Micky Grindstaff, Managing Partner of Shutts & Bowen LLP, announced that 12 attorneys in the firm have been elevated to partnership effective January 26, 2019.
“We are proud of this pool of talent who will help lead the firm into the future,” said Grindstaff. “The promotion of these attorneys exemplifies our commitment to rewarding leadership and success and validates our approach to recruiting and career development.”
Twelve associates from various offices throughout the firm have been elevated.
Fort Lauderdale
Amy M. Wessel is a member of the Appellate Practice Group. She represents clients in a wide range of commercial litigation matters in state and federal trial and appellate courts. Her practice includes litigation involving contract disputes and business torts, real property litigation, consumer protection litigation, and class action defense. In addition to her trial work, Amy’s practice also includes working on all aspects of appeals, from drafting motions and appellate briefs to oral argument. She received her J.D., cum laude, from the University of Florida Levin College of Law and her B.A., cum laude, from the University of Florida.
Andrew E. Schwartz is a member of the Government Law and Business Litigation Practice Groups. His practice focuses on government contracts and commercial litigation. He regularly represents businesses contracting with all levels of government and has experience in the procurement process. Andrew has represented protestors and intervenors in GAO bid protests, SBA size protests and appeals, and state and local bid protests. Andrew has also represented large engineering firms, military contractors, individuals and other small and large businesses in contract disputes, construction defects, and real estate related litigation. He received his J.D. from The George Washington University of Law and his B.A., with honors, from Brandeis University.
Miami
Kristin Drecktrah Paz is a member of the International Arbitration and Litigation Practice Group. She specializes in international and complex dispute resolution, including commercial arbitration, investment arbitration, and international litigation. Her arbitration experience as an advocate includes institutional and ad hoc proceedings under diverse rules, including AAA, ICC, ICDR, ICSID, LCIA, and UNCITRAL. She has counseled private parties in investment arbitration proceedings and Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act (FSIA) litigation involving energy projects and other commercial activities, and she has participated in the defense of sovereign states in investor-state arbitration. She received her J.D. from Florida International University College of Law, her Master’s in Translation and Interpretation from Universidad Autónoma de Guadalajara, and her B.A. from the University of Minnesota.
Manuel Negron is a member of the Class Action and Mass Litigation Practice Group. He has extensive experience defending personal injury protection lawsuits for numerous insurance carriers in Florida, as well as assisting insurers with pre-suit investigation/handling of claims and conducting examinations under oath. Manuel has successfully defended suits based on lack of coverage, material misrepresentation, fraud, payment, and failure to comply with applicable Small Claims Rules or the Florida Rules of Civil Procedure. He received his J.D. from Temple University’s James E. Beasley School of Law and his B.A. from Yale University.
Greta E.M. Trotman is a member of the Financial Services Practice Group. Her practice focuses on a variety of financial services matters, including business and financing transactions and regulatory issues. She also provides support to other practice groups on issues related to servicing the firm’s Portuguese-speaking clients. Prior to joining the firm, Greta worked on capital markets and cross border financings for an international law firm, where she gained significant exposure to the Brazilian market. She received her J.D. from Harvard Law School and her B.A., summa cum laude, from Barry University.
Orlando
Michael J. Quinn is a member of the Business Litigation Practice Group. He advises corporations and individuals involved in commercial litigation and complex business disputes. Michael’s diverse background includes the representation of clients in a variety of industries, including hospitality, entertainment, real estate, transportation, and consumer products. Michael is a passionate researcher and legal strategist who enjoys providing unique solutions to complex business issues in order to manage risk and provide competitive advantage to his clients. He received his J.D. from Florida State University College of Law and his B.A. from the University of Florida.
Sarah Donini Rodriguez is a member of the Construction Litigation Practice Group. Her experience includes representing clients in construction litigation, construction contract preparation and commercial litigation. Sarah was an adjunct professor at St. Petersburg College and Barry University College of Law, where she taught courses on Torts, Corporate Law and Business Organizations. She has also presented to audiences on construction lien law in Florida. She received her J.D., magna cum laude, from Florida State University College of Law and her B.A. from the University of Florida.
Kyle A. Stevens is a member of the Real Estate Practice group. His practice involves representing buyers, sellers, developers, lenders, landlords, and tenants in real estate development and finance, commercial leasing, and land use matters. Prior to joining Shutts, Kyle was an associate in a boutique firm representing clients in complex construction disputes. While in law school, he interned for the Honorable Mary S. Scriven, U.S. District Court Judge for the Middle District of Florida, and was active in the school’s Conservation Clinic and Environmental & Land Use Law Society. He received his J.D., cum laude, from the University of Florida College of Law and his B.A. from Duke University.
Tampa
Brittany Bustillo is a member of the Real Estate Practice Group. Brittany represents public and private companies and individuals in a broad range of business and real estate matters. She focuses her real estate practice on general real estate matters; property acquisition and development; commercial leasing; title insurance; and telecommunication leasing. She received her J.D. and L.L.M. in Taxation from the University of Florida College of Law and her M.S. and B.S. in Accounting from the University of Florida Warrington College of Business.
Lauren L. Stricker is a member of the firm’s Creditors’ Rights/Bankruptcy and Business Litigation Practice Groups. She represents individual and corporate clients in bankruptcy matters, civil and criminal litigation, and government investigations. Her practice focuses on financial recovery, fraud, and financial crime cases. She represents creditors, bankruptcy trustees, and defendants in complex bankruptcy and litigation cases, including fraudulent and preferential transfer proceedings. Lauren also represents clients in white-collar criminal matters, False Claims Act qui tam actions, and government investigations. She received her J.D., cum laude, from Stetson University College of Law and her B.A., cum laude, from the University of Tampa.
Lauren A. Taylor is a member of the Trusts & Estates Practice Group. She focuses her practice in the areas of wills, trusts, and estates, and has experience with estate planning and the preparation of revocable and irrevocable trusts; estate, trust, and probate administration; estate and trust litigation; trust modification and termination; federal estate and gift taxation; private foundations and other tax exempt organizations; pre-marital and post-marital agreements; and business succession planning. She has also represented public and private companies and individuals in a broad range of matters, including business, real estate, and employment litigation in state and federal courts and on appeal. She received her J.D., cum laude, from the University of Florida College of Law and her B.S.B.A. in Finance from the University of Florida Warrington College of Business Administration.
West Palm Beach
Adam I. Bregman is a member of the Real Estate Practice Group. He focuses his practice on the acquisition, entitlement, financing, development, leasing, and sale of various types of commercial real estate projects, including office buildings, retail centers, mixed-use developments, industrial projects, residential subdivisions, hotels, multi-family projects, and equestrian facilities. Adam’s experience also includes representing investors in the acquisition, management, and sale of real property assets; representing developers in the entitlement and development of vacant land; representing landlords and tenants in office, retail and industrial lease transactions; and, representing borrowers and lenders in real estate financing, including construction financing, inter-creditor transactions, and syndications. He received his J.D., cum laude, from the University of Florida College of Law, his L.L.M. in Real Property Development from the University of Miami School of Law, and his B.A., cum laude, from the University of Florida.
About Shutts & Bowen LLP
Shutts & Bowen, established in 1910, is a full-service business law firm with more than 290 lawyers in offices in Ft. Lauderdale, Jacksonville, Miami, Orlando, Sarasota, Tallahassee, Tampa, and West Palm Beach. Learn more about Shutts & Bowen at www.shutts.com.