Stephanie represents clients in a variety of areas, including construction litigation, securities litigation, consumer class actions, and products liability. 

Stephanie has litigated matters in both state and federal courts involving contract disputes, fraud, breaches of fiduciary duties, as well as claims under the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA), Florida Security of Communications Act (FSCA), and Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA). In addition, she has represented clients in connection with investigations by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Office of Inspector General (OIG).

Stephanie earned her Juris Doctor from Duke University School of Law, where she served as a staff editor on the Duke Journal of Constitutional Law and Public Policy. She graduated magna cum laude from the University of Miami with a degree in English and is proficient in Spanish.

Professional & Community Involvement

• Camillus House Young Leaders (CHYL) Board, Secretary

Awards & Recognition

• Best Lawyers in America, Ones to Watch, 2021-2022
• Florida Trend’s Legal Elite, Up and Comer, 2019
  

Representative Experience

• Second-chaired a federal trial defending a client against conspiracy, fraud, and money laundering charges, obtaining acquittals on multiple counts and ultimately securing dismissal of all charges before retrial.
• Successfully compelled arbitration of a TCPA class action brought against a national food and beverage company.
• Successfully represented a South Florida company in securing dismissal, with prejudice, of a putative securities class action.
• Oversaw third-party subpoena process on behalf of a large international corporation.

Florida, 2015

Duke University School of Law, J.D., 2015

University of Miami, B.A., magna cum laude, 2011

Spanish

Cara focuses on construction law and high-value development disputes. She works closely with contractors, developers, engineers, consultants, and property owners to navigate complex issues ranging from Chapter 558 claims to active litigation, including construction liens and contract disputes.

She previously practiced in a construction and property law group, where she advised on matters from initial dispute through resolution, including construction contracts, property damage, and first-party property insurance coverage cases. She advocates in courts throughout Florida and is experienced across all phases of litigation, including pleadings, discovery, hearings, and trial preparation.

Cara earned her Juris Doctor, cum laude, from Nova Southeastern University Shepard Broad College of Law, where she was a published author in the ILSA Journal of International and Comparative Law. She graduated magna cum laude from Florida International University with a degree in Criminal Justice and is proficient in Spanish.

Professional & Community Involvement

• Broward County Bar Association, Young Lawyers Section, Member
• Palm Beach County Bar Association, Young Lawyers Section, Member
• Miami Dade Bar Association, Member

Florida, 2024

U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida, 2024

U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida, 2024

Nova Southeastern University Shepard Broad College of Law, J.D., cum laude, 2024

Florida International University, B.S. in Criminal Justice, magna cum laude, 2020

• Association of Workplace Investigators, Certificate Holder (AWI-CH), 2026
• Association of Workplace Investigators (AWI), Member

Representative Experience

• Successfully assisted a Florida police department with filing the state’s first petition for a Risk Protection Order under the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School Public Safety Act.

Reported Cases

• De Barros v. Pembroke Pines Police Department, 321 So. 3d 769 (Fla. 4th DCA 2021)
• Daley-Beckford v. Aging and Disability Resource Center of Broward County, Case No. 19-2090 (Fla. DOAH Oct. 22, 2019)
• Eichelbaum v. I Can Benefit Group, Case No. 15-1176 (Fla. DOAH Feb. 9, 2016)
• Parker v. Am. Traffic Solutions, Inc., No. 14-CIV-24010-MORENO, 2015 WL 4755175 (S.D. Fla. Aug. 10, 2015)
• Walker v. City of Pembroke Pines, 134 So. 3d 1051 (Fla. 4th DCA 2013)
• Petrik v. City of Pembroke Pines, 120 So. 3d 102 (Fla. 4th DCA 2013)
• Palm Beach County Police Benevolent Association, Inc. v. Village of North Palm Beach, 38 FPER ¶120 (2011)

Presentations

• Conducting Defensible Workplace Investigations: What HR Needs to Know Before You Push Record, SHRM Broward Legal Conference, April 29, 2026

Press Mentions

• Weiss Serota Brings On Fla. Employment Atty From Solo Firm, Law360 Pulse, May 5, 2026
• WSHC+B Welcomes Shana H. Bridgeman as Partner in the firm’s Boca Raton Office, Citybiz, May 5, 2026

Florida, 2005

U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida, 2012

University of Florida College of Law, J.D., 2004

University of Florida, B.A. in English, 2001

Michael represents businesses, insurers, and institutional clients in a wide range of civil litigation matters, including general liability, premises liability, automobile negligence, construction-related disputes, and complex commercial litigation. He guides clients through all phases of litigation, from early case evaluation and discovery through dispositive motion practice, mediation, and trial.

Before joining the firm, Michael served as department managing attorney at a full-service law firm, where he oversaw litigation operations across multiple offices. In that role, he maintained primary responsibility for litigation strategy and trial management in high-exposure matters and served as trial counsel in numerous jury trials. His trial experience includes voir dire, opening statements, witness examinations, evidentiary arguments, and closing arguments.

Michael earned his Juris Doctor degree from Georgetown University Law Center and graduated from Loyola Marymount University with a major in political science. While in law school, he served as a congressional law clerk for the Honorable Blake Farenthold in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Professional & Community Involvement

• Knights of Columbus, Member, 2026-present

Clerkships

• Congressional Law Clerk, the Honorable Blake Farenthold, U.S. House of Representatives, January 2016 – May 2016
• Certified Law Clerk, Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office, May 2016 – August 2016
• Law Clerk, Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office, May 2015 – August 2015

Florida, 2018

California, 2022

Georgetown University Law Center, J.D., 2017

Loyola Marymount University, B.A. in Political Science, 2012

Jake represents government entities, developers, businesses, and private clients in a broad range of local government matters. As counsel to municipalities, he regularly attends meetings of elected officials and provides guidance on land use and zoning, contracts and procurement, ordinance and resolution drafting, code enforcement, and compliance with public records and Government-in-the-Sunshine laws.

Before joining the firm, Jake served as Director of Government Affairs at a strategic consulting and government relations firm, advising clients on federal legislation, congressional engagement, and funding initiatives. He also served as Chief of Staff and Legislative Director to a member of the Maryland House of Delegates, where he drafted and analyzed statutory language, conducted legal research, prepared briefing memoranda, negotiated legislative revisions, and advised on statutory and constitutional implications.

Earlier in his career, Jake gained legal and public policy experience through clerkships and internships with the U.S. Senate Committee on Homeland Security & Governmental Affairs, US Congresswoman Carol Shea-Porter, and US Senator Bill Nelson, as well as various policy consulting organizations.

Jake earned his Juris Doctor from the University of Maryland Francis King Carey School of Law, where he served as President of the Association of Legislative Law and Staff Editor of the Journal of Race, Religion, Gender & Class. He graduated cum laude from the University of Florida with a degree in Political Science, where he was an elected Student Government Senator.

Professional & Community Involvement

• Florida Bar, City, County and Local Government Law Section, Member
• South Palm Beach County Bar Association, Member
• Florida Municipal Attorneys Association, Member

Florida, 2019

Maryland, 2019

University of Maryland Francis King Carey School of Law, J.D., 2018

University of Florida, B.A. in Political Science, cum laude, 2015

Mariela is a Florida Bar Board Certified attorney in Construction Law and represents contractors, owners, designers, and sureties in complex commercial disputes in state and federal courts, as well as in domestic and international arbitrations.

Having taken multiple cases to final hearing in arbitration and trial, she advises clients on contract review, as well as all aspects of litigation, including risk assessment, motion practice, all aspects of discovery — including complex electronically stored information discovery — and trial preparation. With her experience in construction and commercial litigation, Mariela helps clients anticipate and resolve issues efficiently, protecting their interests in high-stakes matters. Her practice emphasizes mitigating risk, resolving disputes efficiently, and protecting clients’ interests in both litigation and arbitration contexts.

Her prior work included construction defect claims, insurance coverage disputes, and other commercial matters, including trial preparation, evidentiary motions, and mediation.

She has held leadership roles in bar and industry committees focused on construction and international law, including serving as Co-Vice Chair of the Insurance and Surety Committee of the Real Property, Probate & Trust Law Section of the Florida Bar, and has contributed to publications on construction law, dispute resolution, and international arbitration practices.

Mariela earned her Juris Doctor, cum laude, from the University of Florida Levin College of Law and her Bachelor of Business Administration, cum laude, from the University of Miami, with minors in German language studies and Business Law. She is fluent in Spanish and conversational in French and German.

Professional & Community Involvement

• Real Property, Probate & Trust Law Section of the Florida Bar, Insurance and Surety Committee, Co-Vice Chair, 2018–2020
• Florida Bar RPPTL Construction Law Committee, “Action Line” Editor and Legislative Subcommittee, 2016
• International Law Section of the Florida Bar, International Construction Committee, Chair, 2016
• International Law Section of the Florida Bar, Legislative Committee, Member, 2015–2016
• Pre-Willem C. Vis International Commercial Arbitration Moot, Steering Committee Chair, 2014

Presentations

• Southern Surety & amp; Fidelity Claims Conference – What your Mediator is Thinking, 2023
• Associated General Contractors of America Construction Risk Conference – Decoding the Mystery of Productivity Claims, 2021

Publications

• Documenting With Drones: Practical Implications of Multiple Tiers of Regulation, Action Line, Florida Bar RPPTL Construction Law Committee, 2017
• Introduction to Dispute Resolution Under the FIDIC (Fédération Internationale Des Ingénieurs-Conseils) Conditions of Contract, International Law Quarterly, 2014
• International Commercial Arbitration Subsection of the Complex Business Litigation Division, 11th Judicial Circuit, Miami-Dade County, 2013
• Section 8(a) Mentor/Protégé Relationships, Surety and Fidelity Claims Institute Newsletter, 2012

Press Mentions

• WSHC+B Welcomes Mariela Malfeld as Partner in Miami Office, Citybiz, April 22, 2026
• Weiss Serota Adds Fla. Construction Pro From Watt Tieder, Law360 Pulse, April 23, 2026

Florida, 2008

University of Florida Levin College of Law, J.D., cum laude, 2007

University of Miami, B.B.A., cum laude, 2004

Spanish

Cindy Llanes focuses her practice on insurance defense and related civil litigation matters. She has experience representing clients in a range of matters, including breach of contract, commercial transactions, probate, family law, and landlord tenant matters.

During law school, Cindy served as a legal intern in the Immigration Clinic at St. Thomas University School of Law, where she successfully litigated Cancellation of Removal cases and received the Clinical Legal Education Association Outstanding Clinical Team Award.

Cindy is fluent in Spanish. She graduated cum laude from Florida International University with a major in Political Science and a minor in International Relations. She earned her Juris Doctor degree, cum laude, from St. Thomas University School of Law.

Florida, 2023

St. Thomas University School of Law, J.D., cum laude, 2021

Florida International University, B.A. in Political Science, cum laude, 2016

Spanish

Amanda Pulido represents clients in civil rights and tort matters, complex commercial disputes, appellate proceedings, constitutional challenges, and governmental actions.

Before joining the firm, Amanda served as a judicial law clerk to U.S. District Judge Beth Bloom of the Southern District of Florida and previously worked as a Central Staff Attorney at Florida’s Third District Court of Appeal. She also served as a Certified Legal Intern for the Miami-Dade Public Defender’s Office. In these roles, Amanda gained experience with complex federal and state law issues, drafting proposed orders and recommendations for the court on civil and criminal matters.

Amanda earned her Juris Doctor from Florida International University College of Law. While in law school, she served as Executive Articles Editor of the FIU Law Review, was a member of the Board of Appellate Advocates, and earned the CALI Award for Excellence in Civil Rights. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the University of Florida.

Professional & Community Involvement

• Federal Bar Association, Member

Press Mentions

• WSHC+B Welcomes Four New Attorneys in South Florida, Citybiz, January 14, 2026

Publications

• Zero to Hero: The Unavailability of Bivens Claims and Why Congress Should Intervene, FIU L. REV, 2022

Clerkships

• Law Clerk, the Honorable Beth Bloom, United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida, October 2024 – October 2025

Florida, 2022

Florida International University College of Law, J.D., cum laude, 2022

University of Florida, B.A. in Political Science, cum laude, 2019

• Federal Bar Association Broward County Chapter

Press Mentions

• WSHC+B Welcomes Four New Attorneys in South Florida, Citybiz, January 14, 2026

Clerkships

• Law Clerk, the Honorable Patrick M. Hunt, United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida, September 2023 – September 2025
• Law Clerk, the Honorable Mark W. Klingensmith, Florida Fourth District Court of Appeal, March 2020 – July 2023
• Judicial Intern, the Honorable James M. Hopkins, United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida, June 2017 – July 2017

Florida, 2020

• University of Florida, Levin College of Law, J.D., 2019

• Florida Atlantic University, B.A., summa cum laude, 2014

Kevin Fertel focuses his practice on commercial and municipal litigation, family law, criminal defense and sports and entertainment law.

Before joining the firm, Kevin served as  an Assistant State Attorney at the Miami-Dade County State Attorney’s Office. He was  Assistant Chief of DUIs in County Court, overseeing more than 40 Assistant State Attorneys handling misdemeanor DUI prosecutions. He also served as a County Court Training Attorney, managing trials, hearings, and daily calendars, and worked as a Felony Prosecutor.

Kevin has tried eleven jury trials to verdict and has argued substantive and evidentiary motions, including motions to suppress, Stand Your Ground, Hunter, and Youngblood motions, as well as bond review and restitution hearings. He previously interned for the Honorable Peter Lopez in Florida’s Eleventh Judicial Circuit.

Kevin earned his Juris Doctor, cum laude, from St. Thomas University College of Law, where he made the Dean’s List and received the Book Award in Business Associations. He holds his Bachelor of Science in Business Management from Florida Gulf Coast University, where he was also named to the Dean’s List.

Professional & Community Involvement

• Florida State Golf Association, Member

Press Mentions

• WSHC+B Welcomes Four New Attorneys in South Florida, Citybiz, January 14, 2026

Florida, 2022

St. Thomas University College of Law, J.D.,cum laude, 2022

Florida Gulf Coast University, B.S., 2018

Spanish

Catalan