Barakat Law PA recently celebrated its 10th anniversary with champagne toasts, tapas and cocktails. The celebration took place in the firm’s Coral Gables office at 2701 Ponce de Leon Blvd.
Brian Barakat, a former economic crimes prosecutor working for Katherine Fernandez Rundle in the Miami-Dade County State Attorney’s Office, opened his own practice in 2006 with the encouragement of his wife, now County Judge Michelle Alvarez Barakat.
“I wouldn’t be in private practice if it weren’t for the love and support of my wife. She encouraged me, and her belief in me paid off,” Barakat said.
Today Barakat Law PA employs three attorneys and three staff members. Nory Acosta Lopez, Esq. has practiced for 10 years and provides legal services in Spanish. Ronald Hink, Esq. has practiced for four years and provides legal services in French. Clara Cejas Gonzalez, administrator; Heather Armas, legal assistant and Alejandra Iglesia, law clerk, provide support for the firm.
Their clients are businesses and business owners.
“It feels great. I’m fortunate to have had good clients and good people to work with,” Barakat said. “We have helped people win their cases, and that more than anything keeps clients coming back and makes the business successful.”
The firm plans to remain in Coral Gables and recently signed a 10-year lease in its current location.
“AmTrust is a great landlord and we’re happy to be partnering with them,” Barakat said.
A number of distinguished guests were present to mark the milestone including: Judge Victoria Del Pino, Judge Ivonne Cuesta, Judge Robert Luck, Judge Gina Beovides, Judge Carol Kelly, Judge Michelle Alvarez Barakat, Judge Veronica Diaz and Judge Martin Zilber.
Also present were Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce chair Wayne Eldred, incoming Chamber chair John Allen, first vice chair Martha de la Pena and former chair Carolina Reindero. BNI executive director Jeff Stay
attended, along with Betty Llorente, former president of Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, and Thomas Gamba, former president of the Cuban American Bar Association.
Sponsors for the evening were AmTrust Bank, La Dorada, DLE Process Servers, Café Curuba, Bacardi, and the Coral Gables Chamber where Mr. Barakat serves as a board member. Tarpon Bend provided catering and staff.
Barakat Law PA is located at 2701 Ponce de Leon Blvd., Suite 202,
Coral Gables, FL 33134; telephone 305-444-3114 or visit www.triallawmiami.com.
