Weiss Serota Helfman Cole + Bierman, P.L.

06/05/2026

Florida voters will decide one of the most significant constitutional amendments affecting property taxes in decades. What could it mean for taxpayers, local budgets, and public services?

In this episode of The Intersection, host and WSHC+B partner Chanae L. Wood joins partners Jamie A. Cole and Susan Trevarthen to unpack Florida's proposed Property Tax Amendment — exploring the legal questions surrounding the ballot language, its potential impact on property owners, local governments, and communities statewide, and what challenges may lie ahead before the November 2026 vote.

Watch here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lr0WcZR0iJo

Florida voters will soon be asked to decide one of the most signifi...

06/03/2026

When it comes to disaster recovery, going with the lowest bid can cost a city far more in the long run.

In this episode of The Intersection, WSHC+B partners Roger C. Pou and Justin D. Luger sit down with Evan Fancher of DRC Emergency Services to discuss how municipalities should approach procurement — and why choosing a contractor based on price alone is one of the most common mistakes communities make before a storm ever hits.

🎙️ Watch here: https://youtu.be/LJdVU3qoUUo?si=eXa9JZWeOLD6kEBN

06/03/2026

WSHC+B partner Haydee Sera was interviewed by Local 10 News regarding the indictment of Raul Castro and its impact on the Cuban American community in South Florida.

Haydee, President-Elect of the Cuban American Bar Association, emphasized the importance of focusing on the Cuban people and a peaceful path forward:

“Over the last 20-plus years we have prepared a transitional law document that stands ready to support a peaceful transition to democracy in Cuba. We need to keep in mind the Cuban people.”

Haydee is a partner in the firm’s Government Division, where she serves as lead City Attorney for Miami Springs and North Bay Village. She also represents private developers on land use and zoning matters. She has been deeply involved with CABA for over a decade, previously serving as Vice President, Secretary, Co-Chair of the Young Lawyers and Judicial Committees, and Co-Chair of the Art in the Tropics annual fundraiser supporting CABA’s Pro Bono Legal Services.

Read more: https://www.local10.com/news/local/2026/05/20/castro-indictment-brings-hope-heartbreak-and-skepticism/

06/03/2026

On April 23, the U.S. Department of Justice announced a significant change in the treatment of medical ma*****na under the Controlled Substances Act, moving certain FDA-approved and state-regulated medical ma*****na products from Schedule I to Schedule III. Recreational ma*****na, however, remains classified as a Schedule I substance.

This reclassification may have important implications for employers and workplace drug and alcohol policies.

If you have questions regarding your organization’s policies or the impact of the DOJ’s reclassification of ma*****na, please feel free to reach out to a member of the WSHC+B Labor and Employment team.

Read the full client alert from WSHC+B attorneys Brett Schneider and Erica Hausdorff: https://www.wsh-law.com/blog/doj-reclassifies-medical-ma*****na-from-schedule-i-to-schedule-iii-under-the-controlled-substances-act-raising-new-considerations-for-florida-employers/

06/02/2026

With the FIFA World Cup just 9 days away, Miami is preparing to take center stage — bringing significant opportunities and important legal considerations for businesses operating in and around host cities.

Over the past several months, WSHC+B partner Marlon Hill has shared his insights through Sideline Conversations, a monthly series examining the legal and commercial complexities surrounding the 2026 World Cup across the U.S., Canada, and Mexico.

The series covers topics including sponsorship compliance, intellectual property enforcement, advertising regulations, travel logistics, and public watch party considerations.

If you haven't had a chance to tune in, now is the time!

Watch here: https://www.youtube.com/

06/02/2026

WSHC+B attorneys Haydee Sera and Candice Balmori will participate in the Cuban American Bar Association (CABA) discussion, “Transitioning Cuba to Democracy,” scheduled for June 4th at the Casa Cuba in South Miami.

Haydee, CABA President-Elect, will serve as moderator for a panel titled “Cuba’s Current Constitution: A Primer on Democratic Incompatibility.” Candice, CABA Secretary, will serve as a panelist for “Looking Ahead: CABA’s Draft Fundamental Transitional Law.”

The program will feature a three-part discussion on Cuba’s path to democracy, focusing on the legal, political, and institutional considerations necessary for a free Cuba, including regime transitions, the incompatibility of Cuba’s current constitution with democratic governance, and CABA’s proposed Draft Fundamental Transitional Law for a future free Cuba.

Haydee is a partner in the firm’s Government Division, where she serves as lead City Attorney for Miami Springs and North Bay Village. She also represents private developers on land use and zoning matters. She has been deeply involved with CABA for over a decade, previously serving as Vice President, Secretary, Co-Chair of the Young Lawyers and Judicial Committees, and Co-Chair of the Art in the Tropics annual fundraiser supporting CABA’s Pro Bono Legal Services.

Candice represents municipalities on a broad range of issues, including contracts and compliance with public records, sunshine, and ethics laws. She is also a Florida Supreme Court Certified Circuit Civil Mediator. A CABA member since 2013, Candice has previously served two terms as CABA’s Secretary, has Co-Chaired the CABA on Cuba Committee for seven years, and provides pro bono representation for Cuban political prisoners before the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights.

Register here: https://caba23.wildapricot.org/event-6693380

06/01/2026

Document, document, document — even when the power is out.

After a storm, FEMA reimbursement often comes down to the details: geolocated trees, tagged debris, and properly mapped data. Without the right contractor and monitoring team in place, municipalities risk losing funding they’ve earned.

In this episode of The Intersection, WSHC+B partners Roger C. Pou and Justin D. Luger sit down with Evan Fancher of DRC Emergency Services to discuss why the right team — and the right data — can make the difference between a reimbursed claim and a denied one.

🎙️ Watch here: https://youtu.be/LJdVU3qoUUo?si=TLNo2ID-Q89vY-g3

05/29/2026

WSHC+B Partners Eduardo M. Soto and Fabio Giallanza recently co-authored the Law & Practice chapter of the Chambers and Partners Real Estate 2026 Guide (Florida).

The guide provides a comprehensive overview of Florida real estate law, including the statutory frameworks governing property ownership and transfers, current market trends, financing structures, zoning and land use regulations, leasing practices, construction considerations, and tax implications impacting transactions and investment activity across the state.

Ed, Chair of the firm’s Real Estate Practice Group, practices in the area of commercial real estate, commercial lending, and transactional matters. He regularly represents developers and investors in the purchase, sale, and development of real property.

Fabio is a corporate and real estate attorney and is Board Certified in International Law by the Florida Bar. He specializes in cross-border transactions involving clients based in the United States, Europe, and Latin America.

Read more: https://practiceguides.chambers.com/practice-guides/real-estate-2026/usa-florida

05/29/2026

WSHC+B was proud to co-sponsor, alongside Corpay, the Italy-America Chamber of Commerce Southeast, Miami (IACCSE) Business Breakfast at our Miami office, welcoming members of the Italian business community and local institutions for a morning of connection and collaboration. The event featured a presentation by WSHC+B partner Fabio Giallanza.

The Italy-America Chamber of Commerce Southeast (IACCSE) is a non-profit, U.S. corporation officially recognized by the Italian Government and devoted to fostering trade between the United States and Italy.

Fabio is a corporate and real estate attorney and is Board Certified in International Law by the Florida Bar. He specializes in cross-border transactions involving clients based in the United States, Europe, and Latin America.

05/29/2026

WSHC+B Chief Operating Officer Sonja Chaves joined a panel at the Law Firm Alliance Spring 2026 Meeting in Oklahoma City, where she spoke on associate and staff development and retention, an area where her leadership has driven meaningful progress for the firm.

The meeting brought together LFA member firms from around the world to share insights on topics including AI, attorney retention, and the impact of compensation on firm culture, alongside broader conversations on operations and the challenges facing mid-sized firms today.