Free Initial Consultation

(Main Office)

For nearly two decades, Weiss Serota Helfman Pastoriza Cole & Boniske, P.L. has provided the highest quality transactional, governmental affairs and litigation services to local, national and international clients. Our firm includes more than 50 attorneys who represent corporate, governmental and individual clients who benefit from our deep knowledge of the community in the context of an ever-changing international environment. We are known throughout Florida as innovators and leaders in the representation of local governments and private businesses. We are committed to the finest principles of traditional legal practice including quality and service while recognizing that there are always new, innovative and forward-looking approaches to practicing law. It is with this great respect for the traditional and enthusiasm for the innovative that we look forward to providing service to our clients. We offer our clients the legal strength and influence often associated with larger firms while providing the individual attention and personal client care of a small firm.

Statement of Practice

General Practice, Government, Government Affairs, Governmental Law, Government Relations, Government Contracts, Public Contract Law, Public Policy, Municipal Law, Business Law, Litigation, Zoning, Planning and Land Use, Land Use, Environmental Land Use, Administrative Law, Real Estate, Regulated Industries, Transportation, Labor and Employment, Construction Litigation, Public-Private Partnerships, Alternative Dispute Resolution, Appellate Practice, Civil Practice, Civil Rights, Class Actions, Commercial Law, Commercial Real Estate, Complex and Multi-District Litigation, Constitutional Law, Contracts, Election, Campaign and Political Law, Eminent Domain, Employee Benefits, Insurance Defense, Law Enforcement, Mortgages, Public Finance, Regulatory Law, Taxation, Torts.

Rate Information

Fixed Hourly Rates
Fixed Fees Available
Free Initial Consultation

Address

2525 Ponce de Leon Boulevard, Suite 700
Miami, FL 33134, (Miami-Dade Co.)

Phone

Phone: 305-854-0800
Facsimile: 305-854-2323

Website

http://www.wsh-law.com

Office Hours

Monday: 08:30 AM - 06:00 PM
Tuesday: 08:30 AM - 06:00 PM
Wednesday: 08:30 AM - 06:00 PM
Thursday: 08:30 AM - 06:00 PM
Friday: 08:30 AM - 06:00 PM

Firm/Affiliate Offices

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Joanna G. Doerfel (Associate) born Norman, Oklahoma; admitted to bar, 2008, Florida. Education: University of Louisville (B.A., Psychology, 2005); University of Miami School of Law (J.D., 2008). Member, Inter-American Law Review. Author: "Regulating Unsettled Issues in Latin American Under the Treaty Powers and the Foreign Commerce Clause," 39 U. Miami Inter-Am Law Rev. 331. Member: Dade County Bar Association (Member, Young Lawyers Section); The Florida Bar (Member, Young Lawyers Section). Languages: English and German. Practice Areas: Commercial Law; Commercial Litigation; Commercial Crimes; Commercial Fraud; Commercial Liability; Litigation; Civil Litigation; Federal Litigation; Defense Litigation; Trial Practice; Municipal Law; Municipal Defense; Municipal Liability; Municipal Torts.Email: Joanna G. Doerfel

Raquel Elejabarrieta (Associate) born Bilbao, Spain, December 26, 1973; admitted to bar, 2002, Florida; 2003, U.S. District Court, Southern and Northern District of Florida, U.S. Court of Appeals, Eleventh Circuit. Education: Florida International University (B.B.A., 1995); University of Miami School of Law (J.D., magna cum laude, 2002). Order of the Coif; Moot Court Board. Member, University of Miami Law Review. (Resident, Miami Office). Languages: Spanish. Practice Areas: Labor and Employment.Email: Raquel Elejabarrieta

Chad S. Friedman (Associate) born Miami, Florida, November 25, 1978; admitted to bar, 2004, Florida. Education: University of Florida (B.S.B.A., with honors, 2001); Stetson University College of Law (J.D., cum laude, 2004). Co-Author with Susan L. Trevarthen and Michelle Vos: "Senate Bill 360: The Impact of the 2007 Legislative Session on Local Government Growth Management, Part II," The Florida Bar Journal, Volume 81, Number 11, 2007. Co-Author with Susan L. Trevarthen and Michelle Vos: "Senate Bill 360: The Impact of the 2007 Legislative Session on Local Government Growth Management, Part I," The Florida Bar Journal, Volume 81, Number 10, 2007. Co-Author with Susan L. Trevarthen: "Senate Bill 360: Growth Management Reform Arrives and It Is All About Infrastructure," The Florida Bar Journal, Volume 79, No. 9, October 2005. Member: Dade County Bar Practice Areas: Zoning, Planning and Land Use; Local Government Law; Constitutional Law; Litigation.Email: Chad S. Friedman

MacAdam J. Glinn (Associate) born Coral Gables, Florida, 1976; admitted to bar, 2008, Florida. Education: Kenyon College (B.A., 1998); Florida International University (J.D., 2007). Former Senior Policy Advisor, Office of U.S. Representative Peter Deutsch, 2004-2005. Former Legislative Assistant, Office of State, Florida Senator Debbie Wasserman Schultz, 2000-2002. Member, Leadership Miami, 2007-2008. Tropee Executive Council Member, Historical Museum of South Florida, 2009. Author: "Florida Law Concern: Local Government Construction Contracts," Real Estate Finance Journal, Fall 2008. Guest Lecturer, Florida International University School of Construction Management, 2006-2008. Member: The Florida Bar (Member: Government Law Section; Young Lawyers Division); Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce (Co-Chair: Green Task Force, 2008-2009); Builders Association of South Florida (Co-Chair: Commercial Builders Council, 2006-2009). Practice Areas: Municipal Law; Governmental Law; Government Relations; Construction Litigation; Civil Litigation.Email: MacAdam J. Glinn

John J. Kendrick III (Associate) born Los Angeles, California, November 4, 1968; admitted to bar, 2001, Texas; 2005, Florida. Education: University of Texas at Dallas (B.A., 1997); University of Miami (J.D., 2000). Member: Dade County Bar Association; State Bar of Texas; The Florida Bar. Transactions: Real Estate Transactions: served as counsel to borrower for construction loan and mezzanine loan for condominium development; participated in corporate structuring of special purpose entities and other secured structuring for loan facilities; served as counsel and title agent for purchase of commercial properties for private and public clients; negotiated and drafted corporate structuring documents for limited liability companies and joint ventures; negotiated and drafted easements and other property transfers for both public and private clients; negotiated and drafted commercial leases for public clients including properties intended to serve as city hall sites, fire stations and cultural centers. Bond Issuances: served as Florida counsel for Variable Rate Demand Revenue Bond Issuance of $14,300,000; served as co-underwriting counsel for $600,000,000 Revenue Bond Issuance; served as municipal counsel for defeasance and escrow of Water and Sewer Revenue and Refunding Bonds amounting to $12,610,000 and as municipal counsel for $14,445,000 General Obligation Bond Issuance. Municipal Representation: general representation of municipalities, including attendance and representation at council and other hearings; transactional representation including procurement and issues related to real property aspects of municipal law; continuing representation of community redevelopment agencies in their acquisition, development and disposition of real property. Public Company Representations: filed periodic reports required under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 of Forms 10-K, 10-Q and 8-K, proxy statements and Section 16 reports; general corporate counsel to company management and in-house counsel with respect to contract negotiation, securities law disclosure issues and Delaware corporate law. Mergers and Acquisitions: served as counsel to public company acquiring private companies, engaging in asset dispositions, and joint ventures, as well as providing counsel to private companies acquiring other private companies; drafted and negotiated merger agreements, stock purchase agreements, asset purchase agreements, joint venture operating agreements, and related documentation such as letters of intent, employment and non-competition agreements, options and warrants, management services agreements, promissory notes, leases and lease assignments. Bank Holding Company Representations: served as counsel to state bank holding companies in dealings with the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation and various state banking agencies, including guidance regarding Regulation Y; served as counsel to a bank holding company in a two-stage merger acquisition of a federal thrift by the bank holding company, using an interim thrift in a reverse merger transaction. Venture Capital and other Private Placements; Start-Ups: served as company counsel for private placement and equity and convertible debt securities for investors and companies; drafted offering memoranda, subscription agreements, restricted stock and partnership units agreements, promissory notes, pledge agreements and limited liability company operating agreements or limited partnership agreements for start-up and development stage companies. Languages: Spanish. Practice Areas: Real Estate; Finance; Corporate Law; Municipal Law.Email: John J. Kendrick III

Harlene S. Kennedy (Associate) born New York, N.Y., November 2, 1952; admitted to bar, 1985, New York and New Jersey; 1988, Texas; 1991, Florida; 1989,U.S. District Court, Western and Southern Districts of Texas. Education: University of Miami (B.A., cum laude, 1973); New York University School of Law; University of Oklahoma School of Law (J.D., cum laude, 1984). Phi Alpha Delta. Order of the Coif. Moot Court Board. Member, University of Oklahoma Law Review, 1983-1984. First Place, Appellate Advocacy Competition. Member, Board of Advocates. Author: "The Mortgagee's Rights to Rents," Vol. 37, Oklahoma Law Review, Winter, 1984. Member: Bar Association of San Antonio (Member, San Antonio Historic Design and Review Commission); New Jersey State Bar Association; New York State Bar Association; The Florida Bar; State Bar of Texas. Languages: Spanish. Practice Areas: Municipal Law; Government; Real Estate; Construction Law.Email: Harlene S. Kennedy

Harris Nizel (Associate) born Miami, Florida; admitted to bar, 2004, Florida. Education: University of Pennsylvania (B.A., 1997); Nova Southeastern University Shepard Broad Law Center (J.D., summa cum laude, 2004). Recipient, Eight "Highest Grade" Awards. Lead Articles Editor, Nova Law Review, 2003-2004. Article Editor, Nova Law Review, 2002-2003; Leadership Fort Lauderdale, Class XIII 2007 (Graduate and Member). Member: Broward County and American Bar Associations; The Florida Bar. Practice Areas: Real Estate; Corporate Law; Municipal Law.Email: Harris Nizel

John J. Quick (Associate) born Evansville, Indiana, October 16, 1977; admitted to bar, 2003, Florida; U.S. Court of Appeals, Eleventh Circuit; 2004, District of Columbia; U.S. District Court, Southern, Middle and Northern Districts of Florida; and U.S. Court of Appeals, First, Fifth and Ninth Circuits. Education: University of California at Los Angeles (B.A., 2000); Boston University School of Law (J.D., 2003). Third Year Editor, 2002-2003 and Member, 2001-2002, American Journal of Law and Medicine. Law Clerk, Hon. Stephen P. Nugent, State of Rhode Island Superior Court, 2001. Author: "Controlling Pandora's Box: The Need for Patent Protection in Transgenic Research," 15 U. Miami Bus. L. Rev. 303 (2007); "Intellectual Property: Plants Patentable Under the Utility Patent Statute, PVA and PVPA," 30 J. L. Med. & Ethics 317 (2002); "Genetic Discrimination and the Need for Federal Legislation," 8 J. BioLaw & Bus. 22 (2005). Trustee, The Historical Museum of Southern Florida. Tropee Executive Council, The Historical Museum of Southern Florida (Chair, 2006-2009) (Vice Chair 2004-2006). Selected, "Top Up and Comer," Florida Trend Magazine, 2007-2008. Selected "Rising Star," Florida Super Lawyers, 2009. Member: Dade County Bar Association; The Florida Bar; District of Columbia Bar; 11th Judicial Circuit Historical Society; Bar Association of the Fifth Federal Circuit. (Resident, Coral Gables Office). Reported Cases: Companion v. City of Hollywood Police Officers' Ret. System, 1 So.3d 1283 (Fla. 4th DCA); Simcox v. City of Hollywood Police Officers' Ret. System, 988 So.2d 731 (Fla. 4th DCA 2008); Hames v. City of Miami, 2008 WL 2097659 (11th Cir. May 20, 2008); Hames v. City of Miami Firefighters' & Police Officers' Trust, 980 So. 2d 1112 (Fla. 3d DCA 2008); Swerdlow v. Dep't of Cmty. Affairs, 2007 WL 2253612 (Fla. Div. Admin Hrgs. Aug 6, 2007); Hames v. City of Miami, 479 F. Supp.2d 1279 (S.D. Fla. 2007); Mancini Enterprises, Inc. v. American Express Co., 226 F.R.D. 695 (S.D. Fla. 2006); TNT USA, Inc. v. TrafiExpress, S.A. de C.V., 434 F. Supp. 2d 1322 (S.D. Fla. 2006); Redland Estates, Inc. v. Lynn, 920 So. 2d 1218 (Fla. 3d DCA 2006). Practice Areas: Commercial Litigation; Governmental Litigation; Employment Law; Appellate Practice.Email: John J. Quick

Anthony L. Recio (Associate) born Miami, Florida, November 22, 1976; admitted to bar, 2001, Florida. Education: University of Miami (B.S., cum laude, 1998); University of Miami (J.D., magna cum laude, 2001). Order of the Coif. Selected as one of Florida's Legal Elite Up and Comers, Florida Trend Magazine, 2007-2008. Named 2008 Top Real Estate Lawyers by Real Estate Florida Magazine. Member: The Florida Bar; Cuban American Bar Association. (Resident, Coral Gables Office). Languages: Spanish. Practice Areas: Land Use; Zoning Law; Municipal Law; Government.Email: Anthony L. Recio

Amy J. Santiago (Associate) born Bellflower, California; admitted to bar, 2007, Florida; 2008, U.S. District Court, Southern District of Florida. Education: Florida State University (B.S., summa cum laude, 2004; J.D., 2007). Dean's List. President's List. Phi Beta Kappa; Phi Alpha Delta; Phi Delta Phi. Listed, Articles and Notes Editor of the Year, Florida State University, College of Law, 2007. Member, Journal of Transnational Law and Policy, 2004-2007. Honors Program, Florida State University, 2001-2004. Member: Miami-Dade Bar Association; The Florida Bar (Member, Young Lawyers Division, 2007—). Languages: English and Spanish. Practice Areas: Commercial Litigation; Governmental Litigation.

Estrellita S. Sibila (Associate) born Miami, Florida; admitted to bar, 2004, Florida. Education: University of Miami (J.D., 2004); University of Miami School of Law (LL.M., Real Property Development, 2005); University of Miami (B.S., 2000); Graduate Institute of International Studies, Geneva, Switzerland (2002); U.S. Green Building Council, Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Accredited Professional (LEED AP, 2007). Director, Lawyers Credit Union, 2003-2005. Young Leader Executive Committee, United Way of Miami-Dade, 2005—; Leadership Miami Class of 2009; Member, Miami Green Commission, 2007—; Co-Chair, Go Green Task Force Education and Outreach Committee, Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce, 2008—; Author: "Definitions and Goal-Setting Keys to Green Development," Florida Real Estate Journal, April 16-30, 2009; Profiled in "The Achiever: Green Advocacy as Legal Calling," Miami Today, November 27, 2008; Named Legal Elite "Up and Coming Attorney," Florida Trend Magazine, July 2008; Named "Top 30 under 30 in Commercial Real Estate," Real Estate Florida Magazine, March 2008. Member: Miami-Dade County Bar Association (Member, Environmental Land Use Law Steering Committee); The Florida Bar (Member, Real Property, Probate and Trust Sections); American Bar Association; Cuban American Bar Association. (Resident, Coral Gables Office). Languages: Spanish. Practice Areas: Land Use; Zoning Law; Municipal Law; Sustainable/Green Building; Government; Construction Law.Email: Estrellita S. Sibila

Eduardo Manuel Soto (Associate) born Los Angeles, California, January 19, 1976; admitted to bar, 2002, Florida. Education: University of Florida (B.A., History, 1999); University of Tennessee at Knoxville (J.D. with a concentration in Business Transactions, 2002); University of Miami (LL.M., Tax, 2003). Tennessee Journal of Business Law (Member); Latin Builders Association (Member). Member: Dade County Bar Association (Member, Real Property Committee); The Florida Bar (Member, Sections on: Tax; Real Property); Cuban American Bar Association. (Resident, Coral Gables Office). Languages: Spanish. Practice Areas: Banks and Banking; Real Estate; Tax Law; Corporate Law; Commercial Law; Federal Taxation; Local Taxation; State Taxation.Email: Eduardo Manuel Soto

OF COUNSEL

Lillian M. Arango (Of Counsel) born Miami, Florida, April 8, 1964; admitted to bar, 1989, Florida; 1990, U.S. District Court, Southern District of Florida. Education: Loyola University of Chicago, Rome Italy (1984); University of Miami (B.A., cum laude, 1986; J.D., cum laude, 1989). Phi Beta Kappa. Member, Entertainment & Sports Law Review, 1988-1989. Member: The Florida Bar (Member, Sections on: Real Property, Probate and Trust); Cuban American Bar Association; Florida Association of Women Lawyers. (Resident, Coral Gables Office). Languages: Spanish. Practice Areas: Real Estate; Municipal Law; Governmental Law; Land Use; Zoning Law.Email: Lillian M. Arango

Carla M. Barrow (Of Counsel) born Chipley, Florida; admitted to bar, 1989, Florida; U.S. District Court and U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Southern District of Florida. Education: Loyola University (B.A., Communications, magna cum laude, 1985); University of Florida (J.D., with honors, 1988). Order of the Coif. Legal Research and Writing Fellowship. Associate Articles Editor, University of Florida Law Review. Former Assistant, United States Attorney, 1994-1997, Southern District of Florida. Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialist. American Nicaragua Foundation. Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce. Doral Business Council. Florida Association of Women Lawyers. Former Board Member/Member, US-Central American Chamber of Commerce. RESULTS International. Instructor: Nuts and Bolts of Construction Liens, Florida Bar Lunch N' Learn, 2008; The Basics of Bankruptcy Discharges, Lorman Education, 2006; Understanding Construction Lien Basics; Perfecting Mechanics Liens, Lorman Education, 2006; Using a Construction Lien to Get Your Money in Florida, NBI, Inc., 2006; Basics of the U.S. Patriot Act, Boca Raton and Estate Council, 2005. Member: Dade County Bar Association (Board Member, 2009); Federal Bar Association; American Bar Association (Member, Business Litigation Section); The Florida Bar. Reported Cases: Dept. of Insurance v. National Reinsurance Corp., 755 So.2d 677 (Fla. 4th DCA 1999); GF Company v. First Nat'l Bank of the Florida Keys, 625 So.2d 144 (Fla. 3d DCA 1993). Languages: Spanish. Practice Areas: Commercial Litigation; Creditors' Rights; Bankruptcy; Civil Forfeiture; Construction Litigation.Email: Carla M. Barrow

Gail D. Serota (Of Counsel) born Passaic, New Jersey, April 30, 1953; admitted to bar, 1979, Florida, U.S. District Court, Southern District of Florida and U.S. Court of Appeals, Fifth Circuit; 1981, U.S. Court of Appeals, Eleventh Circuit. Education: Princeton University (A.B., magna cum laude, 1975); University of Miami (J.D., magna cum laude, 1979). Phi Beta Kappa. Member, Society of Wig and Robe. Recipient, Reid Scholarship. Articles and Comments Editor, University of Miami Law Review, 1977-1978. Law Clerk to the Hon. Peter T. Fay, U.S. Court of Appeals, Fifth Circuit, 1979-1980. Vice Chairperson, Village of Pinecrest Planning Board, 2004; Council Member, Seat 1, Village of Pinecrest; Vice Mayor, Village of Pinecrest; Board of Directors, Miami-Dade County League of Cities. Member: Dade County Bar Association; The Florida Bar (Member, City, County and Local Government Law Section); Florida Association of Women Lawyers. Languages: Spanish. Practice Areas: Real Estate; Municipal Law.Email: Gail D. Serota

Laura K. Wendell (Of Counsel) born Trenton, New Jersey; admitted to bar, 1991, Rhode Island; 1993, Massachusetts; 1995, Florida. Education: Brown University (B.A., magna cum laude, with honors, 1980); University of Toronto (M.A., 1982; Ph.D., 1989); Harvard Law School (J.D., 1991). University of Toronto Open Fellowship. Author: "Mistakes Happen: Fixing Them Through Curative Legislation," Stetson Law Review, Volume 37, Number 2, Winter, 2008; "The Interstate Land Sales Full Disclosure Act: Overview and Recent Developments in Florida," Real Estate Finance, Volume 24, Number 6, April, 2008; "Florida Law Concerning Local Government Construction Contracts: Overview of Procurement Methods and Project Delivery Systems," Real Estate Finance Journal, Fall, 2008. Member: Miami-Dade County (Member, Appellate Court Committee) and Rhode Island Bar Associations; The Florida Bar (Member: Appellate Section; Appellate Court Rules Committee); Florida Association for Women Lawyers (Director, Miami-Dade Chapter); Florida Association for Women Lawyers (Executive Board, State of Florida). Practice Areas: Appellate Practice; Litigation; Land Use.Email: Laura K. Wendell