WSHC+B Partner and Chair of the firm’s Appellate Practice Group, Edward G. Guedes, represented Publix before the Florida Supreme Court and presented an oral argument. The decision marks the Court’s first examination of Florida’s fraud-on-the-court doctrine in more than 80 years and established a new test for review of those decisions, providing long-awaited clarity regarding the standard governing sanctions based on fraud on the court.

Discussing the decision with the Daily Business Review, Ed said, “We came away from this case not just winning, but really with an improvement in the law in Florida because now there’s clarity.”

Ed is Board Certified in Appellate Practice by the Florida Bar and is chair of the firm’s Appellate Practice Group. He is a Fellow of the prestigious American Academy of Appellate Lawyers and has litigated more than 150 appeals before the Florida Supreme Court, Florida’s district courts of appeal, and the U.S. Courts of Appeals in a wide variety of matters, including medical malpractice, premises liability, probate, First Amendment and constitutional litigation, family law, state and federal administrative rule-making and regulation, home rule authority and preemption, election law, civil rights, land use and zoning, intellectual property, and labor and employment issues.

Media coverage includes:

Daily Business Review – Florida High Court Clarifies Standard for ‘Fraud on Court’ Dismissals

Law360 – Fla. Justices Back Toss Of Sham Publix Slip-And-Fall Suit

Bloomberg Law – ‘Lying Plaintiff’ Dismissals Get New Florida High Court Test

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WSHC+B announces that Christina Hamalian, Michael Ferral, and Stephanie Peral have joined the firm as Of Counsel in its Miami office.

Hamalian strengthens WSHC+B’s Labor and Employment, Litigation, Complex Commercial, and Insurance and Workers’ Compensation Defense practices. Ferral enhances the firm’s Civil Rights and Torts, Complex Commercial, and Construction Claims and Defense practices. Peral bolsters WSHC+B Appellate, Civil Rights and Torts, Complex Commercial, Construction Claims and Defense, and Constitutional Challenges practices.

“Christina, Michael and Stephanie each bring a depth of experience and track record of delivering results for their clients,” said Matthew H. Mandel, Partner and Chair of the firm’s Litigation Division. “Their diverse backgrounds across litigation, appellate work, insurance defense, and complex commercial matters expand the range of high-quality legal services we are able to offer clients throughout South Florida and beyond.”

Hamalian focuses her practice on insurance defense and related civil litigation matters, defending clients through all phases of litigation, from pre-suit investigations through trial preparation.

Before joining WSHC+B, Hamalian practiced at a South Florida litigation firm, where she represented clients in general liability and automobile accident matters, managing discovery, drafting dispositive and non-dispositive motions, and advocating for clients in and out of the courtroom. Hamalian earned her Juris Doctor from the University of Alabama School of Law, where she served as Notes Editor of the Alabama Civil Rights and Civil Liberties Law Review and participated in the Mediation Clinic. She graduated magna cum laude from Wilkes Honors College at Florida Atlantic University with concentrations in Political Science and Economics.

Ferral represents businesses, insurers, and institutional clients in a wide range of civil litigation matters, including general liability, premises liability, automobile negligence, construction-related disputes, and complex commercial litigation. He guides clients through all phases of litigation, from early case evaluation and discovery through dispositive motion practice, mediation, and trial. Before joining WSHC+B, Ferral served as department managing attorney at a full-service law firm, where he oversaw litigation operations across multiple offices and served as trial counsel in numerous jury trials.

While in law school, Ferral served as a congressional law clerk for the Honorable Blake Farenthold in the U.S. House of Representatives. He earned his Juris Doctor from Georgetown University Law Center and graduated from Loyola Marymount University with a major in Political Science. Ferral is admitted to practice law in Florida and California.

Peral has litigated matters in state and federal courts involving contract disputes, fraud, breaches of fiduciary duties, and claims under the Telephone Consumer Protection Act, Florida Security of Communications Act, and Foreign Corrupt Practices Act.

She has also represented clients in connection with investigations by the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Federal Communications Commission Office of Inspector General. Peral earned her Juris Doctor from Duke University School of Law, where she served as a staff editor on the Duke Journal of Constitutional Law and Public Policy. She graduated magna cum laude from the University of Miami with a degree in English and is proficient in Spanish.

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Florida Trend’s editorial review team vetted and selected individual managing partners who qualified for inclusion by meeting and exceeding specific criteria and methodology parameters that were adopted for its nomination process. The state’s most influential managing partners were selected after a year-long research initiative by the editors of Florida Trend.

Representing our offices across South Florida, our managing partners play a vital role in advancing the firm’s growth and success throughout the region. Through their leadership, they have earned recognition within the profession, served as trusted mentors to their teams, and championed the communities they serve.

Click here to view Florida Trend’s Legal Elite – Notable Managing Partners list.

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Super Lawyers recognizes distinguished attorneys who have undergone a rigorous screening process and are ultimately selected for inclusion in their annual list of exceptional legal professionals. Published by Thomson Reuters, Super Lawyers is a rating service of attorneys from more than 70 practice areas and determines its rankings through independent research, peer nominations, and peer evaluations. Only the top 5 percent of outstanding lawyers in Florida are rated by Super Lawyers, while no more than 2.5 percent of lawyers under 40 years old or who have practiced for fewer than 10 years are selected as Rising Stars.

The firm’s recognized attorneys are listed below.

Miami

Recognized as Super Lawyers

• Mitchell A. Bierman
• Edward G. Guedes
• Joseph H. Serota
• Peter D. Waldman

Fort Lauderdale

Recognized as Super Lawyers

• Mitchell J. Burnstein
• Jamie A. Cole
• Michael J. Kurzman
• Steven H. Osber
• Susan L. Trevarthen

Recognized as Rising Stars

• Bryan C. Siddique
• Michael A. Weitzner
• Chanae L. Wood

Boca Raton

Recognized as Super Lawyers

• Howard D. DuBosar
• Alen H. Hsu
• Brett J. Schneider

Recognized as Rising Stars

•  Jeremey Rosner

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The proposed amendment would increase Florida’s homestead exemption for non-school property taxes and establish a framework for the potential future elimination of certain property taxes on homesteaded properties.

The lawsuit seeks to ensure Florida voters receive objective and legally sufficient ballot language before casting their ballots in the November 2026 election.

Jamie represents local officials and governments in legal matters that help to improve their communities and better preserve home rule power. He also represents private and public clients in complex litigation and is an accomplished appellate attorney.

Learn more at saveourvoters.com.

Media coverage includes:

Bloomberg – Property Tax Ballot Language Misleads Florida Voters, Suit Says

The Real Deal – “Biased and misleading”: Florida officials sued over property tax ballot language

CBS News – Two former Florida mayors file lawsuit against state’s property tax cut amendment, alleging “misleading” language

SunSentinel – Déjà vu: another misleading property tax ballot question | Opinion

The Palm Beach Post – Florida lawsuit says property tax plan language ‘biased, misleading’

Florida Tribe – Lawsuit challenges ‘unconstitutional’ ballot measure to slash Florida property taxes

WLRN – Florida’s new map set for midterms, property tax plan faces challenges and more

WINK – Two former Florida mayors file lawsuit against state’s property tax cut amendment, alleging “misleading” language

FOX WFLX 29 – Lawsuit challenges Florida property tax ballot language as ‘biased’ & ‘misleading’

Tampa Bay 28 – Florida property-tax fight heads to court over ballot wording

WPTV – Lawsuit challenges Florida property tax ballot language as ‘biased’ & ‘misleading’

Islander News – Lawsuit targets wording of DeSantis property tax amendment

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Candice Balmori, Daniela Cimo, Elizabeth Coppolecchia, Fabio Giallanza, Kelsie M. Kunstler, Jaimie E. Mayer, Pooja K. Patel, Jeremy S. Rosner, and Chanae L. Wood have been named to the 2026 Lawdragon 500 X – The Next Generation guide.

Candice was recognized for her work in government affairs and municipal law; Daniela was recognized for her work in government affairs and municipal law; Elizabeth for her focus on construction, transactions, and litigation; Fabio for his focus on corporate and real estate matters; Kelsie for her work in real estate and finance; Jaimie for land use and zoning; Pooja for her work in labor & employment and litigation; Jeremy for his focus on litigation, class actions, and appellate; and Chanae for her work in real estate, zoning, land use, and government law.

Honorees are selected through a combination of independent research and submissions, focusing on lawyers who have made a significant impact and consistently demonstrated excellence, typically within 15 years of graduating from law school.

View the full guide here.

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One commentator described the firm as “extremely responsive, gives excellent business advice and is very good on the litigation front.” Chambers also noted that the firm is “highly competent, well versed in the law and excellent in the courtroom.”

Additionally, firm partner and Chair of the Appellate Practice Group, Edward G. Guedes, has once again been ranked for Litigation: Appellate in Florida.

One commentator said, “I have always found Ed to be conscientious, discerning and erudite. He is an extraordinary writer, and I know his arguments have made a difference with appellate judges.” Chambers also noted that he is “professional, always diligent, knows his stuff and is a terrific appeal advocate.”

Chambers USA annually ranks the preeminence of law firms and lawyers across key practice areas throughout the country. The rankings are based on extensive research and thousands of interviews with practicing lawyers and clients. Individual rankings reflect qualities such as legal knowledge and experience, ability, effectiveness, and client service.

View the full guide here.

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Now history appears to be repeating itself.

During another hastily conducted special session, the Legislature approved a proposed amendment that would increase Florida’s homestead exemption for non-school property taxes to $150,000 in 2027 and $250,000 in 2028 and beyond, adjusted for inflation.

Whether that is good policy is for voters to decide.

The problem is that they are not being given a fair and neutral description of what they are being asked to approve.

The Florida Constitution is the foundation of our democracy, and the right to amend it belongs to the people. That right becomes meaningless if the ballot language advocates and misleads, rather than objectively explains.

The title and summary approved by the Legislature do exactly that.

The title — “Save our homes from excessive property taxes” — is not a neutral description of the amendment’s purpose. It is a campaign slogan.

The summary endorses rather than describes. It tells voters only one side of the story — how the amendment “benefits Florida taxpayers.”

It claims the amendment is “Ensuring funding for core services.” But the amendment guarantees no funding for police, fire, schools or infrastructure. By shrinking the local tax base, it is more likely to reduce the revenue available for those services. Reasonable people can debate that tradeoff; but it cannot fairly be called “ensuring funding.”

It claims to be “Protecting small businesses,” though small businesses are never mentioned in the text of the amendment, which simply limits future assessment increases on all non-homesteaded property. Calling that “protecting small businesses” is advocacy, not explanation.

It tells voters the amendment “requires, through general law, a schedule for full elimination” of non-school property taxes on homesteaded property. The actual language requires no such thing. It merely directs the Legislature to create procedures by which local governments may choose to grant further exemptions “up to all remaining assessed valuation” — not necessarily the full amount.

Finally, the summary declares the amendment is “Ensuring fairness for Florida residents.” Yet it offers relief only to homesteaded owners. Florida residents who rent their homes are likely to see higher costs as landlords pass along higher property taxes resulting from increased millage rates. And Florida residents who establish (or re-establish) residency after Dec. 31, 2026, must wait five years for the full $250,000 exemption.

Supporters of the amendment are free to campaign for it. Opponents are free to campaign against it. That is how democracy works. But the ballot itself should not be part of the campaign.

Regardless of where one stands on property taxes, every Floridian should agree on one principle: Constitutional amendments should rise or fall on an honest, neutral explanation of what they actually do. That was the issue in 2007, when a court found voters were given a misleading description of a major property tax proposal. The policy is different today; the principle is not.

The Florida Constitution belongs to the people — not to politicians, political consultants or advertising copywriters. Before voters are asked to rewrite it, they deserve a ballot question that accurately informs rather than persuades.

Jamie A. Cole is Fort Lauderdale office managing partner of law firm Weiss Serota Helfman Cole + Bierman, representing local officials and governments in matters that help improve their communities and preserve home rule power.

The Sun Sentinel originally published this article on June 8, 2026.

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WSHC+B successfully represented North Bay Village in one of Miami-Dade County’s most significant recent public-private partnership (P3) projects: the development of state-of-the-art soccer fields and a new North Bay Village Community Center. The project was completed in partnership with Miami-Dade County Public Schools, the Argentine Football Association (AFA), and Project Football, arriving at a moment when soccer fever is sweeping Miami and the world as the 2026 FIFA World Cup draws near.

WSHC+B Partners Haydee Sera and Fabio Giallanza led the firm’s representation of North Bay Village throughout the project, with Sera serving as the Village’s lead attorney. Their work brought together a multidisciplinary team including Partners Marlon A. Hill, Anthony L. Recio, and firm Chairman Chad S. Friedman.

The new NBV Community Center features multipurpose spaces, padel courts, and pickleball courts, and offers programming for youth and community members designed to create a lasting pathway for the next generation of athletes. The facility represents a transformative investment in North Bay Village and meaningful contribution to Miami-Dade County’s identity as a 2026 World Cup host city.

“This project demonstrates everything that a thoughtfully structured public-private partnership can achieve,” Sera said. “From the very beginning, our goal was to help the Village secure a deal that would deliver real, lasting value for its residents while bringing together some of the most respected names in international football. Seeing that vision become a reality in time to be part of the World Cup moment is deeply gratifying.”

The North Bay Village project reflects the full depth of WSHC+B’s public-private partnership practice, which has a long track record of structuring some of Florida’s most complex and high-profile P3 transactions. The firm’s P3 attorneys represent both public and private sector clients in deals spanning airport expansions, transit system overhauls, and major event logistics, giving the firm a unique vantage point on both sides of these transactions.

This project also draws on the capabilities of WSHC+B’s Road to The World Cup 2026 Focus Group, an innovative multidisciplinary team the firm assembled to help public and private clients capitalize on the legal, governmental, and business opportunities surrounding the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The Focus Group brings together attorneys practicing in governmental affairs, sports and entertainment, immigration, intellectual property, business transactions, and real property.

“North Bay Village had the vision to see what this partnership could mean for its community and its future, and we are proud to help structure a deal that made it possible,” Friedman said. “When you combine international partners like the AFA and Project Football with a local government committed to its residents, the result is something genuinely special. We are honored to play a role in bringing it across the finish line.”

As Miami prepares to welcome the world for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the North Bay Village Community Center and soccer fields show what can be accomplished when the public and private sectors work together with a shared purpose. WSHC+B is committed to continuing to help its clients navigate the opportunities and complexities of this historic moment for South Florida.

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Academy Fellows follow a curriculum tailored to enhance their professional development, knowledge base, and experience, including attending Florida Bar events and special educational programs.

Judelande counsels municipalities in general government matters involving land use and planning, short-term rentals, transportation, and affordable housing issues.

The post WSHC+B Attorney Judelande Jeune Selected as Wm. Reece Smith, Jr. Leadership Academy Class XIV 2026-2027 Fellow appeared first on Weiss Serota Helfman Cole + Bierman.