On the Rise: Meet Florida’s Most Impressive Young Attorneys

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 is a Partner at Kelley Kronenberg Courtesy Photo Alicia Lewis. Courtesy photo

Born: 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, with Holland & Knight. Courtesy photo Katharine Menéndez de la Cuesta. Courtesy photo

Born: 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 of Zuckerman Spaeder. Courtesy photo Sara Alpert Lawson. Courtesy photo

Born: 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 of Senior Justice Law Firm. Courtesy photo. Michael Brevda. Courtesy photo

Born: 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 of Leon Cosgrove. Courtesy photo. Jordi C. Martínez-Cid. Courtesy photo

Born: 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, partner with Berger Singerman. Courtesy photo. Marianne Curtis. Courtesy photo

Born: 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 of Greenberg Traurig. Courtesy photo Eva M. Spahn. Courtesy photo

Born: 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 of Boies Schiller Flexner. Courtesy photo. Sabria McElroy. Courtesy photo

Born: 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 photo. Jonathan E. Freidin. Courtesy photo

Born: 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 photo. Jason Sternberg. Courtesy photo

Born: 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 photo. Elena Otero. Courtesy photo

Born: 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 photo. Olivia Kelman. Courtesy photo

Born: 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 photo. Jamie Karpman. Courtesy photo

Born: 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 photo. Jamie Zuckerman. Courtesy photo

Born: 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 photo. Michael Levine. Courtesy photo

Born: 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 photo. Maia Aron. Courtesy photo

Born: 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 photo. Chad Van Horn. Courtesy photo

Born: 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 of McDonald Hopkins. Courtesy photo Joelle Dvir. Courtesy photo

Born: 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 photo. Marcus Susen. Courtesy photo

Born: 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 photo. Steven Appelbaum. Courtesy photo

Born: 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 photo. Yaniv Adar. Courtesy photo

Born: 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 photo. Omar Ali Shamaa. Courtesy photo

Born: 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 photo. Sylvie Rampal. Courtesy photo

Born: 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

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