WSHC+B announces the arrival of attorneys Cara Fernandez, Jake Levy, and Jake Schiff in the law firm’s Fort Lauderdale and Boca Raton offices.
Fernandez strengthens WSHC+B’s Construction Claims and Defense, Complex Commercial, and Construction Contract Drafting and Negotiation practices. Levy enhances the firm’s Labor & Employment Litigation, Counseling and Risk Management Services, and Workplace Investigation practices. Schiff bolsters WSHC+B’s Municipal Counsel, Public Sector Land Use and Zoning, and Governmental Affairs and Procurement practices.
“These three attorneys each bring focused experience and a strong work ethic to their practice areas,” Firm Chairman Chad Friedman said. “Their arrival reflects our continued commitment to building deep, dedicated teams so we can keep delivering the level of service our clients expect throughout South Florida.”
Based in the firm’s Fort Lauderdale office, Fernandez focuses her practice on construction law and high-value development disputes, working closely with contractors, developers, engineers, consultants, and property owners to navigate issues ranging from Chapter 558 claims to active litigation, including construction liens and contract disputes.
Before joining WSHC+B, Fernandez practiced in a construction and property law group, where she advised on matters from initial dispute through resolution, including construction contracts, property damage, and first-party property insurance coverage cases. She earned her Juris Doctor, cum laude, from Nova Southeastern University Shepard Broad College of Law and graduated magna cum laude from Florida International University with a degree in Criminal Justice. Fernandez is proficient in Spanish.
Based in the firm’s Boca Raton office, Levy represents clients in employment litigation matters in state and federal court, including claims involving discrimination, harassment, wrongful termination, retaliation, and wage and hour disputes arising under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, the Family and Medical Leave Act, and the Fair Labor Standards Act. He also represents employers before federal and state administrative agencies such as the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and the Florida Commission on Human Relations.
Levy earned his Juris Doctor from the University of Miami School of Law, where he served as a teaching assistant for sports law courses covering name, image, and likeness (NIL), professional athlete representation, and the negotiation and drafting of sports venue agreements. He obtained a Bachelor of Science in Telecommunication – Media and Society, with a concentration in Sport Management, from the University of Florida.
Also based in Boca Raton, Schiff represents government entities, developers, businesses, and private clients in a broad range of local government matters. As counsel to municipalities, he regularly attends meetings of elected officials and advises on land use and zoning, contracts and procurement, ordinance and resolution drafting, code enforcement, and compliance with public records and Government in the Sunshine laws.
Before joining the firm, Schiff served as Director of Government Affairs at a strategic consulting and government relations firm and as Chief of Staff and Legislative Director to a member of the Maryland House of Delegates. He earlier gained legal and public policy experience through clerkships and internships with the U.S. Senate Committee on Homeland Security & Governmental Affairs, a member of the U.S. House of Representatives, and a U.S. Senator. Schiff earned his Juris Doctor from the University of Maryland Francis King Carey School of Law and graduated cum laude from the University of Florida with a degree in Political Science.
