Surfside Lawyers

David Markel is a personal injury attorney whose practice consists of representing plaintiffs in serious, catastrophic injury and wrongful death cases. Mr. Markel focuses on auto, truck, and motor vehicle accidents, cruise ship accidents, maritime and marine related injuries, negligent security, premises liability, victims of crime, and other complex litigation.

Born and raised in Miami, Florida, Mr. Markel graduated from Ransom Everglades School in Coconut Grove where he was an All Dade County football player and AP Scholar. Mr. Markel attended Franklin & Marshall College in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, where he continued his football career and graduated with a degree in History...

Mr. Raether focuses his practice on business and investment-related immigration work with entrepreneurs and high net-worth individuals from around the work. A substantial amount of his time is devoted to EB-5 visa matters, both in representing individual investors as well as developers and organizers of regional centers in their EB-5 capital-raising activities. Mr. Raether also handles L-1 and EB-1 petitions as well as related corporate and business advisory work for his clients. He is fluent in Russian and studied at Moscow State University, allowing him to develop a strong interest on the Russian and CIS markets.

Attorney Ivette Gonzalez Petkovich is a seasoned Miami criminal defense attorney, serving clients throughout the state of Florida who are indicted or charged in federal and state criminal offenses or under investigation by law enforcement or other government agencies. Born and raised in Miami, Attorney Petkovich attended the University of Miami where she earned a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration. She received her Juris Doctorate degree from the St. Thomas University School of Law, also in Miami. She is now a married mother of two with a private law practice in Miami-Dade. Having spent her life in South Florida, she...

Zachary T. Smith concentrates his practice in the areas of construction law and commercial litigation. He represents owners, design professionals, developers and other construction professionals on matters involving project development, construction defects, contract drafting and negotiation, as well as dispute avoidance and resolution.

Prior to joining the firm, Mr. Smith worked as a law clerk at a South Florida commercial litigation firm assisting partners with tasks such as drafting and composing motions, demand letters, notice letters and complaints. He also has extensive experience in conducting legal research and providing case law analysis.

During law school, Mr. Smith was a member of the...

Grant Dwyer is a Notre Dame-trained Miami criminal defense attorney. He is a fighter and he knows how to beat your case. If you need to get your loved one out of a Miami jail, call Grant Dwyer Law. He is in court every day and he knows the judges and prosecutors. He knows how to handle your case from the arrest all the way through clearing your name. He is undefeated in front of juries. If you need a Miami criminal lawyer, call for a free consultation. Se habla Español.

Jeffrey S. Respler has been practicing in the area of commercial litigation since 1998 and has been with the firm since 2004. He is a member of the firm’s Construction Litigation Practice Group and Construction Defect Trial Practice Group. Mr. Respler practices in the areas of complex construction defect litigation and commercial litigation, and primarily includes the representation of condominium and homeowners associations and developers in the negotiation, mediation, and litigation of construction and design defect claims and related matters. His practice also includes appellate work. As lead counsel for construction defect cases, Mr. Respler has prosecuted and defended numerous...

Carol L. Finklehoffe is a partner at Lipcon, Margulies and Winkleman, P.A. who has been practicing for 30 years in both the state and federal courts throughout Florida, California and Massachusetts. Ms. Finklehoffe is an “AV” rated trial attorney who is a certified specialist in Maritime and Admiralty law. The main concentration of her practice relates to complex personal injury, resort law, wrongful death, sexual assault and medical malpractice. Ms. Finklehoffe is also a skilled maritime lawyer who has developed an expertise in cases involving cruise ship passengers and maritime crew members on various types of commercial and private vessels. Ms....

Austin D. Murray joined the firm in 2017 and concentrates his practice in the areas of commercial litigation, community association law and construction law. In the construction sector, Mr. Murray represents construction professionals such as owners, developers and design professionals on all facets of a construction project. He assists clients with the drafting and negotiation of construction contracts, and litigates construction defect disputes and other related issues. Mr. Murray also represents condominium and homeowners associations in the general representation of their communities, counseling boards of directors and property managers on the day-to-day operation of their association.

Prior to joining the firm...

Stephanie Vega Graves is a trial attorney who handles personal injury cases. Mrs. Vega Graves has represented severely injured clients in cases involving injuries as a result of slip and falls at popular supermarkets and malls; severe injuries due to construction accidents; wrongful death claims; negligent security outside of nightclubs, bars, parking lots and apartment complexes including shootings and assaults; pool drownings; premises liability; car accidents; dram shop; liquor liability; brain injuries; medical malpractice and bad faith claims handling by insurance companies. Mrs. Vega Graves has obtained legal experience at prominent real estate and personal injury law...

Raised in Miami by working class immigrant parents from Cuba, Arianna’s parents instilled in her a profound respect for the rule of law. Her parents may not have had much in material possessions, but they taught Arianna to strive for more, to treat others with honesty and respect, and to confront challenges head-on without fear of failure. Over the years, these lessons guided Arianna through college, graduate school, law school, and now the practice of law. These lessons eventually morphed into the founding principles of her firm: Excellence, Integrity, and Perseverance. Before starting her firm, Arianna worked at a civil litigation...

Licensed to practice in Florida and Colorado, Heather A. Patchen is an attorney with an M.B.A. who devotes her efforts to ensure that her clients’ property investments are well protected. Her law practice, Patchen Law, P.A., focuses on issues involving property with a special emphasis in the areas of eminent domain, real estate, and title closings. Heather has experience working on both partial and complete takings against the Florida Department of Transportation and Miami-Dade County. She has also handled landlord/tenant disputes, drafted and negotiated real estate leases and various other contracts. Additionally, she has conducted...

As a Venezuelan-American immigration attorney, I bring a deeply personal understanding of the challenges faced by immigrants navigating the complex U.S. immigration system. My journey—from client relations to law school, and eventually to practicing law—has uniquely shaped my commitment to helping others achieve their American dream. Starting my legal career in 2017 as a client relations specialist in a family law firm, this helped me built a solid foundation of the American legal system. I honed my skills at this firm for three years before transitioning to a role as a paralegal at a probate, guardianship, and estate planning firm. Along...

Founded by Manuel Vazquez, a seasoned attorney with over 50 years of experience, Manuel Vazquez, PA, has deep roots in the South Florida legal community. Born in Havana, Cuba, Manny moved to the United States as a child refugee, sent to America by his parents to protect him from the Cuban Communist Revolution. Through hard work, honesty, and dedication, Manny developed a passion for the law, earning his Juris Doctor from the University of Florida in 1970. Over the decades, he has built a reputation for providing exceptional legal representation across all branches of the law. With a commitment to...

Jude M. Faccidomo is a founding partner and managing partner at Ratzan & Faccidomo, a Miami law firm providing misdemeanor and felony defense of Florida and federal criminal charges as well as representation of lawyers and other professionals in administrative license revocation and disciplinary hearings. As a former Assistant Public Defender in the Miami-Dade Public Defender’s office, Mr. Faccidomo gained extensive, invaluable experience handling jury trials involving a wide range of criminal matters. Mr. Faccidomo completed his undergraduate degree at Bard College in New York and earned his Juris Doctor law degree from Saint Thomas University School of Law in Miami....

Thomas R. Spencer is an experienced lawyer and arbitrator. Spencer practices business law, international private business law, formation of businesses, contracts, litigation, representation of entities and persons before governments, internal investigations, ethics issues, and election law. He is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, London.

Leslie W. Langbein, Esq. is Board Certified by the Florida Bar in the area of Labor & Employment Law. She represents busineses and individuals in all areas of employment law. She is admitted to practice in the U.S. District Courts of the Middle and Southern Districts of Florida. Additional areas of practice include housing discrimination defense, contracts and business torts. Ms. Langbein is a Florida Circuit/Civil Mediator and listed on the American Arbitration Association's national panels of Labor, Employment and Commercial arbitrators.

Manny Arce is a civil trial lawyer whose practice focuses on personal injury claims including medical malpractice, wrongful death, auto accidents, premise liability, and defective products. He prides himself in his aggressive negotiation skills and impassioned advocacy on behalf of his clients.

Manny is a second generation Cuban-American who received his undergraduate degree at the Florida International University where he majored in Political Science. While attending F.I.U., he was nominated to the Honor Society of Pi Sigma Alpha.

He received his law degree from the University Of Miami School Of Law. While attending U.M., Manny was an active participant in multiple organizations....

Javier A. Enriquez, a partner at Jeffrey & Enriquez, LLC, and a Florida Supreme Court Certified Family Mediator, concentrates his practice on, domestic and international, marital and family law, family law mediation, as well as civil and family appeals. Mr. Enriquez also has experience in election law, commercial litigation, and employment litigation.

A native of Miami, Mr. Enriquez graduated cum laude from the University of Miami School of Law, where he was also the Litigation Skills Program Marco A. Vasquez Scholarship recipient. Throughout his time at the University of Miami School of Law, he was the President of the Federalist...

Mr. Ketelhohn is a shareholder of the firm who concentrates his practice in construction litigation. His experience includes representation of condominium associations, homeowner associations, developers, general contractors, subcontractors and design professionals on matters involving construction defects, construction liens, delay claims and other litigation and dispute resolution. He has successfully resolved numerous complex construction cases, obtaining multi-million dollar settlements in many of these cases on behalf of his clients.

Alton C. Hale, Jr. has focused his practice on helping victims and organizations with legal disputes of the upmost consequences involving insurance claims, business litigation, construction defects, catastrophic injuries and wrongful death.

Mr. Hale served as an assistant state attorney in Martin, St. Lucie, Indian River and Okeechobee counties in Florida’s Treasure Coast. He honed his trial skills as the lead attorney in more than 60 jury trials while serving as a prosecutor in the state’s Nineteenth Judicial Circuit.

Mr. Hale served as an Assistant State Attorney in Martin, St. Lucie, Indian River and Okeechobee counties in Florida’s Treasure Coast. He honed...

Lindsey is a skilled and knowledgeable Real Estate, Construction and Business Law Attorney. Her practice areas include construction litigation, community association disputes and general commercial litigation matters. Lindsey represents clients such as general contractors, architects, community associations, subcontractors, real estate developers, investors, landlords and lenders in both business and real estate litigation. She is passionate about law and dedicated to diligent advocacy for her clients, both in and out of court. Lindsey earned her B.A. from the University of Michigan and her J.D. from the University of Miami School of Law. She is admitted to practice in Florida, Illinois, the U.S....

Roberto C. Blanch has been a member of Siegfried Rivera since 2001 and concentrates his practice in community association law. He represents condominium and homeowners associations throughout Florida, handling a broad range of legal issues pertaining to the operation and management of community associations. Mr. Blanch handles all aspects of community association law including, but not limited to, covenant enforcement, interpretation of governing documents, vendor contract negotiation and drafting, amending governing documents, preparing for and attending board and membership meetings, elections and recalls, collections, fair housing issues, and insurance claims. He also assists associations who are undertaking the turnover process,...

Maria Victoria Arias has been with the firm since 1997. Focusing in the area of community association law, she represents condominium and homeowners associations throughout the state. Ms. Arias assists clients with a broad range of community association matters including, but not limited to, drafting and negotiating vendor contracts, drafting amendments to the governing documents, covenant enforcement, preparing for and attending Board and owner meetings, advising on budget assessments, insurance and special assessments, and providing legal opinions and guidance on the day-to-day operations of the community association. Her vast experience in this realm allows her to make sure her clients’...

Juan Lucas focuses his legal practice to representing individuals that have been injured during the course of their employment. The South Florida native graduated in 1993 from the University of Miami with a B.A. degree in International Finance and Marketing. He received his law degree in 1996 from Syracuse University College of Law. While attending law school, he was acknowledged in the Dean's List Honors, he represented Syracuse Law in National Moot Court Trial competitions, and an active member of the Latin American Law Students Association. After graduating law school, he worked for a litigation firm primarily representing the interests...

Nadja A. Prias is a founding partner of Casais & Prias, PLLC. She is a Miami native and is fluent in both English and Spanish. Ms. Prias is the head of the firm’s Divorce, Family and Probate Law Department and brings extensive legal experience to her practice. Ms. Prias is a Florida Supreme Court Certified Family Law Mediator, a certified Guardian Ad Litem, has taken complex and highly contested cases to trial, and has prosecuted and defended domestic violence injunction cases. Clients can be assured, that they are working with someone who has their best interest in mind from the beginning...

Joshua Padowitz is a skilled and dedicated criminal defense attorney at Kenneth Padowitz, P.A., a reputable criminal defense law firm based in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. With a strong passion for justice, a reputation for his acute attention to detail and aggressive representation, and a commitment to protecting his clients’ rights, Joshua brings an impressive background and diverse experience to every case he handles. Joshua adds his skills, knowledge, and tenacious attitude to the firm’s collective 40+ years experience in legal practice. Joshua’s experience extends beyond his work with Kenneth Padowitz, P.A. He served as a Supreme Court Certified Legal Intern and...

I am a trademark/copyright law who began my career as a Trademark Attorney at the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). Following my career at the USPTO, I served as in-house trademark counsel at Ralston Purina Company where I protected such famous trademarks as PURINA, DOG CHOW, and TWINKIES, and then at Borden, Inc. where I was protector of ELSIE THE COW, ELMER'S GLUE, among other famous trademarks, and later at Boost Mobile. Subsequently I worked at law firms, both large and small, where I continued to practice trademark, copyright, and unfair competition law. For several years now...

Josh A. Howard, Esq. is a trial and appellate attorney, practicing in South Florida’s tri-county area (Broward, Miami-Dade and Palm Beach Counties). Mr. Howard’s practice focuses primarily on criminal defense work, representing adults and juveniles charged with misdemeanors, felonies, domestic-violence crimes, and both criminal-traffic and traffic-citation matters.
Mr. Howard attended the State of Florida’s first law school, and the Nation’s preeminent law school for trial lawyers – Stetson University College of Law, which is consistently ranks number one among law schools in the United States for trial advocacy, and number two for legal writing, by U.S. News & World Report....

David Sobel, Ft Lauderdale criminal attorney, was born and raised in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He moved to South Florida with his family to attend high school. Mr. Sobel achieved great academic success, graduating with highest honors as the valedictorian of the American Heritage School, Boca/Delray. Following high school, Mr. Sobel attended the University of Miami, where he graduated cum laude with a bachelor’s degree in History. Mr. Sobel later attended Nova Southeastern University in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, where he again graduated cum laude, earning his Juris Doctorate degree. During law school, Mr. Sobel was invited to join the prestigious Moot...

Zachary D. Margules is a Partner at the Margules Law Group, P.A. Mr. He is licensed to practice in Florida, New York, and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. He is also licensed in the United States District Courts for the Southern District of Florida, Southern District of New York, and District of Massachusetts. Having multiple licenses allows Mr. Margules to handle complex and multistate litigation, sometimes involving disputes with multiple parties and in multiple jurisdictions. Mr. Margules is predominantly a business lawyer and commercial litigator, who also has experience as a sports and entertainment lawyer in the professional boxing and baseball...

Evan C. Leach, Esq. is originally from Cape Cod, Massachusetts. After graduating with a B.S. in Finance from Providence College, he relocated to Miami, Florida to work for several years in the pharmaceutical industry. Evan later realized his passion for the law and went on to graduate from the University of Miami School of Law in 2011 (Cum Laude). Evan has been practicing law for more than 13 years and is currently licensed in both Florida and Massachusetts. Today, he commutes between Cape Cod and South Florida spending time with his family and friends while serving his clients in both states. Evan...

Anthony E. Forte has been handling Florida Worker’s Compensation cases for 15 years, and is a member of the Worker’s Compensation section of The Florida Bar, Florida Worker’s Advocates, and the Palm Beach County Bar Association, serving on its Professionalism and Worker’s Compensation committees. Anthony is “AV” peer rated by Martindale-Hubbell for Worker’s compensation, the highest rating established for both ethics and professional practice. He was listed as a Top Rated Lawyer in South Florida by Legal Leaders Magazine, distributed by the Miami Herald, and was awarded Legal Elite Status by North American News. He is rated 10 out of...

Longtime trial lawyer in South Florida handling personal injury, professional malpractice, business litigation, mediation and arbitration. Former president of various local trial lawyer organizations and continuing active board member.