TOP LAWYER CLASS OF 2013
These attorneys have been featured in our publication as “Top Up & Comers” for several years. Now, they will be included in our “Top Lawyers” listing starting with our 2014 edition to be published in December. For this Midyear issue, we asked several managing partners/shareholders to tell us a little about some of the attorneys who make up our “Class of 2013.” Here are their comments, along with a list of these new “Top Lawyers.”
JASON R. ALDERMAN
Litigation,
Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR)
Alderman & Leali
Miami Shores
CRISTINA ALONSO Appellate
Carlton Fields, P.A.
Miami
“Cristina has already distinguished herself as an outstanding appellate and trial support attorney. Her insights into trial and appellate practice are astute, and clients and her colleagues recognize her as one of our go—to lawyers for the really challenging cases. Cristina will continue to grow professionally in the coming years.”
Charles M. Rosenberg
Managing Partner Miami Office
Carlton Fields
LOUIS P. ARCHAMBAULT
Corporate and Business, Real Estate
Pathman Lewis, LLP
Miami
GAVIN S. BANTA
Real Estate, Finance
Angelo & Banta, P.A.
Fort Lauderdale
AMY BLOOM Litigation, Product Liability — Defense
Squire Sanders
West Palm Beach
“Every good lawyer loves practicing law and Amy is no exception. Amy has spent the majority of her career defending significant medical device and pharmaceutical products liability lawsuits. In doing so, she has earned the trust and respect of her colleagues, opposing counsel, and most importantly, Squire Sanders’ clients, which include some of the world’s largest pharmaceutical companies and medical device manufacturers. Amy’s strength lies in her extensive experience in her practice area and her innate attention to detail which helps her formulate creative defense strategies, find weaknesses in the arguments of opposing counsel, and, quite simply, to win. Amy is a fine lawyer, a team player, and a valued colleague.”
J.B. Murray
Managing Partner West Palm Beach Office
Squire Sanders (US) LLP
ERIC W. BOYER
Insurance — Defense
Quintairos, Prieto, Wood & Boyer, P.A.
Miami
LORNE S. CANTOR
Corporate and Business, Securities
Greenberg Traurig, P.A.
Miami
JONATHAN C. CHANE
Litigation, Product Liability — Defense
Greenberg Traurig, P.A.
West Palm Beach
RICHARD R. CHAVES Construction
Ciklin Lubitz Martens & O’Connell
West Palm Beach
“Rick Chaves is a partner in the Construction Law Group of Ciklin Lubitz Martens and O’Connell. Rick’s practice is devoted exclusively to the area of construction law, with a special emphasis on complex litigation claims. Throughout his career, Rick has represented all facets of the construction industry, including the preparation of contract documents, as well as representation of public owners, developers, contractors, design and engineering professionals, subcontractors and suppliers. Rick’s successful record at trial — including emerging claims such as Chinese Drywall class actions — is a testament to his client relationships and commitment to offering the highest level of legal representation. As an AV—rated attorney, Rick exemplifies the finest our law firm has to offer. His work ethic and tenacity in representing clients is unwavering, as his professionalism and practical approach to case management is designed to serve his client’s needs in the most efficient and economical manner possible.”
Alan J. Ciklin
Managing Partner
Ciklin Lubitz Martens and O’Connell
SCOTT M. COFFEY
Corporate and Business,
Mergers and Acquisitions
Squire Sanders
West Palm Beach
GABRIELLE L. D’ALEMBERTE
Personal Injury and Wrongful Death — Plaintiff, Product Liability — Plaintiff
D’Alemberte Trial Firm
Miami
WILLIAM A. DEAN
Nursing Home Litigation
Ford & Dean, P.A.
Aventura
JAMES D. DECHURCH
Litigation, Medical Malpractice — Defense
Fowler White Burnett P.A.
Miami
BRIAN R. DENNEY
Personal Injury and Wrongful Death — Plaintiff, Medical Malpractice — Plaintiff
Searcy Denney Scarola Barnhart
& Shipley P.A.
West Palm Beach
TASHA K. DICKINSON Trust and Estate Planning
Jones, Foster, Johnston & Stubbs, P.A.
West Palm Beach
“The Lupus Foundation of America got it right when they named Tasha Dickinson as one of the “Best and Brightest” in its Southeast Florida Chapter, and no one was very surprised when The Florida Association for Women Lawyers recognized her as a “Leader in Law.” An impressive young attorney, Tasha is past president of the Florida Association for Women Lawyers, and a shareholder at the 38—attorney West Palm Beach firm of Jones, Foster, Johnston & Stubbs, P.A. As a Florida Bar Board Certified Wills, Trusts and Estates Lawyer, Tasha takes great pride in helping people with their unique and sophisticated estate planning needs. She is a graduate of the University of North Carolina School of Law and an active member in The Florida Bar and the American Bar Association, serving on many committees. The most important thing I would note about Tasha is that although this busy attorney exemplifies the best in her profession, she never compromises the quality time she spends at home in Wellington with her husband and their two active young children.”
Sidney A. Stubbs
Shareholder
Jones, Foster, Johnston & Stubbs, P.A.
RANDY R. DOW
Civil Litigation
Page, Mrachek, Fitzgerald, Rose, Konopka & Dow, P.A.
West Palm Beach
STEVEN M. EBNER
Litigation
Shutts & Bowen LLP
Miami
FABIENNE E. FAHNESTOCK Healthcare Litigation,
Corporate and Business Litigation
Gunster, Yoakley & Stewart, P.A.
Fort Lauderdale
“Fabienne Fahnestock brings a wealth of intellectual horsepower and experience to her representation of our business clients in state and federal court. She also counsels clients throughout Florida on issues as varied as business law, healthcare law, estate planning and probate litigation. But Fabienne is much more than this, she is a client counselor who puts her clients first working tirelessly to resolve their problems in the most efficient and cost—effective way possible. In this way she is integral to Gunster’s mission of being Florida’s law firm for business. Internally, she plays a vital role at Gunster as mentor to associate attorneys, co—chairs the firm’s diversity committee, assists with attorney recruitment, and coordinates continuing education programs for Gunster’s business litigation practice. She also acts as a mentor to law students and young attorneys outside of Gunster, and is one of our best ambassadors to the South Florida community.”
George S. LeMieux
Chairman
Gunster
SCOTT M. FISCHER
Personal Injury and Wrongful Death — Plaintiff
Gordon & Doner, P.A.
Palm Beach Gardens
JOSEPH G. GALARDI
Corporate and Business Litigation
Beasley Hauser Kramer & Galardi, P.A.
West Palm Beach
MICHAEL E. GARCIA
Securities, Class Action
Holland & Knight LLP
Miami
ADAM F. HAIMO
Civil Litigation
Bilzin Sumberg Baena Price & Axelrod LLP
Miami
ARALY HERRERA—BORGEN
Personal Injury and Wrongful Death — Plaintiff, Medical Malpractice — Plaintiff
Gamba & Lombana, P.A.
Coral Gables
MATHAI JACOB
Corporate and Business Litigation,
Civil Litigation
Katz Barron Squitero Faust
Miami
CARLOS F. JUNCO
Corporate and Business,
Mergers and Acquisitions
Bilzin Sumberg Baena Price & Axelrod LLP
Miami
MARTIN J. KEANE, JR.
Litigation
Genovese Joblove & Battista, P.A.
Miami
MARISSA D. KELLEY
Corporate and Business Litigation,
Labor and Employment
Stearns Weaver Miller Weissler
Alhadeff & Sitterson, P.A.
Fort Lauderdale
PAUL B. KUNZ
Litigation, Class Action
Bander & Associates
Miami
JASON D. LAZARUS
Litigation
Holland & Knight LLP
West Palm Beach
BRIAN L. LERNER Labor and Employment
Kim Vaughan Lerner LLP
Fort Lauderdale
“Kim Vaughan Lerner LLP is extremely proud to have Brian Lerner included in the South Florida Legal Guide’s Top Lawyer list. Brian has always been regarded by his clients and peers as one of the most thorough and efficient employment lawyers in South Florida and we are thrilled that he is receiving the recognition he deserves. Brian is a trusted, no—nonsense advisor to many corporations for a good reason: In his practical approach to our clients’ matters, Brian is guided by his many years of court and arbitration experience–real experience that benefits our clients in dealing with and resolving the various issues that they face in their businesses each day–and by his own natural instincts as a litigator and trial lawyer. For the past eight years, our firm has been focused on delivering the most effective litigation and problem—solving approaches to our clients, and we work diligently to maintain the reputation that we have built over this time. Inclusion on the Top Lawyer list is always an honor; we are grateful to the legal community for its support.”
Jay Kim
Partner
Kim Vaughan Lerner LLP
JORDAN M. LEWIN
Criminal Defense/Criminal Law
Jordan M. Lewin, P.A.
Miami
MARSHALL DORE LOUIS
Criminal Defense/Criminal Law
Sinclair, Louis, Heath, Nussbaum & Zavertnik, P.A.
Miami
ADAM D. LUSTIG
Real Estate
Bilzin Sumberg Baena Price & Axelrod LLP
Miami
JASON R. MARKS
Family and Marital
Kluger, Kaplan, Silverman, Katzen &
Levine, P.L.
Miami
JASON S. MAZER Insurance Litigation
Ver Ploeg & Lumpkin, P.A.
Miami
“Jason is a very talented litigator representing corporate and individual policyholders and third—party claimants in disputes with insurance companies. He joined our firm 12 years ago as an associate and worked his way to partner. As my mother said, “Cream always rises to the top,” and Jason is proof. He has expanded his practice to include the representation of bankruptcy trustees and court—appointed fiduciaries in all types of insurance disputes. His intelligence and analytical nature has helped mold him into a fine attorney, and Jason continues to receive accolades from clients and opposing counsel alike.”
Hugh Lumpkin
Managing Partner
Ver Ploeg & Lumpkin
JENNIFER QUILDON MILLER Admiralty and Maritime
Hamilton, Miller & Birthisel LLP
Miami
“Jennifer Miller is a role model for a huge cross section of women — women of color, Caribbean women, women attorneys, women entrepreneurs. She is someone who has never looked at barriers as obstacles but rather challenges to be met and overcome through hard work and dedication. That dedication, coupled with her keen legal mind, has carried her to the top of her field as a successful defense trial attorney representing major corporations such as Walt Disney World Co., AIG Insurance, and Royal Caribbean Cruises. She is the co—founder of Hamilton, Miller & Birthisel and her entrepreneurial and legal talents have propelled us from a three—attorney firm with one office in 2006 to a 29—attorney firm with offices in all major cities in Florida, New York, Jamaica, Bahamas, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. We are all exceedingly proud of and inspired by her accomplishments.”
Jerry D. Hamilton
Managing Partner
Hamilton, Miller & Birthisel
PATRICK S. MONTOYA
Personal Injury and Wrongful Death — Plaintiff, Product Liability — Plaintiff
Colson Hicks Eidson
Coral Gables
SCOTT DANIEL PONCE
Corporate and Business Litigation, Media
Holland & Knight LLP
Miami
JANPAUL PORTAL
Medical Malpractice — Plaintiff
The Ferraro Law Firm
Miami
BRETT C. POWELL
Appellate, Trial Practice
Powell Law Firm
Palmetto Bay
LORENZ MICHEL PRUSS
Corporate and Business Litigation
Dimond Kaplan & Rothstein, P.A.
Miami
MATTHEW M. ROBBINS Corporate and Business, Securities
Greenberg Traurig, P.A.
Fort Lauderdale
“Matt Robbins has ample experience working on large multi—office deals as part of the strong corporate team in our Fort Lauderdale office. I am pleased by this recognition of Matt’s legal talents, which contribute to the success of our firm and our clients.”
Glenn E. Goldstein
Managing Shareholder Fort Lauderdale office
Greenberg Traurig
DANIEL B. ROGERS
Appellate, Corporate and Business Litigation
Shook, Hardy & Bacon L.L.P.
Miami
SCOTT M. ROSSO
Corporate and Business Litigation,
Insurance — Defense
Kubicki Draper
Fort Lauderdale
MARIA H. RUIZ
Product Liability — Defense
Kasowitz, Benson, Torres & Friedman LLP
Miami
ALFRED J. SAIKALI Technology
Shook, Hardy & Bacon L.L.P.
Miami
“Al Saikali is a partner in the Miami office of Shook Hardy & Bacon and co—chair of the firm’s Data Security and Data Privacy Practice Group. Al joined Shook Hardy & Bacon in 2005, and since that time has focused his practice on complex commercial litigation. Over the last few years, Al has led the firm’s effort to establish and grow a practice area in data security and data privacy law. Al helps clients minimize the risks associated with the collection, use, storage, and disposal of sensitive information such as financial, medical, and confidential consumer information. Al helps companies prepare for a potential data breach and he develops programs, policies, and procedures that comply with U.S. and international laws regulating sensitive information. For clients that have suffered a breach, Al directs the breach response efforts, provides advice about legal obligations, leads internal investigations, and responds to law enforcement and regulatory inquiries, and in this fashion, minimizes the risks associated with the breach. A Certified Information Privacy Professional accredited by the International Association of Privacy Professionals, Al maintains a blog about data security and privacy issues, and he is often cited by the media about issues relating to data security, data privacy, technology, and commercial litigation.”
William P. Geraghty
Managing Partner Miami Office
Shook Hardy & Bacon
JASON A. SETCHEN
Family and Marital
Jason A. Setchen, P.A.
Miami
BRIAN M. SEYMOUR
Environmental,
Real Estate — Land Use and Zoning
Gunster, Yoakley & Stewart, P.A.
West Palm Beach
MARC S. SHUSTER Real Estate, Corporate
Berger Singerman LLP
Miami
“I have been privileged to watch Marc grow from a young associate into a valued partner, one who is passionate about his work, client service and giving back to our community. During that time, he has developed not only as a fine lawyer, but also as a trusted business advisor. I know clients would agree with me when I say that Marc richly deserves to be recognized as a member of the “Top Lawyer Class of 2013.””
James L. Berger,
Managing Partner
Berger Singerman LLP
JEREMY E. SLUSHER
Corporate and Business Litigation, Construction Litigation
Kubicki Draper
West Palm Beach
ALICE SUM
Corporate and Business Litigation
Fowler White Burnett P.A.
Miami
JAMES JAY THORNTON
Labor and Employment — Management, Corporate and Business Litigation
GrayRobinson, P.A.
Fort Lauderdale
LESLIE MILLER TOMCZAK
Real Estate, Construction
Akerman Senterfitt
Fort Lauderdale
WILLIAM R. TRUEBA, JR.
Intellectual Property
Espinosa Trueba, PL
Miami
Back to Midyear 2013 Edition
