Weiss Serota Helfman Cole + Bierman (WSHC+B) tapped partners Maria Currais and Ed Soto to serve as co-chairs of the law firm’s thriving real estate practice. The accomplished attorneys take the helm of the division at a time when WSHC+B is expanding in lockstep with South Florida’s tremendous growth.
The firm’s real estate attorneys advise private investors, developers, lenders, and local governments in all phases of complex commercial real estate transactions. The practice blends WSHC+B’s vast private sector and municipal law expertise to implement innovative approaches to real estate-related matters. Currais and Soto have several decades of combined real estate law experience.
“Maria and Ed are ideally suited to oversee a top-drawer real estate practice and outstanding team of brilliant attorneys,” said Mitch Bierman, Partner and Miami Office Managing Director at WSCH+B. “The real estate team is also supported by Florida’s most talented and creative land use and environmental practice. We look forward to continuing to deliver client-centric, outcome-driven, and forward-thinking legal counsel to our real estate clients in Florida and beyond.”
Currais handles real estate, banking and public finance matters (with an emphasis on municipal and commercial real estate transactions and public financing for multifamily developments), and condominium filings. In Florida’s continually changing economy, Currais advises and guides her clients on the issues impacting their industries, including the purchase and sale of real estate, condominium developer work, mortgage lending, government lending, public/private transactions and municipal real estate matters.
After earning her Bachelor of Arts, magna cum laude, from the University of Miami, Currais received her Juris Doctor from Columbia University. Before joining WSHC+B, she represented banks in commercial loan closings and private clients in acquisitions and financings.
Soto’s practice focuses on commercial real estate, commercial lending, and transactional matters. He has substantial experience in all aspects of real estate-secured and asset-based loans and has represented both lead and participant lenders in syndicated transactions and other co-lending arrangements. A problem solver who seeks practical solutions to achieve his clients’ objectives, Soto regularly represents developers and investors in the purchase, sale, and development of real property.
A University of Florida graduate with a Bachelor of Arts, Soto earned his Juris Doctor from University of Tennessee College of Law. He also received a Master of Laws (LLM) in Taxation from the University of Miami.
Currais and Soto are both based in WSHC+B’s Miami office.
About Weiss Serota Helfman Cole + Bierman, P.L.:
Weiss Serota Helfman Cole + Bierman, P.L. is a prominent Florida law firm serving corporate, governmental and individual clients with an integrated array of professional services including commercial litigation, land-use and real estate law, construction law, telecommunications law, labor and employment law, government law and governmental relations. The firm has offices in Miami, Ft. Lauderdale, Boca Raton, Tampa and Gainesville. For more information, visit www.wsh-law.com.
