Kentucky Bar Association, The Florida Bar, American Bar Association, National Association of Dealer Counsel, Florida Automobile Dealers Association, Florida Independent Automobile Dealers Association, and National Automobile Dealers Association. Member: Kentucky and American Bar Associations; The Florida Bar. Practice Areas: Motor Vehicle Dealer Law(25%); Automotive Industry Law(25%); Financial Institutions(20%); Creditors Rights(15%); Business Transactions(15%).Email: Lewis D. Kuhl
Lara A. Schenkman (Associate) born Coral Gables, Florida, August 22, 1980; admitted to bar, 2006, Florida. Education: Emory University (B.B.A., with high distinction, 2002); Emory University School of Law (J.D., 2006). Dean's List. Beta Gamma Sigma. Member: The Florida Bar (Member, Environmental Land Use Section, 2007); American Bar Association. Languages: Spanish. Practice Areas: Litigation(75%); Zoning and Land Use(25%).Email: Lara A. Schenkman