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

The post WSHC+B Attorneys Recognized as 2025 Super Lawyers and Rising Stars appeared first on Weiss Serota Helfman Cole + Bierman.

Of the 47 lawyers recognized, 12 of the firm’s attorneys were recognized for the very first time and 14 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)
• Lillian Arango (Real Estate Law)
• Maria Victoria Currais (Real Estate Law)
• Jeffrey Decarlo (Commercial Litigation, 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)
• Anthony L. Recio (Land Use and Zoning Law)
• 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 K. Wendell (Appellate Practice)
• David M. Wolpin (Employment Law – Management, Government Relations Practice)
• Daniela Cimo (Ones to Watch: Land Use and Zoning Law)
• Kelsie Elmer (Ones to Watch: Real Estate Law)
• Roger C. Pou (Ones to Watch: Municipal Law)
• 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

• Daniel L. Abbott (Litigation – Land Use and Zoning)
• Mitchell J. Burnstein (Commercial Litigation, Eminent Domain and Condemnation Law)
• Jamie A. Cole (Commercial Litigation)
• Alicia Gonzalez (Real Estate Law)
• Paul 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)
• Isabella Falcon (Ones to Watch: Commercial Litigation)
• Anne Reilly Flanigan (Ones to Watch: Appellate Practice, Civil Rights Law, Commercial Litigation)
• Narinah Jean-Baptiste (Ones to Watch: Municipal Law)
• Bryan C. Siddique (Ones to Watch: Commercial Litigation)
• Alison F. Smith (Ones to Watch: Labor and Employment Law – Management)
• Blayne Yudis (Ones to Watch: Commercial Litigation)

Boca Raton

• Howard D. Dubosar (Commercial Litigation, Litigation – Bankruptcy)
• Andrew S. Maurodis (Land Use and Zoning Law)
• Brett J. Schneider (Employment Law – Management, Labor Law – Union, Litigation – Labor and Employment)
• David N. Tolces (Real Estate Law)
• Ethan Goldstein (Ones to Watch: Commercial Litigation)
• Ryan Hudak (Ones to Watch: Labor and Employment Law – Management)
• Jeremy S. Rosner (Ones to Watch: Commercial Litigation)

The post WSHC+B Attorneys Selected for Inclusion in the Best Lawyers in America 2025 appeared first on Weiss Serota Helfman Cole + Bierman.

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.

When appraising the land to be acquired pursuant to the potential acquisition of property for right-of-way projects it is important to utilize the correct unit of value. If the correct unit of value is not utilized it can result in the property being undervalued, which could lead to a too low initial offer to the property owner. A too low initial offer can result in higher fees and costs for the condemning authority seeking to acquire property for a particular project.

I have seen too often where the a per square foot value of land was used in an appraisal when that was not the correct way to value the land for a particular property. For instance, a property that has a highest and best use for residential development should not be valued in that way, as the most likely purchaser of that type of property is a developer who is going to value the property based on how many units they can develop. Another example, is the valuation of a property improved with a retail gasoline facility, where the value is mostly in the land and not the improvements. That type of property should not be the value based on improvements including the land, but the value of the land including the improvements.

It is important that the correct unit of value is utilized in order to ensure that an appraisal contains the correct valuation of the property. To fail to do this can have serious ramifications for the acquisition of parcels for a right-of-way project. Incorrectly appraising property for a right-of-way project can result in budgetary issues for the acquisition program, which can result in shortfalls for acquiring all of the parcels needed for a particular project.

To read the original blog post in the International Right of Way Association Sunshine Chapter No. 26 Florida, click here.

The post Peter D. Waldman authors a blog with the IRWA on choosing the correct unit of measurement in valuing property in eminent domain appeared first on Weiss Serota Helfman Cole + Bierman.

What do you consider to be the most important issue today in regard to the valuation of residential real estate as relates to acquisition of property for right of way projects?
In answering this question it would be easy to say that rising interest rates, and the pressure that interest rates place on demand, which impacts value, is the most important issue today impacting the valuation of residential real estate, but I think the issue that is going to have the most long term impact on residential real estate values in Florida is the cost of insurance. Anything that impacts the cost of residential real estate will have an impact on value, and long term I think the greatest rise in cost impacting residential real estate is insurance.

The cost of residential property insurance continues to rise as a result of various issues including some of the storms that have hit Florida over the last several years, the aging of residential condominium stock, and the increase in flooding in various coastal areas within the state. In some places residential insurance is potentially so expensive that it is not in line with the value of the housing stock in those areas. It is important to note that if you have a mortgage on your property insurance is going to be required.

As the cost of insurance becomes more and more expensive the number of potential buyers decreases. When demand decreases there is typically a downward pressure on price. If we are not able to remedy the ever increasing cost of residential property insurance it will most likely have an impact on the affordability of residential real estate, which can also have an impact on local tax revenue, some of which is needed for right of way projects.

To read the original blog post in the International Right of Way Association Sunshine Chapter No. 26 Florida, click here.

The post Peter D. Waldman authors a blog with the IRWA about the rising cost of insurance for residential real estate and its impact on right of way projects appeared first on Weiss Serota Helfman Cole + Bierman.

Super Lawyers recognizes distinguished attorneys who have undergone a rigorous screening process and who 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 A. Bierman
• Alan K. Fertel
• Edward G. Guedes
• Joseph H. Serota

Recognized as Rising Star

• Justin D. Luger
• Richard Rosengarten

Fort Lauderdale

Recognized as Super Lawyers

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

Recognized as Rising Stars

• Candice Balmori
• Anne Reilly Flanigan
• Alicia Gonzalez
• Chanae L. Wood

Boca Raton

Recognized as Super Lawyers

• Howard D. DuBosar
• Alen H. Hsu
• Brett J. Schneider

Recognized as Rising Stars

• Harrison R. DuBosar

The post WSHC+B ATTORNEYS RECOGNIZED AS 2023 SUPER LAWYERS AND RISING STARS appeared first on Weiss Serota Helfman Cole + Bierman.

At the upcoming Spring Meeting, Daniela will be a panelist in a CLE program titled: “Legal Ethics in the Emerald City: What The Rules of Professional Conduct Say About Brains, Heart, and Courage.” This panel will be a discussion on these and other ethical obligations. 

Daniela will also be moderating the Pro Bono Committee’s breakfast at the Spring Meeting on April 28th at 7:30 am. The event will feature two distinguished volunteer attorneys from Communities Rise and an inspiring pro bono manager from Legal Counsel for Youth and Children.

Daniela focuses her practice on representing governmental entities in land use, zoning, real estate, affordable housing, and general governance matters.

To read the article, click here: https://businesslawtoday.org/2023/04/how-civic-education-pro-bono-professional-integrity-strengthen-rule-of-law/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss

The post Daniela Cimo Published in the ABA Business Law Section appeared first on Weiss Serota Helfman Cole + Bierman.

As part of many road widening projects there is a change in grade, as the crown of the road is raised as part of necessary drainage modifications pursuant to the proposed widening and expansion of travel lanes.  This elevation of the road will often have a corresponding impact on the grade differential of the travel lanes and properties adjoining those travel lanes.  As a result of these changes in grade differential between the travel lanes and adjoining properties, access to those properties can be impacted pursuant to the creation of a non-functional grade differential to the adjoining properties.    

As has been discussed in previous Blogs, not all properties are the same, which holds true when you are considering acceptable grade differentials to a specific property.  A property that primarily experiences  passenger vehicle traffic typically requires different driveway grade differentials then properties that primarily experience delivery vehicle traffic, which can differ depending on the type of delivery vehicle that primarily utilizes a particular property.  When you are planning the design and potential parcels needed for a project it is important to analyze these differences.

In most cases grade differentials are resolved by harmonizing the new lanes into the adjoining properties until a functional grade differential is achieved.  Although this sounds like a low impact  process, that is not always the case.  Depending on the grade differential that needs to be harmonized it may be necessary to go several yards into the property that is being harmonized, which could cause impacts both temporary (landscaping and use of property areas) and permanent (internal circulation and loss of parking) in nature.  Once again failure to consider these potential impacts early on in the project planning and design process can result in project delays and increased acquisition costs.  Just as you shouldn’t overlook other impacts that may result from a particular project you shouldn’t fail to consider the potential impacts of necessary harmonization to specific properties as part of your projects.

To read the original blog post in the International Right of Way Association Sunshine Chapter No. 26 Florida, click here.

The post Pete Waldman discusses the potential impacts of harmonization on adjoining properties appeared first on Weiss Serota Helfman Cole + Bierman.

In acquiring right of way from commercial properties it often becomes apparent that some sort of cure will need to be done to mitigate damages to the remaining property. Typically, we think of cures for real estate. For example, a cure could restore parking, and access, or reestablish utilities, as a way of reducing damages to the remaining real estate.

Too many times, however, the cure being considered does not adequately address potential business damages, which might be even greater than the severance damages to the remaining real estate. It is important as a way of reducing overall damages pursuant to acquisitions from properties for right-of-way projects to also consider how the businesses on the property are being impacted. It may be that more cost savings can be achieved by a cure that addresses business damages first and real estate second.

Even better is a cure that does a good job of balancing the mitigation of both types of damage. In other words, a “Super Cure”. A Super Cure is a cure that looks at the whole property and how it is being utilized so that the property is restored in a way that balances both the restoration of the real estate and the functionality of the businesses being impacted. Super Cures are usually most applicable when the property is occupied by a long-term tenant or is owner-occupied.

As has been the theme throughout this series of Blogs it is important to consider the acquisition of property from a holistic perspective that considers the uniqueness of the property that is the subject of taking. It is important not to take a generic approach in analyzing right-of-way acquisitions. Be creative and super in doing this work.

To read the original blog post in the International Right of Way Association Sunshine Chapter No. 26 Florida, click here.

The post Pete Waldman discusses the “Super Cure” to mitigating real estate and business damages when acquiring right of way from commercial properties appeared first on Weiss Serota Helfman Cole + Bierman.