Arnstein & Lehr is pleased to announce that Miguel Diaz de la Portilla and Elinette Ruiz joined our Miami office Monday, January 7, in the Municipal & Governmental Practice Group. Prior to joining Arnstein & Lehr, Miguel was a shareholder and Elinette was an associate at the firm of Becker & Poliakoff in Miami.
Miguel joins us as a partner and concentrates his practice in the areas of government procurement, bid protests, zoning & land use, code enforcement, permit expediting, and property tax appeals on behalf of a wide range of clients. He is a Republican state senator representing District 40 in Miami-Dade County. Miami New Times recognized him as the “Best Lobbyist” in their annual Best of Miami rankings. He is also an accomplished civil litigator who has successfully represented clients in matters before State and Federal Courts, as well as before administrative bodies. Miguel also served two terms as a Miami-Dade County commissioner, including his service as chairman of the Miami-Dade Board of County Commissioners, where he created the Office of the Inspector General, the Miami-Dade County Expressway Authority, the Downtown Dadeland Charette, and the Community Zoning Appeals Board.
Elinette joins us as an associate. She has experience in government relations at the local, state and federal levels of government. She concentrates her practice in the areas of government procurement, bid protests, zoning & land use, code enforcement, permit expediting, and property tax appeals on behalf of a wide range of clients. She has also worked on numerous matters related to the use of real estate and has assisted clients with responses to request for proposals which involves assisting with drafting and structuring the response as well as advocacy before the reviewing bodies.
Miguel is a graduate of the University of Miami (J.D., B.A., cum laude). Elinette is a graduate of St. Thomas of Villanova University (B.A.) and St. Thomas University (J.D.). Both are members of The Florida Bar.
