Karen Lapekas

Velvel is a founding partner of Freedman Normand Friedland LLP. Vel is an experienced litigator known for finding creative solutions to complex problems. His practice focuses on high-risk litigation that includes consumer class actions, international disputes, and cryptocurrency/blockchain lawsuits. Vel’s clients value his responsiveness, creative solutions, and ability to achieve successful outcomes while balancing the needs of running a business. Vel’s practice spans a diverse a...

Christopher N. Bellows is an appellate attorney who has handled complex civil appeals in the Supreme Court of Florida, all Florida District Courts of Appeal and the federal appellate courts. Mr. Bellows also has significant experience in complex commercial litigation, including areas of contract law, Uniform Commercial Code, business torts, foreclosures, receiverships, replevins, construction disputes, landlord-tenant litigation, product liability, personal injury, first amendment, employment...

Missel Fernandez is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Family Law and Family Law Mediation. Missel practices law in Miami, Florida Best Lawyers has recognized Missel Fernandez since 2025. The Best Lawyers recognition is based on a peer-review survey of lawyers in the same geographic region and legal practice area. The recognition reflects the professional regard in which Missel Fernandez is held by other lawyers.

Joseph Goldstein is a Land Use and Environmental lawyer with significant experience in representing developers and private property owners in their efforts to protect their property rights or entitlements and in seeking complex development or other governmental approvals and permits. Mr. Goldstein has particular and extensive experience in obtaining approvals of Developments of Regional Impact (DRI), zoning and comprehensive plan amendments. He is privileged to represent clients who comprise ...

Justin M. Guido is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area of Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs. Justin M. practices law in Miami, Florida Best Lawyers has recognized Justin M. Guido since 2027. The Best Lawyers recognition is based on a peer-review survey of lawyers in the same geographic region and legal practice area. The recognition reflects the professional regard in which Justin M. Guido is held by other lawyers.

Jeffrey Foreman is a shareholder in Sperling Kenny Nachwalter, resident in the firm's Miami office. Jeff has spent his entire career practicing complex business litigation and has extensive experience trying both jury and non-jury cases for plaintiffs and defendants in federal and state courts and before arbitration tribunals. Jeff has represented both Fortune 500 companies and small to large businesses in a wide range of complex business disputes, including contract, business tort and shareh...

David A. Barkus focuses his practice on mergers and acquisitions and private equity. David's industry experience includes aviation and aerospace, computer software and information technology, construction, consumer products, education, energy, food and beverage, franchising, gaming, health care, and restaurants.

David Michael DeMaio is the Managing Shareholder of the Miami Office of Ogletree, Deakins, Nash, Smoak & Stewart, P.C., one of the nation’s largest labor and employment law firms. He represents management in all aspects of labor and employment law and litigation. Prior to joining Ogletree Deakins, Mr. DeMaio had been a founding member of Whelan, DeMaio & Kiszkiel, P.A. He originally came to South Florida in the 1980s as an Assistant United States Attorney in Miami, where he inve...

Jordi C. Martinez-Cid is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Arbitration and Commercial Litigation. Jordi C. practices law in Miami, Florida Best Lawyers has recognized Jordi C. Martinez-Cid since 2026. The Best Lawyers recognition is based on a peer-review survey of lawyers in the same geographic region and legal practice area. The recognition reflects the professional regard in which Jordi C. Martinez-Cid is held by other lawyers.

Kelly-Ann Gibbs Cartwright practices in the area of general civil and commercial litigation, with an emphasis on employment discrimination, civil rights, business torts and labor law. Ms. Cartwright also has experience in the litigation of cases involving trade secrets, defamation, fraud, civil theft, breach of fiduciary duty, breach of contract and unfair competition. Her employment and labor practice involves representation of clients before federal, state and local administrative agencies,...