NACOLE is a non-profit organization that supports independent civilian oversight entities working to make law enforcement agencies, jails, and prisons more transparent, accountable, and responsive to their communities. The Task Force provides guidance and strategy to oversight agencies when they are faced with existential threats, including legislation, court cases, elections, budget reductions, or actions that seek to eliminate or limit the effectiveness of an oversight agency. 

John has been recognized as a Certified Practitioner of Oversight by NACOLE since 2019. He served for many years as Independent Counsel to the City of Miami Civilian Investigative Panel, and has represented civilian oversight interests before the Florida Supreme Court.

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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

• Lillian Arango (Real Estate Law)
• Mitchell A. Bierman (Administrative / Regulatory Law, Government Contracts)
• Maria Victoria Currais (Real Estate Law)
• Jeffrey Decarlo (Public Finance Law)
• Alan K. Fertel (Sports Law)
• Chad S. Friedman (Land Use and Zoning Law, Real Estate Law)
• Jessika Arce Graham (Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law)
• Edward G. Guedes (Appellate Practice)
• Stephen J. Helfman (Land Use and Zoning Law)
• Juan P. Loumiet (Litigation – Real Estate, Real Estate Law)
• Justin Luger (Commercial Litigation)
• Mariela M. Malfeld (Litigation – Construction)
• Edward O. Martos (Land Use and Zoning Law)
• John Quick (Litigation – Labor and Employment)
• Anthony L. Recio (Land Use and Zoning Law)
• Caroline G. Saiz (Litigation – Labor and Employment)
• Haydee Sera (Land Use and Zoning Law)
• Joseph H. Serota (Commercial Litigation)
• Eduardo M. Soto (Real Estate Law)
• Samantha W. Soto (Litigation – Labor and Employment)
• Alejandro Uribe (Land Use and Zoning Law)
• Richard Jay Weiss (Government Relations Practice)
• Laura K. Wendell (Appellate Practice)
• David M. Wolpin (Employment Law – Management, Government Relations Practice)
• Daniela Cimo (Ones to Watch: Land Use and Zoning Law)
• Kelsie M. Elmer (Ones to Watch: Real Estate Law)
• Cesar Francia (Ones to Watch: Entertainment and Sports Law)
• Stephanie Herbello (Ones to Watch: Land Use and Zoning Law)
• Judelande Jeune (Ones to Watch: Municipal Law)
• Roger C. Pou (Ones to Watch: Municipal Law)
• Katharine Rodriguez-Wilson (Ones to Watch: Real Estate Law)

Fort Lauderdale, FL

• Daniel L. Abbott (Commercial Litigation, Litigation – Land Use and Zoning)
• Candice Balmori (Land Use and Zoning Law)
• Mitchell J. Burnstein (Commercial Litigation, Eminent Domain and Condemnation Law)
• Jamie A. Cole (Commercial Litigation, Government Relations Practice, Municipal Law)
• Anne R. Flanigan (Commercial Litigation)
• Alicia Gonzalez (Real Estate Law)
• Michael J. Kurzman (Construction Law, Litigation – Construction)
• Matthew H. Mandel (Commercial Litigation)
• Steven H. Osber (Commercial Litigation)
• Matthew J. Pearl (Community Association Law)
• Lori Smith-Lalla (Municipal Law)
• Alison F. Smith (Employment Law – Management)
• Eric L. Stettin (Commercial Litigation)
• Susan L. Trevarthen (Land Use and Zoning Law, Litigation – Municipal, Municipal Law)
• Peter D. Waldman (Eminent Domain and Condemnation Law)
• Bryan C. Siddique (Ones to Watch: Commercial Litigation) 
• Arielle S. Vanon (Ones to Watch: Commercial Litigation)
• Michael A. Weitzner (Ones to Watch: Litigation – Labor and Employment)

Boca Raton, FL

• Howard D. DuBosar (Commercial Litigation, Litigation – Banking and Finance, Litigation – Bankruptcy)
• Rana M. Gorzeck (Real Estate Law)
• Andrew S. Maurodis (Land Use and Zoning Law, Municipal Law)
• Debra Reese (Land Use and Zoning Law, Municipal Law)
• Brett J. Schneider (Employment Law – Management, Labor Law – Union, Litigation – Labor and Employment)
• David N. Tolces (Municipal Law, Real Estate Law)
• Erica Hausdorff (Ones to Watch: Commercial Litigation)
• Jeremy S. Rosner (Ones to Watch: Commercial Litigation)
• Mikayla T. Taylor (Ones to Watch: Workers’ Compensation Law – Employers)

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This ruling will have a statewide impact on the disclosure of information related to police-involved shootings and potentially other police-community interactions. By setting this precedent, the Court has substantially advanced the discourse on public access to information and the balance of individual rights within the justice system.

John is both a local government attorney and a litigator. In his role as counsel for municipal clients, John handles land use and zoning matters, statutory and code interpretation issues, ethics concerns, taxation and budget matters, special assessments, police and fire issues, disability accommodations, public development and historic preservation.

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.

The post WSHC+B Partners John Quick and Edward Guedes Played a Significant Role in a Landmark Florida Supreme Court Decision appeared first on Weiss Serota Helfman Cole + Bierman.

The firm’s attorneys included in the guide are listed below.

Top Lawyers

Mitchell A. Bierman – Government Relations, Litigation

Mitchell J. Burnstein – Eminent Domain

Jamie A. Cole – Government Litigation, Corporate And Business Litigation

Andrew Demers – Banking and Financial Institutions

Alan K. Fertel – Entertainment And Sports, Civil Litigation

Chad S. Friedman – Land Use, Zoning and Environmental Law

Edward G. Guedes – Appellate Law

Alen H. Hsu – Business and Real Estate Litigation

Michael J. Kurzman – Construction Law

John Quick – Litigation

Anthony L. Recio – Real Estate – Land Use And Zoning

Brett J. Schneider – Employment Law

Clifford A. Schulman – Environmental, Real Estate – Land Use And Zoning

Joseph H. Serota – Corporate And Business Litigation, Government Litigation

Marc I. Solomon – Business Organizations, Acquisitions and Conveyances

Richard J. Weiss – Government

Rana M. Gorzeck – Banking or Commercial Real Estate

Lewis R. Cohen – Banking or Commercial Real Estate

Top Up and Comers

Alicia Gonzalez – Real Estate, Eminent Domain

Justin D. Luger – Litigation

Edward O. Martos – Land Use And Zoning

Click here to view the full 2022 South Florida Legal Guide.

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Joseph Serota was recognized as a 2022 Best Mentor. One of the firm’s founding members and the firm’s first managing director, Joe’s leadership over the past three decades has helped to grow WSHC+B into a leading Florida law firm for business and government clients. In addition to his full-time legal work and other professional and community endeavors, Joe carves out time to be a resource and mentor for new attorneys at his firm, inspiring and informing our next generation of legal professionals in South Florida.

John Quick was also recognized as a 2022 Unsung Hero. John’s work positively impacts Miami-Dade County’s community relations, public safety, and quality of life through his robust law practice and vast community involvement. As one of only a few attorneys in Florida to serve as a civilian oversight practitioner, John is recognized as a Certified Practitioner of Oversight by the National Association for Civilian Oversight of Law Enforcement. He serves as Independent Counsel to the City of Miami Civilian Investigative Panel, Chair of the Miami-Dade County Community Relations Board, and President of the Parks Foundation of Miami-Dade.

Last but not least, the firm’s real estate department, led by Joe Hernandez, was recognized in the Real Estate Transactions category for its work on deals totaling more than $2.5 billion. These projects include a ground lease for the Bahia Mar Marina and mixed-use development in Fort Lauderdale, a joint-venture agreement for the E11even Residences development in downtown Miami, and a pending ground lease in the City of Miami. 

Joe, John, and the firm’s real estate team will be honored at the publication’s Florida Legal Awards event on May 19.

To view the full list of honorees, click here.

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As South Florida’s industry sectors become increasingly diversified, the legal landscape has become more complex, with clients demanding a high level of service and sophistication in all practice areas. SFBW understands how much the region’s success depends on top-flight attorneys and are celebrating their accomplishments, acumen, and dedication with the Legal Awards.

John will be officially recognized as the Social Impact Honoree, during the in-person joint Awards Ceremony and Legal Guide Release Party on November 4th, 2021, at the Museum of Discovery and Science.

Click here for more information about the event.

The post WSHC+B Partner Recognized as Social Impact Honoree for the South Florida Business & Wealth 2021 Legal Awards appeared first on Weiss Serota Helfman Cole + Bierman.

In June 2019, the City of Miami Gardens applied for a boundary change with the Miami-Dade Clerk of the Board. An advertised public hearing took place, and the proposed boundary change was approved. The annexation remains unfinalized, however, the appellants claimed the annexation would cause irreparable harm to them.

The city and county said there were still many steps to go before the county commission’s final consideration of the decision and since the annexation was not finalized, it could not cause irreparable harm.

Firm partner, Edward Guedes, said “The Third District Court of Appeal correctly understood that our system of government, as encompassed by the separation-of-powers doctrine, doesn’t allow the judicial branch to interfere with ongoing political or legislative processes such as the county’s evaluation of Miami Gardens’ annexation request.”

Weiss Serota Helfman Cole & Bierman P.L. partner John Quick followed up stating “rather than side with the plaintiffs, which would have effectively thwarted the voice of the people and our elected officials, the courts stood aside — as they should at this stage — and allowed the legislative process to proceed.”

The appellate panel agreed with Miami-Dade Circuit Court Judge Valerie Manno Schurr, who found the appellants lacked jurisdiction.

Click here to read the full article.

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“We need to make sure people aren’t surprised by what they can and can’t do.” John stated that business owners and the property owners also need to be aware of the regulations.

Police in Miami Beach are working to make sure the streets remain safe during Memorial Day Weekend. They have a plan in place to avoid the chaos seen in the area during spring break. The city announced steps like restricting access to residential neighborhoods and suspending rentals of scooters and other specialized vehicles, like golf carts, scooters and the like.

Additionally, some of the high impact measures include no alcohol and setting capacity limits on beaches. Police will also be using license plate readers on main corridors coming into the city.

Click here to watch the full video.

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The Firm was also selected as a Top Law Firm, which highlights firms with excellent credentials. Firms included are nominated by the Top Lawyers and Top Up and Comers in the publication’s annual submission.

The Firm’s attorneys included in the guide are listed below.

Top Lawyers
Mitchell A. Bierman – Government Relations, Litigation
Mitchell J. Burnstein – Eminent Domain
Jamie A. Cole – Government Litigation, Corporate And Business Litigation
Ignacio G. Del Valle – Real Estate, Corporate And Business
Andrew Demers – Banking and Financial Institutions
Alan K. Fertel – Entertainment And Sports, Civil Litigation
Chad S. Friedman – Land Use, Zoning and Environmental Law
Edward G. Guedes – Appellate Law
Alen H. Hsu – Business and Real Estate Litigation
Michael J. Kurzman – Construction Law
John Quick – Litigation
Anthony L. Recio – Real Estate – Land Use And Zoning
Brett J. Schneider – Employment Law
Clifford A. Schulman – Environmental, Real Estate – Land Use And Zoning
Joseph H. Serota – Corporate And Business Litigation, Government Litigation
Marc I. Solomon – Business Organizations, Acquisitions and Conveyances
Richard J. Weiss – Government

Top Up and Comers
Alicia Gonzalez – Real Estate, Eminent Domain
Justin D. Luger – Litigation
Edward O. Martos – Land Use And Zoning
Alison F. Smith – Labor And Employment

Click here to view the full 2021 South Florida Legal Guide.

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“Come and be smart,” John said. “We are still going through a pandemic–be respectful of our regulations, be respectful of our laws, and have a good time, but have a good time within the confines of what’s going on within the pandemic.”

“We’ve been dealing with this for a year now and we want to make sure that our hard work has paid off and will continue to pay off,” he said.

Click here to watch the full video.

Additional press includes:

CNN: Miami Beach officials say they’re prepared for another weekend of large spring break crowds

NBC 6: Miami Beach Restaurants Impacted By Spring Break Crowds

Miami Cop Talk: Robert Asencio and Raul Correa talk with John Quick, Attorney and Independent Counsel for City of Miami Civilian Investigative Panel

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