The national law firm of Kirkpatrick & Lockhart LLP (K&L) is pleased to announce the establishment of a bankruptcy and maritime law practice in its Miami office with the addition of new partners Beatrice (Betty) Butchko and Jeffrey T. Kucera, and associate William (Bill) Simonitsch. The new attorneys come to K&L from the firm of Ferrell, Schultz, Carter & Fertel, P.A.
Ms. Butchko, a graduate of DePaul University College of Law, is an accomplished trial lawyer with more than 10 years of experience as an Assistant State Attorney for the Eleventh Judicial Circuit of Florida. She has tried more than 80 jury trials and has experience in a wide variety of civil and criminal matters including maritime, personal injury, insurance defense, sexual harassment, white-collar crimes as well as homicide and sexual assault. As a maritime attorney, Ms. Butchko conducts extensive shipboard emergency investigations and serves as a liaison between ship owners and government agencies.
Mr. Kucera, a graduate of the University of Miami School of Law, focuses on bankruptcy, creditors’ and debtors’ rights and commercial litigation. His clients come from a wide variety of industries, including accounting, computer and software manufacturing and distribution, beverage manufacturing and distribution, venture capital, tax lien securitization, and real estate development. Mr. Kucera was an attorney at K&L for three years before practicing at Ferrell Schultz.
Mr. Simonitsch, a graduate of the University of Miami School of Law, focuses his practice on bankruptcy, labor and employment, intellectual property litigation and maritime insurance disputes. In addition, he has counseled clients on trade, customs and import licensing issues. Mr. Simonitsch worked as counsel for Ryder System, Inc. prior to practicing at Ferrell Schultz.
