Jamie A. Cole – Weiss Serota Helfman Cole + Bierman https://www.wsh-law.com At the Crossroads of Business, Government & the Law Tue, 08 Sep 2026 16:45:56 +0000 en-US hourly 1 WSHC+B Attorneys Selected for Inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America® https://www.wsh-law.com/news-updates/wshcb-attorneys-selected-for-inclusion-in-the-best-lawyers-in-america-2/#utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss Thu, 20 Aug 2026 13:17:13 +0000 https://www.wsh-law.com/?p=13400 Congratulations to all our attorneys who have been recognized by their peers for inclusion in the 2027 edition of The Best Lawyers in America®.  Forty-five attorneys were recognized in Best Lawyers, and thirteen were recognized as Ones to Watch across twenty-five distinct practice areas. One of our attorneys received “Lawyer of the Year” honors. Fort […]

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]]> Congratulations to all our attorneys who have been recognized by their peers for inclusion in the 2027 edition of The Best Lawyers in America®. 

Forty-five attorneys were recognized in Best Lawyers, and thirteen were recognized as Ones to Watch across twenty-five distinct practice areas.

One of our attorneys received “Lawyer of the Year” honors. Fort Lauderdale Office Managing Partner Jamie A. Cole was recognized for his work in Government Relations Practice.

Best Lawyers has employed the same transparent methodology for more than 40 years, based entirely on peer review. 

The following includes all Firm attorneys named and areas in which they are recognized:

Miami, FL

Fort Lauderdale, FL

Boca Raton, FL

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]]> WSHC+B Secures Court Ruling Requiring Rewrite of Florida Property Tax Amendment Ballot Language https://www.wsh-law.com/news-updates/wshcb-secures-court-ruling-requiring-rewrite-of-florida-property-tax-amendment-ballot-language/#utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss Tue, 04 Aug 2026 17:24:53 +0000 https://www.wsh-law.com/?p=13388 WSHC+B has secured a significant victory in a challenge to the ballot language for a proposed Florida constitutional amendment that would significantly alter Florida’s property tax system. The litigation team is led by WSHC+B Broward Office Managing Partner Jamie A. Cole, along with attorneys Daniel L. Abbott and Bryan C. Siddique. The proposed amendment would […]

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]]> WSHC+B has secured a significant victory in a challenge to the ballot language for a proposed Florida constitutional amendment that would significantly alter Florida’s property tax system. The litigation team is led by WSHC+B Broward Office Managing Partner Jamie A. Cole, along with attorneys Daniel L. Abbott and Bryan C. Siddique.

The proposed amendment would increase the homestead exemption for non-school property taxes and reduce the cap on increases on assessment for nonhomestead properties.

Leon County Circuit Judge David Frank ruled that the proposed ballot title and summary are biased and inaccurate because they do not fairly and objectively describe the amendment for voters. The Court enjoined the Secretary of State from placing the current ballot language on the November 2026 ballot and ordered the Attorney General to prepare revised ballot language within 10 days.

The lawsuit sought to ensure that Florida voters receive fair, accurate, and legally sufficient ballot language before casting their ballots; it does not seek to deprive the voters from voting on this issue.

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.

Dan focuses on governmental and commercial litigation. A persuasive litigator and a seasoned appellate attorney, he represents clients in cases involving land use/zoning, employment discrimination, civil rights, constitution law, police liability and products liability in state and federal courts.

Bryan represents clients in litigation matters, drawing on his experience clerking for both the Florida Fourth District Court of Appeal and the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida to navigate complex legal disputes.

Media coverage includes:

Newsweek – Florida Property Tax Vote to Change After Legal Ruling

Law360 – Fla. Homestead Exemption Ballot Question Must Be Changed

SunSentinel – Saving voters from a deceptive tax question | Editorial

CBS News – Florida property tax ballot measure to be rewritten after judge rules language is misleading

Tallahassee Democrat – Judge rules Florida property tax ballot language misleading

Florida Politics – ‘More akin to a political slogan’: Judge orders rewrite of property tax amendment’s ballot language

12 News – Judge orders Florida property tax ballot language rewritten before November election

Tampa Bay 28 ABC – Amendment 3 survives court fight—but its ballot pitch does not

Gulf Coast ABC – Judge orders Florida to rewrite Amendment 3 ballot language amid pushback from state sheriffs

Islander News – Key Biscayne-linked challenge forces Amendment 3 ballot rewrite

FOX WFLX 29 –  Florida judge orders rewrite of Amendment 3 ballot language, calling it biased and misleading

WTXL Tallahassee – Judge orders rewrite of Florida Amendment 3 ballot language

WUSF NPR – Judge orders Florida to rewrite the property tax amendment ballot language

610 WIOD – Florida Judge Orders Attny General to Rewrite Property Tax Ballot Measure

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]]> WSHC+B Partners Recognized in Florida Trend’s 2026 Notable Managing Partners List https://www.wsh-law.com/news-updates/wshcb-partners-recognized-in-florida-trends-2026-notable-managing-partners-list/#utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss Wed, 01 Jul 2026 14:03:39 +0000 https://www.wsh-law.com/?p=13340 WSHC+B Miami Office Managing Partner Mitchell A. Bierman and Fort Lauderdale Office Managing Partner Jamie A. Cole were recognized by Florida Trend in its annual 2026 Notable Managing Partners list. 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 […]

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]]> WSHC+B Miami Office Managing Partner Mitchell A. Bierman and Fort Lauderdale Office Managing Partner Jamie A. Cole were recognized by Florida Trend in its annual 2026 Notable Managing Partners list.

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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]]> WSHC+B Attorneys Recognized as 2026 Super Lawyers and Rising Stars https://www.wsh-law.com/news-updates/wshcb-attorneys-recognized-as-2026-super-lawyers-and-rising-stars/#utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss Fri, 26 Jun 2026 14:51:52 +0000 https://www.wsh-law.com/?p=13321 WSHC+B is pleased to announce that 12 of our attorneys have been named to the 2026 Florida Super Lawyers list, with four additional attorneys recognized as Rising Stars. 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 […]

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]]> WSHC+B is pleased to announce that 12 of our attorneys have been named to the 2026 Florida Super Lawyers list, with four additional attorneys recognized as Rising Stars.

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

Fort Lauderdale

Recognized as Super Lawyers

Recognized as Rising Stars

Boca Raton

Recognized as Super Lawyers

Recognized as Rising Stars

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]]> Jamie A. Cole Discusses Lawsuit Challenging Florida Property Tax Amendment Ballot Language https://www.wsh-law.com/news-updates/jamie-a-cole-discusses-lawsuit-challenging-florida-property-tax-amendment-ballot-language/#utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss Tue, 23 Jun 2026 13:50:01 +0000 https://www.wsh-law.com/?p=13315 WSHC+B Broward Office Managing Partner Jamie A. Cole has been featured in statewide media regarding his lawsuit challenging the ballot title and summary for a proposed Florida constitutional amendment that would significantly alter the state’s property tax system. The lawsuit alleges that the ballot language approved by the Florida Legislature is misleading and politically biased […]

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]]> WSHC+B Broward Office Managing Partner Jamie A. Cole has been featured in statewide media regarding his lawsuit challenging the ballot title and summary for a proposed Florida constitutional amendment that would significantly alter the state’s property tax system. The lawsuit alleges that the ballot language approved by the Florida Legislature is misleading and politically biased because it uses advocacy-style language and fails to provide voters with a fair, accurate, and impartial description of the proposed amendment and its potential effects.

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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]]> Déjà Vu: Another Misleading Property Tax Ballot Question https://www.wsh-law.com/news-updates/deja-vu-another-misleading-property-tax-ballot-question/#utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss Mon, 08 Jun 2026 21:52:21 +0000 https://www.wsh-law.com/?p=13286 Nearly 20 years ago, I filed a lawsuit challenging a proposed constitutional amendment that would have dramatically changed Florida’s property tax system. In a June 2007 special session, the Florida Legislature approved a ballot measure to create a “Super Exemption” of up to $195,000 for homesteaded properties. To improve its chances of passage, the ballot […]

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]]> Nearly 20 years ago, I filed a lawsuit challenging a proposed constitutional amendment that would have dramatically changed Florida’s property tax system. In a June 2007 special session, the Florida Legislature approved a ballot measure to create a “Super Exemption” of up to $195,000 for homesteaded properties. To improve its chances of passage, the ballot language assured voters that Florida’s well-known Save Our Homes protections would be “preserved” — even though the proposal would have actually phased those protections out. On behalf of then-Weston Mayor Eric Hersh, I challenged that language in court. Second Judicial Circuit Chief Judge Charles Francis agreed it was misleading and ordered the measure removed from the ballot.

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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]]> Jamie Cole Recognized in Florida Trend’s 2025 Florida 500 List https://www.wsh-law.com/news-updates/jamie-cole-recognized-in-florida-trends-2025-florida-500-list/#utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss Thu, 23 Oct 2025 17:00:53 +0000 https://www.wsh-law.com/?p=12538 WSHC+B partner and Managing Director of the Fort Lauderdale office, Jamie A. Cole was recognized in Florida Trend’s 2025 Florida 500 list as one of the state’s most influential business leaders in law. This marks Jamie’s fifth year on the Florida 500 list. Jamie was recognized for his leadership at Weiss Serota Helfman Cole + […]

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]]> WSHC+B partner and Managing Director of the Fort Lauderdale office, Jamie A. Cole was recognized in Florida Trend’s 2025 Florida 500 list as one of the state’s most influential business leaders in law. This marks Jamie’s fifth year on the Florida 500 list.

Jamie was recognized for his leadership at Weiss Serota Helfman Cole + Bierman since 1999, helping guide the firm—known for being “at the crossroads of business, government, and law”—in representing governments, individuals, and private entities across Florida. As Chair of the Broward County Bar Association’s Law Firm Committee, he also spearheaded the development of a special magistrate program aimed at enhancing professionalism and civility among attorneys in Broward County.

Florida 500 is a special annual publication that highlights executives across various economic sectors in Florida. Florida Trend editors pick the state’s most influential business leaders after a year-long research initiative.

To view Jamie’s full profile in the Florida 500, please click here.

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]]> WSHC+B Attorneys Selected for Inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America® https://www.wsh-law.com/news-updates/wshcb-attorneys-selected-for-inclusion-in-the-best-lawyers-in-america/#utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss Thu, 21 Aug 2025 15:21:00 +0000 https://www.wsh-law.com/?p=12391 Congratulations to all our attorneys who have been recognized by their peers for inclusion in the 2026 edition of The Best Lawyers in America®.  Thirty-eight lawyers were recognized across nineteen distinct practice areas, and eleven attorneys were recognized as Ones to Watch. Two of our attorneys received “Lawyer of the Year” honors. Miami Office Managing […]

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]]> Congratulations to all our attorneys who have been recognized by their peers for inclusion in the 2026 edition of The Best Lawyers in America®. 

Thirty-eight lawyers were recognized across nineteen distinct practice areas, and eleven attorneys were recognized as Ones to Watch.

Two of our attorneys received “Lawyer of the Year” honors. Miami Office Managing Director Mitchell A. Bierman was recognized for his work in Administrative / Regulatory Law in Miami, and Partner Michael J. Kurzman was recognized for Litigation – Construction in Fort Lauderdale.

Best Lawyers has employed the same transparent methodology for more than 35 years, based entirely on peer review. 

The following includes all Firm attorneys named and areas in which they are recognized:

Miami, FL

Fort Lauderdale, FL

Boca Raton, FL

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]]> WSHC+B Mentioned in the Martin County Press on Florida Senate Bill 180 https://www.wsh-law.com/news-updates/wshcb-mentioned-in-the-martin-county-press-on-florida-senate-bill-180/#utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss Mon, 04 Aug 2025 19:58:23 +0000 https://www.wsh-law.com/?p=12380 WSHC+B was featured in The Martin County Press for its leadership representing municipalities across Florida in litigation challenging Senate Bill 180. The article highlights the firm’s role in organizing a legal coalition seeking an injunction to prevent enforcement of the law in its current form. Senate Bill 180 restricts local governments from adopting land use […]

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]]> WSHC+B was featured in The Martin County Press for its leadership representing municipalities across Florida in litigation challenging Senate Bill 180. The article highlights the firm’s role in organizing a legal coalition seeking an injunction to prevent enforcement of the law in its current form.

Senate Bill 180 restricts local governments from adopting land use regulations deemed more restrictive than those in place as of July 2024. It applies retroactively to August 1, 2024, and allows applicants to challenge ordinances through a pre-suit process, with municipalities facing up to $250,000 in legal fees if unsuccessful. Though framed as a hurricane recovery measure, the law applies statewide and raises concerns about unintended consequences, including inconsistent building standards, insurance challenges, and weakened local planning authority.

Quoted in the article, WSHC+B partner Jamie Cole stated: “Senate Bill 180 significantly limits the authority of local governments to adopt land use regulations considered more restrictive or burdensome than current laws.”

WSHC+B is actively advising municipal clients statewide to review land-use and development regulations adopted since August 1, 2024, to assess potential legal risks under SB 180, and to consider the effect of the bill on their enactments that could be construed as more restrictive or burdensome than current laws.

If your municipality has questions or needs guidance on navigating the implications of Florida Senate Bill 180 and related hurricane recovery laws, please contact Jamie A. Cole (jcole@wsh-law.com) or Susan Trevarthen (strevarthen@wsh-law.com).

Click here to read the full article by the Martin County Press.

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]]> WSHC+B Partner Jamie Cole Quoted in The Gainesville Sun on Florida Senate Bill 180 https://www.wsh-law.com/news-updates/wshcb-partner-jamie-cole-quoted-in-the-gainesville-sun-on-florida-senate-bill-180/#utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss Fri, 18 Jul 2025 15:19:43 +0000 https://www.wsh-law.com/?p=12312 WSHC+B Partner and Broward Office Managing Director Jamie A. Cole was quoted in the Gainesville Sun regarding Florida Senate Bill 180, which significantly limited the authority of local governments to adopt land use regulations considered more restrictive or burdensome than current laws. SB 180, now enrolled as Chapter 2025-190 of the Laws of Florida, prohibits […]

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]]> WSHC+B Partner and Broward Office Managing Director Jamie A. Cole was quoted in the Gainesville Sun regarding Florida Senate Bill 180, which significantly limited the authority of local governments to adopt land use regulations considered more restrictive or burdensome than current laws.

SB 180, now enrolled as Chapter 2025-190 of the Laws of Florida, prohibits local governments from imposing moratoria on redevelopment or enacting land use regulations that are “more restrictive or burdensome” for up to one year after a future hurricane makes landfall, if the community is within 100 miles of the storm track. 

Notably, it also retroactively applies a similar limitation to regulations adopted since August 1, 2024, effectively placing a freeze on local zoning authority across the entire state.  While this provision of the bill purports to affect only certain communities affected by three recent storms, it actually applies to every community in Florida due to the breadth of recent federal disaster declarations.

Jamie noted that the law could prevent local governments from adopting common-sense measures to improve resilience in areas prone to flooding. “We can learn from a hurricane, say, that certain areas flood terribly. So, if a city wants to pass an ordinance that says that if you redevelop, you’ve got to make houses a little higher. Well, now, we can’t do that.”

WSHC+B is actively advising municipal clients statewide to review land-use and development regulations adopted since August 1, 2024, to assess potential legal risks under SB 180, and to consider the effect of the bill on their enactments that could be construed as more restrictive or burdensome than current laws.

If your municipality has questions or needs guidance on navigating the implications of Florida Senate Bill 180 and related hurricane recovery laws, please contact Jamie A. Cole (jcole@wsh-law.com) or Susan Trevarthen (strevarthen@wsh-law.com).

Click here to read the full article by The Gainesville Sun.

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