Fort Lauderdale law firm hires eight attorneys from Tampa competitor

Becker, a Fort Lauderdale-based law firm with offices across Florida, has hired eight lawyers in Tampa from a competing firm. 

All of the new hires come from Shumaker, according to a statement. The list includes Jonathan Ellis, who was a partner with Shumaker and chaired its community associations practice group.

The Becker group will be focused on community association and litigation with the intention of expanding the firm’s condo, co-op and HOA practice group capabilities, according to a statement. 

In addition to Ellis, who, according to his LinkedIn profile, was with Shumaker for 21 years, the other new hires from Shumaker include Kathleen Reres, Clinton Morrell, Sean Bevil, Sara Jawad, Colleen McInerney, Jessica Sheikhet and William Huffman. Ellis will lead the Becker team along with Reres, as co-chair of the practice group. the release states. 

Ellis' litigation experience, according to the statement, ranges from foreclosure of liens to defending association’s officers and directors when sued. 

"Becker has built a premier community associations practice that attracts top tier talent throughout Florida," says Kenneth Direktor, chair of Becker’s condo, co-op and HOA practice group in the statement. "We are thrilled to be adding Jon and his team of high caliber lawyers, which demonstrates our ongoing commitment to providing best-in-class support to our clients."

In addition to its Florida offices, Becker also has a presence in New Jersey; New York; Washington, D.C.; and Milan practicing construction law, government lobbying and business litigation among other emphases.