Founded in 1995 by Stephanie and Jules Trump, The Foundation’s Miami chapter is a non-profit dedicated to motivating and empowering children from low-income communities to achieve their educational and career goals. Through long-term mentoring, tutoring, enrichment programs, and tuition assistance, the Foundation provides students with the tools and support needed to pursue higher education.

The Miami chapter adopted the entire second-grade class at Charles R. Drew School in Liberty City—97 Dreamers in total. Of those students, 95 advanced to twelfth grade, 83 graduated on time in 2005, 54 earned college degrees, and several others are currently pursuing higher education. In a community where the average income is $11,000, one in four children faces arrest by age 16, teenage pregnancy is common, and graduation rates fall below 25%, the “I Have a Dream” Miami program has helped defy the odds. These Dreamers have shown that opportunity can transform outcomes, regardless of one’s circumstances.

Building on this impact, the Miami chapter has expanded its work to support students at Fulford Elementary in North Miami Beach. The “I Have a Dream” Foundation remains the only U.S. nonprofit offering continuous, year-round support to lower-income children throughout their entire educational journey.

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Congratulations to Milton R. Collins, Howard D. DuBosar, Alan L. Gabriel, Rana M. Gorzeck, Alen H. Hsu, Michael Kantor, Michael J. Kurzman, Ronald S. Nisonson, Matthew T. Ramenda, Lindsey Ryder, Brett J. Schneider, Marc I. Solomon, Anthony C. Soroka, David N. Tolces for being recognized in the Top Lawyers of 2025 list.

The Boca Raton Observer’s Top Lawyers list is compiled in partnership with DataJoe, a leading national research firm. The selection process is based exclusively on peer review, with lawyers across Broward and Palm Beach counties nominating colleagues they believe exemplify excellence in their respective practice areas.

To view all of the 2025 Top Lawyers, please click here.

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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

• Lillian Arango (Real Estate Law)
• Mitchell A. Bierman (Administrative / Regulatory Law, Government Contracts)
• Daniela Cimo (Ones to Watch: Land Use and Zoning Law)
• Maria Victoria Currais (Real Estate Law)
• Jeffrey Decarlo (Commercial Litigation, Public Finance Law)
• Kelsie M. Elmer (Ones to Watch: Real Estate 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)
• Stephanie Herbello (Ones to Watch: Land Use and Zoning Law)
• Judelande Jeune (Ones to Watch: Municipal Law)
• Juan P. Loumiet (Litigation – Real Estate, Real Estate Law)
• Justin Luger (Commercial Litigation)
• Edward O. Martos (Land Use and Zoning Law)
• Pooja Patel (Ones to Watch: Litigation – Labor and Employment)
• Roger C. Pou (Ones to Watch: Municipal Law)
• Anthony L. Recio (Land Use and Zoning Law)
• Katharine Rodriguez-Wilson (Ones to Watch: Real Estate Law)
• Paul Ryder (Employment Law – Management)
• Joseph H. Serota (Commercial Litigation)
• Eduardo M. Soto (Real Estate Law)
• Richard Jay Weiss (Government Relations Practice)
• Laura K. Wendell (Appellate Practice)
• David M. Wolpin (Employment Law – Management, Government Relations Practice)

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 (Eminent Domain and Condemnation Law, Real Estate Law)
• Michael J. Kurzman (Construction Law, Litigation – Construction)
• Matthew H. Mandel (Commercial Litigation)
• Matthew J. Pearl (Community Association Law)
• Bryan C. Siddique (Ones to Watch: Commercial Litigation) 
• Lori Smith-Lalla (Municipal Law)
• Eric L. Stettin (Commercial Litigation)
• Susan L. Trevarthen (Land Use and Zoning Law, Municipal Law)
• Peter D. Waldman (Eminent Domain and Condemnation Law)
• 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)
• Erica Hausdorff (Ones to Watch: Commercial Litigation)
• Andrew S. Maurodis (Land Use and Zoning Law, Municipal Law)
• Debra Reese (Land Use and Zoning Law)
• Jeremy S. Rosner (Ones to Watch: Commercial Litigation)
• Brett J. Schneider (Employment Law – Management, Labor Law – Union, Litigation – Labor and Employment)
• David N. Tolces (Municipal Law, Real Estate Law)

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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 Bierman
• Alan K. Fertel
• Edward G. Guedes
• Joseph H. Serota

Fort Lauderdale

Recognized as Super Lawyers

• Mitchell J. Burnstein
• Jamie A. Cole
• Michael J. Kurzman
• Susan Trevarthen
• Peter D. Waldman

Recognized as Rising Stars

• Chanae 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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Of the 41 lawyers recognized, 12 of the firm’s attorneys were recognized for the very first time and 12 attorneys were recognized as Ones to Watch. 

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

• Mitchell A. Bierman (Administrative / Regulatory Law; Government Contracts; Government Relations Practice)
• Lewis R. Cohen (Banking and Finance Law; Real Estate Law)
• Jeffrey Decarlo (Commercial Litigation)
• Ignacio G. Del Valle (Real Estate Law)
• Alan K. Fertel (Sports Law)
• Chad S. Friedman (Land Use and Zoning 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)
• Paul Ryder (Employment Law Management)
• Clifford A. Schulman (Environmental Law, Land Use and Zoning Law)
• Joseph H. Serota (Commercial Litigation)
• Eduardo M. Soto (Real Estate Law)
• Richard Jay Weiss (Government Relations Practice) 
• Laura Wendell (Appellate Practice)
• David M. Wolpin (Employment Law – Management; Government Relations Practice)
• Jake Bland (Ones to Watch: Commercial Litigation; Litigation – Construction)
• Daniela Cimo (Ones to Watch: Land Use and Zoning Law)
• Roger C. Pou (Pnes to Watch: Municipal Law)
• Caroline G. Saiz (Ones to Watch: Litigation – Labor and Employment)
• Samantha W. Soto (Ones to Watch: Labor and Employment Law – Management; Litigation – Labor and Employment)
• Alejandro Uribe (Ones to Watch: Land Use and Zoning Law)

Fort Lauderdale

• Mitchell J. Burnstein (Commercial Litigation; Eminent Domain and Condemnation Law)
• Jamie A. Cole (Commercial Litigation)
• Paul R. Gougelman (Land Use and Zoning Law)
• Michael J. Kurzman (Construction Law; Litigation – Construction)
• Matthew H. Mandel (Commercial Litigation)
• Eric L. Stettin (Commercial Litigation)
• Susan L. Trevarthen (Land Use and Zoning Law)
• Peter D. Waldman (Eminent Domain and Condemnation Law)
• Anne R. Flanigan (Ones to Watch: Appellate Practice; Civil Right Law; Commercial Litigation)
• Narinah Jean-Baptiste (Ones to Watch: Municipal Law)
• Scott Mullin (Ones to Watch: Commercial Litigation)
• Alison F. Smith (Ones to Watch: Labor and Employment Law – Management)

Boca Raton

• Howard D. DuBosar (Commercial Litigation)
• Andrew S. Maurodis (Land Use and Zoning Law)
• Brett J. Schneider (Litigation – Labor and Employment, Employment Law – Management)
• Harrison R. DuBosar (Ones to Watch: Appellate Practice; Commercial Litigation) 
• Ryan Hudak (Ones to Watch: Labor and Employment Law – Management)

Tampa, FL

• Sarah L. Johnston (Government Relations Practice)

The post WSHC+B Attorneys Selected For Inclusion In The Best Lawyers In America 2024 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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The research for the Top Lawyers list was created by Professional Research Services and is based on an online peer-review survey sent out to certified lawyers within South Florida. Mitchell, Jamie, Michael and Alicia were selected by their peers as the best legal minds practicing in Broward County.

To view the full October 2021 issue of Fort Lauderdale Illustrated, please click here.

The post WSHC+B Attorneys Recognized as 2021 Top Lawyer in Fort Lauderdale appeared first on Weiss Serota Helfman Cole + Bierman.

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.

The post 2021 South Florida Legal Guide Recognizes WSHC+B as a Top Law Firm and 17 Attorneys as Top Lawyers appeared first on Weiss Serota Helfman Cole + Bierman.

While a contractor or owner might be forced to sue if the other party refuses to negotiate, communication early on is probably one of the most important tools a contractor or owner can utilize if the objective is to avoid the courtroom. 

For example, if your firm owes money to suppliers or subcontractors the first step is to explain the situation to them, Michael said.

“They’ll probably work with you in some way because … a bad settlement is still better than a good litigation,” he said. “So hopefully they would have that same mindset, and they would work with the entity that owes them the money to try to come up with a payment plan or time or something because they’d rather get paid than have to litigate.”

Those that want to litigate on principle and want to move forward with a lawsuit at any cost usually change their minds once they realize the expense. “That goes on until about the time they get their third bill and then suddenly the principle is not that important,” Michael said.

Click here to read the full article.

The post Michael Kurzman comments on construction litigation scenarios contractors and owners may face appeared first on Weiss Serota Helfman Cole + Bierman.

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 Bierman
• Mitchell Burnstein
• Jamie Cole
• Ignacio Del Valle
• Alan Fertel
• Edward Guedes
• Michael Kurzman
• John Quick
• Anthony Recio
• Brett Schneider
• Clifford Schulman
• Joseph Serota
• Richard Weiss

Top Up and Comers

• Justin Luger
• Edward Martos
• Alicia Gonzalez

Click here to view the full 2020 South Florida Legal Guide.

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