MIAMI (Jan. 15, 2015) – In a significant expansion of two South Florida practice groups, international law firm Greenberg Traurig, P.A. announced the hiring of five new attorneys in the Miami office. These new hires will expand the firm’s resources in the area of construction law and litigation, as well as provide counsel to defend management in union-related matters and a range of labor and employment issues.
Christopher L. Barnett and Michael J. Thomas have joined the Miami Real Estate practice group as shareholders. Joining the Miami Labor and Employment practice group are Shareholders Arturo Ross and Patrick F. Martin and Of Counsel Kevin J. Morris.
“We are excited to welcome these high-caliber attorneys to our South Florida practice groups,” said Matthew B. Gorson, Greenberg Traurig Co-Chairman. “This expansion demonstrates our continued commitment to aligning the firm with the legal industry’s top talent in order to provide our clients with the quality legal counsel to address a wide-range of business needs.”
Christopher L. Barnett
Barnett focuses his practice on general real estate matters, including development and construction matters. He routinely represents clients in complex business disputes in federal and state courts throughout the country. His experience includes a wide variety of complex commercial matters including land use and construction litigation, securities litigation, intellectual property litigation, defamation and libel law, and appeals. He received a law degree in 2000 from Emory University School of Law and a bachelor’s degree in 1997 from Georgetown University.
Michael J. Thomas
Thomas focuses his practice on construction law and construction litigation matters. He is experienced in counseling clients regarding the design and construction of real estate development projects, including construction contract negotiation, design services contract negotiation, construction financing, construction insurance, risk management, suretyship, construction and defect litigation, and dispute resolution. Thomas is board certified by The Florida Bar in construction law. He received a law degree, cum laude, in 2005 from the University of Florida Levin College of Law, and a bachelor’s degree, magna cum laude, in 2002 from the University of Florida.
Arturo Ross
Ross focuses his practice on defending management in union-related matters including collective bargaining, labor arbitrations, election campaigns, and proceedings before the National Labor Relations Board. He counsels employers on a broad spectrum of labor and employment issues ranging from dealing with difficult employees to wrongful termination. Ross represents management in litigation before federal and state courts and administrative agencies, defending them against allegations such as discrimination, harassment, non-compliance with the Fair Labor Standards Act and the Family and Medical Leave Act and breach of contract. Ross received a law degree, cum laude, in 1993 from the University of Miami School of Law, and a bachelor’s degree in 1988 from Cornell University.
Patrick F. Martin
Martin represents employers in employment matters before state and federal courts as well as the Department of Labor, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the Florida Commission on Human Relations, and other administrative agencies. He also has experience counseling employers on minimizing the risk of potential litigation and helping them develop appropriate employee relations policies. Martin received a law degree in 1993 from Florida State University and a bachelor’s degree in 1990 from the University of Virginia.
Kevin J. Morris
Morris represents clients in matters including federal and state court litigation, union elections, and unfair labor practices charges before the National Labor Relations Board. He also helps clients remain compliant with federal, state, and local labor and employment law. He has experience in defending against employment discrimination claims, drafting employment handbooks; negotiating collective bargaining agreements; arbitrating union grievances; resolving disputes through administrative procedures; and defending clients in matters involving occupational safety hazards, wage and hour laws, and Title VII discrimination claims. Morris received a law degree, cum laude, in 1994 from the University of Miami School of Law, and a bachelor’s degree in 1985 from Manhattanville College.