Native of Miami Brings Broad Commercial Litigation and Products Experience to Firm
McCarter & English today announced that Ira J. Gonzalez has joined the firm’s Miami office as a partner in the Products Liability, Mass Torts & Consumer Class Actions Practice. An experienced litigator, Gonzalez has a broad-based products liability, toxic tort, and commercial litigation practice. He also brings years of experience in the real estate, land use, transportation, and local government sectors.
“Ira’s knowledge of the Miami market coupled with his work for international clients is a great fit for the firm and the Miami office,” said Tania Cruz-Gimenez, co-managing partner of the Miami office. “The Miami area is exploding, and deepening our bench with additional products liability and litigation capabilities is a great plus.”
Gonzalez represents manufacturers facing tort and commercial claims in a variety of industries, including wine, pet and garden products, sporting goods, and motor vehicles. He has served as both national coordinating and local counsel in large nationwide litigations and defends clients facing asbestos, talc, and other toxic tort claims.
“Ira is a highly respected litigator and advisor who excels at guiding clients through high-stakes litigation,” said Catherine Mohan, chair of McCarter’s Products Liability, Mass Torts & Consumer Class Actions Practice. “He is a great addition to our practice and expands our capabilities both in Florida and nationally.”
“McCarter’s role as lead counsel in multi-district class action products litigation is a strong platform on which to expand my practice,” Gonzalez said. “With so much business migrating to Miami from the Northeast, where McCarter has been active historically, it’s an exciting time to practice in Miami, and I am looking forward to helping the firm grow its presence in South Florida.”
Drawing on his real estate and land use background, Gonzalez guides clients through complex land use matters, including eminent domain and issues involving FEMA regulations. Before entering private practice, he held several government positions in Miami, working as the Chief of Operations for Code Enforcement and as Assistant Policy Coordinator for the Mayor, directing zoning and enforcement activities. He was also a law clerk for the Office of the City Attorney, where he worked in the zoning sector. Following his government work, Ira served as a real estate director for a national media company.
McCarter opened its growing Miami office in November 2021. Gonzalez’s arrival follows that of John Camp, an experienced products liability practitioner, who joined the firm in Miami last year. McCarter’s Miami-based team assists clients in a range of areas, including products liability, government affairs, business litigation, real estate, and land use and zoning matters.
A native of Miami and a fluent Spanish speaker, Gonzalez was co-leader of Hinshaw & Culbertson’s Latin America team prior to joining McCarter. He represents international companies based in Europe and Latin America doing business in the US, assisting them with establishing US-based entities and handling contract, regulatory, and litigation matters.
Sandra Demirci, a former prosecutor in the Miami-Dade State Attorney’s Office, has also joined McCarter from Hinshaw & Culbertson. Demirci is an associate in the firm’s Products Liability, Mass Torts & Consumer Class Actions Practice.
Gonzalez earned his JD, cum laude, from Loyola University New Orleans College of Law and his MBA and BS from Barry University, where he continues to be an active alumnus. He is licensed in both Florida and Louisiana.
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