Practice Areas

Although an island firm, we have clients from over 45 states and 20 countries. We work with national and foreign firms on complex issues facing our clients.

The diversity of our work mirrors the diversity of our clients. Our areas of our practice include:

REAL ESTATE SERVICES

In addition to the thousands of residential real estate transactions in which we have represented buyers and sellers, we have represented individuals in mortgage refinancing and in residential construction, as well as issues such as how to take and to hold title, and IRS Section 1031 exchanges. We have worked in the acquisition, financing, and development of condominium and commercial projects. We offer complete residential and commercial title insurance services as agents for both Attorney's Title Insurance Fund, Inc., and Fidelity National Title Insurance Company.

We represent our real estate clients in all aspects of zoning and land use planning at both the local and state administrative levels.

As with most areas of law, real estate issues encompass other areas of practice. Estate and tax issues, contractual issues, liability issues, and regulatory issues are often concerns in even a basic real estate transaction, and are matters especially important for foreign clients. We are committed to assuring that such ancillary points are considered and resolved in each transaction.

ESTATE PLANNING AND PROBATE

Estate planning goes beyond simple tax analysis and asset protection. It requires the consideration of personal needs and thoughts. From all of this, we develop individual estate plans for our clients. Additionally, we counsel clients in probate and trust administration and in measuring the actions of corporate fiduciaries.

BUSINESS LAW

We counsel clients not only in the organization of the business entity: corporation, limited liability corporation, partnership, limited partnership, limited liability partnership, or joint venture, but also in commercial negotiations and transactions, security agreements, business planning, succession planning, and licensing matters. We work with foreign law firms in the incorporation and representation of off shore corporations and other interests.

CONTRACTS

From real estate, through business, to family law, our practice largely evolves around contractual relationships. We recognize that every situation is unique and requires evaluation and counseling in negotiating and finalizing contracts. By way of example, our contract work includes sales contracts, purchase agreements, development contracts, leases, employment, business succession, and dissolution contracts.

LITIGATION AND ARBITRATION

The firm represents clients in both civil litigation and arbitration matters. A cornerstone of representation is the recognition that adversarial matters need to be concluded in a just, speedy and efficient manner. Our experience in litigation encompasses not only real estate and family law, but also matters of securities, wills and inheritance, trust administration, business and commerce, and personal injury.

EMPLOYMENT LAW

The firm represents plaintiffs in all aspects of employment discrimination litigation. Our trial practice includes federal and state court both on the trial and appellate levels, as well as the representation of clients before the federal, state and local employment agencies. The firm's areas of expertise include: Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, Sections 1981 and 1983 of the Civil Rights Act, Americans with Disabilities Act, Age discrimination in Employment Act, Equal Pay Act, Family and Medical Leave Act, First Amendment violations and state discrimination laws.

FAMILY LAW

Family law includes not only divorce, support, and custody litigation, but also the development of premarital agreements and marital settlement agreements. The emotional issues make it perhaps our most difficult and demanding area of practice. In representing our clients, we attempt to recognize human needs and values while best protecting the interests of our clients.

SECURITIES ARBITRATION

Ordinarily, our primary investments are in real estate and in the stock market. Each provides not only potential gains but also potential losses.

Infrequently, stock market losses result from the wrongful actions of the stock broker. Our firm represents individual investors in claims based on such wrongful actions.

When you enter your brokerage agreement, you waive your right to juries and trials and commit yourself to arbitration conducted by the securities industry. Our firm has represented individual investors before both the NYSE and the NASD, not only in Florida, but in New York, Philadelphia and Chicago.

So, under what circumstances does a broker have liability for an investor's losses? We have successfully represented investors in the following types of claims:

1. Unsuitable recommendations, including unsuitable annuities, excessive risk and lack of diversification.

2. Excessive trading (churning).

3. Unauthorized trading.

4. Trading mutual funds.

5. Misrepresentation.

All of these ordinarily occur either because the broker lacks professional judgment or because the broker places his commissions ahead of the investor's best interests.

CONDOMINIUM LAW AND CONSTRUCTION LAW