GROWING VOLUSIA LAW FIRM EXPANDS WEST…TO OFFICE BUILDING NEXT DOOR

PORT ORANGE – The personal-injury law firm of Rue & Ziffra, P.A. recently moved about one-half of its staff into a 6,000-square-foot office building adjacent to its original office at 623 Dunlawton Ave.

The two-story building on 1½ acres at 640 Dunlawton Ave., was purchased late last year for $600,000 from the Sunshine State Community Bank, according to firm President Allan L. Ziffra.

Ziffra said he had planned to build a new office because his staff of 40 was so crammed into their existing 7,000-square-foot building. But, he changed his mind when the 26-year-old former medical/real estate building next door became available through foreclosure.

“We renovated the building to add two additional conference rooms and accommodate about 24 people in four departments: Social Security, worker’s compensation, medical malpractice and litigation,” Ziffra said.

In addition to giving the staff more breathing space, Ziffra said the expansion also will provide attorneys and other staff members more privacy when meeting with their clients.

The building is the third office operated by the 25-year-old Port Orange-based law firm, as they opened an Orange City office at 2790 Enterprise Road in February of 2009.
***

About Rue & Ziffra: Founded by John D. Rue and Allan L. Ziffra, the personal-injury law firm of Rue & Ziffra, P.A. has served the Central Florida community for more than 25 years. The firm’s commitment to its profession and its clients has earned it a reputation as one of the top personal-injury law firms in Central Florida. Known for handling everything from automobile and motorcycle accidents to medical malpractice, wrongful death, and social security and disability cases, Rue & Ziffra, P.A. has recovered millions of dollars for injured clients and their families. With a staff of nine attorneys, the firm maintains offices in Port Orange and Orange City.

For more information about this release, please contact: Allan L. Ziffra, President, Rue & Ziffra, P.A. 386-788-7700 or allanz@rueziffra.com; Kristen Cass, Marketing Assistant, Rue & Ziffra, P.A. 386-788-7700 or kristenc@rueziffra.com; Charlene Hager-Van Dyke, Larry Vershel Communications, 386-532-8862, 407-644-4142 or chagervandyke@yahoo.com

Poker Run Sponsored By Volusia County Law Firm Raises Nearly $5,000 For Local Mom Diagnosed With Cancer

PONCE INLET – More than 100 motorcycle enthusiasts participated in a recent poker run sponsored by the law firm of Rue & Ziffra as a fundraiser for a mother of two who was diagnosed with brain cancer.

The event – which kicked off Aug. 14 at the Ponce Inlet Lighthouse and included a classic car show and a barbecue dinner – raised $4,500 for the family of Lorraine Metakes of Port Orange.

Robin Fenwick, one of four organizers of the fundraiser, said 137 hands of poker were sold to motorcycle drivers, their passengers and others who participated in cars.

“We never expected to be able to give the family this much help with their expenses,” she said.

“When we started out, we thought we’d be lucky to make $500.”

Fenwick said more than $1,000 was from raffle tickets for donated items. The rest came from the sale of poker hands, food, T-shirts and from other donations.

“We know that we couldn’t have done it without the help of Rue & Ziffra,” she added. “After they got the word out in the newspapers and on the radio, my phone was ringing off the hook about the ride.”

About Rue & Ziffra: Founded by John D. Rue and Allan L. Ziffra, the personal-injury law firm of Rue & Ziffra has served the Central Florida community for more than 30 years. The firm’s commitment to its profession and its clients has earned it a reputation as one of the top personal-injury law firms in Central Florida. Known for handling everything from automobile and motorcycle accidents to medical malpractice, wrongful death, and social security and disability cases, Rue & Ziffra has recovered millions of dollars for injured clients and their families. With a staff of nine attorneys, the firm maintains offices in Port Orange and Orange City.

For more information about this release, please contact: Allan L. Ziffra, President, Rue & Ziffra, 386-788-7700 or allanz@rueziffra.com; Shane Snipes, Promotions/Advertising Director, Rue & Ziffra, 386-788-7700 or shanes@rueziffra.com; Charlene Hager-Van Dyke, Larry Vershel Communications, 386-532-8862, 407-644-4142 or chagervandyke@yahoo.com

Central Florida Law Firm Sponsors 3rd Annual Daytona Beach “Mai Tai Rumble” Battle Of The Bands

DAYTONA BEACH – The law firm of Rue & Ziffra will sponsor the 3rd annual Mai Tai Rumble, a month-long musical competition for local bands, beginning Tuesday, Sept. 7 at the Mai Tai Bar, 250 N. Atlantic Ave., Daytona Beach.

The event – the ultimate battle of the bands competition – is an opportunity for area bands to compete and showcase their musical skills. It is divided into two categories: Best Cover Band or Soloist, and Best Original Band or Soloist.

A total of $10,000 in prize money will be awarded to the winning bands, and future paid gigs at the Mai Tai Bar.

The Mai Tai Rumble, which also is being held in Honolulu, Hawaii and Long Beach, Calif., will culminate with the final competition on Oct. 7.

“We know there are many talented musicians and vocalists right here in Central Florida,” said Allan L. Ziffra, president of the Port Orange-based personal-injury law firm. “Because of that, we’d like to help one of those groups live up to their potential and become the “Best Band in Central Florida.”

Additional sponsors of the Rumble include Monster Energy Music, and Club 92.7 FM and Beach Radio 92.7 FM in Palm Coast. Bands interested in competing for the title can see the official contest rules and fill out applications at www.maitairumble.com.

About Rue & Ziffra:
Founded by John D. Rue and Allan L. Ziffra, the personal-injury law firm of Rue & Ziffra has served the Central Florida community for more than 30 years. The firm’s commitment to its profession and its clients has earned it a reputation as one of the top personal-injury law firms in Central Florida. Known for handling everything from automobile and motorcycle accidents to medical malpractice, wrongful death, and social security and disability cases, Rue & Ziffra has recovered millions of dollars for injured clients and their families. With a staff of nine attorneys, the firm maintains offices in Port Orange and Orange City.

* * *

For more information about this release, please contact:
Allan L. Ziffra, President, Rue & Ziffra, 386-788-7700 or allanz@rueziffra.com; Shane Snipes, Promotions/Advertising Director, Rue & Ziffra, 386-788-7700 or shanes@rueziffra.com; Charlene Hager-Van Dyke, Larry Vershel Communications, 386-532-8862, 407-644-4142 or chagervandyke@yahoo.com

Cotter Ryan Commercial Awarded Contract to Complete Tenant Improvements for Law Firm in Kissimmee

LONGWOOD - Cotter Ryan Commercial, LLC in Longwood was recently awarded a contract to complete tenant improvements for law offices that will open in the Osceola Corporate Center, located off Greenwall Way in Kissimmee.

Scott Ryan, president of Cotter-Ryan Commercial LLC, said the construction work is estimated to cost $125,000.
* * *

For more information, contact: Scott H. Ryan, President, Cotter Ryan Commercial, LLC, 407-786-7686 sryan@cotterryan.com; Larry Vershel or Beth Payan, Larry Vershel Communications 407-644-4142, lvershelco@aol.com

Area Law Firm Teams Up with Beach 92.7 FM Radio to Sponsor Spectacular Two-Day Independence Day Festivities in Flagler

FLAGLER BEACH – The law firm of Rue & Ziffra once again is a sponsor of Flagler County’s annual Fourth of July Celebration July 3-4 at Flagler Beach and Palm Coast, with dazzling fireworks taking top billing on both days.

Because the 30-year-old personal-injury firm is teaming up with Flagler County’s Beach 92.7 FM radio station to sponsor the “All-American Fourth of July Weekend,” this year’s two-day fireworks display and festival is expected to be the biggest July 4th celebration in Flagler County’s history.

Rue & Ziffra President Allan L. Ziffra said his firm’s annual contribution to the event is part of their pledge to give back to local communities; with many local charities benefitting from the festivities.

“Once again, we’re proud to help sponsor this event,” he said. “It’s just another way of letting the residents know that we at Rue & Ziffra are committed to them and their causes.”

Rue & Ziffra will sponsor a roof-top beach party at Finns on the beach across from the Flagler Beach Pier on Saturday7-3. Live entertainment will be presented all day and Beach 92.7 will offer a chance to win a Tom Gibb Chevy truck and a Parker fishing boat. Fireworks will be launched from the Flagler Beach Pier at nightfall.

Additional Saturday events will include live Reggae music, a watermelon-eating contest, a corn-hole competition, a street festival, the Lil’ Kahuna and Tiny Tiki contests for boys and girls between 3 and 5, and a “Beach Ball Bash Parade,” sponsored by the Flagler Beach Rotary Club.
On Sunday 7-4, Rue & Ziffra will kick off a sunset tailgate party at 7 p.m. at Town Center’s Central Park in Palm Coast, and Beach 92.7 FM will provide music, activities and prizes.

Fireworks, presented by the Flagler County Rotary Club, will be launched from the pier beginning at 9 p.m. Those attending are encouraged to bring along blankets, lawn chairs and coolers, as concessions will be limited.

About Rue & Ziffra: Founded by John D. Rue and Allan L. Ziffra, the personal-injury law firm of Rue & Ziffra has served the Central Florida community for more than 30 years. The firm’s commitment to its profession and its clients has earned it a reputation as one of the top personal-injury law firms in Central Florida. Known for handling everything from automobile and motorcycle accidents to medical malpractice, wrongful death, and social security and disability cases, Rue & Ziffra has recovered millions of dollars for injured clients and their families. With a staff of nine attorneys, the firm maintains offices in Port Orange and Orange City.

For more information about this release, please contact: Allan L. Ziffra, President, Rue & Ziffra, 386-788-7700 or allanz@rueziffra.com; Shane Snipes, Promotions/Advertising Director, Rue & Ziffra, 386-788-7700 or shanes@rueziffra.com; Charlene Hager-Van Dyke, Larry Vershel Communications, 386-532-8862

New Hire at Rue & Ziffra Makes the Port Orange-Based Law Firm the 3rd Largest in the Area in Number of Attorneys

PORT ORANGE – Attorney Robert A. Wohn III – a recent honors graduate of the University of Florida, Levin College of Law – has joined the personal-injury law firm of Rue & Ziffra.
The addition of Wohn brings the number of attorneys at the firm to nine, according to a survey by the Volusia/Flagler Business Report.

Wohn, a member of the Florida Bar, graduated cum laude when receiving his law degree from UF in Gainesville, and magna cum laude when receiving his business administration degree from Stetson University in DeLand.

The Cocoa Beach native brings a wealth of knowledge to the firm, including the Spanish language experience he gained while an undergraduate, and through his participation in UF’s legal interpretation and document translation programs, according to Allan L. Ziffra, president of the 25-year-old firm.

“We’re very fortunate to have Robert join us,” Ziffra said. “He’s extremely knowledgeable in many areas and has garnered extensive experience having completed several internships including stints with the state attorney’s office and the 18th Judicial Circuit Court in Brevard County.”

Wohn was a member of UF’s Journal of Technology Law and Policy, and the Entertainment Law Review. He also served as a volunteer for the Restoration of Civil Rights Project at the school’s Virgil Hawkins Civil Clinic, and was the UF representative for the Florida Bar Young Lawyers Division’s Board of Governors.

About Rue & Ziffra: Founded by John D. Rue and Allan L. Ziffra, the personal-injury law firm of Rue & Ziffra has served the Central Florida community for more than 25 years. The firm’s commitment to its profession and its clients has earned it a reputation as one of the top personal-injury law firms in Central Florida. Known for handling everything from automobile and motorcycle accidents to medical malpractice, wrongful death, and social security and disability cases, Rue & Ziffra has recovered millions of dollars for injured clients and their families. With a staff of nine attorneys, the firm maintains offices in Port Orange and Orange City.

For more information about this release, please contact:
Allan L. Ziffra, President, Rue & Ziffra, 386-788-7700 or allanz@rueziffra.com; Shane Snipes, Promotions/Advertising Director, Rue & Ziffra, 386-788-7700 or shanes@rueziffra.com; Charlene Hager-Van Dyke, Larry Vershel Communications, 386-532-8862, 407-644-4142 or chagervandyke@yahoo.com

Home Owner Associations Seeking Legal Help to Stem Tide of Foreclosures, Lost Dues

ORLANDO - The wave of housing foreclosures in the Orlando area has generated a big increase in legal work for Orlando attorney Mark Lippman.

Lippman, whose law practice has offices in Orlando and Kissimmee, focuses on real estate law and represents home owner associations and condominium associations who want to recover association fees from foreclosed home owners who fail to meet their obligations.

“When somebody stops paying their mortgage, they often stop paying their homeowner association fees or condo association fees,” Lippman explained. “That creates a deficit that the association has to recoup, either by recovering fees, raising fees of the other home owners in the neighborhood or by taking such legal action as declaring bankruptcy,” he said.

Home owner association bankruptcy was almost unheard of before the real estate downturn and the current spate of foreclosures, Lippman said, but it’s becoming more and more common.
Generally, Lippman said, an association will file a lien against the property owner who isn’t paying association fees.

Once a foreclosure process is initiated, the mortgage company may take over the property as the new owner, the property can be sold at auction, or the owner can initiate a ‘short sale’ to a new owner.

“Because the lender foreclosure process takes such a long time, some associations will initiate foreclosure proceedings, taking over ownership of the property and either selling the property to recover their fees, or renting the property out and getting their fees back that way,” Lippman said.

Concurrently, the mortgage company will proceed with its foreclosure case and eventually take ownership of the property. In that case, Lippman said, the association can charge back fees and dues to the lender that has ownership of the property.

Lippman, who has been practicing law since 2000, entered private practice in 2004. In Fort Lauderdale, as an associate with a law firm that focused solely on homeowner associations and condo associations, he responsible for more than 30,000 homes.

“We’re now approaching that number again, but under entirely different circumstances,” Lippman said.

* * *

For more information about this press release, contact: Mark Lippman, Esq., Lippman Law Offices, 255 S. Orange Ave. Orlando; 407-648-4213; LippmanLaw@aol.com

Grubb & Ellis|Commercial Florida negotiates expansion lease for Morgan & Morgan Law Firm at Tampa City Center

TAMPA, Fla. – Mia Jarrell, vice president of Grubb & EllisCommercial Florida’s Office Group, recently negotiated a long-term expansion lease agreement for 7,386 square feet of Class A office space at 201 N. Franklin Street in Tampa City Center.

Jarrell, a CBD specialist, negotiated the lease with landlord, Mainstreet Capital Partners of Fort Lauderdale, on behalf of the tenant Morgan & Morgan Law Firm, who already leased 32,000 square feet, and now occupies a total of 39,386 square feet on the sixth and seventh floors of the building.

The downtown Tampa City Center is one of the Morgan & Morgan Law Firm’s several locations throughout the Southeast. They employ more than 100 attorneys, mainly trial lawyers with a wide array of specialties to represent individuals nationwide in cases that involve personal injury or wrongful death.
* * *

About Grubb & EllisCommercial Florida

Grubb & EllisCommercial Florida is an affiliated commercial real estate services firm specializing in the leasing and sale of office, industrial, retail, land and investment properties. Currently Grubb & EllisCommercial Florida has 30 brokers divided among its Tampa, Orlando and Melbourne offices which serve the entire mid-Florida marketplace. Visit http://www.commercialfl.com/.

About Grubb & Ellis

Named to The Global Outsourcing 100™ in 2009 by the International Association of Outsourcing Professionals™, Grubb & Ellis Company (NYSE: GBE) is one of the largest and most respected commercial real estate services and investment companies in the world. Our 6,000 professionals in more than 130 company-owned and affiliate offices draw from a unique platform of real estate services, practice groups and investment products to deliver comprehensive, integrated solutions to real estate owners, tenants and investors. The firm’s transaction, management, consulting and investment services are supported by highly regarded proprietary market research and extensive local expertise. Through Grubb & Ellis Realty Investors, the company is a leading sponsor of real estate investment programs that provide individuals and institutions the opportunity to invest in a broad range of real estate investment vehicles, including public non-traded real estate investment trusts (REITs), tenant-in-common (TIC) investments suitable for tax-deferred 1031 exchanges and other real estate investment funds. For more information, visit http://www.grubb-ellis.com/.

Contacts:

Mia Jarrell 813-639-1111

Jeffrey Sweeney 407-481-5387

Larry Vershel 407-644-4142

Law Firm Makes Toy Donation to Annual Margarita Ball to Help Brighten the Holidays for Area Children

PORT ORANGE – The law firm of Rue & Ziffra recently participated in the annual Daytona Beach Margarita Society Ball by purchasing and donating hundreds of new toys that will be given to area underprivileged children this Christmas.

According to the non-profit Daytona Beach Margarita Society – organizers of the event – the purpose of the invitation-only black-tie gala was to gather toys for as many local children as possible.

“It was a wonderful event for our firm to lend our support,” said Allan L. Ziffra, president of the 25-year-old personal injury firm. “We were excited to participate and happy to help make Christmas a little brighter for some of the children in our community.”

The Ball, which was held Nov. 20 at the Daytona Beach Hilton’s North Tower, is the Society’s flagship event.

Society directors invited area business and professional people, who attended the ball bearing gifts. Larger gifts were ordered on-line or purchased at area Wal-Mart stores or from the Toy & Bear Factory in Volusia Mall and then delivered directly to the event.

About Rue & Ziffra:

Founded by John D. Rue and Allan L. Ziffra, the personal-injury law firm of Rue & Ziffra has served the Central Florida community for more than 25 years. The firm’s commitment to its profession and its clients has earned it a reputation as one of the top personal-injury law firms in Central Florida. Known for handling everything from automobile and motorcycle accidents to medical malpractice, wrongful death, and social security and disability cases, Rue & Ziffra has recovered millions of dollars for injured clients and their families. With a staff of nine attorneys, the firm maintains offices in Port Orange and Orange City.

For more information about this release, please contact:

Allan L. Ziffra, President, Rue & Ziffra, 386-788-7700 or allanz@rueziffra.com

Shane Snipes, Promotions/Advertising Director, Rue & Ziffra, 386-788-7700 or shanes@rueziffra.com

Charlene Hager-Van Dyke, Larry Vershel Communications, 386-532-8862, 407-644-4142 or chagervandyke@yahoo.com

Orlando Attorney Mark Lippman Expands Offices in Orlando

ORLANDO, Fla. --- Orlando attorney Mark R. Lippman has expanded his law firm and relocated his downtown Orlando offices from a 1,400 square foot suite on Broadway Street to the Citrus Building at 255 S. Orange Ave. The office space has been expanded to 2,000 square feet in the new location.

Lippman also appointed Jennifer Craddock senior associate attorney.

Lippman, whose practice focuses on real estate and criminal law, opened his offices in Orlando in 2004 after earning his law degree from Nova Southeastern University.

Craddock, who did her undergraduate work at Marshall University and earned her law degree from the University of Miami School of Law, focuses on real estate law.

Lippman also has offices in Kissimmee on South Clyde St.

For more information about this press release, contact:
Mark Lippman, Esq., Lippman Law Offices, 255 S. Orange Ave. Orlando; 407-648-4213; LippmanLaw@aol.com

Larry Vershel or Beth Payan, Larry Vershel Communications, 407-644-4142 Lvershelco@aol.com

Avalon Park Establishes Security and Safety Center, Orange County Victim Service Center

Avalon Park Establishes Security and Safety Center, Orange County Victim Service Center

ORLANDO, Fla. - Avalon Park in east Orlando has opened a Security and Safety Center and leased space in the facility for the Orange County Victim Service Center at 13013 Founders Square Drive in downtown Avalon Park.

Ross Halle, vice president of architecture and town planner at Avalon Park, said the 500 square foot facility will be used for meetings and briefings by law enforcement personnel and private community safety officials.

For more information visit www.avalonparkgroup.com or call:
Stephanie Hodson, Marketing Coordinator, Avalon Park Group 407-658-6565
Beat Kahli, Founder /CEO Avalon Park Group 407-658-6565
Ross Halle, VP Architecture/Town Planner Avalon Park Group 407-658-6565
Larry Vershel, Larry Vershel Communications 407-644-4142, Lvershelco@aol.com

Condominium Owners, Investors Should be Wary of Recent Changes to Florida Condominium Law, Says Leading Florida Broker

Condominium Owners, Investors Should be Wary of Recent Changes to Florida Condominium Law, Says Leading Florida Broker

TAMPA, Fla. - Condominium owners and potential investors should pay particular attention to recent changes in Florida’s condominium law, as new options open doors to higher values in an otherwise bottoming market.

Kelly Oliver, investment advisor and multifamily property specialist at Grubb & EllisCommercial Florida, said two of the new changes can offer particularly beneficial opportunities for developers.

“Many condominium communities could fall under what is generally called ‘fractured condo’ status,” Oliver said.

A ‘fractured condo’ occurs when a rental apartment community is converted to condominium status, but too many units remain unsold.

“That’s happened all over Florida,” Oliver said. Recent changes in the condominium law allow 80 percent of unit owners in a community to restructure condominiums as fee-simple rental apartments, which could offer higher value and tax advantages too, Oliver explained.

But fractured condo status has several pitfalls, Oliver warned.

“Unit owners should be aware of all the requirements,” Oliver said. Control over the condominium association and qualification of owners as ‘developers’ under Florida law are crucial to reconverting condominiums into rental apartments, she explained.

“In some cases, it is advantageous to consider conversions to a rental community, but the process is complex and must be followed carefully so as not to jeopardize the interests of the unit owners,” Oliver said.

About Grubb & Ellis:
Grubb & Ellis Company (NYSE: GBE) is one of the largest and most respected commercial real estate services and investment companies. With more than 130 owned and affiliate offices worldwide, Grubb & Ellis offers property owners, corporate occupants and investors comprehensive integrated real estate solutions, including transaction, management, consulting and investment advisory services supported by proprietary market research and extensive local market expertise.

Grubb & Ellis and its subsidiaries are leading sponsors of real estate investment programs that provide individuals and institutions the opportunity to invest in a broad range of real estate investment vehicles, including tax-deferred 1031 tenant-in-common (TIC) exchanges; public non-traded real estate investment trusts (REITs) and real estate investment funds. As of September 30, 2008, more than $3.8 billion in investor equity has been raised for these investment programs. The company and its subsidiaries currently manage a growing portfolio of more than 225 million square feet of real estate. In 2007, Grubb & Ellis was selected from among 15,000 vendors as Microsoft Corporation's Vendor of the Year. For more information regarding Grubb & Ellis Company, please visit http://www.grubb-ellis.com/.

For more information, contact:
Kelly Oliver, Grubb & EllisCommercial Florida, 813-639-1111 Ext 262
Jeffrey Sweeney, Grubb & EllisCommercial Florida, 407-481-5387
Larry Vershel, Larry Vershel Communications, 407-644-4142