Attorneys Named Among Daily Business Review's 2013 Most Effective Lawyers
Miami, FL – Bilzin Sumberg Baena Price & Axelrod LLP announced that six of the firm's attorneys were recognized by the Daily Business Review as 2013 Most Effective Lawyers winners and finalists in the categories of Real Estate, Business & Complex Litigation, Bankruptcy, and Distressed Real Estate.
Real Estate Winner: Litigation Practice Group Leader Mitchell E. Widom, and associate Wendy Polit turned a $32 million fraud claim against their client, Lennar Corporation, into a $14 million victory in their client's favor, in a case that spanned six years and was heard before three judges.
Business & Complex Litigation Finalist: Mr. Widom, teamed with attorneys from two other South Florida firms, Ervin Gonzalez and Stuart Grossman, obtained settlements for hundreds of individuals and businesses from Key West to Louisiana whose livelihoods were affected by the BP Deepwater Horizon oil spill.
Bankruptcy Finalist: Restructuring & Bankruptcy Group Chair Scott L. Baena, Restructuring & Bankruptcy partner Jay M. Sakalo, and Litigation partner Philip R. Stein represented the trustee in the bankruptcy of former subprime mortgage lender, First NLC Financial Services, LLC, obtaining favorable settlements against former lenders to and executives of the company.
Distressed Real Estate Finalist: Mr. Stein obtained a judgment in favor of his client, mortgage originator Universal American Mortgage Company, in a suit brought by former investment bank Lehman Brothers Holdings Inc. alleging various loan misrepresentations. The ruling forces Lehman to file each claim separately but also has wider potential to influence the outcomes of similar suits around the country.
The Daily Business Review's Most Effective Lawyers awards recognize the work of South Florida attorneys across 12 categories. Winners are selected based on one critical benchmark: client results.
About Bilzin Sumberg
Bilzin Sumberg Baena Price & Axelrod LLP is a commercial law firm with extensive experience in the areas of Corporate & Tax, Government Relations & Land Development, International, Litigation, Real Estate and Restructuring & Bankruptcy. For more information, please visit bilzin.com.
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