Shareholder Ira J. Gonzalez has been appointed to serve as Special Master for the Village of Palmetto Bay for a two year term.

As Special Master, Ira will hear cases brought by the Village, conduct hearings, subpoena and swear witness, take evidence under oath, and issue orders having the force of law. The cases under the jurisdiction of the Special Master include matters associated with building, zoning, sign, and other applicable codes and ordinances of the Village of Palmetto Bay, including certain ordinances of Miami-Dade County, and statutes of the state of Florida that the Village is authorized to enforce. The Special Master is also authorized to recommend that the Village Attorney issue inspection warrants and seek civil actions for declaratory and injunctive relief, upon approval by the Council members.

Gonzalez focuses primarily in administrative/local government law and in civil and commercial litigation in the areas of Real Estate/Construction, Land Use, Product Liability, Transportation, Premise Liability and Medical Malpractice.

By: Perry F. Sofferman, Esq.

As Printed in the Daily Business Review on April 16, 2019

Recently, media outlets released video of President Donald Trump and his own U.S. Trade representative verbally sparring over whether a document labeled a memorandum of understanding could possibly be binding. However, the idea of a businessperson believing a memorandum of understanding (or MOU) to mean one thing and an experienced trade attorney knowing it to mean something else within the context of international trade law is not surprising. Contract labels such as term sheet, letter of intent and MOU are often used casually and interchangeably in the business world with the presumption that such documents represent the mere nonbinding precursor to a more elaborate and detailed written agreement often referred to as the “definitive agreement.” Such a presumption, however, can be dangerous.

We are pleased to announce that Shareholder, June G. Hoffman, has been recertified in Appellate Practice by The Florida Bar Board of Legal Specialization and Education. Hoffman has maintained her Appellate Practice specialization status since 2003.