Van Ness Law Firm, P.A.

MARK C. ELIA

Mr. Elia came to Van Ness Law Firm in January 2007 having been an Associate Attorney with the law firm of Ryan & Ryan, LLC. Mr. Elia's primary responsibility was representation of the City of Dania Beach in foreclosure actions on municipal liens. He prosecuted hundreds of municipal ordinance violation cases as Special Assistant Prosecutor for Dania Beach, and has also represented the City of Dania Beach and the Town of Pembroke Park at code enforcement hearings. Mr. Elia's background in local laws and procedure is a vital asset to our firm as most our clients in the default industry know too well the negative impact tax liens, zoning violations, code enforcement liens and other "local" concerns can have on a property.

Mr. Elia is a graduate of Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton, Florida and received his Juris Doctor from Nova Southeastern University School of Law in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. He is a member of the Florida Bar Association and the United States District Court, Southern District of Florida.

LANCE FORMAN

Mr. Forman came to the Law Firm in August 2009. Prior to joining the Firm, Mr. Forman practiced at the Law Offices of David J. Stern P.A. for almost 6 years where he was responsible for Foreclosure, Eviction and Replevin actions. Subsequently, he practiced Homeowner and Condominium Association litigation at Patti Heidler Ladwig P.A.. Mr. Forman's prior experience in handling these matters makes him an asset to our Firm.

Mr. Forman graduated from Florida Atlantic University with Bachelors of Business Administration degrees in both Finance and Real Estate and was a member of the Financial Management Association Honor Society. Afterwards, he received his Jurist Doctorate from the University of Miami School of Law where he was the Executive Editor of the International and Comparative Law Review.

UGOCHUKWU B. NWADIKE

Mr. Nwadike comes to Van Ness Law Firm as a graduate of the University of Miami and received his Juris Doctor in May 2008 from St. Thomas University School of Law in Miami Gardens, Florida. He is a member of the Florida Bar Association and the Broward County Bar Association. He joined our law firm out of law school and currently handles final judgment hearings, mediations and code enforcement violations.

REENA A. PATEL

Ms. Patel comes to Van Ness Law Firm as a graduate of Villa Julie College in Stevenson, Maryland and received her Juris Doctor from the University of the District of Columbia David A. Clarke School of Law in Washington, D.C. She is a member of the Florida Bar Association, South Asian Bar Association of Florida, and Broward County Bar Association. She joined our law firm out of law school and currently handles the litigated foreclosure cases.

KATHERINE J. PAULS

Ms. Pauls heads our Litigation Department. She obtained her undergraduate degree from Hope College, cum laude, and her Juris Doctor from the University of Notre Dame. Prior to joining Van Ness Law, P.A., she worked at Smith, Hiatt & Diaz, P.A., with a focus on litigation and then moved to a full litigation firm, Horr, Novak & Skipp, P.A., where she practiced primarily maritime litigation.

Ms. Pauls is a member of the Northern, Middle (pending) and Southern Districts of Florida. She is also a member of the Florida, Broward County and Dade County Bar associations.

MARIELA SOTOLONGO

Ms. Sotolongo comes to Van Ness Law Firm as a graduate of Florida International University with a Bachelors in Business Administration in Finance and received her Juris Doctor from Saint Thomas University School of Law in Miami Gardens, Florida. She is a member of the Florida Bar Association and Dade County Bar Association. She joined our law firm out of law school and currently handles the litigated foreclosure cases.