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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WSHC+B welcomes Shana H. Bridgeman as Partner in the firm’s Boca Raton office and as a member of its Labor and Employment Division.

Shana has more than 22 years of legal experience, including 19 years representing management, businesses, and municipal clients in labor and employment matters throughout Florida. She handles a broad range of labor and employment law issues, including collective bargaining, employee discipline, grievances, policy development, employment agreements, and overall risk management.

Her practice encompasses matters arising under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act, Age Discrimination in Employment Act, Fair Labor Standards Act, Family and Medical Leave Act, and Florida Civil Rights Act. Shana represents employers before the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, Florida Public Employees Relations Commission, Florida Commission on Human Relations, Florida Division of Administrative Hearings, and in arbitration proceedings.

Shana also conducts workplace investigations involving harassment, discrimination, retaliation, misconduct, and ethics and policy violations. She holds an Association of Workplace Investigators Certificate Holder (AWI-CH) designation.

“Shana’s breadth of experience in labor and employment law and workplace investigations makes her an exceptional addition to our team,” said Brett J. Schneider, Partner and Chair of the firm’s Labor and Employment Division. “I have known Shana for many years, and I believe her significant experience and interpersonal skills, combined with her deep roots in South Florida, positions her to deliver immediate value to our clients throughout the region.”

Shana began her legal career as an Assistant State Attorney at the Palm Beach County State Attorney’s Office, where she served as first-chair trial counsel in approximately 50 trials. She subsequently spent over 15 years practicing labor and employment law at a full-service law firm representing municipal and private clients across Florida.

Most recently, Shana founded and operated her own law firm, providing management-side legal counsel, investigation services, and compliance consulting to businesses, local government entities, and HR directors throughout Florida.

Shana earned her Juris Doctor from the University of Florida Levin College of Law and her Bachelor of Arts in English from the University of Florida. She has been admitted to practice law in Florida since 2005 and is also admitted to the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida.

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WSHC+B welcomes Mariela Malfeld as Partner in the firm’s Miami office, where she will practice within the firm’s Litigation Division with a focus on construction law.

Mariela is Board Certified in Construction Law by the Florida Bar. She represents contractors, owners, designers, and sureties in complex commercial disputes in state and federal courts, and domestic and international arbitrations. Having taken multiple cases to final hearing in arbitration and trial, she brings deep experience across all phases of litigation, including risk assessment, motion practice, and complex electronically stored information discovery.

A seasoned litigator, Mariela advises clients on contract review and helps them anticipate and resolve disputes efficiently in high-stakes matters. Her practice spans construction defect claims, insurance coverage disputes, and other complex commercial litigation, with an emphasis on mitigating risk and protecting client interests in both courtroom and arbitration settings.

Mariela has held leadership roles in bar and industry committees focused on construction and international law, including serving as Co-Vice Chair of the Insurance and Surety Committee of the Real Property, Probate and Trust Law Section of the Florida Bar. She has also contributed to publications on construction law, dispute resolution, and international arbitration practices, and presented at national industry conferences, including the Associated General Contractors of America Construction Risk Conference and Southern Surety and Fidelity Claims Conference.

“Mariela brings a level of technical depth and courtroom experience that will be an immediate asset to our clients and litigation team,” said Chad S. Friedman, Chairman of WSHC+B. “Her track record in complex commercial disputes and international arbitration makes her an exceptional addition to the firm.”

Mariela is fluent in Spanish and conversational in French and German. She earned her Juris Doctor, cum laude, from the University of Florida Levin College of Law and her Bachelor of Business Administration, cum laude, from the University of Miami, with minors in German language studies and Business Law. She has been admitted to practice law in Florida since 2008.

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Marlon discussed a broad range of legal issues that many will have to consider in advance of the World Cup, including trademark issues, Miami’s legal obligations, travel to the United States, workforce demands, licensing requirements for public watch parties, and more.

Marlon represents businesses, entrepreneurs, and local and international governments in corporate, intellectual property, and government matters, and is a key member of the firm’s Road to the World Cup group.

Click here to view the article.

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In this role, Tania will help lead initiatives that promote engagement and strengthen connections within our legal community. The Miami-Dade Bar’s mission is to be the voice of Miami-Dade County’s legal profession, serving the public and the bar by promoting equal justice, professionalism and civility, and excellence and respect for the law.

Tania has more than 16 years of experience representing clients in complex litigation cases throughout the state of Florida. She currently handles various civil trial and appellate matters for her clients, including complex commercial disputes, civil rights claims, and torts.

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Liz highlighted challenges as activity ramps up, including aggressive timelines and staffing constraints: “I think contractors would probably worry that developers are biting off more than they can chew,” she said, adding that some schedules “are a little tough to meet and may not necessarily reap the benefits that they’re expecting.”

Liz represents private and governmental entities in various construction-related transactions and construction defect litigation. Her practice involves primarily representing owners and developers as they negotiate with architects, contractors, and other entities concerning their construction projects.

Read more here: https://therealdeal.com/magazine/october-2025/miami-top-construction-firms/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss.

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Miami, FL – Weiss Serota Helfman Cole + Bierman (WSHC+B) welcomed two new attorneys to the growing law firm: Jessica Goodman and Philip Schuss. Goodman joins the firm’s Boca Raton office, while Schuss is based in its Miami office.

Goodman is part of WSHC+B’s Litigation Practice Division, focusing on complex commercial litigation in state and federal courts, including trade secret disputes and directors’ and officers’ liability. She also has experience prosecuting and defending governmental claims in the public sector.

Prior to joining WSHC+B, Goodman worked as a judicial intern for the Honorable William D. Matthewman in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida. Goodman obtained her Juris Doctor from the University of Virginia School of Law.

In WSHC+B’s Miami office, Schuss focuses on real estate and business transactions, banking, and representation of financial institutions. Before joining the firm, he interned in the financial services sector and in a New York law firm’s real estate group. During his internships, he analyzed commercial agreements and conducted legal research of securities regulations.

Schuss earned his Juris Doctor from Brooklyn Law School.

“Jessica and Philip are talented attorneys who strengthen multiple practices at our firm,” said Firm Managing Director Mitch Burnstein. “We look forward to helping them grow as professionals and as leaders within the community.”

About Weiss Serota Helfman Cole + Bierman, P.L.:

Weiss Serota Helfman Cole + Bierman, P.L. is a prominent Florida law firm serving corporate, governmental and individual clients with an integrated array of professional services including commercial litigation, land-use and real estate law, construction law, telecommunications law, labor and employment law, government law and governmental relations. The firm has offices in Miami, Ft. Lauderdale, and Boca Raton. For more information, visit www.wsh-law.com?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss.

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Ed is Board Certified in Appellate Practice by the Florida Bar and is Chair of the firm’s Appellate Practice Group. He has litigated dozens of 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.

Howard is the chair of the firm’s Commercial Litigation Practice Group and focuses his practice on complex commercial litigation matters. He has extensive experience in corporate and partnership litigation, business divorce, business torts, trade secret litigation, intellectual property, and commercial real estate recovery disputes.

Anne is a civil litigator, representing both public and private clients in a wide range of cases. Her litigation practice includes federal civil rights matters, personal injury, contract disputes, and real property claims. She actively practices in both federal and state court.

Ronald is a commercial litigator and Florida Supreme Court Certified Circuit Mediator with over two decades of experience. His practice focuses on contracts, corporate and commercial litigation, construction litigation, professional liability, and insurance defense litigation. Ronald has handled complex matters at the state, federal, and appellate levels. 

The Lawdragon 500 Leading Litigators in America guide showcases top U.S. litigators across a wide range of practice areas. The litigators were chosen through an extensive study of which lawyers and law practices have had a significant impact in the practice of litigation, including an emphasis on recent matters handled. 

To view the full guide, click here.

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Florida Trend Media Company’s editorial review team vetted and selected individual attorneys who qualified for inclusion by meeting and exceeding specific methodology and criteria parameters that were put in place for its nomination process. To qualify for the list, lawyers must have been nominated by peers and business associates for their experience and impact on their field of law, as well as their influence within the community while demonstrating strong leadership in professional organizations and civic/community service initiatives. The state’s most influential attorneys were selected after a year-long research initiative by the editors of Florida Trend.

Representing WSHC+B’s real estate and land use practices, these attorneys play a key role in advancing the firm’s work throughout South Florida. Their commitment and leadership has earned them recognition in the profession, while they continue to mentor within their teams and advocate for their communities.

To view all of the Notable Real Estate / Land Use Attorneys, please click here.

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Elizabeth Coppolecchia, Fabio Giallanza, and Chanae L. Wood have been named to the 2025 Lawdragon 500 X – The Next Generation guide.

Elizabeth was recognized for her work in construction, transactions, and litigation; Fabio for his focus on corporate and real estate matters; and Chanae for her work in real estate, zoning, land use, and government law.

This annual guide recognizes rising legal talent who, as Lawdragon describes, “provide a forecast of the fascinating future of global law practice.”

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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