Kurt Zimmerman has practiced law for over 30 years in the areas of real property, probate and trust law, beginning at the national law firm of McDermott, Will & Emery in its Chicago office. A graduate of the American College of Trust and Estate Council (ACTEC) Florida Fellows Institute, Mr. Zimmerman has been recognized as one of Florida Trend's “Legal Elite.”

Education:

Mr. Zimmerman is a graduate of the University of Michigan (B.A. 1986) where he was a walk-on student-athlete (baseball), earning 4 varsity letters and being individually honored as First Team Academic All-Big Ten, First Team All-Big Ten, Most Outstanding Player - Big Ten Tournament, and recipient of the Wolverine Award, which goes to the team’s “most inspirational player.” He and his Michigan teammates — including Hall of Famer Barry Larkin and Olympic Gold Medalist and Sullivan Award Winner (“most outstanding amateur athlete in the United States”) Jim Abbott — won three Big Ten Conference championships and competed twice in the NCAA Division I National Championship Tournament (College World Series).

Mr. Zimmerman received his law degree from Vanderbilt University Law School (J.D. 1990) where his peers elected him President of the Vanderbilt Bar Association and where he was selected by vote of the entire law faculty as recipient of the Bennett Douglas Bell Memorial Prize, which goes to the graduate “who is not only well versed in the law, but who embodies the highest conception of the ethics of the profession.” Mr. Zimmerman continues to serve Vanderbilt Law School by conducting admissions interviews for South Florida applicants.

Community Service:

Mr. Zimmerman is active in the community and serves on the governing boards of several local organizations, including:

• Community Foundation of Broward (Immediate Past Chair of the Board of Directors; Past Chair of “Be Bold” Campaign Committee; Past Chair of Professional Advisors Council; Board of Directors; Community Impact Committee; Fundholder; Legacy Society Member)

• Broward Performing Arts Foundation (Board of Directors; Past Chair of Planned Giving Committee; Governance Committee)

• Pine Crest School (Ambassador Council)

• Leadership Broward (graduate of Class XVI)

• United Way of Broward (Tocqueville Society)

• YMCA of South Florida (Past member: Board of Directors; Executive Committee; Corporate Secretary; Advancement Committee)

• Joint Tax and Estate Planning Seminar (past Co-Chair representing Community Foundation of Broward; Steering Committee)

• Big Brothers Big Sisters of Broward (past Big Brother)

Professional Memberships:

His professional memberships include the American Bar Association, The Florida Bar, the Broward County Bar Association, the Estate Planning Council of Broward County, and the Planned Giving Council of Broward County.

Personal:

Mr. Zimmerman and his wife of 30 years (Patricia Hooley) reside in Fort Lauderdale. Mr. Zimmerman’s three children attend the Ross School of Business at the University of Michigan where they are the 5th consecutive generation of the Zimmerman family to attend Michigan.

Ms. Kravitz has been a member of the Florida Bar for over 27 years. Having worked in the estate planning department at one of Florida’s largest law firms, Ms. Kravitz brings big firm experience with the personal care and attention afforded by our niche practice.

Education:

Ms. Kravitz earned her LL.M. in Estate Planning from the University of Miami School of Law. She graduated cum laude from the Temple University School of Law and magna cum laude from the University of Maryland.

For over 25 years, Dana Cardea has been our senior legal assistant and office manager. Our firm’s clients, colleagues and friends know Dana as a friendly, trusted, and invaluable member of our team.

Dana, her husband of over 20 years (Stephen), and their two sons reside in Fort Lauderdale. A lifelong resident of Broward County, Dana is dedicated to health and fitness including weight training, spin classes, kick boxing, and aerobics. Dana’s sons are active in youth sports and the martial arts, where they have each earned the coveted Black Belt in Mixed Martial Arts.

Known throughout the South Florida real estate community for her expertise and outstanding dedication to client service, Lisa DeVries is our senior real estate paralegal and Vice President of our affiliated title insurance company, SeaBreeze Title LLC.

Lisa, her husband of over 15 years (Jason), and their three children are lifelong residents of Broward County, where Lisa has been an active parent leader in youth sports including cheerleading and baseball.

Raquel is a dedicated and friendly legal assistant who will greet you with a smile upon your arrival at our office.

As a native Spanish speaker, Raquel is available to assist clients and their family members who wish to communicate in Spanish.