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Taryn Sinatra
GREATER MIAMI EDITION | VOL. 4 NO. 1
he Law Oices of Taryn G. Sinatra
Allison S. Cook
Ron C. Bi
ngham, II
S
By Sue Reddy Silverman
AMendenFreiman LLP
Stites & Harbiso
n, PLLC
A. SHEILA ORETSKY
ttorney Taryn Sinatra opened her own family law practice, he Law Oices of Taryn G. Sinatra, four years ago, with the support of her By Jan Jaben-Eilon
Legon Fodiman, P.A.
By Lynette Carrington
husband and family, “Being a mother, full time attorney and running a law practice has its challenges,” she said. “It’s a balancing act, but
at the end of the day I feel accomplished and rewarded.” Sinatra has never looked back. Both her business and family are thriving. “Practicing business law is as much about developing close relationships with clients and understanding their needs, as it is about knowing the law,” states Cook. “My client told me he was so happy with the advice I had given him that he wanted to consult with me in the future before www.AttorneyAtLawMagazine.com
M A G A Z I N E ®
including Bhutan, UAE, India, Morocco, and rural Central and South America.”
In diferentiating her practice from others, Oretsky noted that Attorney A. Sheila Oretsky, a partner at Legon Fodiman, P.A., is a rising star in the legal world who has tackled a unique variety of complex commercial litigation cases. While growing Prior to entering the private sector, Sinatra was appointed as a Broward County assistant state attorney, but being a family law attorney provides her with the perfect outlet for her skill set. “I enjoy working closely with people. I help clients through some of their most private and diicult moments,” said Sinatra. “Being a family law attorney means being a counselor too, which I enjoy. I take Allison S. Cook, an associate attorney with MendenFreiman LLP. “he technical knowledge is important,” she continues, “but if you don’t enjoy working with people, then this is not the right
engaging in any business deal or agreement. hat was the best compliment! I really enjoy helping people foresee situations they might not imagine could happen and plan ahead for them.” Cook acknowledges that the fast-paced nature of transactional
many of the practice’s clients are long-term, putting their faith and conidence in the work being performed. “I have learned the importance of how high quality and eicient representation results in long lasting client relationships,” Oretsky said. “We up, her family placed a heavy emphasis on education. It was ater witnessing the O.J. Simpson trial, however, that Oretsky knew that a legal career was the one for her. It was the important role each attorney played that inspired her to pursue her Juris Doctor. pride in establishing a real relationship with each client so they feel comfortable. In this area of law, I am able to facilitate favorable resolutions for clients, but also get the opportunity to advocate and litigate in the courtroom. For me, it’s the perfect balance. he most rewarding part about being a lawyer is being able to truly help a client, and of course, getting a favorable outcome ater litigating
area of the law to be in.”
In Cook’s case, however, not only is she a good people-person,
she also has a strong background in business law. “I think I always knew I wanted to be a lawyer; although, I did not make work can be challenging, but she states she works best under pressure. “Even though it’s hard when I have to basically be tethered to my email at all hours of the day, I thrive on the deadline-intensive project work and get real satisfaction out of
are truly in it for the long haul with our clients. he most distinguishing trait about me is that I treat each and every single case as if it were my own case. My clients don’t just hire a lawyer; they hire a partner in their case who cares as much if not even Ater graduating from the Florida International University College of Law, Oretsky briely practiced law in New York before returning to Florida in 2006. “Over the past couple of years, I have had the unique opportunity to obtain some entertainment work an issue before the court.”
But it’s not always rosy. “In this type of law, there are plenty of times when emotions get the best of good people,” she said. “Clients
can lose sight of the big picture, and it can be a tough job to try to bring those clients back and help them understand what’s really in the decision to go to law school until college,” she says. “I grew up as the daughter of a lawyer, so I’ve been trained to think like a lawyer from birth and have been cross-examined since I was a teenager. I’ve always been able to see both sides of an argument bringing a deal to a closing on time.”
She’s obviously been successful at meeting those challenges. In 2013, she was awarded both the Super Lawyers Rising Star award as well as Georgia Trend’s Legal Elite. While she was still
more about the case and no single case is more important to me than the other.”
“I am extremely proud of the work we do at my irm, and the complexity of the legal issues in our cases makes my job very and have expanded my practice in that arena as well,” explained Oretsky. “On any given day, I can go from representing a client in a litigation dispute to negotiating a TV contract with a national network. My personal clients range from individuals or small their best interest. Even worse is when children get caught in the crossire of parents’ legal battles. I think it helps me have a greater appreciation for my family life when I see the sadder side of this law.”
And, although she’s used to it by now, Sinatra says it’s still challenging to deal with stereotypes. “I’m a petite, younger-looking, female and relate to diferent types of people. I enjoy both the technical side of researching and learning the law, as well as the personal side of advising people and helping them make decisions that are right for their situation.”
in law school, she was the recipient of the American Bankruptcy Institute Medal of Excellence Award for the Top Student in Bankruptcy and the CALI Award Winner in Corporations. She gives credit to her coach, mentor and friend Robin Hensley.
gratifying on a daily basis,” noted Oretsky. “I also ind that my pro bono work is one of the most rewarding parts about being a lawyer. I have had the opportunity to serve as a pro bono guardian ad litem in child custody cases and to work with children who businesses to famed ilmmakers, who are involved primarily in contractual and business tort disputes.”
Oretsky believes the general public is becoming increasingly savvy in their consumption of legal services and hopes to usher in attorney, so it’s sometimes assumed that I’m not tough enough to be a lawyer. I learned a long time ago that you can only be who you are. I don’t try to act a part. Every attorney has his or her own style; I use mine and accomplish exactly what I need to, while still maintaining the integrity of who I am.”
Ater receiving her law degree from Georgia State University College of Law, she knew she wanted to be a business lawyer because she had focused her undergraduate studies in economics and inance. “I felt I already had a head start because I understand “Robin has been my coach since before I graduated from law school. She has provided me with invaluable advice and support throughout my career. I honestly do not know where I would be
really need a voice in the system.” Oretsky also serves as a special appointed public defender where she represents the accused in domestic violence cases.
As Oretsky continues to grow in her career, it is her basic philosophy of helping others that continues to drive her. “he a new era of legal programs and information availability. “I think the public beneits from this type of knowledge and information and I think it is a great opportunity for lawyers to connect more oten with the needs of the general public,” Oretsky said. “I would In addition to running a family and law practice, Sinatra also inds time to serve the community. Sinatra currently serves as the secretary for the South Palm Beach County chapter of the Florida Association for Women Lawyers and as the treasurer for the young the inancial issues that afect all business owners,” Cook says. She also worked with her father, a business attorney, both before and during law school.
Cook takes special pleasure when a client takes her advice today without her.”
When Cook isn’t diligently working for her clients, she loves to travel abroad with her husband. Most recently they traveled to hailand, Argentina and Uruguay. Cook and her husband are
ability to help those who need you the most is what is particularly satisfying about being a lawyer to me and is a reminder that it is a privilege to practice law,” Oretsky inished.
like to be a part of any eforts to make that information available to the public. Also, with my hands on experience as a litigator, I would like to devote some time to teaching law students about the practical side of everyday practice.”
Away from the oice, Oretsky volunteers her time to various lawyers section of the South Palm Beach County Bar Association.
Sinatra would still like to become board certiied in marital and family law and certiied as a mediator in marital and family law. When not practicing law, Sinatra enjoys yoga, Pilates and spinning, but her biggest joy is spending time with her husband and son.
and it later proves its worth. She recalls that she helped a client form his business with a partner and put together their operating agreement. She advised the client to consider what would happen if they no longer wanted to be in business together. he partners looking forward to their next adventure; raising their newborn son, Austin. he former high school competitive swimmer still swims for itness, enjoys live music and hanging out with their two dogs.
LEGON FODIMAN, P.A.
1111 Brickell Avenue, Suite 2150 Miami, FL 33131
(305) 444-9991 charitable organizations including the Junior League of Miami and has been part of two of their annual fundraising committees and is currently working on a community project with the Chapman Partnership. She also enjoys traveling. “My husband In closing, Sinatra said, “he one thing people should know about me is sadly, I’m not related to Frank Sinatra.”
The Law Oices of Taryn G. Sinatra, P.A.
88 N.E. 5th Avenue were reluctant because they couldn’t imagine that scenario. Still, they listened to her. She drated buy/sell language, which provided for a buy-out formula if one partner wanted to leave the business. A couple of years later, the two partners did decide to MendenFreiman LLP
Two Ravinia Drive, Suite 1200 Atlanta, GA 30346
www.lplaw.com [email protected]
Vol 4 No. 1 Attorney at Law Magazine® Greater Miami | 23
and I enjoy exotic foreign travel and learning about new cultures. We’ve had the opportunity to visit many countries
Delray Beach, FL 33483 (561) 732-7600 [email protected] www.sinatralegal.com
go their separate ways.
“My client was so appreciative that he had a plan in place and had agreed upon the buy-out formula ahead of time,” says
(770) 379-1450 www.mendenfreiman.com
ATTORNEYS TO
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Vol. 3 Issue 1 Attorney at Law Magazine® Metro Atlanta | 19
WATCH IN 2014
ATTORNEYS TO
WATCH IN 2014
Julia Wyda
L.Chris Stewart
Shapiro, Blasi, Wasserman
Stewart, Seay & Felton Trial Attorneys
By Jan Jaben-Eilon
J
& Gora
FJOSHUA B. SPECTOR
By Sue Reddy Silverman
A
imghantiangingforpajurtsntiecre oisf wStheawtardt,rivSeesayL. &ChFreisltoSntewTrairatl, Attorneys, a catastrophic injury litigation law irm. Like his irm, Stewart is Atlanta born and raised. But he decided to alwStaeywsatrht’es saadmviec.eNtothotinhgersatottposrnyeoyus bisutsiymopul.”e:B“uMtyheaddvoiceesni’st just talk the talk. He also participates in seminars to help law
students and college students prepare for the legal ield. Notably, Perlman, Bajandas, Yevoli & Albright, P.L.
By Lynette Carrington
ttorney Julia Wyda with Shapiro, Blasi, Wasserman & Gora in Boca Raton was born wanting to make a diference in people’s lives. She chose family law as her practice area because it allowed her to work closely with people and help them in a tangible way. “I consider it a privilege to help clients and their children navigate through some of the most
become a lawyer while he was working for the Environmental Protection Agency in Chicago. “I was traveling the country and seeing communities devastated by toxic waste from companies,” he said. “I wanted a profession that could ight companies on behalf of those injured by negligence.” He obviously found the he traveled with well-known actor Bill Cosby as a motivational speaker. At home in Atlanta, he’s also very active. He tutored at Perkerson Elementary School and is co-chair of “If you can see it, you can be it,” a program focused on motivating inner city elementary school students to become lawyers. He has served diicult and stressful circumstances to create a new normal,” she said.
Wyda is not only passionate about her work, she is committed as well. Most recently, she was installed as a member of the Executive Council of he Family Law Section of he Florida Bar. She served as co-chair of the Continuing Legal Education Committee of he he journey from rock star to legal star would deinitely be a unique journey for anybody, but it is one that Joshua Spector he past several years have also brought a few nice surprises in the form of awards and appointments. He was selected as
right profession.
He started working as an associate at Nix, Graddock & Crumpler before it merged with Morgan & Morgan. At the age of 29, he became the youngest African-American partner in a irm on the board of directors for the Villages at Carver YMCA, as regional director for the National Bar Association and as the 2011-2012 president of the Gate City Bar Association, which is Georgia’s largest and oldest African-American bar association. Family Law Section of the Florida Bar from 2011-2013, and is currently serving as vice chair of the publications committee.
She has received the Florida Bar Family Law Section’s Rising Star award for two years in a row and has been repeatedly recognized as a Rising Star in family law by Florida Super Lawyers magazine.
Highlights in her career include serving as a law clerk to the Honorable Mark E. Polen of the Fourth District Court of Appeal made ater embracing the opportunities the legal ield presented to him. Just a few years out of college found Spector playing in a couple of bands in the Austin, Texas area. “It was a wonderful time and I would not change a thing,” Spector said. “But my then- girlfriend, now wife of nearly 12 years was leaving for Miami to an inaugural fellow in the Florida Bar’s Wm. Reece Smith, Jr. Leadership Academy. He was also selected to the Florida Supreme Court’s standard jury instructions committee for business and contract cases and the Dade County Bar Association’s judicial campaign practices commission. He is also pleased to have
of more than 200 lawyers. While he was with Morgan & Morgan, he represented more than 2,500 clients and had the highest jury verdict and most jury trials for the Atlanta oice. Ater eight years, Stewart let Morgan & Morgan to form Stewart, Seay & In addition, he is the founder of the Gate City Bar Association litigation coalition and serves on the Atlanta Bar Association judicial nominations committee.
Stewart is obviously a good role model. He was selected (Judge Polen is a former chair of the Family Law Section of the Florida Bar); working with Sasser, Cestero & Sasser, P.A. prior to practicing with Schwarzberg & Associates as chairwoman of the marital and family law group and a member of the irm’s complex commercial litigation law group; and joining the law irm of Shapiro, Blasi, Wasserman & Gora.
begin medical school. he day jobs were not satisfying. Some of my good friends were inishing or had already graduated from law school. Law seemed to suit my strengths and promised a wide and interesting array of possibilities.”
argued before the Florida Supreme Court – an opportunity he didn’t expect to receive so early in his career.
When he’s not busy practicing, Spector is still passionate about music and inds time to pick up the bass guitar. He’s a huge
Felton Trial Attorneys.
Stewart focuses primarily on cases related to automobile collisions, wrongful death and premises liability, with a specialty in sexual assault, managing to receive multiple jury verdicts and settlements for millions of dollars for his clients.
as a 2011, 2012 and 2013 Rising Star Super Lawyer for the state of Georgia. Additionally, in 2012, he was named on the Atlanta Business Chronicle’s list of Who’s Who in Law as a top Georgia attorney.
he most meaningful part of her career outside of practicing law has been her work with the Palm Beach County Bar Association’s Young Lawyers Section. Wyda was installed as president of the Young Lawyers Section in June of 2013. She is most proud of the acknowledgement from her fellow Young Lawyers Section members of her boundless energy and commitment to them, the Now, Spector practices business litigation and appellate practice, including trial support. He inds it particularly appealing that there is the opportunity to afect the common law. “Being involved in a published opinion that nudges the law, even a bit, fan of the Green Bay Packers, the Miami Heat and Tottenham (English Football) of the Premier League. Of note, Spector played two years of college football while at Brown University. Following an injured rotator cuf, he played two years of rugby,
He inds personal injury work extremely challenging. “To be a personal injury trial attorney, you must accept that nothing is guaranteed and you must ight for everything in order to succeed,” he said. “Companies aren’t going to willingly give up When he’s not working, the graduate of Xavier University, Tulane University and Howard University School of Law enjoys playing basketball, watching movies, playing with his dogs and deep sea ishing. But he sets his goals high. “I hope to establish organization and the community.
For other attorneys who might want to follow in her footsteps, Wyda has the following advice, “Florida Bar committee work relevant to your practice area is invaluable. It exposes you to potential legislation relevant to your area of practice, gets you to think bears the promise of a sliver of immortality,” noted the attorney. “I did not choose business litigation, but I have stayed engaged in it
where he was named All-Ivy League and made the All-Northeast Region Team. But, even better, now he has his own team with built-in cheering section right at home; his wife and three young children.
Inhispassionforthewelfae ofchildren, Spectohasbeenabecause I enjoy learning our clients’ wildly divergent businesses, issues, and concerns. You get to step into each area and experience
and compensate your client, even if they know it was their fault. You must be willing to dedicate long nights and hours of your time in hopes of success.”
But he also inds the work very rewarding. “Being able to Stewart, Seay & Felton Trial Attorneys as a national brand known for their skill and success at trial. We plan to continue to develop our law practice and take as many cases to trial as we can. Our irm has had a fantastic start, but we must continue that focus and success. We plan to begin adding more attorneys and staf in more critically about statutes and case law that afect your clients, and helps to develop relationships with some of the brightest attorneys in the state,” she said. Wyda also stresses the importance of mentors. She is lucky to have had Donald Sasser, Tom Sasser, and Jorge Cestero as mentors, but it is Jefrey Wasserman that has had the greatest impact. “He has a passion for the law that is unyielding, a laugh that is contagious, and he continually challenges me to be a better lawyer and a better person.”
volunteerttoreyforLawyersfr Childrenonaregularbasis since 2005. In addition to foster care youth, he has also represented incarcerated plaintifs, reggaeton musicians, a foreign head-of- state and numerous Fortune 500 companies.
it, and then move on and experience something new.”
Spector’s wife has been a pillar of support as he established his legal career. Spector explained, “My wife and I have been together since I was 22 years old. She encouraged me to go to law school, supported me throughout that process, bore our dual
know for a fact that you’ve just changed the course of your client and their family’s lives, either by providing them with a secure inancial future or by mentally giving them a sense that someone fought for them and they received justice when they thought all was lost, it’s very rewarding,” he said.
the near future and continue to increase our advertising around the state.”
Stewart, Seay & Felton Trial Attorneys
When Wyda is not practicing law, she enjoys playing golf, cooking, music, yoga, and travel. She has been to 22 countries, taught English in hailand and even climbed Mount Fuji.
Spector still has many more challenges that he would like to tackle. “I’m looking to hone my crat by getting more jury trials and more appellate arguments. I may have another book in me. Teaching and serving as an arbitrator are some things I’m load of student loans with me, and has supported me in a variety of illogical but wonderful choices, such as leaving the comfort and safety of big-irm practice, and devoting many nights and weekends to writing a legal manual.”
He remembers one situation that exempliies that feeling. “I had a client who was sexually assaulted at school, while also sufering the death of his father. His mother says that the relationship that I established with the family and attaining a great outcome for 260 Peachtree Street, Suite 1001 Atlanta, GA 30303
(855) YES-JUSTICE (855) 937-5878 Shapiro, Blasi, Wasserman & Gora
7777 Glades Road, Suite 400 Boca Raton, FL 33434 (561) 477-7800 considering, too,” Spector inished.
PERLMAN, BAJANDAS, YEVOLI & ALBRIGHT, P.L.
1000 Brickell Avenue, Suite 600
Miami, FL 33131
He continues to ind unique challenges and rewards in his legal career. “Solving a seemingly intractable problem for a client and guiding the client to safety or satisfaction is most rewarding,” Spector said of what he loves about his job. He recently had a
the child truly provided for his future and got them through a really bad time.”
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www.ssjustice.com
[email protected] www.sbwlawirm.com
Vol. 3 No. 1 Attorney at Law Magazine® Palm Beach County Florida Edition | 27
(305) 377-0086 [email protected] www.pbyalaw.com
fantastic career highlight when in September 2013, he and his partner, Paul Turner published a litigation practice manual with ALM/Daily Business Review.
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