NAME PARTNERS

IRENE PORTER, a name partner, joined the firm in 1992 after a distinguished academic career. She received her law degree in 1989 from the University of Miami, where she graduated summa cum laude, number four in her class, and number one in her section. Ms. Porter attended law school as a Dean's Merit scholar, and while there received eight American Jurisprudence Book Awards, was named in Who's Who Among American Law Students, and won Oral Argument and the Best Brief Awards in First Year Moot Court Competition. She also served as a student tutor, attended a year-long intensive litigation and trial course, participated in the optional trial competition, and upon graduation was awarded the prestigious Order of the Coif.

Ms. Porter was selected to appear in Best Lawyers in America in the area of insurance and is routinely recognized by local publications as one of Florida's leading attorneys in the area of insurance coverage.

Ms. Porter has extensive experience and knowledge in the areas of insurance coverage, bad faith, appellate advocacy and trial support.

Areas of Practice:

• Insurance Coverage

• Bad Faith

• Appellate Practice

• Trial Support

CINDY L. EBENFELD has been with the firm since 1994, and is a litigation partner in the firm's Broward office. Ms. Ebenfeld has extensive experience in insurance coverage and bad faith litigation, commercial litigation, and civil appeals. She is routinely recognized by local publications as one of Florida's leading attorneys in the area of insurance coverage and is AV rated by Martindale-Hubbell.

Ms. Ebenfeld received her law degree in 1993 from Stetson University College of Law, where she served as Comments Editor of the Stetson Law Review and graduated cum laude. Ms. Ebenfeld was admitted to the Florida Bar in 1993 and is currently admitted to practice in all federal courts in Florida. From 1993 to 1994, Ms. Ebenfeld served as a Law Clerk to the Honorable Bobby W. Gunther of the Fourth District Court of Appeal of Florida. Ms. Ebenfeld is active in the Florida Bar and the Broward County Bar Association. She served on the Media and Communications Law Committee of the Florida Bar from 1994 through 1999 and is active in the Broward County Bar Association.

Areas of Practice:

• Insurance Coverage

• Insurance Coverage Litigation

• Bad Faith Litigation

• Commercial Litigation

• Appellate Practice

• Insurance Defense

DINAH S. STEIN has been with the firm since 1996, and is an AV-rated partner in the firm's appellate department. Ms. Stein is also board certified in appellate practice by the Florida Bar. She graduated with honors from the University of Florida College of Journalism and Communication in 1988, and received her law degree from the University of Miami in 1996, where she graduated magna cum laude. Ms. Stein attended the University of Miami as a Dean's Merit Scholar, and while there served as an Articles and Comments Editor of the University of Miami Law Review, was a Member of the Moot Court Board, participated in the 1995 American Bar Association National Moot Court Team, and in 1995 won the Advanced Moot Court Competition, where she was also awarded Best Brief. Upon her graduation from law school, Ms. Stein was awarded the prestigious Order of the Coif. Ms. Stein was admitted to the Florida Bar in 1996.

Ms. Stein concentrates her practice in appellate law, and has handled appeals in every Florida District Court of Appeal, the Florida Supreme Court, and the United States Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals. As part of the firm's appellate practice, Ms. Stein also provides litigation support for plaintiffs and defendants at the trial court level, and has been involved in a number of high-profile trials and appeals. In 2005, the Daily Business Review recognized Ms. Stein and managing partner Mark Hicks as two out of South Florida's three "Most Effective Lawyers" in the area of appellate practice for that year.

Ms. Stein has been selected to appear in Best Lawyers in America for appellate practice, and is routinely recognized by the South Florida Legal Guide as one of South Florida's "Top Lawyers" in appellate practice, one of Florida's "Super Lawyers" for appellate law by Florida Super Lawyers publication, and one of Florida Trend's "Florida Legal Elite" as a top Florida attorney for appellate practice.

Ms. Stein is the author of Florida's "Three Strikes" Legislation: A Defense Perspective, Trial Advocate Quarterly, Spring 2010.

Areas of Practice:

• Appellate Practice

• Trial Support

• Insurance Coverage and Bad Faith

STEVEN H. PRESTON is a partner in the firm's litigation department. He graduated magna cum laude from Boston University in 1984 with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration. Mr. Preston also graduated with an M.B.A. in Finance from New York University in 1987. He received his law degree from the University of Florida in 1992 with highest honors and was third in his class. While at the University of Florida, Mr. Preston was a recipient of American Jurisprudence Book Awards in Contracts I, Constitutional Law I, Corporate Law, Employment Discrimination and Jurisprudence. Upon graduation, Mr. Preston was awarded the prestigious Order of the Coif.

Mr. Preston was admitted to the Connecticut Bar in 1993 and the Florida Bar in 1994. He is currently admitted to practice before the United States District Court, Southern and Middle Districts of Florida, the Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals and the United States Supreme Court. Prior to joining the firm, Mr. Preston worked for an Orlando commercial and tort litigation firm, and he has also worked in those areas for firms in Miami and Fort Lauderdale. In addition to litigation, Mr. Preston has experience in federal and state appellate practice. Currently, Mr. Preston concentrates his practice in civil and commercial litigation.

 Areas of Practice:

• Commercial Litigation

• Insurance Litigation

• Insurance Defense

• Products Liability

SHANNON F. KAIN is a partner in the firm's appellate and insurance coverage departments.  She graduated from the University of Central Florida with a bachelor's degree in finance and international business in 2001.  Ms. Kain attended St. Thomas University School of Law as a Dean's Merit Scholar, and graduated cum laude.  While in law school, Ms. Kain was a recipient of the Book Award in Appellate Advocacy and Advanced Legal Writing, and served as a Dean's Teaching Assistant for the Legal Research and Writing Program and a Staff Editor for the St. Thomas Law Review.  Ms. Kain also had the unique opportunity of securing a semester-long externship with Justice R. Fred Lewis of the Florida Supreme Court. In 2010, Ms. Kain was named as a "Rising Star" in the area of appellate practice by Florida Super Lawyers publication.

In addition to being admitted to the Florida Bar, Ms. Kain is currently admitted to practice before the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida, the United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida and the United States Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals.

Areas of Practice:

• Appellate Practice

• Insurance Coverage

• Trial Support

SHARON R. VOSSELLER is an associate in the firm's appellate and insurance coverage departments. She graduated cum laude with bachelor's degrees in history and sociology from College of Charleston. While there, she was a member of the Honors College, Phi Alpha Theta National History Honor Society, and Phi Eta Sigma National Honor Society and received several academic scholarships. Ms. Vosseller graduated cum laude from the University of Miami School of Law, and received an honors distinction from the nationally recognized Litigation Skills Program. Prior to joining the firm, Ms. Vosseller concentrated her practice on insurance defense litigation, representing clients in personal injury, construction defect, and property damage litigation, as well as in coverage matters.

In 2023, Ms. Vosseller was named as a “Rising Star” by the attorney rating publication Super Lawyers.

ANETA KOZUB McCLEARY is an associate in the firm's appellate and insurance coverage departments. Ms. Kozub McCleary graduated cum laude from the University of Florida with a bachelor's degree in Political Science. She attended the University of Miami School of Law as a Dean's Merit Scholar and graduated magna cum laude. Upon graduation, she was awarded the prestigious Order of the Coif.

Ms. Kozub McCleary also served as a fellow for the University of Miami School of Law Investor Rights Clinic, and interned with the Miami City Attorney's Office and the Honorable Jonathan Goodman of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida.

LINDSEY A. HICKS is an associate in the firm’s appellate and insurance coverage departments. She graduated with her bachelor’s degree in telecommunications and master’s degree in entrepreneurship from the University of Florida. After obtaining her master’s degree, she attended Florida International University College of Law; and graduated with a Juris Doctor degree. While in law school she interned for the Honorable Ursula Ungaro of the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida. Prior to joining the firm, she gained valuable experience at a prominent civil defense firm, focusing her practice on litigation support and appeals.

JACKSON SHUFORD is an associate in the firm’s litigation and insurance coverage departments. He graduated cum laude from the University of South Carolina with a bachelor’s degree in Public Relations. Mr. Shuford went on to graduate from the Florida International University College of Law, where he received the Book Award for Federal Income Tax and the Outstanding Advocate Award for his exemplary performance on the FIU Law Trial Team. Prior to joining the firm, Mr. Shuford gained valuable litigation experience working with the Miami-Dade State Attorney’s Office, where he prosecuted hundreds of criminal cases, representing the State of Florida as lead counsel on multiple bench trials, jury trials, and appeals. In addition to being a member of the Florida Bar, Mr. Shuford is currently admitted to practice in all the Federal District Courts in Florida.

ELIZABETH A. HERNANDEZ is an associate in the firm’s insurance coverage and litigation departments. She graduated from Florida State University in 2015 with a Bachelor of Arts in English (Editing, Writing, and Media) and Philosophy. Mrs. Hernandez graduated cum laude from St. Thomas University School of Law in Miami, Florida where she was a member of the Moot Court Team and recipient of both the Best Brief and Best Oralist intramural awards. Mrs. Hernandez also received the Book Award in Corporate Justice. In addition to being a member of the Florida Bar, Mrs. Hernandez is admitted to practice in Illinois and the Southern District of Florida.  Prior to joining the firm, Mrs. Hernandez worked with a Florida litigation firm, where she was exposed to a broad array of issues dealing with medical malpractice, complex commercial litigation, and criminal defense.

PRISCILLA L. AUGUSTINE is an associate in the firm’s litigation and insurance coverage departments. She graduated cum laude from the University of South Florida Honors College with a bachelor’s degree in psychology. During her time at the University of South Florida, Ms. Augustine was involved in jury research and interned at a jury consulting firm. Ms. Augustine attended the University of Florida Levin College of Law and graduated with a Juris Doctor degree. While in law school, she interned for the Honorable Rex M. Barbas of the Thirteenth Judicial Circuit in the civil division. Before joining the firm, she gained valuable experience working at a Florida litigation firm in the insurance defense and medical malpractice departments. 

ALLISON GUATY is an associate in the firm’s litigation and insurance coverage departments. She received her Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Miami and received her Juris Doctor degree from the University of Miami School of Law, graduating cum laude. While in law school, Ms. Guaty received several honors distinctions including the Dean’s Achievement Award in Criminal Procedure Adjudication and participated in the John T. Gaubatz Moot Court Competition. Prior to joining the firm, Ms. Guaty worked with a Florida civil defense firm, where she primarily handled medical malpractice and wrongful death claims. Ms. Guaty is a member of the Florida Bar and admitted to practice in the Southern District of Florida.

Phil Berberian is an associate in the firm’s appellate department. He attended Victoria College at the University of Toronto where he received an Honours B.A. in History and Political Science. He went on to earn his J.D. from St. Thomas University College of Law, graduating magna cum laude, and receiving certificates in Business Law and Intellectual Property Law. While in law school, he had the privilege of interning with the Honorable Adalberto Jordan of the United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit. Mr. Berberian is a member of the Florida Bar and admitted to practice in the Southern District of Florida.

Clay is an associate in the firm’s litigation and insurance coverage departments. He graduated magna cum laude from American Public University with an undergraduate degree in legal studies. He received his Juris Doctor with honors from Washburn University School of Law, where he externed for the County Counselor's Office, learning to manage risk for the county while acting in a general counsel capacity. Throughout law school, Clay received multiple distinctions, including "Best Oral Argument" in Trial Advocacy, "Best Negotiator" in Negotiation, and twice earning the CALI Award for Excellence. Prior to joining Hicks, Porter, Ebenfield & Stein, Clay served the people of Miami-Dade as an Assistant State Attorney, where he prosecuted thousands of cases. He left the State Attorney's Office having gained the skills from sitting as lead counsel on dozens of bench and jury trials and having practiced in front of nine judges in Miami-Dade Courts. Clay was a passionate advocate for the people of Miami-Dade and brings that passion now to advocate for all of his clients' needs. In addition to being licensed to practice law in the State of Florida, Clay is licensed to practice in the Federal District Court for the Southern District of Florida.