NEW YORK, April 1, 2009 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Kasowitz, Benson, Torres & Friedman LLP announced today the opening of its Miami office with five new partners, seasoned corporate litigators Lawrence D. Silverman, Scott B. Cosgrove, James G. Sammataro, Kelly Anne Luther and Maria H. Ruiz. With over 300 attorneys specializing in commercial and bankruptcy litigation, Kasowitz Benson now has six offices in New York, Houston, Atlanta, San Francisco and Newark, as well as Miami. The new office is located at One Biscayne Tower, Suite 2650, Two South Biscayne Blvd.
The opening of the Miami office, which will focus on commercial litigation, class action defense and regulatory matters, reflects the increased depth and breadth of Kasowitz Benson's cases and clients in southern Florida. "We are committed to expanding our firm to meet the needs of our growing client base. The opening of the Miami office, with the addition of five terrific litigation partners, is an expression of that commitment," said Marc E. Kasowitz, managing partner of Kasowitz Benson.
Silverman, Cosgrove and Sammataro formerly were partners at their own firm and at Akerman Senterfitt, where Silverman oversaw its 70-lawyer litigation department in Miami and its firm-wide antitrust practice group. Silverman will serve as the managing partner of the new Kasowitz Benson Miami office.
"We are thrilled to join Kasowitz Benson, the preeminent firm for complex corporate litigation," said Larry Silverman. "We look forward to building the Miami office and serving the firm's new and existing clients in the area."
Silverman, a highly-regarded antitrust and corporate litigation attorney, has handled numerous high-profile trials and appeals. He is ranked in Tier 1 in Chambers USA for South Florida antitrust law, and his public service contributions were recently recognized with the Miami Daily Business Review's "Most Effective Lawyers Award" for public interest litigation in 2008. A former adjunct law professor at Nova Southeastern University, Silverman received his J.D. from Duke University School of Law.
Scott Cosgrove specializes in representing corporations in a wide variety of complex business litigation cases. Cosgrove has been recognized by Florida Trend Magazine as an "Up and Coming Attorney" and as one of the "Legal Elite." He received his J.D. from Emory University School of Law and served as a law clerk to the Honorable Peter T. Fay in the United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit.
James Sammataro has developed a diverse entertainment law practice, litigating on behalf of and against high-profile individuals and major media companies, as well as negotiating and drafting contracts, in connection with, among other things, a variety of film and television deals. Sammataro has been recognized by Florida Trend Magazine as an "Up and Coming Attorney" and as a "Super Lawyer" by Super Lawyers magazine. He received his J.D. from Duke University School of Law.
Kelly Luther and Maria Ruiz formerly were partners at Clarke Silverglate & Campbell P.A.
Luther has an active trial and appellate practice in the state and federal courts throughout Florida. She was selected by Florida Trend Magazine as one of the top civil trial attorneys in Florida. Since 2006, Luther has been the co-chair of the Women in Product Liability Subcommittee of the American Bar Association. She received her J.D. from the University of Miami School of Law.
Ruiz specializes in the defense of product liability claims, as well as the defense and prosecution of complex commercial matters. Ruiz is a fluent Spanish-speaker and is an active member of the Hispanic Business Committee of the Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce. She received her J.D. from the University of Miami School of Law.
About Kasowitz, Benson, Torres & Friedman LLP
Kasowitz, Benson, Torres & Friedman LLP is a national law firm specializing in complex, highly sophisticated litigation. Principal practice areas include general litigation, creditors' rights and bankruptcy, employment practices, intellectual property, and family law. With more than 300 lawyers, the firm is committed to pursuing creative, aggressive and winning approaches to our clients' most challenging legal matters. Clients include leading companies in the financial, technology, manufacturing, utilities, chemical, energy, entertainment, consumer products, pharmaceutical and telecommunications industries. The firm has offices in New York, Houston, Atlanta, San Francisco, Miami and Newark. For more information, visit www.kasowitz.com.
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