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Pacenti's Rant: The GOP and the politics of no

John Pacenti's weekly rant this week targets the GOP for playing "politics of no" in trying to hold up the nomination of Adalberto Jordan to the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.

Design District

dbrTV interviewed Asi Cymbal, president of Miami-based Cymbal Development, who says the offer to sell land in the Design District was too good to pass up.

Pacenti's rant: Sound ordinance

DBR reporter John Pacenti's commentary on a case before the Florida Supreme Court that allows for civil fines if a police officer deems music from a car is too loud.

Richard Sharpstein on Scott Rothstein

dbrTV reporter John Pacenti interviewed attorney Richard Sharpstein who had some not so kind words for the man behind one of the largest fraud's in Florida history.

Securities: SEC's restructuring

DBR speaks with Eric Bustillo, SEC's regional director in Miami, about the agency's restructuring in the wake of the financial crisis.

Diversity Scorecard 2012

dbrTV spoke to Cori Lopez-Castro, managing partner, Kozyak Tropin & Throckmorton, on law firm diversity and strides made by women.

Latin Builders Association president looks to expansion

dbrTV interviewed LBA president Bernie Navarro who spoke about his goal of taking the Latin Builders Association to other countries, starting with trade missions to Peru and Mexico this year.

Panelists discussed the economic outlook for this year, as well as their expectations for the region's key business sectors including the real estate recovery, Latin America and gambling in South Florida.

Bilzin Sumberg partner Jose Ferrer talks about arbitration

DBR's Shayla Edwards interviews the Bilzin Sumberg partner after a recent 2nd DCA ruling that the state's stautes of limitations do not apply to arbitrations in some cases.

Business Advisory Board

The debate over so-called destination resorts was one of many topics up for discussion at the Daily Business Review's quarterly Business Advisory Board economic forecast roundtable.

John Sumberg talks about gambling in Miami

Bilzin Sumberg managing partner John Sumberg talks about the Genting/Herald deal and transforming Miami into a gambling resort.

Board of Contributors: Mediation

Shayla Edwards interviews law firm partner Mike Mopsick on what clients need to know about mediation, what they can expect and what is expected of the mediators.

Puzzling times for wealth managers

Even for the comfortably wealthy, it's hard to know which way to turn when investing in a crisis-filled world.

BankAtlantic assets acquired by BB&T

Reporter Gregg Fields discusses BB&T's deal to acquire the assets of BankAtlantic including 78 branches.

Fixing Florida's Pill Problem

DBR Reporter John Pacenti asks addiction expert James Hall of Nova Southeastern University about some of the obstacles in treating people addicted to prescription drugs.

Managing as a Managing Partner

DBR Reporter Julie Kay asks the managing partners of two top law firms what it takes to succeed in their jobs.

What makes a great community bank?

South Florida banking consultants A. Buster Castiglia and Manuel Lasaga debate what makes a great community bank.

Designing a Bright Future

DBR Reporter Paola Iuspa talks to Jeff Morr of Majestic Properties and Eric Garcia of Bobby Berk Home about the resurgent Design District north of downtown Miami.

A Banner Year for Bankruptcy Specialists

DBR Executive Editor Eddie Dominguez looks at the hourly rates and some of the cases handled by lawyers in the top tier of the Review's annual lawyer compensation list.

Looking at South Florida's lawyers with the highest compensation rates

Executive Editor Eddie Dominguez looks at the hourly rates and some of the cases handled by lawyers in the top tier of the Review's Lawyer Compensation Special Report.

The Quest for the Best Office Space

DBR reporter Eric Kalis talks to Bob Orban of Studley about the firm's search for a new office space in a Miami market now tilted toward tenants.

The Final Rothstein Auction

The third and final auction of items from Ponzi schemer Scott Rothstein features a stuffed lion, dozens of pricey shoes and dresses and a $3,000 Hello Kitty purse.

South Miami Condo Clash

A South Miami attorney waged a 9-year battle with her condo association. When she won, she used the money to pay off her mortgage and stay put. Why did she do it?

South Florida from Boom to Bust and Back Again

DBR reporter Eric Kalis looks at the history of South Florida real estate, including iconic landmarks that have seen good times and bad, and takes a peek ahead at where the next icons might be.

Genting making big plans

DBR reporter Eric Kalis breaks down the Genting Group's unveiling of its big plans for the bayfront site that has long belonged to The Miami Herald.

Attorneys General discuss 9/11 and the justice system

dbrTV covered the Federalist Society panel discussion on 9/11 and its effect on the justice system. The panel featured one current and four former U.S Attorneys General from the Southern District.

An overview of lawyer referral services

DBR reporter Julie Kay takes a look at lawyer referral services and some of the concerns raised about them.

Ruling calls "robo-signing" into question

Reporter Paola Iuspa-Abbott breaks down Wednesday's appeals court ruling, which one attorney believes could help thousands of Florida homeowners

White & Case Partner Raoul Cantero discusses tips to improve appellate brief writing

DBR's Shayla Edwards sits down with White & Case Partner Raoul Cantero to discuss his recent column on how lawyers can write better appellate briefs

dbrTV: Osorio bankruptcy hearing update

DBR reporter Eric Kalis updates the latest Claudio Osorio bankruptcy hearing

dbrTV: Al Cardenas to lead conservative group

DBR reporter Julie Kay speaks with Al Cardenas, who months after taking over as chair of the powerful American Consevative Union, finds himself embroiled in controversy.

Corporate Counsel 2011: Financial Investigations

Corporate Counsel Compensation

DBR speaks with Debbie Montero, Branch Director, Miami Office, Robert Half Legal, about the present state of General Counsel compensation.

Stephen Zack on his ABA term

Outgoing ABA president Steve Zack talks to dbrTV about his term at the helm of the ABA, court funding and his future plans.

Assistant AGs fired over foreclosures

dbrTV reporter Julie Kay interviews June Clarkson and Theresa Edwards, who said they were fired for driving the investigations into foreclosure mills and process servers.

Board of Contributors: The Fair Sentencing Act

Kenneth Swartz, of The Swartz Law Firm, speaks about the Fair Sentencing Act with DBR Substantive Law Editor Shayla Edwards.

Conditions at foreclosed properties

dbrTV reporter Jose Pagliery speaks with Ray Benitez, City of Miami Code Compliance Inspector, about several abandoned condo project located near downtown Miami

Miami Beach Memorial Day police shooting

Miami-Dade PBA president John Rivera talks to dbrTV about the circumstances "we didn't get to see" in the now infamous Miami-Beach police shooting on Memorial Day weekend.

The second Scott Rothstein auction

DBR Reporter Julie Kay reports from the preview of the second public auction to help the victims of Scott Rothstein's Ponzi scheme.

Business Advisory Board: July 2011

DBR's panel of experts discuss how South Florida is still recovering from the national recession and how the economy is learning "to walk again."

John Sumberg interview for the Business Advisory Board

Bilzin Sumberg managing partner John Sumberg, as part of our quarterly business advisory board, talks about modest signs that real estate is coming back despite the distrust in Washington.

Retail in downtown Miami struggles, but owners have hope

While downtown Miami is largely a ghost town after 6 p.m., some business owners are investing in the area and are hoping that with the thousands of new residents living there, businesses while thrive after 6 p.m.

Finding creative ways to collect homeowner fees

Alex Diaz de Villegas, chair of the South Dade Venture Community Development District, led an effort to persuade Waterstone II to transfer control of its clubhouse, pool, gatehouses and other amenities to the community development district.

Top Dealmakers 2011 Luncheon

Dealmakers recognized helped assemble a first of its kind, two-track buyout of Burger King, the sale of an iconic Miami office building, financing for massive infrastructure projects in Latin America and the second largest commercial loan workout of the downturn.

Silvia Sabates Coltrane wants development plans approved

Silvia Sabates Coltrane, a real estate broker, wants Surfside to approve her development plans for a proposed hotel at 9200 Collins Ave.

Top Dealmakers 2011

The process of selecting the annual Top Dealmakers was a long and arduous one.

Shutts & Bowen, Miami's oldest law firm

Tim Murphy, Shutts & Bowen partner and firm historian, talks about some of the reasons the firm has managed to survive when many others have not.

Miami's oldest cold case still haunts

An emotional dbrTV story on the 57-year old murder mystery of seven-year-old Judith Ann Roberts. The Review spoke with the case's lead detective Irvin Whitman, who himself had three daughters at the time, about how this case affected him.

Business Advisory Board

The Board discuss how Florida is coping with the economic downturn and how one small business owner is re-inventing her bookstore in the hopes of staying afloat.

Court funding and a constitutional amendment

Judge Joel Brown and Mayanne Downs talk about why funding the courts system is a must and how if there was a constitutional amendment on it there wouldn't be these yearly budge battles in the legislature to fund the courts.

John and Lisa Ferrari talk to dbrTV about losing their home before foreclosure process was complete

Before Chase completed the foreclosure process on their home, John and Lisa Ferrari say they didn't expect to suddenly be locked out of their home.

Office Guide 2011

dbrTV talks to brokers about the state of the South Florida office market.

Associated Industries CEO Barney Bishop on Florida economic development

Associated Industries of Florida CEO Barney Bishop talks to dbrTV about some of obstacles businesses face in Florida.

Making partner in a down economy

dbrTV spoke to several attorneys about the challenges of making partner in a down economy

11th Judicial Circuit Historical Society diversity symposium

The 11th Judicial Circuit Historical Society hosts a diversity symposium at the Dade County Courthouse.

The FCPA and what it means

Attorney Peter Prieto talks to dbrTV about the FCPA and some of the cases that act has been used for.

The $72 million budget shortfall

Florida Supreme Court Justice Charles Canady talks about the shortfall in court funding and some possible solutions

Centennial: Civil Rights

Attorney Harold Braynon and retired police officer Archie McKay talk to dbrTV about being "black in a white world."

The Dade County Courthouse

11th circuit judge and historian Scott Silverman talks to dbrTV about the historic courthouse's 24th floor jail and courtroom 6-1, the scene of Al Capone's trial.

11th Circuit Centennial: Guiseppe Zengara Case

Judge Scott Silverman, historian of the 11th Judicial Circuit, sits with dbrTV to talk about the trial of Giuseppe Zangara, the man who tried to kill president-elect Franklin D. Roosevelt.

11th Circuit Centennial: Madam Sherry

Judge Scott Silverman, historian of the 11th Judicial Circuit, sits with dbrTV to talk about the infamous madam Sherry prostitution ring and the book that led to a U.S. Supreme Court case

Banks aggressively looking to lease more space

CresaPartners principal Matthew Goodman talks to dbrTV about how banks are aggresively looking for lease space to expand operations and add new branches.

Hispanic National Bar Association's tennis tournament

The inaugural tennis tournament's proceeds go to the bar's Legal Education Fund.

Political influence on the Florida Supreme Court?

Attorneys talk to dbrTV about the political influence on the Florida Supreme Court and if such influences actually exist.

Diversity: Liebler Gonzalez & Portuondo's Juan Gonzalez

Managing partner Juan Gonzalez talks to dbrTV about how his law firm, Liebler Gonzalez & Portuondo has thrived being one of the most diverse law firms in South Florida

Attorney Joseph DeMaria on Lewis Freeman's emails

Lewis Freeman's attorney Joseph DeMaria talks to dbrTV about the emails Lewis Freeman has sent from prison and wonders why any one other than his family and personal friends to whom they were sent to would care.

U.S. Attorney Wifredo Ferrer on financial fraud

U.S. Attorney Wifredo Ferrer talks to dbrTV about the subject of financial fraud and why South Florida is such a hotbed for such criminal acts

dbrTV: Most Effective Lawyers 2010

Every year, in what has become one of the most closely watched and coveted attorney recognition programs, the Daily Business Review selects the Most Effective Lawyers of South Florida. The sixth annual Most Effective Lawyers recognizes the work of more than 90 attorneys in 15 categories.

Miami Tower sold for $105 million

The iconic Miami Tower - nationally known for its colorful nighttime illumination - has been sold for $105.5 million.

Texting and driving a costly risk for businesses

Technology allows people to work anywhere, anytime, but this convenience comes with a price: Distracted drivers who hurt or kill someone expose their employer to potential liabilities.

Collis McDuffie fights to keep his home

Collis McDuffie has owned his home for more than 40 years. Now two banks want to foreclose on his house after his grandson stopped making mortgage payments withouth letting McDuffie know.

Board of Contributors: Andrew Hall says Bar's Rules of Conduct govern how attorneys can get paid

An attorney's use of second mortgages to secure his fees in foreclosure cases is an opportunity to review the Rules of Professional Conduct.

Business Advisory Board: Small business owner's challenge

The Daily Business Review's Business Advisory Board listened as small business owner Raquel Roque shared her experiences coping with the downturn as she seeks to reshape a longtime downtown retail fixture in Miami.

Are Chapter 11 business reorganizations a thing of the past?

The current climate in Congress and the bankruptcy courts increasing willingness to accommodate prompt liquidations could make business reorganizations under Chapter 11 of the Bankruptcy Code obsolete.

Wealth Management Roundtable

Two years after the collapse of the financial markets and the exposure of massive Ponzi schemes like Bernie Madoff's, wealth managers remain largely in crisis mode as they assess the course of the economy and the safest harbors for their client's money.