Here’s a list of some of the most accomplished and promising attorneys in Florida, aged 40 or younger.
This year’s panelists included: Francisco “Frank” Ramos Jr., partner at Clarke Silverglate; Loreal Arscott, principal owner at L.A. Law Firm; Bradford Kaufman, co-president and global chairman of professional development and integration, Greenberg Traurig; and Javier Lopez, managing partner, Kozyak Tropin & Throckmorton.
Alicia J. Lewis
Alicia Lewis. Courtesy photoBorn: 1984
Firm: Kelley Kronenberg
Law School: University of Alabama School of Law, 2011
College: University of Alabama at Birmingham, M.P.A., 2008; Auburn University, B.A., 2006
Career: Kelley Kronenberg, Partner, Jan 2021-present; Greenspoon Marder, Senior Attorney, May 2014–Oct 2020; Counts & Associates, Associate Attorney, Jan 2014-May 2014; Nowell Sparks, Associate Attorney, Nov 2012-Jan 2014; Campbell, Guin, Williams, Guy & Gidiere, Summer Associate, Jun 2010-Jul 2010; Huie, Fernambucq & Stewart, Summer Associate, May 2010-Jun 2010; Alabama Attorney General’s Office, Summer Associate, Jul 2009-Aug 2009
Practice Areas: Land-use; zoning; procurement; environmental; municipal law
Katharine Menéndez de la Cuesta
Katharine Menéndez de la Cuesta. Courtesy photoBorn: 1984
Firm: Holland & Knight
Law School: Columbia University Law School, J.D.; Columbia University Law School, LL.M.
College: Universidad Pontificia Comillas de Madrid, B.S., Finance; Universidad Pontificia Comillas de Madrid, LL.B.
Career: Partner, Holland & Knight, 2020-present; Associate, Holland & Knight, 2016-2020; Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom, Summer, New York, 2015; Columbia Law School, Chief Research Assistant of Professor George A. Bermann, New York, 2014-2016; Uría Menéndez, Associate and Senior Associate, Madrid, 2008-2013
Practice Areas: Litigation and dispute resolution; international arbitration and litigation; Latin America practice
Sara Alpert Lawson
Sara Alpert Lawson. Courtesy photoBorn: 1982
Firm: Zuckerman Spaeder
Law School: University of Maryland School of Law, 2007 (Articles Editor, University of Maryland Law Journal of Race, Religion, Gender and Class)
College: Johns Hopkins University, B.A., 2003
Career: Counsel, Zuckerman Spaeder, 2012-present; Litigation Associate, The Lauro Law Firm, 2009-2012; Corporate Counsel, JLM Industries, 2007-2009
Practice Areas: High-stakes government investigations; commercial disputes; criminal litigation
Michael Brevda
Michael Brevda. Courtesy photoBorn: 1985
Firm: Senior Justice Law Firm
Law School: University of Florida Levin College of Law, 2010
College: University of Florida, B.A., 2007
Career: Managing attorney, Senior Justice Law Firm, 2016-present; Partner, Domnick Cunningham & Whalen, 2011-2016; Attorney, Wicker Smith, 2010-2011; Summer Associate, Cole, Scott & Kissane, 2009; Summer Associate, Zimmerman, Kiser & Sutcliffe.
Practice Areas: Nursing home abuse and assisted living negligence; wrongful death
Jordi C. Martínez-Cid
Jordi C. Martínez-Cid. Courtesy photoBorn: 1986
Firm: León Cosgrove
Law School: Yale Law School, 2012 (Jack B. Tate Memorial Scholar, Yale Journal on Regulation Editor)
College: University of Michigan, B.A. in Anthropology, 2007 (James B. Angell Scholar, Michigan Community Scholar and University Honors)
Career: Partner, León Cosgrove, 2020-present; Associate, León Cosgrove, 2017-2020; NBCUniversal/Telemundo Enterprises, Secondment Counsel, 2019; Associate, Hunton & Williams, 2016-17, 2012-15, and summer 2011; Summer Associate, Kozyak Tropin & Throckmorton, 2011; Summer Associate, Podhurst Orseck, 2010
Practice Areas: Commercial litigation; banking and financial services; class action; media and entertainment law; international arbitration
Marianne Curtis
Marianne Curtis. Courtesy photoBorn: 1986
Firm: Berger Singerman
Law School: University of Miami School of Law, 2011
College: University of Miami, B.A., 2009
Career: Litigation Attorney, Berger Singerman, 2018-present; Attorney, U.S. Attorney’s Office, 2016-2018; Attorney, Miami-Dade State Attorney’s Office, 2011-2016
Practice Areas: Employment, business and complex commercial litigation
Eva M. Spahn
Eva M. Spahn. Courtesy photoBorn: 1984
Firm: Greenberg Traurig
Law School: University of Miami School of Law, 2011, magna cum laude
College: Harvard University, B.A. in Government, 2006
Career: Shareholder, Greenberg Traurig, 2019-present; Associate, Greenberg Traurig, 2011-2019; Judicial Intern, U.S. District Judge Edwin G. Torres in the Southern District of Florida, Miami; Attractions Development, Walt Disney Imagineering, Lake Buena Vista.
Practice Areas: Litigation; class action litigation; financial services litigation; white collar defense and special investigations
Sabria McElroy
Sabria McElroy. Courtesy photoBorn: 1982
Firm: Boies Schiller Flexner
Law School: Yale Law School, 2010
College: University of Pennsylvania, M.S., 2007
Career: Partner, Boies Schiller Flexner, 2018-present; Associate, Associate, Boies Schiller Flexner, 2012-2018; Covington & Burling, 2010-2012
Practice Areas: Antitrust; banking and financial services; class actions; technology
Jonathan Freidin
Jonathan E. Freidin. Courtesy photoBorn: 1986
Firm: Freidin Brown
Law School: University of Florida College of Law, 2012
College: The George Washington University, B.S., 2009
Career: Attorney, Freidin Brown, 2014-present; Law Clerk for U.S. District Judge Donald M. Middlebrooks in the Southern District of Florida, 2012-2014
Practice Areas: Whistleblower claims; complex personal injury; medical malpractice; commercial litigation; consumer class actions; wrongful death
Jason Sternberg
Jason Sternberg. Courtesy photoBorn: 1984
Firm: Counsel, Hogan Lovells, 2013-present;
Law School: Georgetown University Law Center, cum laude, 2009
College: Florida Atlantic University, B.S., magna cum laude, 2005
Career: Hogan Lovells, 2013-present; Associate, Greenberg Traurig, 2011-2013; Law Clerk for U.S. District Judge Daniel T. K. Hurley in the Southern District of Florida, 2009-2011
Practice Areas: Litigation; arbitration; employment
Elena Otero
Elena Otero. Courtesy photoBorn: 1982
Firm: Holland & Knight
Law School: University of Miami School of Law, cum laude, 2008
College: University of Miami, B.A. in political science, 2005
Career: Partner, Holland & Knight, 2018-present; Associate, Holland & Knight, 2014-2017; Associate, Katz Barron, 2013-2014; Associate, Ritter, Zaretsky, Lieber & Jaime, 2008-2013
Practice Areas: Real estate; Latin America; financial services; banking law; commercial lending
Olivia Kelman
Olivia Kelman. Courtesy photoBorn: 1988
Firm: K&L Gates
Law School: University of Miami School of Law, magna cum laude, 2013; University of Miami Law Review, Articles & Comments Editor
College: Boston University, B.A., cum laude, 2010; Arché: Undergraduate Journal of Philosophy at Boston University, Editor
Career: Partner, K&L Gates, March 2021-present; Associate, K&L Gates, 2013-present; Judicial Intern for Third District Court of Appeal Chief Judge Frank Shepherd, 2012; Judicial Intern for Senior U.S. District Judge Alan Gold in the Southern District of Florida; Judicial Intern for U.S. Magistrate Judge Edwin Torres in the Southern District of Florida, 2011
Practice Areas: Financial institutions and services litigation; compliance; enforcement
Jamie Karpman
Jamie Karpman. Courtesy photoBorn: 1984
Firm: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Law School: Florida Coastal School of Law, summa cum laude, 2009
College: Indiana University Bloomington, B.S. in Public Affairs
Career: Attorney-Adviser, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, 2009-present; Bar Review Course Essay Grader, BARBRI Inc., 2012-2019; Teaching Assistant, Florida Coastal School of Law, 2007-2009; Litigation Summer Associate, Brennan, Manna & Diamond, 2008; Judicial Extern to Florida Supreme Court Justice Peggy Quince, 2008; Legal Intern, Fair Housing Advocacy Center, 2007
Practice Areas: Fair housing; government law
Jamie L. Zuckerman
Jamie Zuckerman. Courtesy photoBorn: 1981
Firm: Segal Zuckerman
Law School: Nova Southeastern University Shepard Broad Law Center, magna cum laude, 2009
College: Tulane University, B.S. in Accounting, magna cum laude, 2003
Career: Shareholder, Segal Zuckerman, 2018-present; Partner/Litigation Attorney, Kluger, Kaplan, Silverman, Katzen & Levine, 2010-2018; Law clerk to Fourth District Court of Appeal Judge Gary Farmer, 2009-2010; Summer Associate, Greenspoon Marder, 2008; Judicial Intern to the Broward Circuit Judge Susan F. Greenhawt, 2007
Practice Areas: Commercial litigation; trust and estate litigation; matrimonial
Michael Levine
Michael Levine. Courtesy photoBorn: 1988
Firm: Stewart Tilghman Fox Bianchi & Cain
Law School: University of Miami, summa cum laude, Order of the Coif, 2013
College: University of Florida, B.A., cum laude, 2010
Career: Partner/Shareholder, Stewart Tilghman Fox Bianchi & Cain, 2019-present; Associate, Stewart Tilghman Fox Bianchi & Cain, 2015-2019; Law Clerk, U.S. District Judge Paul C. Huck, 2014-2015; Litigation Associate, Bilzin Sumberg, 2013-2014
Practice Areas: Catastrophic injury; wrongful death
Maia Aron
Maia Aron. Courtesy photoBorn: 1980
Firm: Mark Migdal & Hayden
Law School: University of Miami School of Law, 2005
College: University of Miami School of Business, M.B.A., 2004, B.B.A, 2002
Career: Partner, Mark Migdal & Hayden, 2019-present; Of Counsel, Kozyak Tropin & Throckmorton, 2018-2019; Associate, Kozyak Tropin & Throckmorton, 2009-2018; Associate, Stearns Weaver Miller Weissler Alhadeff & Sitterson, 2006-2008; Associate, Pertnoy Solowsky & Allen, 2005-2006
Practice Areas: Complex, high-stakes litigation; financial fraud; contract disputes; other business torts
Chad Van Horn
Chad Van Horn. Courtesy photoBorn: 1984
Firm: Van Horn Law Group
Law School: Nova Southeastern Shepard Broad School of Law, 2009
College: Robert Morris University, B.A. in Business Management 2005
Career: Founding partner, Van Horn Law Group, 2012-present
Practice Areas: Bankruptcy; debt; estate planning; foreclosure defense
Joelle Dvir
Joelle Dvir. Courtesy photoBorn: 1897
Firm: McDonald Hopkins
Law School: University of Alabama School of Law, 2013, executive editor of the Alabama Civil Rights and Civil Liberties Law Review
College: University of Florida, B.A., cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa, in Political Science and Jewish Studies, 2009
Career: Associate, McDonald Hopkins, 2017-present; Associate, Cohen | Ruiz, 2013-2017; Summer Associate, Cole, Scott & Kissane, 2012; Intern for Miami-Dade Circuit Judge Reemberto Diaz; Summer Associate, Cohen | Ruiz, 2011
Practice Areas: Cyber security; data privacy
Marcus Susen
Marcus Susen. Courtesy photoBorn: 1982
Firm: Susen Law Group
Law School: Nova Southeastern University, magna cum laude, 2009
College: Boston University, B.A. in International Relations, 2005
Career: Shareholder, Susen Law Group, 2021-present; Shareholder/Partner, Parafinczuk Wolf Susen, 2015-2021
Practice Areas: Products liability, catastrophic injury, sexual abuse litigation
Steven Appelbaum
Steven Appelbaum. Courtesy photoBorn: 1984
Firm: Saul Ewing Arnstein & Lehr
Law School: University of Miami School of Law, cum laude, 2009
College: University of Maryland, B.A., 2006
Career: Partner, Saul Ewing Arnstein & Lehr, 2020-present; Associate/Attorney, Saul Ewing Arnstein & Lehr, 2009-2020; Legal Intern, U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida, 2008
Practice Areas: Commercial litigation; consumer financial litigation; real estate; construction
Yaniv Adar
Yaniv Adar. Courtesy photoBorn: 1984
Firm: Mark Migdal & Hayden Law School: Duke University, J.D., M.P.P., 2008
College: University of Florida, B.A., 2005
Career: Partner Mark Migdal & Hayden, 2019-present; Attorney, Homer Bonner Jacobs, 2012-2019; Law Clerk for U.S. District Judge Kenneth A. Marra in the Southern District of Florida, 2011-2012; Staff Attorney to Florida Supreme Court Justice R. Fred Lewis 2009-2011
Practice Areas: Corporate divorce; shareholder and partner disputes; consumer class actions; education-related matters; enforcement of restrictive covenants; professional negligence cases; trade secret disputes; regulatory matters; insurance coverage disputes; securities litigation; consumer dispute resolution; real estate litigation; data breaches; employment disputes
Omar Ali Shamaa
Omar Ali Shamaa. Courtesy photoBorn: 1987
Firm: Wolfe Pincavage
Law School: Florida International University College of Law, cum laude, 2015
College: Florida International University, B.A., magna cum laude, 2009
Career: Litigation Associate, Wolfe Pincavage, 2019-present; Attorney/Law Clerk, Marko & Magolnick, 2013-2019
Practice Areas: Business litigation; transactions; hospitality sector
Sylvie Rampal
Sylvie Rampal. Courtesy photoBorn: 1983
Firm: Conrad & Scherer
Law School: Columbia University School of Law, 2011
College: University of Florida, B.S., 2006
Career: Associate, Conrad & Scherer, 2018-present; Associate, ALM Triumph Center, 2016-2018; Law Clerk, Legal Aid Service of Broward County Inc., 2016;
Practice Areas: Complex commercial litigation; government relations and public policy; securities and financial regulatory litigation
