EDUCATION and TRAINING
Nova University
Juris Doctor, with Honors 1977
Florida International University
Masters of Science in Management – Real Estate Appraising 1974
University of Miami
J Bachelor of Business Administration – Marketing 1973
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
1986 – Present
KLEIN AND FORTUNE, P.A.
4340 Sheridan Street, Suite 102
Hollywood, FL 33021
Martindale/Hubbell A.V. Rating
Recognition in Who’s Who in American Law
Listed in American Bank Attorney’s (1994)
Listed in Bar Register of Preeminent Lawyers (1995)
Areas of Practice: Commercial and residential real estate
- Transactional litigation and arbitration
- Construction lien law
- Litigation and arbitration
- RESPA compliance and defense litigation
- Representation of banks, mortgage companies, mortgage brokers, and other lenders in transactional matters and litigation matters
- Litigation defense of title agencies
- Title Claims
- Defense for several national title underwriters
- Corporate transactions and litigation
- Probate, Trust, and Guardianship matters and litigation
- Representation in commercial and residential real estate transactions.
1984 – 1986
LOCOCO, KLEIN, TOUBY & SMITH, P.A.
901 NE 125 Street
North Miami, FL 33161
Shareholder
Practice consisted of:
- Representation of banks and other financial institutions in transactional and litigation matters
- Handling ofcommercial and residential mortgage loans
- Probate and guardianship matters and litigation
- Commercial and residentialclosings
- Corporate transactions and litigation
- Commercial and residential real estate litigation
- Title claims defense litigation
- Representation of contractors in construction lien diputes and litigation
1977-1984
MALSPEIS, LOCOCO, BROWN & SCHWARTZ, P.A.
901 NE 125 Street
North Miami, FL 33161
Associate 3 years; Shareholder 4 years
Practice consisted of:
- Regional and local shopping center development and litigation defense of developers
- Representation of public financial institutions in commercial transactions and litigation
- Representation of banks and other financial institutions in:
- Commercial and residential transactions
- Truth and lending litigation
- Plaintiff and Defendant litigation
- Other banking matters
- Commercial and residential mortgage loans
- Probate and guardianship matters and litigation
- Commercial and residential closing
- Corporate transactions and litigation
- Commercial and residential real estate litigation
- Title claims defense
- Representation of contractors in construction lien law litigation
1977- 1978
Counsel- Walter Heller Company
Duties consisted of:
- Serving on the loan committee
- Structuring large commercial loan transactions
- Preparation of large commercial real estate transaction documentation
- Determining valuations of collateral
- Directing commercial real estate litigation, as well as asset-based and real property foreclosure litigation
LEGAL TEACHING EXPERIENCE:
Adjunct Professor:
St. Thomas University, Teaching
Regulatory Environments, and
Labor Relations classes
Present: Legal Education Instructor for::
Fidelity National Title Insurance Co.
National Business Institute
Sterling Education Seminars
Lorman Education Services
1979-1989
Miami Board of Realtors Attorney Liaison
Committee. Prepared all of the then contracts
utilized by real estate agent in residential and
commercial transactions, and listing agreements.
Approved Instructor:
Florida Department of Insurance
Florida Bar
Florida Real Estate Commission
Published Writings:
Numerous, including without limitation:
- Sign By 9 Close By 5
- Tenant Events of Default and Landlord Remedies
- Ethics – It’s Legal, But Is It Right
- Insurance Issues
- Commercial Leases
- Commercial Leases – Landlord and Tenant Law in Fl
- Commercial Evictions
- Coverages and Exclusions in Title Insurance Policies
- Overview of Title Insurance Claims and Litigation
- Ethical Considerations – Real Estate Title Insurance in Florida
- Ethical Considerations in Evictions
- What Should the Landlord Do When Tenant Abandons the Property
- The Commercial Eviction Action
- RESPA Update
- Alternative Financing Options and Their Ramifications (Short Sales, Foreclosure Defense)
- Introduction To Drafting Commercial Leases
- Basic Lease Provisions
- Documents Commonly Associated With The Leasing Process
Title Agent For:
Fidelity National Title Insurance Company
Attorney’s Title Insurance Fund, Inc.
Other Professional Licenses:
Florida Real Estate Sales License.
