Jeffrey S. Bass is a founding member of the firm. He regularly litigates at the trial and appellate level in both state and federal court. In addition, Jeff maintains a robust practice before administrative agencies and local governments. He represents municipal and county government, universities, businesses, and individuals in all manner of conflicts involving the use and development of real property, property rights, entitlements, constitutional law, zoning disputes, historic preservation, local government law, business disputes, regulatory conflicts, environmental disputes, and trust and estate litigation. Beyond the foregoing, Jeff frequently serves as a counselor to large institutions and national law firms seeking to navigate Florida's complex regulatory regimes with respect to zoning, land use, and development.

Best Lawyers named Jeff Lawyer of the Year 2021 in litigation, land use, and zoning. He enjoys a Band One ranking in Chambers and has been AV rated since 2002. Jeff is the recipient of the Carnegie Medal for Outstanding Act of Heroism.

Jeff pioneered a course on the regulation of design that he teaches at the University of Miami School of Architecture and within the University of Miami’s Masters in Real Estate Development program. He also lectures throughout the State of Florida on land use and litigation issues. Jeff was invited to join the faculty of the Good Government Initiative in 2011 where he lectured on comprehensive planning and zoning to a select group of elected officials from throughout the State of Florida.

We illustrate the depth and breadth of Jeff’s practice with the following sample of recent matters. Throughout 2020-21, Jeff represented the City of Miami Beach, Baptist Health South Florida, Dezer Development, TREO Group, and Deco Capital Group on a wide variety of complex regulatory matters involving the use, development, and regulation of land. Throughout 2019, Jeff successfully represented St. Lucie County as special outside counsel defending the County in federal court against an equal protection claim brought under 42 U.S.C. Section 1983.

Between 2015 and 2020 Jeff successfully entitled nearly 20-acres along the US-1 corridor in Coral Gables and South Miami with over 3 million square feet of mixed-use development. From 2015 to 2019, Jeff successfully represented Federal Realty Investment Trust together with Grass River Property to secure a transformational entitlement suite for the property known as the Sunset Place. The entitlements authorized the development of over 1.1 million square feet of mixed-use development along the US-1 corridor in South Miami. Between 2014 and 2017, Jeff successfully represented NRI in the entitlement of Gables Station, the Thesis Hotel, and the Residences at Thesis – resulting in 1.6 million square feet of new mixed-use and hotel development along the US-1 Corridor in Coral Gables. With these approvals the US-1 corridor is being transformed from antiquated strip-shopping centers with seas-of-asphalt parking into to elegant mixed-use, vertical development with vibrant public spaces and connectivity to Metrorail.

In 2010, Jeff concluded a successful, multi-year effort to negotiate a comprehensive development agreement between the University of Miami and the City of Coral Gables. Then University of Miami President – and former United States Congresswoman – Donna Shalala was quoted as saying, "The agreement sets us on a course for appropriate and thoughtful development. I consider this agreement to be the most important accomplishment of my presidency." The development agreement authorized the development of 6.8 million square feet of development on the Coral Gables Campus over a twenty (20) year build-out term together with a host of robust community enhancement packages. It also included a comprehensive re-write of the City's existing land development regulations and comprehensive plan. The development agreement was approved unanimously by the City of Coral Gables City Commission on September, 2010.

On September 29, 2008, the Carnegie Hero Fund Commission awarded the Carnegie Medal for Outstanding Act of Heroism to Jeff for risking his own life to successfully rescue an unconscious and badly injured near-drowning victim in the waters off of Key Largo, Florida. For this life-saving rescue, Jeff was also recognized by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission and by the Miami-Dade County Board of County Commissioners.

In 2006, then Governor Jeb Bush appointed Jeff as a Commissioner for the Third District Court of Appeal Judicial Nominating Commission. In 2010, then Governor – now United States Congressman Charlie Crist – re-appointed him. In 2014, then Governor – now United States Senator Rick Scott – re-appointed him to a third term. Jeff served as Chairman of the Judicial Nominating Commission from 2011-2012.

Jeff enjoys running, swimming, cycling, and playing the guitar. Jeff is an avid catch-and-release angler who loves to fly fish in both fresh and salt water all over the globe (fish do not live in ugly places). At age 50, Jeff elected to take up the game of golf. He is unable to describe his golf game in language suitable for this website.

REPRESENTATIVE CASES

• Beach Towing Services, Inc. v. Sunset Land Associates, LLC, 27 Fla. L. Weekly Supp. 929a (Fla. 11th Cir. Ct. Jan. 16, 2020);

• EFTX, LLC v. St. Lucie County, No. 18-cv-14282 (S.D. Fla. July 24, 2019) (granting summary judgment);

• Valladares v. Univ. of Miami, No. 17-24282 (Fla. 11th Cir. Ct. June 6, 2019) (granting summary judgment);

• Friguls v. City of Coral Gables, 24 Fla. L. Weekly Supp. 482a (Fla. 11th Cir. Ct. App. Div. Oct. 18, 2016); aff’d 2017 WL 1325453 (Fla. 3d DCA Jan. 6, 2017);

• Atlantic Civil, Inc., v. Edwin O. Swift, 118 So.3d 271 (Fla. 3d DCA 2013);

• Sunbeam Television Corp., v. Clear Channel Metroplex, Inc., 117 So. 3d 772 (Fla. 3d DCA 2012);

• Remseaoliv, LLC v. City of S. Miami, 19 Fla. L. Weekly Supp. 237b (Fla. 11th Cir. Ct. 2011)

• Miami-Dade County v. Redland Estates, 964 So. 2d 701 (Fla. 3d DCA 2007);

• Gateway Se. Props., Inc. v. Dept. of Cmty. Affairs, Town of Medley, 960 So. 2d 771 (Fla. 3d DCA 2007);

• Redland Co. v. Atlantic Civil, Inc., 961 So. 2d 1004 (Fla. 3d DCA 2007);

• City of Pompano Beach v. Swerdlow Lightspeed Mgmt. Co., 942 So. 2d 455 (Fla. 4th DCA 2006);

• Palmetto West Park, L.C., v. City of Doral, 13 Fla. L.Weekly Supp. 427a (Fla. 11th Cir. App. Div. 2006);

• Clear Channel Metroplex, Inc. v. Sunbeam Television Corp., 922 So. 2d 229 (Fla. 3d DCA 2005);

• Herbits v. City of Miami, 12 Fla. L.WeeklySupp. 432a, (Fla. 11th Cir. App. Div. 2005);

• Oceanside at Fisher Island v. City of Miami Beach, 870 So. 2d 916 (Fla. 3d DCA 2004);

• Williams Island Synagogue v. City of Aventura, 12 Fla. L.Weekly Supp. 34a (Fla. 11th Cir. App. Div. 2004);

• City of Miami Beach v. Chisholm Prop. South Beach, 830 So. 2d 842 (Fla. 3d DCA 2002);

• Spiral Tech Elementary Charter School v. Miami-Dade County School Bd., 9 Fla. L.Weekly Supp. 689a (Fla.11th Cir. 2002);

• Dusseau v. Metro. Dade County Bd. Of County Com'rs, 794 So. 2d 1270 (Fla. 2001);

• Brickell Avenue Homeowners v. City of Miami, 9 Fla. L. Weekly Supp. 16a (Fla. 11th Cir. App. Div. 2001);

• Framer Realty, Inc. v. Ross, 768 So. 2d 5 (Fla. 3d DCA 2000);

• City of Miami v. Carollo, 748 So. 2d 397 (Fla. 3d DCA 2000);

• City of Miami v. Miami Ass'n of Firefighters, Local 587, 744 So. 2d 555 (Fla. 3d DCA 1999);

• Earnest & Stewart, Inc. v. Codina, 732 So. 2d 364 (Fla. 3d DCA 1999);

• In Re the Protest of Election Returns and Absentee Ballots, November 4, 1997, Election for the City of Miami, Florida, 707 So. 2d 1170 (Fla. 3d DCA 1998);

• Scheer v. City of Miami, 15 F. Supp. 1338 (S.D. Fla. 1998);

• Bird-Kendall Homeowners Ass'n v. Dade County, 695 So. 2d 908 (Fla. 3d DCA, 1997);

• Sheets v. Metro. Dade County, 5 Fla. L.Weekly Supp. 142a (Fla. 11th Cir. App. Div. 1997);

• Rafter v. Metro. Dade County, 5 Fla. L.Weekly Supp. 510a (Fla. 11th Cir. App. Div. 1997);

• Rothman v. Metro. Dade County, 4 Fla. L.Weekly Supp. 9a (Fla. 11th Cir. App. Div. 1996).

PRACTICE AREAS:

Administrative Law, Appellate Practice, Business Dispute Resolution, Commercial Litigation, Constitutional Law, Election Law, Eminent Domain, Environmental Law, First Amendment Litigation, Land Use Law, Local Government Law, Municipal Litigation, Property Rights, Real Estate Disputes, Trusts & Estates, Zoning Law

Ian focuses his practice on land use law and commercial litigation with an emphasis on the use and development of real property. He represents developers, individual landowners and municipalities on issues related to developmental approvals, permitting and zoning. His practice also extends to administrative appeals and appellate maters before the Eleventh Judicial Circuit's Appellate Division and the Third District Court of Appeal.

Prior to joining Shubin Bass, Ian served as a judicial fellow for the Honorable Robert N. Scola in the Southern District of Florida. In addition to his federal court experience, Ian has experience in litigation, international affairs, and local government law.

Ian graduated from the University of Miami School of Law magna cum laude and was a member of the University of Miami Business Law Review. His local experience includes clerking in the Office of the City Attorney of the City of Coral Gables where he worked on matters involving litigation, contracts, land use and zoning.

Prior to moving to Miami, Ian lived in Washington, D.C. where he worked on the behalf of private and public-sector clients, including cities, counties, and economic development corporations, to achieve their business, legislative, and policy goals before Congress and the Executive Branch.

Ian enjoys an extensive background in international relations. He holds a Masters of Arts in International Studies and U.S. Foreign Policy from the School of International Service at American University.

A native of Redwood City, California, Ian now lives in Coconut Grove and in his free time enjoys racing sailboats on Biscayne Bay.

RECENT REPORTED DECISIONS:

• Lakeview of California Club v. Mazel Group, LLC, 193 So. 3d 84 (Fla. 3d DCA 2016)
• City of Miami v. Vill. of Key Biscayne, 199 So. 3d 300 (Fla. 3d DCA 2016)
• City of Miami v. Vill. of Key Biscayne, 197 So. 3d 580 (Fla. 3d DCA 2016)

Prior to joining Shubin & Bass, P.A., Juan Farach was a senior litigator in the Miami office of Hughes Hubbard & Reed LLP, where he gained extensive experience on a broad range of commercial and construction litigation matters in federal and state court and before arbitral tribunals, from inception of matter through trial or earlier resolution, including:

• Lead counsel for owner of luxury hotel in state court litigation concerning the transfer of control of master association.
• Lead counsel for commercial property owner in federal court litigation against general contractor and others arising from construction defects.*
• Lead counsel for mechanical contractor in American Arbitration Association arbitral proceeding against general contractor to recover unpaid contract amount and change orders.*
• Lead counsel for mechanical contractor in federal court action seeking recovery under federal public work bond.*
• Lead counsel for commercial tenant in state court action against landlord for breach of contract and constructive eviction.*
• Lead counsel for freight forwarder in state court action against a rival freight forwarder for breach of contract and related claims.*
• Lead counsel for shareholder in state court action against fiduciary for constructive trust and related tort claims. *
• Co-counsel for Brazilian mining company in International Chamber of Commerce arbitral proceeding against Austrian company for breach of contract. *
• Co-counsel for owner of a Spanish-language network and television station group in defense of state court action brought by broker seeking commission in connection with the sale of the network and television station group. *
• Co-counsel for developer in lender liability action and contemporaneous defense of foreclosure action. *
• Co-counsel for Central Bank of Paraguay in federal court action to recover assets diverted from two Paraguayan banks in liquidation. *
• Co-counsel for Paraguayan bank in liquidation in state court action to recover bank assets under fraudulent conveyance act. *

* Indicates matters handled by Mr. Farach prior to joining Shubin & Bass.

REPORTED DECISIONS:

• City of Palm Bay v. Palm Bay Greens, LLC, 969 So. 2d 1187 (Fla. 5th DCA 2007).
• Belz Investco Ltd. v. Grupo Immobiliano Cababie, S.A., 775 So. 2d 1020 (Fla. 3d DCA 2001);
• Belz Investco Ltd. Partnership v. Groupo Immobiliano Cababie, S.A., 721 So. 2d 787 (Fla. 3d DCA 1998);
• Woods v. Huntington Federal Sav. Bank, 622 So. 2d 1363 (Fla. 2d DCA 1993).

Ms. Falce centers her practice in the areas of administrative law, commercial litigation, municipal litigation, and civil appeals, with a particular emphasis on disputes involving the use, development, and regulation of land.

Ms. Falce joined Shubin & Bass, P.A. in 2010 upon graduating cum laude from the University of Miami School of Law. During law school, she served as Vice President of the Charles C. Papy, Jr. Moot Court Board, Articles Editor of the International and Comparative Law Review, and successfully completed the Litigation Skills program with honors. She was also the recipient of the CALI Book Award for Business Associations.

Ms. Falce completed her undergraduate studies at the University of Miami graduating cum laude in 2006, with a Bachelor of Science in Communication with a dual major in public relations and economics, and a minor in marketing. As an undergraduate, she was the recipient of the Henry King Stanford Scholarship and Hank Meyer Public Relations Scholarship.

Born and raised in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Ms. Falce now lives in Fort Lauderdale with her husband Christopher and twin sons Luigi and Dominic.

REPORTED DECISIONS:

• Realty Assocs. Fund IX, L.P. v. Town of Cutler Bay, 41 Fla. L. Weekly D2176 (Fla. 3d DCA Sept. 21, 2016);
• Lorenzo v. TRG Columbus Dev. Venture, Ltd., 197 So. 3d 52 (Fla. 3d DCA 2016);
• Neapolitan Enters., LLC v. City of Naples, 185 So. 3d 585 (Fla. 2d DCA 2016);
• Two Islands Dev. Corp. v. Clarke, 157 SO. 3d 1081 (Fla. 3d DCA 2015);
• CDC Builders, Inc. v. Biltmore-Sevilla Debt Inv'rs, LLC, 151 So. 3d 479 (Fla. 3d DCA 2014);
• Kurzim Grp., LLC v. Velasquez, 141 So. 3d 190 (Fla. 3d DCA 2014);
• Vizcayans, Inc. v. City of Miami, 139 So. 3d 311 (Fla. 3d DCA 2014);
• Neapolitan Enters., LLC v. City of Naples, 118 So. 3d 812 (Fla. 2d DCA 2013).

Whitney A. Kouvaris was born and raised in Jacksonville, Florida. She graduated from the prestigious Bolles School before moving on to Amherst College where she obtained a Bachelor of Arts in Law, Jurisprudence, and Social Thought. Whitney played and captained the Amherst varsity volleyball team.

Following Amherst, Whitney graduated cum laude from the University of Miami School of Law where she served as the Executive Board Research Editor on the University of Miami Psychology, Public Policy & Law Journal. Additionally, Whitney interned at Florida’s Third District Court of Appeal and worked as a teaching fellow within the Miami Law Academic Achievement Program. Before joining the firm, Whitney served as the Judicial Law Clerk to The Honorable Barbara Lagoa at the Third District Court of Appeal for several years.

Whitney, her husband, and their two children enjoy collecting seashells at the beach and taking in museums.

Katherine ("Kate") R. Maxwell joined the firm as an Associate in September 2012. Kate focuses her practice on civil appeals and commercial litigation with an emphasis on issues relating to land use, development, and regulation. She is a member of the Administrative Law, Appellate Practice and Advocacy, and City, County, and Local Government Law Sections of the Florida Bar, as well as a member of the Third District Court of Appeal Historical Society, Dade County Bar Association, and Florida Association for Women Lawyers. Prior to her admission to the Florida Bar, Kate worked full time with the firm as a paralegal and law clerk supporting our litigation and appellate practices. She has been with us since March 2007.

Kate earned her Juris Doctor, magna cum laude, from Florida International University College of Law (Miami, Florida). While in law school, she interned at Florida's Third District Court of Appeal, researched international criminal law issues as a faculty research assistant, and edited articles selected for publication as a member of the College's law review. Kate was recognized for excellence in a number of courses, including legal research and writing, contracts, international criminal law, and Islamic law.

Before enrolling in law school, Kate attended the United States Coast Guard Academy (New London, Connecticut) and Nova Southeastern University (Fort Lauderdale, Florida), where she earned a Bachelor of Science, with distinction, in Legal Studies and Psychology. As an undergraduate, Kate joined (and captained) the college's mock trial team, completed advanced coursework as a member of the honors program, and was inducted into the Alpha Chi College Honor Society. In 2006, a faculty committee selected Kate to deliver a commencement address on behalf of the graduating class. Kate was also a recipient of the Farquhar College of Arts and Sciences' Outstanding Student Achievement Award.

Kate was born in Florida, but, being the proud daughter of a retired naval officer, was raised throughout the United States and in Seoul, Korea and London, England. Kate returned to Florida in 2002 and made Miami her home in 2006. She enjoys kickboxing and classical music (especially Chopin) and has studied ballet and piano since she was a child.

John Shubin is founding partner of the firm and he represents companies, individuals, and government entities in all manners of litigation and administrative proceedings related to real property and its entitlement. He has practiced throughout Florida and possesses a unique combination of experience as both a trial lawyer in state and federal courts and as a representative of clients' interests in quasi-judicial proceedings.

He has also advised clients on strategies which promote local support for complex development applications. Mr. Shubin also coordinates the firm's representation of its clients in complex commercial litigation and appellate matters, and has served as an expert witness and mediator in matters concerning zoning and land use.

The firm also regularly serves as co-counsel with national law firms in litigation matters and in addressing the viability of entitlement strategies related to land and other natural resources.

REPORTED DECISIONS:

• Kainen v. Harris, 769 So.2d 1029 (Fla. 2000);
• Sunshine Vistas v. Caruana, 623 So.2d 490 (Fla. 1993);
• Kujawa v. Manhattan National Life Ins. Co., 541 So.2d 1168 (Fla. 1993);
• Framer Realty, Inc. v. Ross, 768 So.2d 5 (Fla. 3d DCA 2000);
• City of Miami v. Carollo, 748 So.2d 397 (Fla. 3d DCA 2000);
• City of Miami v. Miami Ass'n of Firefighters, Local 587, 744 So.2d 555 (Fla. 3d DCA 1999);
• Earnest & Stewart, Inc. v. Codina, 732 So.2d 364 (Fla. 3d DCA 1999);
• Cosmic Corp. v. Miami-Dade County, 706 So.2d 880 (Fla. 3d DCA 1998);
• Metropolitan Dade County v. Sportacres Development Group, Inc., 698 So.2d 281 (Fla. 3d DCA 1997);
• Kassier v. Kipnis, 677 So.2d 373 (Fla. 3d DCA 1996);
• Metropolitan Dade County v. Blumenthal, 675 So.2d 598 (Fla. 3d DCA 1995);
• Sontag v. State Dep't of Banking and Finance, 669 So.2d 283 (Fla. 3d DCA 1996);
• Ivanov v. Sobel, 654 So.2d 991 (Fla. 3d DCA 1995);
• Board of County Com'rs of Metropolitan Dade County v. Wood, 662 So.2d 417 (Fla. 3d DCA 1995);
• Quintana v. Community Partnership for Homeless, 651 So.2d 1287 (Fla. 3d DCA 1995);
• Cook v. Tradewinds West Condominium, Inc., 636 So.2d 591 (Fla. 3d DCA 1994);
• Federal Fence Co. v. BankAtlantic, 600 So.2d 19 (Fla. 4th DCA 1992);
• Ziegler v. Miami-Dade County and City of Coral Gables, 8 Fla.L.Weekly Supp. 344a (Fla. 11th Cir. App. Div. 2001);
• Federal Opinions: Scheer v. City of Miami, 15 F. Supp. 2d 1338 (S.D. Fla. 1998); Coletta v. City of North Bay Village, 962 F. Supp. 1486 (S.D. Fla. 1997).

PRACTICE AREAS:

Administrative Law, Appellate Practice, Business Dispute Resolution, Commercial Litigation, Constitutional Law, Due Diligence, Election Law, Eminent Domain, Entitlements, Environmental Law, First Amendment Litigation, Land Use Law, Local Government Law, Municipal Litigation, Real Estate Disputes, Zoning Law