CONTRIBUTORS

MEET THE CONTRIBUTORS

Jason M. Vanslette

Editor and Business Unit Leader/Partner Email Jason M. Vanslette

Jason Vanslette is an “AV” rated Partner and Business Unit Leader focusing his practice on Mortgage Foreclosure Litigation and assisting banks and other financial service providers with regulatory, enforcement, transactional and litigation matters. Jason is rated AV Preeminent by Martindale-Hubbell, which indicates a demonstration of the highest professional and ethical standards and is the highest rating a lawyer can receive. Jason began his legal career as an Assistant Public Defender for the Office of the Public Defender – 9th Judicial Circuit in Orlando, FL. During that time, he provided criminal defense representation to more than 200 clients simultaneously and served as Lead Chair on more than 15 jury trials. Prior to joining the firm, Jason worked as an Attorney for a firm in Fort Lauderdale, FL, where he provided legal representation to major financial institutions and mortgage servicers in various counties throughout the state, while focusing on non-jury trials and contested litigation. Jason earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Florida State University. He went on to earn a Juris Doctorate degree from Nova Southeastern University, Shepard Broad Law Center where he earned a spot on the Dean’s List for three consecutive years and received the Pro Bono Honors Award. While attending law school, he served as an executive board member for Law Student Advisor, Chief Executive and Host of WLAW Radio and member of the Nova Trial Association.

Jacqueline Costoya Guberman

Partner Email Jacqueline Costoya Guberman

Jacqueline Costoya Guberman is a Partner at Kelley Kronenberg, focusing her practice on real estate matters with particular emphasis on real property litigation, residential and commercial real estate transactions, and appellate litigation. As an agent for Old Republic National Title Insurance Company, Jacqueline assists in the acquisition, financing, and development of real estate including commercial and residential projects. Jacqueline also has extensive experience involving the representation of businesses, lenders, and loan servicers at both the trial court and appellate level. She has successfully argued before the Florida Second, Third, and Fifth District Courts of Appeal, handling much of the Real Property Litigation practice group’s appellate litigation. In 2009, Jacqueline earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Florida. She went on to earn a Juris Doctorate from the University of Miami School of Law where she graduated cum laude, served on the executive board of the Charles C. Papy Moot Court Board, and received a Dean’s Certificate in Client Communications. Jacqueline is currently serving her second year as CoChair for the Junior League of Greater Fort Lauderdale’s Riverwalk Run benefitting the League’s many charitable initiatives and has been appointed to the Florida Bar’s Media and Communications Law Committee effective July 1, 2017.

Marc A. Marra

Partner Email Marc A. Marra

Marc Marra is a Partner at Kelley Kronenberg focusing on the Firm’s Real Estate Practice. With over ten years of experience, his practice focuses on assisting banks, lenders, mortgagees, and financial service providers with enforcing their rights in security instruments on real property. He protects, enforces, and litigates his clients’ rights in security instruments on real estate. He also represents Condominium Associations and HOAs throughout South Florida as general counsel. Marc is the founder of Heart Warriors, Inc., a non-profit corporation which supports children with Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome (HLHS) and other congenital heart diseases, and their families. This cause is very close to him as his daughter, Charlotte, has HLHS, and has undergone multiple major open-heart surgeries. Marc prides himself on being available to his clients 24/7 and on his ability to assist with issues stemming from any dispute related to real estate – title, general real estate litigation, bankruptcy, sale, etc.

R. Elliott Halsey

Partner Email R. Elliott Halsey

Elliott Halsey is an Attorney at Kelley Kronenberg focusing his practice on mortgage foreclosure litigation and assisting banks and other financial service providers with regulatory, enforcement, transactional and litigation matters. Elliott has 18 years of legal experience in Bankruptcy, Real Estate, Foreclosure, and General Civil Practice in Chicago and collar counties. Prior to joining the firm, he was an Attorney at a Chicago firm where he handled matters in Foreclosures, Bankruptcy, Real Estate closings, Landlord-Tenant, Collections, Small Claims, and Arbitration. Throughout his extensive career, he has experience handling matters related to lien litigation, property tax litigation, evictions, family law, commercial property and Intellectual Property. Elliott earned his Bachelor of Arts from Wittenberg University and a Master of Science from Miami of Ohio University. He then went to earn his Juris Doctor the Ohio Northern College of Law.

Jason D. Silver

Attorney Email Jason D. Silver

Jason Silver is an Attorney at Kelley Kronenberg where he assists in handling matters related to Mortgage Foreclosure Litigation and assisting banks and other financial service providers with regulatory, enforcement, transactional and litigations. Jason has close to a decade of experience in contested foreclosure litigation, guiding creditors from the beginning to completion of a court action. Prior to joining the firm, Jason worked as an Associate Attorney at an AmLaw 200 firm focusing his practice in the areas of banking and consumer finance. He also practiced bankruptcy and general litigation as well as municipal and government law, having presided as the Deputy Municipal Attorney for the Village of El Portal, Florida. Jason received his Bachelor of Science in Public Relations with a minor in History from the University of Florida where he was elected to the Florida Blue Key Honor Society and awarded the Honorable Mention for the Outstanding Leadership and Service Award. He then went on to earn his Juris Doctor degree from St. Thomas University School of Law. While in law school, Jason received a Book Award in Appellate Advocacy. Jason also worked as a legal intern for the Office of the City Attorney at the City of Miami in the Land Use, Zoning, and Quality of Life Division and interned for the Hon. Judge David Gersten (ret.) at the Third District Court of Appeal. Jason is an avid runner and successfully completed the ING Miami Half Marathon and 13.1 races in 2011 and the Hollywood Beach Half Marathon in 2020.

Gary Sonnenfeld

Attorney Email Gary Sonnenfeld

Gary Sonnenfeld is an Attorney at Kelley Kronenberg focusing his practice on Mortgage Foreclosure Litigation and assisting banks and other financial service providers with regulatory, enforcement, transactional and litigations. Gary has extensive experience in contested foreclosure on behalf of banks and service providers as well as blockchain and technological influences on real estate laws. Gary received his Bachelor of Arts in Religion and International Relations with honors from Boston University where he was awarded a University Scholarship. He then went on to earn his Juris Doctor degree from Georgetown University Law Center and graduated with a Dean’s Certificate for honors. Gary continued his pursuit of higher education by obtaining a Bachelor of Science degree, cum laude, in Computer Science from Florida International University.

James D. Silver

Partner Email Jason D. Silver

James Silver is a Partner with 40 years practicing law at the highest level, gaining unique experience and beneficial insights along the way. Most memorably, his successful bankruptcy representation of multiple groups of victims of the Rothstein Ponzi scheme, were he established invaluable relationships within the bankruptcy and business litigation arenas while bearing witness to one of the largest Ponzi schemes in Florida history and advocating for the members of our community whose combined losses reached nearly $250 million. Assisting companies and individuals in bankruptcies and insolvency related matters is one aspect of James’ practice. His focus also includes creditor’s rights, commercial litigation, and SEC and other receivership matters. Having served as a receiver for the U.S. Securities Exchange Commission (SEC) and counsel for parties impacted by SEC related receivership, both as a creditor or a party facing claims brought by the receiver, James has a complete understanding of every aspect of the receivership process and use his experience to provide the most comprehensive representation possible. With the current economic pressures, bankruptcy is on our minds more than we care to admit. If you are considering filing for bankruptcy, personally or on behalf of your business, or if you are pursuing a party avoiding payment by going into bankruptcy, James can help you. Bankruptcy can also creep into existing or prospective litigation in any legal arena, complicating the issues; in these cases, having qualified bankruptcy counsel is a necessity. For example, if you are the plaintiff in a pending suit and the defendant files for bankruptcy, threatening your ability to recover, or if you are the one who is filing for bankruptcy and your concern is how it may impact your position in litigation or for a prospective settlement, James can help you. Whether you have been sued by a bankruptcy trustee for fraudulent transfer, your issue is one of bad faith, or you want to explore your options, James is here to answer your questions. And, if you need someone who is experienced and understanding to help you understand the bankruptcy maze with all its issues, risks, and implications and to guide you with sound strategy to protect your position and preserve or maximize your potential recovery, James is ready to be your lawyer and your partner through all your bankruptcy and commercial litigation needs. James is recognized by Super Lawyers magazine 2022 as a “Rising Stars” in Florida for Bankruptcy. He is also recognized by The Best Lawyers in America 2022 for Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights/Insolvency and Reorganization Law, and Commercial Litigation.