FT. LAUDERDALE, FL and MIAMI, FL--(Marketwire - December 2, 2010) - Becker & Poliakoff, a diversified commercial law firm with more than 125 attorneys in 13 Florida offices, New York City, New Jersey, Nassau (Bahamas) and Prague, today announced that Marcie Oppenheimer Nolan and Elinette Ruiz have joined the firm's Government Law & Lobbying Practice.
Ms. Nolan is an associate in the Ft. Lauderdale/Hollywood office where she focuses her practice on land use and zoning issues assisting both public and private sector clients before all levels of regulatory bodies on entitlements and land acquisitions. She previously served as Development Services Director for the Town of Davie. As a planner certified by the American Planning Association (AICP), Ms. Nolan can testify as an expert witness on land use and zoning issues.
Ms. Ruiz is an associate in the Coral Gables office where she focuses on government contracts, land use and other issues before local governmental bodies. She previously served as an associate at the law firm of Tew Cardenas. Before entering private practice, Ms. Ruiz served as counsel to the Miami-Dade County Mayor and in the Mayor's office of Public and Intergovernmental Relations. She also gained valuable experience working in Washington, D.C. in the U.S. House of Representatives for Congressman Lincoln Diaz Balart and as an intern at the U.S. Department of State's Department of Public Affairs.
"We are delighted to welcome Marcie Nolan and Elinette Ruiz who bring enormous depth of experience in land use matters to the firm," said Bernie Friedman, chair of the firm's Government Law & Lobbying Practice. "The addition of these exceptionally qualified individuals demonstrates our commitment to providing clients with the highest levels of legal service and support available in South Florida. I look forward to the valuable contribution they will make to the growth and success of our practice."
Ms. Nolan's experience includes 10 years working as a certified planner for the Town of Davie, City of Sunrise, and City of Greenacres. In that capacity, she managed all aspects of various land development projects, both large and small.
Ms. Nolan has appeared before state, regional and local bodies on virtually all land use matters including the creation of Comprehensive Plans, developing zoning codes/form-based codes, drafting ordinances and resolutions. She has extensive experience in rezonings, variances, conditional uses, special exceptions, and site plan approvals. Ms. Nolan holds a Masters degree in Urban Planning and received her J.D. degree from Nova Southeastern University in 2008.
Ms. Ruiz received her J.D. Degree from St. Thomas University School of Law in 2005 and served as a Law Clerk for The Honorable Judge Mario P. Goderich, Third District Court of Appeal.
Prior to attending law school, Ms. Ruiz spent three years in the financial industry as a Registered Sales Assistant with Prudential Securities and Salomon Smith Barney, obtaining a General Securities Series 7 License with the National Association of Securities Dealers "NASD."
About Becker & Poliakoff
Becker & Poliakoff is a diverse commercial law firm with more than 125 attorneys in 13 Florida offices, New York City, New Jersey, Nassau (Bahamas), Prague and affiliated international offices. Celebrating its thirty-seventh (37th) year of serving clients, the firm has seven primary areas of practice: Real Estate, Construction, Community Association, Customs & International Trade, Commercial Litigation, Corporate & Securities, and Government Law & Lobbying. For more information, visit: www.becker-poliakoff.com.
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