Lewis F. Murphy has joined the national Litigation Practice Group of Stroock & Stroock & Lavan LLP as a partner in the Miami office. He joins recent additions Steven D. Atlee, a litigation partner in Los Angeles; Michael C. Keats, a litigation partner in New York; Laura E. Besvinick; a litigation partner in Miami; and Julie E. Nevins, a litigation special counsel in Miami.

Mr. Murphy’s practice focuses on complex multidistrict and high-stakes commercial litigation. He has extensive experience with securities and fiduciary duty litigation, class actions and derivative claims, proxy contests and corporate takeovers, as well as class actions for insurance retail sales fraud. More >>

DLA Piper announced today that Francisco J. Cerezo and John L. Murphy have joined the firm’s Miami office as partners in the Corporate and Finance practices, respectively. In addition, Cerezo will serve as DLA Piper’s US Head of Latin America Corporate.

“The addition of Francisco and John underscores DLA Piper’s commitment to growing its presence in the region and building a strong domestic and Latin America transactional practice commensurate with the firm’s global footprint,” said Joe Alexander, DLA Piper’s Southeast US managing partner and chair of the firm’s Southeast US Corporate and Private Equity practice. “Their impressive skill sets and legal acumen will complement the existing capabilities of the Miami office and the sophisticated services our lawyers provide to clients around the world. We very much look forward to continuing to grow our Latin America practice generally and the Miami office specifically.” More >>

Holland & Knight is pleased to announce that Fabian Pal has joined the firm’s Miami office as a member of the firm’s International & Cross-Border and Latin America Practice Groups. He previously practiced with Fowler White Burnett.

“Fabian has an impressive track record handling sophisticated deals in Latin America and elsewhere,” said George Mencio, co-chair of Holland & Knight’s International & Cross-Border Group. “His energy and talent will be great assets to our office.” More >>

Locke Lord LLP has enhanced its Corporate and Real Estate capabilities in South Florida with the hiring of leading transactional lawyers Mark S. Scott and Douglas L. O’Keefe as Partners in the Firm’s Miami office. Scott and O’Keefe will be members of Locke Lord’s Corporate and Transactional Department.

“Mark and Doug are highly accomplished lawyers who bring impressive experience in domestic and international transactions and deep connections to the Miami business community,” said Jonathan E. Cole, head of Locke Lord’s South Florida offices. “Both Mark and Doug share our commitment to providing our clients with outstanding legal counsel and we are thrilled to welcome them to Locke Lord.” More >>

Cozen O’Connor is pleased to announce that Marc H. Auerbach has joined the firm as a member of the Health Care Practice, resident in the Miami office. He joins Cozen O’Connor from McDonald Hopkins, where he was a partner. Previously, Auerbach was a partner in the Miami office of K&L Gates for more than 15 years. More >>

Gunster, one of Florida’s oldest and largest full-service business law firms, is pleased to announce Brian L. Belt has joined the firm as a shareholder in the Miami office.

Belt is a member of Gunster’s real estate, corporate and construction practices. He has represented owners, lenders and developers of real estate, condominium, marina and hospitality projects domestically and internationally. More >>

Fowler White Burnett has hired Bruce S. Liebman and Juan C. Zorrilla as shareholders in the firm’s Commercial Litigation Practice Group. Joshua C. Kligler has also joined as an associate in the Group. As part of the firm’s expansion, Fowler White Burnett has added 18 attorneys since the beginning of 2014.

Liebman has more than 15 years of experience practicing in the areas of labor and employment law, representing management in hundreds of matters before federal and state agencies and in federal and state court, working with dozens of EPLI and D&O carriers in the representation of their insureds. More >>