Nine Partners Named
Feb 01, 2008
The Law Firm of Shutts & Bowen LLP is pleased to announce the election of nine new partners at its recent annual meeting.
Orlando –
Michael Hennen is a member of the Real Estate Practice Group. He represents developers, property owners, lenders, landlords, tenants and health care clients in real estate and commercial transactions. He received his J.D., magna cum laude from the University of Pittsburgh in 2000 and his B.A., with honors from the University of Florida in 1997. He is also admitted to practice in North Carolina and Pennsylvania.
Fort Lauderdale –
Alexander P. Heckler is a partner in the firm's Government Law Practice Group and is based in the Fort Lauderdale and Miami offices, where he focuses on local government and administrative law, lobbying, election law, bid protests, land use and zoning. He is involved in politics on the local, state and national levels and currently serves as Hillary Clinton's Florida Finance Chair and National Finance Co-Chair.
Mr. Heckler received his J.D. from the University of Miami in 2001 and his B.A. in Politics from Brandeis University in 1998.
Temple Fett Kearns is a member of the Business Litigation Group. She is a former tax accountant and counsels clients on the business, financial and legal risks of their disputes. She handles general commercial litigation and real estate-related cases, both at the trial level and on appeal. She received a Masters Degree in Taxation from Florida International University in 2003, a J.D., with honors, from Nova Southeastern University, Shepard Broad Law Center in 2000, and her Accounting degree from Florida International University in 1996.
Edward J. O’Sheehan is a member of the Business Litigation Group. Mr. O’Sheehan’s work in creditors' rights is the primary focus of his practice. In this area, he represents national and local companies dealing with distressed businesses. Formerly an enlisted U.S. Marine, Mr. O'Sheehan continues to serve as a Judge Advocate General (JAG) Officer with the 50th Area Support Group and recently returned from a deployment to Afghanistan. He received his J.D., cum laude from the University of Miami School of Law in 1995 and his B.A., summa cum laude in Economics from Ohio University in 1992.
Miami Office
Jerel C. Dawson, a member of the Insurance Practice Group, practices in the areas of life, health and disability insurance defense, with a particular focus on federal ERISA litigation. Mr. Dawson received his J.D., magna cum laude, from Florida State University in 1998, his M.A. from the University of Alabama in 1993 and a B.A. from the University of Florida in 1990.
Roland Gallor is a member of the Real Estate Department and focuses his practice on the transfer of commercial property. This representation includes acquisitions, sales, leasing and lending. He works with banks and other lending institutions, as well as developers and property owners. He is a Certified Public Accountant and received his J.D. from the University of Florida School of Law in 2000 and a B.S., with highest honors in Accounting from the University of Florida in 1997.
Ricardo J. Souto is a member of the International and Tax Practice Group, where he concentrates his practice in taxation, estate planning and business planning. He advises foreign clients with respect to investments in the United States and related income tax and estate planning matters. Mr. Souto also represents domestic clients in matters involving corporate mergers and acquisitions, income tax planning, and corporate structuring. Mr. Souto received his LL.M. in Taxation from the University of Miami in 2000 and his J.D. from the University of Florida College of Law in 1999, where he also received a B.S. in Business Administration in 1996.
Tampa –
William P. Cassidy, Jr. is a member of the Business Litigation and Employment Law Groups. He represents management clients in employment law, including Title VII, ADA, FMLA, ADEA, FLSA, representation of employers before the NLRB on matters involving concerted activity, and both Florida and federal whistleblower laws. Bill also has vast experience in handling complex commercial litigation and trademark disputes in federal and state court. He received his J.D. and B.A., with distinction in Political Science, from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Andrew J. Fruit is a member of the Corporate Department. He represents clients in mergers and acquisitions matters, while focusing on corporate law, contracts, securities and corporate finance. He has experience in general corporate reorganization and corporate structure issues, as well as corporate work in the healthcare industry. He received his J.D./M.B.A., with honors, from the University of Florida in 1999 and a B.A., with honors, in Economics, from the University of Florida in 1995.
