MIAMI, FLA - Fowler White Burnett is pleased to announce that Shareholder, Brian D. Elias, has been appointed Chairman of the City of Miami Beach’s Planning Board.

The City of Miami Beach Planning Board is responsible for the City’s comprehensive planning process and modifications to the land development regulations. This includes new codes and code amendments, as well as changes to the comprehensive plan. In addition to these areas, the Planning Board administers the Conditional Use and Neighborhood Impact Establishment processes.

Brian D. Elias, with more than 25 years representing brokerage firms, corporations and individuals, focuses his practice on a wide array of business litigation and arbitration matters.  Elias has been recognized as an AV® Preeminent Peer Review Rated attorney by Martindale-Hubbell and by Best Lawyers in America in Commercial Litigation.  He has also been consistently named as Top Lawyer in the South Florida Legal Guide.

Elias received his Bachelor of Arts with Honors from Southern Methodist and his Juris Doctor, cum laude, from the University of Miami School of Law.

Fowler White Burnett is pleased to announce that the firm has been recognized as a “Top Law Firm” in the 2016 edition of the South Florida Legal Guide, 9 of its attorneys have been selected as “Top Lawyers” and 2 have been recognized as “Top Up and Comers.”

MIAMI, FLA – January 25, 2016 – Fowler White Burnett announced today that Cari Shapiro has joined the firm’s Fort Lauderdale office as an associate in their Insurance Practice Group.  Shapiro was previously with Greenberg Traurig where she worked primarily in the Litigation Practice Group and assisted with cases ranging from contract disputes to labor and employment matters.

Shapiro received her Juris Doctor, magna cum laude, from Nova Southeastern University, Shepard Broad School of Law and her Bachelor of Science from Northwestern University. She is a member of The Florida Bar, American Bar Association and Broward County Bar Association.

 MIAMI, FLA - January 11, 2016 – Fowler White Burnett is pleased to announce that Kristin Drecktrah Paz has joined the firm’s Miami office as an associate in the Commercial Litigation Practice Group.  Drecktrah Paz is fluent in Spanish and proficient in Portuguese and has represented Latin American individuals, companies and sovereign states in U.S. litigation, international commercial arbitration and investment treaty arbitration.  In addition, she has a wide range of litigation experience including complex business disputes, confirmation and annulment of arbitral awards, asset recovery, commercial real estate, professional liability and insurance coverage.

“Kristin comes to us with significant experience in the courtroom and in counseling international clients,” said managing shareholder Christopher E. Knight. "We are excited to welcome her to the firm and look forward to the many valuable contributions she will bring to us, our clients and the community.”

Drecktrah Paz received her undergraduate degree in Spanish and Portuguese Studies from the University of Minnesota.  After receiving her Bachelors of Arts, she spent nearly four years in Mexico teaching English to university students and working as a freelance translator while completing her Master in Translation and Interpretation from the Universidad Autónoma de Guadalajara.  She received her Juris Doctor from Florida International University College of Law where she served as a Comments Editor on the FIU Law Review.  During law school, Drecktrah Paz completed international law coursework in Rome and Barcelona in both English and Spanish and interned with boutique international law firms in Madrid and Miami.

MIAMI, FLA - Mason T. Nettleton joins Fowler White Burnett’s Fort Lauderdale office as an associate in the Family Law Group.

Nettleton concentrates his practice in family law matters including dissolution, pre and post-nuptial matters, LGBT issues, paternity, domestic violence, adoptions, relocations, equitable distribution, alimony, and child support.  Nettleton also handles post-judgment matters including modification, contempt and enforcement actions and appeals.

“Mason is an asset to our Family Law team,” said managing shareholder Christopher E. Knight. “We are excited to add his robust skillset to our group and expect great things from him.”

Nettleton is admitted to practice law in Florida and Connecticut and is a member of the Florida Bar’s Family Law Section, Broward County Bar Association and the Broward County Matrimonial Lawyers Association.  He received his Bachelor’s degree, cum laude, from Saint John’s University and his Juris Doctor, cum laude, from the University of Miami School of Law.

About Fowler White Burnett, P.A.

Fowler White Burnett is a full service law firm with more than 80 lawyers and 3 offices located in Miami, Fort Lauderdale and West Palm Beach.   The firm’s lawyers provide client-focused, proven legal strategies and business solutions to domestic and international clients across a wide spectrum of practice areas including Alternative Dispute Resolution, Appellate, Class Action, Commercial Litigation, Corporate & Securities, Immigration, Insurance, Intellectual Property, Environmental & Land Use, Family Law, Real Estate, Restructuring & Bankruptcy, Securities Litigation & Arbitration, International Tax and Trusts & Estates. For more information, please visit www.fowler-white.com.