Michael E. Stearns

Pedro Gassant is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Land Use and Zoning Law. Pedro, who practices law in Miami, Florida, has been recognized since 2025. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Pedro is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Andres A. Fernandez is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Banking and Finance Law, Consumer Protection Law and Financial Services Regulation Law. Andres A., who practices law in Miami, Florida, has been recognized since 2022. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Andres A. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Luis R. Casas Meyer is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law. Luis R., who practices law in Miami, Florida, has been recognized since 2024. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Luis R. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Jonathan Freidin is the Managing Partner at Freidin Brown, P.A. Since joining the firm in 2014, he has handled some of the firm’s most serious personal injury cases and represented clients in several jury trials involving catastrophic injuries. Jonathan’s practice focuses on medical malpractice, complex personal injury, and whistleblower/qui tam claims. He takes great pride in representing his clients and is recognized throughout the firm for his attention to detail in every case ...

Nancy Copperthwaite litigates complex disputes, including class actions and appeals, and advises employers on employment law issues. She has handled more than 100 appeals and has argued in all five of Florida’s district courts of appeal (DCA) as well as in the United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit. Ranked by Best Lawyers in America for appellate work, her diverse experience includes handling appeals of bankruptcy proceedings, class actions, complex commercial matters, ...

Robert F. Salkowski is a nationally recognized franchise lawyer, sophisticated trial lawyer, and strategic business advisor with more than thirty years of experience representing franchisees, franchisee associations, business owners, investors, and entrepreneurs throughout the United States and internationally. A partner at Zarco Einhorn Salkowski, P.A . since 1995, Robert focuses his practice on franchise law , franchise litigation , and other complex business litigation, arbitration, mediat...

Jonathan Awner serves as Co-Chair of Akerman’s Corporate Practice Group. Ranked by Best Lawyers in America , Chambers USA , and The Legal 500 as a preeminent corporate lawyer, Jonathan Awner advises clients in automotive retail, aviation, distribution, hospitality, logistics, manufacturing, services, technology, waste management and other industries. Described by a client quoted in Chambers USA as a “top-notch” lawyer who is “smart, hard-working and practical,” J...

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 ...

Elizabeth Hughes is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Litigation - Trusts and Estates. Elizabeth, who practices law in Miami, Florida, has been recognized since 2025. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Elizabeth is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Michael J. Thomas is Co-Chair of the National Construction Law Practice of Greenberg Traurig, LLP. He focuses his practice on construction law and litigation matters. Michael represents and counsels his developer clients in all aspects of the design, development and construction of residential, commercial, and mixed-use real estate development projects, including construction contract negotiation, design services contract negotiation, construction financing, construction insurance, risk manag...