11 months ago
Pursuant to Florida Statutes, the regulation of firearms and ammunition is preempted to the State, and local governments and their officials are potentially exposed to onerous penalties (including removal from office, personal fines of $5,000, lawsuits against the local government for damages up to $100,000 and attorneys’ fees) if they violate the preemption. The intent and effect of these harsh penalties has been to deter and prevent local governments and their officials from taking community requested actions related to firearms, even if those actions may not be preempted.
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Categories: Local Government
Tags: South Florida Local Government Law
6 years ago
On September 3, WSH was selected by a unanimous vote to serve as Village Attorney for the Village of Pinecrest. The Village conducted a special meeting to interview the remaining finalists vying for the position, which ranged from sole practitioners to large-size firms. Founding Members Richard Jay Weiss, Joseph H. Serota, and Stephen J. Helfman played invaluable roles in WSH's presentation to the Council. Member Mitchell A. Bierman, who serves as the Town Attorney for Cutler Bay, will serve as the Village Attorney. A member of WSH’s Local Government Division and Chair of WSH’s Airports and Aviation Services Group, Mitch provides key expertise to many of the firm’s other government clients on particular matters. An AV rated attorney, Mitch has earned accolades from BestLawyers, South Florida Legal Guide, Florida Trend, South Florida Business Journal, and the South Florida Daily Business Review. Partner Chad S. Friedman will serve as Deputy Village Attorney. In addition to his extensive experience representing local governments, Chad is a leading legal expert in the field of Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) programs.
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Categories: Local Government, Awards & Recognitions
Tags: Municipal Government, Awards & Recognitions, Mitchell A. Bierman, Jamie A. Cole, Chad S. Friedman, Stephen J. Helfman, Joseph H. Serota, Richard Jay Weiss, David M. Wolpin, Fort Lauderdale Local Government Law, Miami Local Government Law, South Florida Local Government Law, Fort Lauderdale Municipal Attorneys, Miami Municipal Attorneys, South Florida Municipal Attorneys
Author(s): Brooke P. Dolara
6 years ago
On August 21, the Town of Medley selected WSH as Town Attorney. Twelve firms and attorneys applied for the position, which was vacant due to the sudden resignation of Town Attorney Michael Pizzi. Founding Member Stephen J. Helfman will serve as the town attorney on behalf of the Firm. In addition to his role as Medley’s Town Attorney, Steve also serves as the Town Attorney for Golden Beach and the Village Attorney for Indian Creek and Key Biscayne. A member of WSH’s Local Government Division and Public Land Use and Zoning Practice Group, Steve has extensive experience with the State of Florida Growth Management Act and has been extensively involved in the preparation of local government comprehensive plans and the adoption of municipal ordinances, including land development regulations and implementing those plans. Recently, Steve was recognized by BestLawyers as one of the “BestLawyers 2014” for his work in Land Use and Zoning Law.
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Categories: Local Government, Awards & Recognitions
Tags: Municipal Government, Awards & Recognitions, Mitchell A. Bierman, Jamie A. Cole, Chad S. Friedman, Stephen J. Helfman, Richard Jay Weiss, David M. Wolpin, Fort Lauderdale Local Government Law, Miami Local Government Law, South Florida Local Government Law, Fort Lauderdale Municipal Attorneys, Miami Municipal Attorneys, South Florida Municipal Attorneys
Author(s): Brooke P. Dolara
6 years ago
Each summer, BestLawyers compiles a list of the most esteemed attorneys throughout the country. This year, WSH is thrilled to announce that several of its Members and Partners have been selected for "BestLawyers 2014."
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Categories: Environmental/Sustainability, Litigation, Local Government, Appellate Law & Practice, Awards & Recognitions, Land Use & Zoning (Private)
Tags: Awards & Recognitions, Mitchell A. Bierman, Edward G. Guedes, Stephen J. Helfman, Gilberto Pastoriza, Michael S. Popok, Clifford A. Schulman, Joseph H. Serota, Richard Jay Weiss, Fort Lauderdale Business Litigation Attorneys, Fort Lauderdale Business Litigation Lawyers, Miami Commercial Litigation Attorney, Miami Commercial Litigation Lawyer, South Florida Commercial Litigation Attorney, South Florida Commercial Litigation Lawyer, Fort Lauderdale Local Government Law, Miami Local Government Law, South Florida Local Government Law, Miami Aviation Attorneys, Fort Lauderdale Municipal Attorneys, Miami Municipal Attorneys, South Florida Municipal Attorneys, South Florida Airport Law, South Florida Business Dispute Litigation Attorneys, South Florida Business Dispute Litigation Lawyers, Fort Lauderdale Appellate Law Attorneys, Miami Appellate Law Attorneys, South Florida Appellate Law Attorneys, Fort Lauderdale Litigators, Miami Litigators, Fort Lauderdale Environmental Law Attorneys, Miami Environmental Law Attorneys, South Florida Environmental Law Attorneys , South Florida Litigators, Florida Environmental Law, Florida Litigation Attorneys, Fort Lauderdale Civil Litigation Attorneys, Fort Lauderdale Commercial Litigation Attorneys, Fort Lauderdale Commercial Litigation Attorneys, Miami Commercial Litigation Attorney, Miami Litigation Attorney
Author(s): Brooke P. Dolara
7 years ago
In recent years, local governments attempting to address traffic congestion created by new development, and applicants seeking development approval, have encountered a rapidly-changing legislative landscape. House Bill 319 was adopted during the 2013 Legislative session. It builds on the sweeping changes of the 2011 Community Planning Act, that added limits on local governments’ ability to require developers to mitigate their impacts on the local transportation system. House Bill 319 was signed by the governor and became effective on May 30, 2013.
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Categories: Land Use & Zoning (Public), Local Government
Tags: Community Planning Act, Mitchell A. Bierman, Jamie A. Cole, Chad S. Friedman, Susan L. Trevarthen, Richard Jay Weiss, David M. Wolpin, Florida Legislature, Fort Lauderdale Local Government Law, Miami Local Government Law, South Florida Local Government Law, Fort Lauderdale Municipal Attorneys, Miami Municipal Attorneys, South Florida Municipal Attorneys, Johanna M. Lundgren
Author(s): Susan L. Trevarthen & Johanna M. Lundgren
7 years ago
On May 20, the Broward Section of the Florida Chapter of the American Planning Association (“BAPA”) and Florida Atlantic University School of Urban & Regional Planning co-hosted the 2013 Legislative Update, a one-hour public policy workshop providing an overview of the legislation adopted during the 2013 Florida Legislative session. WSH Partner James E. White gave a one-hour presentation on the adopted legislation and the anticipated effects relating to planning, growth management and local governments. James is a member of the American Institute of Certified Planners ("AICP") focusing his practice on land use and zoning, comprehensive planning, administrative and general municipal law. James is also Board Certified by the Florida Bar in City, County and Local Government Law.
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Categories: Land Use & Zoning (Public), Local Government, Awards & Recognitions
Tags: Municipal Government, Awards & Recognitions, Mitchell A. Bierman, Jamie A. Cole, Chad S. Friedman, Susan L. Trevarthen, Richard Jay Weiss, James E. White, David M. Wolpin, Fort Lauderdale Local Government Law, Miami Local Government Law, South Florida Local Government Law
Author(s): Brooke P. Dolara
7 years ago
In recent years, a series of legislative development permit extensions have enabled developers to keep previously-approved development orders and building permits alive despite economic conditions that resulted in stalled development throughout the state. Although Florida’s real estate market is now steadily recovering, the Legislature offered additional relief to qualifying developers that have been unable to complete previously-permitted projects within their expiration period.
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Categories: Land Use & Zoning (Public), Local Government, Land Use & Zoning (Private)
Tags: Municipal Government, Mitchell A. Bierman, Jamie A. Cole, Chad S. Friedman, Gilberto Pastoriza, Susan L. Trevarthen, Richard Jay Weiss, David M. Wolpin, Florida Legislature, Fort Lauderdale Local Government Law, Miami Local Government Law, South Florida Local Government Law, Johanna M. Lundgren
Author(s): Johanna M. Lundgren
7 years ago
Ethics reform was one of the highest priorities on the legislative agenda this year in Tallahassee. The bill that eventually became law makes rather significant changes to Florida’s ethics statute (Chapter 112.313) and several changes will impact local elected officials.
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Categories: Local Government, Ethics & Professional Responsibility
Tags: Municipal Government, Ethics, Special Counsel to Local Government, Mitchell A. Bierman, Jamie A. Cole, Chad S. Friedman, Richard Jay Weiss, David M. Wolpin, Florida Legislature, Fort Lauderdale Local Government Law, Miami Local Government Law, South Florida Local Government Law, Fort Lauderdale Municipal Attorneys, Miami Municipal Attorneys, South Florida Municipal Attorneys, Robert Meyers
Author(s): Robert Meyers
