Legal titans unite for philanthropy

South Florida’s top legal professionals usually meet to face-off in the courtroom, but even the staunchest of opponents are happy to work side-by-side when it comes to giving back.

(L-R) AJC Miami-Broward Regional Director Brian D. Siegal, Bob Josefsberg, who delivered the keynote address, Marty Steinberg, John C. Sumberg, who presented the award, and Andrew C. Hall, President of AJC Miami-Broward Region

Earlier this month, Marty L. Steinberg, partner and litigation co-chair of Bilzin Sumberg Baena Price & Axelrod LLP, received the American Jewish Committee’s Judge Learned Hand Award. The honor recognized Steinberg’s dedication to protecting individual rights and democratic values. Steinberg, a renowned trial attorney whose practice spans more than 40 years, founded the Symmetry Foundation, which subsequently established Coral Rock Academy to provide a nurturing school environment for students with neurological and socialization disorder in grades 4-12.

The gala honoring Steinberg’s achievement was emceed by WPLG Local 10 senior political reporter Michael Putney, and Bob Josefsberg of Podhurst Orseck was the keynote speaker. The event was attended by some of the legal community’s heaviest hitters, including Andrew Hall of Hall, Lamb and Hall, Peter Prieto of Podurst Orseck, John Sumberg, Brian Bilzin and Al Dotson of Bilzin Sumberg, Ira Leesfield of Leesfield & Partners, and attorneys from Miami’s leading law firms including Greenberg Trauig, Holland & Knight, Boise Schiller, Kenny Nachwalter, Colson Hicks, Kozyak Tropin amongst others.

In another example of how attorneys are giving back, Bilzin Sumberg partner and Litigation Practice Group Leader Mitchell Widom raised more than $640,000 to benefit Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation of America and the University of Miami’s Elaine & Sydney Sussman Crohn’s and Colitis Clinic. Since his daughter was diagnosed with Crohn’s disease at the age of 10 in 2004, the annual Keymorada Invitational Fishing Tournament has raised more than $4 million.

“The support we have been able to garner from the legal profession has been incredible,” Widom said. “These law firms, which typically go head to head in the courtroom, have found common ground.”

Below, find some pictures of both the Keymorada fishing tournament and the AJC’s gala honoring Marty Steinberg.