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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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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Daniela represents local governments and nonprofit organizations on governance and public trust matters, guiding clients through operational and policy decisions that directly impact their communities. Her cross-sector practice gives her practical insight into the ways public entities and nonprofit organizations operate and collaborate within complex regulatory frameworks.

A trusted advisor, Daniela counsels municipalities on day-to-day government functions while also advising on high-profile and strategic initiatives. Her experience includes public property matters, procurement and contracting, ethics and sunshine law compliance, legislative drafting, public-private partnerships, and community development projects. She helps public entities mitigate risk, maintain transparency, and implement policies that support sustainable growth.

Daniela also represents 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations and advises private and disadvantaged business entities navigating public procurement and contracting processes, giving her a comprehensive understanding of both the public and private perspectives in government-related matters.

Prior to joining WSHC+B, Daniela served as a staff attorney in the Community Economic Development Unit at Legal Services of Greater Miami, Inc., where she represented nonprofit and small business clients on a broad range of issues and advised on general governance, commercial, and compliance matters.

“Daniela has earned the confidence of clients and colleagues alike through her thoughtful counsel, deep understanding of government operations, and unwavering commitment to the public interest,” said Chad S. Friedman, Chairman of WSHC+B. “Her promotion to Partner reflects not only her exceptional legal skills, but also her leadership within the firm and the value she delivers to the public and nonprofit institutions we serve.”

Daniela is fluent in Spanish. She earned her Juris Doctor, cum laude, from the University of Miami School of Law and her Bachelor of Arts, cum laude, from The George Washington University, where she majored in Political Communication and minored in Spanish & Latin American Languages. She is admitted to practice law in Florida and Washington, D.C.

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Hosted by WSHC+B partner Marlon Hill, the series brings together lawyer from across North America, including Aarij Wasti (partner at Gowling WLG, Toronto), Juan Carlos Partida (partner at EC Rubio, Mexico City), and other WSHC+B attorneys who focus their practice on governmental affairs, sports and entertainment, immigration, intellectual property, business transactions, labor & employment, and real property.

The series breaks down the complex issues stakeholders face—from immigration and border protocols to sponsorship, licensing, and venue operations. Each episode delivers actionable guidance and real-world examples, equipping in-house counsel, sponsors, venue operators, government liaisons, and other professionals to navigate challenges and turn them into opportunities.Sideline Conversations: Road to ’26 is designed for anyone looking to stay informed on the cross-border legal and commercial trends shaping the FIFA World Cup 2026 experience.

Subscribe to our YouTube channel to catch each monthly episode and stay ahead of the conversation.

Watch the first episode here: https://youtu.be/LTELlMfUbsQ?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss

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Eric is widely recognized for his work in complex litigation, particularly in software disputes, data privacy, and cybersecurity. He advises clients on matters such as the implementation of software systems, the protection of proprietary code, and the aftermath of cyberattacks, including breaches, phishing incidents, and malware. Eric, who serves on The Florida Bar’s Special Committee on AI Tools & Resources, played a key role in launching the firm’s Artificial Intelligence and Emerging Technology practice. Additionally, Eric serves as the firm’s Information Technology Partner, overseeing practice management systems, data security protocols, and technology strategy.

The 2025 Lawdragon 100 Leading AI & Legal Tech Advisors guide recognizes professionals shaping the legal tech landscape through practice, innovation, and leadership. Their selection process involves rigorous research, including submissions from peers and analysis by Lawdragon’s editorial team. Honorees include top advisors from law firms, legal tech companies, academia, and enterprise, as well as founders of leading AI companies transforming the profession.

To view the full guide, click here.

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Through this practice, WSHC+B helps clients adapt to these innovations while ensuring compliance with state, federal and international laws. The firm advises on data privacy and security, intellectual property protection, AI compliance, technology transactions, litigation, and government affairs. Its experience and relationships in tech, business transactions and local government position WSHC+B to provide legal services across a wide range of tech and AI areas.

“AI and new technologies are rapidly evolving ahead of developing regulations,” said WSHC+B Partner Eric Hockman, who serves on The Florida Bar’s Special Committee on AI Tools & Resources. “Businesses and public entities must take a proactive approach to compliance, risk mitigation and addressing future legal challenges. We are uniquely suited to guide our clients through this new world.”

The arrival of Of Counsel Janette Smith further strengthens the practice. Smith is a skilled attorney with a strong background in technology law, public sector representation, and complex contract negotiations. She has substantial experience advising clients on regulatory compliance, artificial intelligence governance, data privacy, and cybersecurity.

Smith has served as general counsel for various government entities and has advised municipalities, school boards, and regulatory agencies on technology procurement, legislative compliance, and risk management. She has successfully structured and negotiated technology contracts to remain compliant with evolving regulations while optimizing efficiency for public and private sector clients. Smith’s extensive professional involvement includes serving on The Florida Bar’s Commission on Technology and Broward County Bar Association’s Technology Committee.

“I am eager to leverage my experience for the benefit of WSHC+B’s public and private sector clients,” Smith said. “This is the ideal time to join the firm given its new Artificial Intelligence and Emerging Technology practice and overall commitment to being a leader in this developing area of the law.” For more information about the practice, visit https://www.wsh-law.com/practices/business-transactions/artificial-intelligence-and-emerging-technology?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss.

• https://www.law360.com/pulse/articles/2335442?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss

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Blocking and Restricting Access:

• CIO/CTO/IT Professionals: Take note to block all prohibited applications from public access (i.e., WI-FI) on any network and virtual private network that the agency owns, operates, or maintains.

For more information, please contact your WSHC+B legal counsel.

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Ed Guedes, Chair of the firm’s Appellate Practice Group, was ranked in Litigation: Appellate – Florida. One commentator observed, Ed “is very well respected among the appellate bench,” while another stated, “Ed is a very prominent, local lawyer. He specializes in representing local government entities and is very knowledgeable and effective in this field.”

Cliff Schulman was recognized as “Senior Statesperson” in Environment – Florida and Real Estate: Zoning/Land Use – Florida. Clients say, “Clifford is very good and one of the best lawyers over in Miami-Dade County.”

The Chambers USA guide annually ranks preeminence in key practice areas and achievements of law firms and lawyers throughout the country. The qualities on which individual lawyers are ranked, includes their legal knowledge and experience, their ability, their effectiveness and their client-service.

To view the full guide, click here.

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“It is possible for a labor contract at an air carrier to pay employees, such as flight attendants, for all their work, including tasks performed before ‘flight time’ begins. But the contracts have not developed this way because there is no 9 to 5 schedule for flight crews and no reasonable way to create a ‘shift,’” Eric explained. 

A former pilot and 12-year veteran of the airline industry, Eric elaborated stating, “Flight crews simply can’t work an 8-hour, continuous shift (except on long, overseas flights), and they don’t ‘punch a clock’… they are paid for flight hours, the same way pilots are paid, because it’s a verifiable period and easy for airlines to track.”

Eric is a commercial litigator with deep knowledge about the aviation industry. His experience working as a pilot, a certified flight instructor with instrument endorsement, a certified airframe & powerplant technician, and a heavy maintenance manager, gives him a unique perspective when practicing aviation law.  

Read more: https://www.consumeraffairs.com/news/flight-attendants-are-unfairly-compensated-for-their-time-080122.html?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss

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