Cole Schotz Enters Miami Market Via Litigation Boutique Merger

Cole Schotz has acquired three lawyers from commercial litigation boutique Salazar Law, enabling it to launch in Miami.

What You Need to Know

• Cole Schotz has launched an outpost in Miami with two members and two associates.
• Luis Salazar, who will be leading the new office, began his career at Cole Schotz in 1992.
• This is the firm’s second office launch in less than two months.

Cole Schotz has entered the Miami market with the addition of three lawyers from commercial litigation boutique Salazar Law, led by Luis Salazar, who is returning to the firm after nearly 30 years.

Salazar will be joined by former Salazar Law lawyers Jose Ceide, a member, and Lorenzo Lorenzo Jr., an associate, alongside Alexander Ortiz, who recently joined Cole Schotz as a real estate associate.

Complex financial restructurings, high-stakes litigation and advisement of companies in crisis are Salazar’s areas of expertise. Ceide focuses his practice on managing global litigation for international companies and individuals, and, like Salazar, is focused on bet-the-company litigation. He also advises clients on cryptocurrency compliance and regulation.

Salazar began his career as a bankruptcy and litigation associate at Cole Schotz in 1992, but departed in 1997 for a position as a shareholder at Greenberg Traurig’s Miami office. In 2012, he founded high-stakes commercial dispute and financial restructuring firm Salazar Law in Miami.

“Returning to Cole Schotz with my talented colleagues from Salazar Law is a powerful next step — one that strengthens our team’s position as a litigation force in the South Florida market,” Salazar said in a statement Monday. “Miami is a dynamic, fast-growing economy, and our team looks forward to expanding Cole Schotz’s presence and impact in this thriving region.”

The Miami office will be Cole Schotz’s third in the Florida area, alongside outposts in Boca Raton and Palm Beach. The firm’s entry into the Miami market follows the firm’s April launch in Washington, D.C., office April 7 with the hire of former acting U.S. Attorney Phil Selden of the District of Maryland and two other members.