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About Andrew J. Bernhard

About

Trials and Appeals in Business
and Financial Disputes

Andrew J. Bernhard

Bar admissions

  • Florida State Bar
  • United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida
  • United States Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Florica
  • United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida
  • United States District Court for the Northern District of Florida

Andrew Bernhard, Esq.

Managing attorney

During his law career, Andrew Bernhard has represented national real estate developers, financial institutions, and corporations in their complex commercial, consumer finance, and real estate development matters. In recognition for his work both Super Lawyers Magazine and Best Lawyers Magazine have designated Andrew as a Rising Star and top attorney, which is awarded to less than 2.5% of Florida lawyers. South Florida Business and Wealth Magazine Legal Awards selected Bernhard Law Firm as a Top 4 Boutique Law Firm in Miami. Expertise Magazine and Marquis Who's Who have selected Andrew Bernhard as one of the best real estate litigation attorneys in Miami. The Florida Bar Journal selected Andrew's white paper on real estate contract deceleration for publication. Litigants have cited his writings in briefs to the Florida Supreme Court and Florida Third District Court of Appeal. The New York Times, Bloomberg Businessweek, Palm Beach Daily News, The Real Deal, and Automotive News have interviewed and quoted Andrew for his position on high-profile contract disputes. The Florida Supreme Court has quoted Andrew Bernhard's legal opinion in the landmark case of Bartram v. U.S. Bank National Association.

Before establishing Bernhard Law Firm, Andrew Bernhard litigated trials and appeals for Rivero Mestre LLP, handling commercial, finance, and banking disputes. Andrew represented national financial institutions in their escalated litigation matters ranging from violation of federal business and banking statutes, preservation of bank-owned real estate, defending securities fraud claims, and negotiating director and shareholder settlements. Prior to Rivero Mestre, Andrew Bernhard represented Florida communities and national real estate developers in real estate litigation and transactional matters. He also worked under Edwin G. Torres, United States Judge for the Southern District of Florida, and at the San Diego County Public Defender's Office.

Andrew Bernhard was born and raised in Boulder, Colorado. At age 17, Andrew moved to Costa Rica and later to Mexico. He returned to attend the University of Arizona, where he received a Bachelor of Science in biology and chemistry. Afterwards, Andrew taught business professionals in Buenos Aires and Milan for Repsol, BASF, American Express, Pfizer, and Phillips, working abroad for several more years. He has traveled to more than 75 countries on six continents.

Andrew Bernhard graduated magna cum laude from the University of Miami School of Law where he served as Executive Chair for the International Moot Court Board and received the CALI Excellence Award for International Moot Court. His professors named him a Dean's Fellow for Constitutional Law, Property, and Legal Research and Writing, and granted him honors in Business Associations and Litigation Skills. The University of Miami School of Law awarded Andrew Bernhard the John F. Evans Memorial Scholarship for excellence in Litigation Skills.

Andrew and Bernhard Law Firm volunteer every week with Meals on Wheels to deliver essential food to disabled and elderly Floridians.

Andrew and Bernhard Law Firm also regularly build housing for low-income Floridians through Habitat for Humanity of Greater Miami.

Bar admissions

  • Florida State Bar
  • United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida
  • United States Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Florica
  • United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida
  • United States District Court for the Northern District of Florida
Message from managing attorney
Message from managing attorney
Message from
managing attorney

Andrew and Bernhard Law Firm also regularly build housing for low-income Floridians through Habitat for Humanity of Greater Miami.

I established Bernhard Law Firm to be Florida’s best resource to efficiently, effectively, and legally ameliorate the wrongs of fraud. This firm focuses on fraud as its core practice, enhanced by the utmost trial preparation, passion for the law, ethical integrity, cost-consciousness, and client-first service. In our complementary litigation practices in business disputes, financial disputes, and investment claims, we implement these same principles with a high degree of resoluteness and purpose. This translates into a better legal work-product, a better client experience, and a better final result.

Accolades

  • Best Lawyers Magazine Honoree
  • Super Lawyers Magazine Rising Star and Selectee
  • South Florida Business and Wealth Magazine Legal Awards - Top 4 Boutique Law Firm
  • International Advisory Experts Contract Disputes Firm of the Year Florida (3 Consecutive Years)
  • South Florida Legal Guide Top Law Firms
  • Pasadena Magazine Top Attorneys
  • Lawyers of Distinction Top 10% Attorneys
  • Premonition Analytics Top 20 Attorney By Win Rate (before Hon. Spence Eig)
  • Expertise.com Best Real Estate Lawyers in Miami
  • Avvo Rating 10/10 Superb
  • Selected for Who's Who in America – Florida Lawyers

Representative Cases and Publications

  • Bernhard, Andrew J., (2014). DECELERATION: Restarting the Expired Statute of Limitations in Mortgage Foreclosures. The Florida Bar Journal, Volume 88, No. 8, Sept/Oct. 2014.
  • Bartram v. U.S. Bank N.A., 211 So. 3d 1009 (Fla. 2016) (Florida Supreme Court quotes Andrew Bernhard's legal opinion).
  • EL Mallakh v. Belgium Investments 960 Bay Dr, 2022WL468099 (Fla. 3d DCA 2022) (Bernhard Law Firm wins affirmance of $4.255M judgment over due process challenge).
  • In re Bio Energias Comercializadora de Energia Ltda., 19-cv-24497-BLOOM (S.D. Fla. Jan. 30, 2020) (Bernhard Law Firm obtains reversal and vacating of Brazil energy company's Section 1782 investigation into alleged energy trading breaches and frauds by owners and officers).
  • Queiroz v. Bentley Bay Retail, LLC, 237 So. 3d 1108 (Fla. 3d DCA 2018) (Bernhard Law Firm obtains reversal of commercial landlord's service on Brazilian officers of business in action on breach of guarantees).
  • Aquarius Bldg., Inc. v. Maldonado, 206 So. 3d 710 (Fla. 3d DCA 2015) (Bernhard Law Firm obtains dismissal of a general contractor’s appeal of judgment for breach of contract).
  • Callan v. Deutsche Bank Trust Co. Americas, 93 F. Supp. 3d 725 (S.D. Tex. March 21, 2015) (Texas federal court quotes Andrew Bernhard's legal opinion).

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