Firm Overview

Colodny, Fass, Talenfeld, Karlinsky & Abate, P.A., has enjoyed a long tradition of serving the interests of clients in a responsible and effective manner. Since its establishment more than thirty-five years ago, the Firm has represented clients throughout Florida and across the nation in diverse areas of the law.

The Firm is proud of its enduring ability and record in counseling clients, representing them in the resolution of disputes, and litigating their claims to obtain a successful result. In providing advice and representation to clients, the lawyers of Colodny, Fass, Talenfeld, Karlinsky & Abate strive to fulfill their needs and expectations.

With a reputation for aggressive representation and providing creative solutions to complex commercial, governmental and litigation matters, Colodny, Fass, Talenfeld, Karlinsky & Abate’s three-decade history was honored in 2008 when each of its five shareholders, Mike Colodny, Joel Fass, Howard Talenfeld, Fred Karlinsky and Maria Elena Abate were named to Super Lawyers®.

Colodny, Fass, Talenfeld, Karlinsky & Abate recently was ranked second in the United States for its legal expertise and ability in insurance regulatory law by Reactions Magazine, an international publication that covers insurance and reinsurance issues.  Colodny, Fass, Talenfeld, Karlinsky & Abate was “Highly Commended” and emerged as superior to substantially larger peers, as recognized by survey respondents.

Momentum, enthsiasm and a passion for law, government and community fuel the energy, creativity and commitment uniquely characterizing the Firm and its people throughout its Fort Lauderdale and Tallahassee offices.

For Colodny, Fass, Talenfeld, Karlinsky & Abate, experience and credibility is the cornerstone of effective advocacy.  Creating shared strategies and objectives between attorney and client promotes a unique synergy that enables the Firm to prepare, as well as react immediately to changing, and sometimes volatile, legal circumstances.

 

  • Mike Colodny has more than 35 years of legal experience in governmental and corporate matters, insurance regulatory work and representations before government agencies and quasi-judicial public boards and commissions, and has been instrumental in bolstering governmental infrastructures through the negotiation of catastrophe insurance funding provisions.

 

  • Joel S. Fass, known as a skilled litigator, negotiator and client advocate, practices in the areas of personal injury, commercial litigation and civil rights. He also has served as a special prosecutor and counsel for various governmental entities.

 

  • Howard M. Talenfeld focuses on civil rights, personal injury and systemic reform litigation and has handled cases resulting in multimillion-dollar settlements and verdicts that have changed how government and private institutions care for children and the elderly.  He also is experienced in litigating complex commercial and class action cases in state and federal courts.

 

  • Fred E. Karlinsky, an insurance law and governmental consulting specialist, serves as a primary strategist in various insurance-related legislative initiatives, including legislation regarding property and casualty, automobile, health, workers’ compensation and medical malpractice insurance.

 

  • Maria Elena Abate is known for her expertise in the areas of civil rights claims, class action litigation, governmental affairs and insurance matters representing individuals, corporations and state agencies in cases dealing with discrimination, constitutional violations, insurance, employment and health-care issues.

 

Many of our attorneys have attained the highest rating of "AV" by Martindale-Hubbell, the most respected attorney ranking service in the world, as well as been named to the top listings of many respected publications such as  Florida Trend's Legal Elite and others. The Firm has also attained the AM Best "Best Recommended Attorney" status.  As experts in their respective practices, many serve as industry experts and advisors to both client-based and community interests.

Providing full-service law and governmental consulting with personal attention, Colodny, Fass, Talenfeld, Karlinsky & Abate effectively handles a multiplicity of matters “From the Capitol to the Courthouse.”