MIAMI (February 19, 2025) – McCarter & English today announced the expansion of its Miami office with the additions of its new partner, Peter Lagonowicz, and special counsel, Janine Kucaba. Their combined experience in sophisticated tax and estate planning matters, both foreign and domestic, strengthens the firm’s ability to serve high-net-worth clients and their business interests across the US and internationally.
Lagonowicz, who previously served as co-chair of the Tax & International Law Practice Group and chair of the Latin America Practice Group at Shutts & Bowen LLP, will oversee the firm’s International Tax and Latin America-related work, counseling clients on multifaceted cross-border transactions.
“We are excited to welcome Peter and Janine to the firm,” said McCarter Managing Partner, Joseph Boccassini. “They have distinct yet complimentary practices, and their ability to collaborate on matters where cross-border concerns and domestic issues overlap will significantly expand McCarter’s capabilities in South Florida and across our footprint.”
Lagonowicz regularly advises foreign clients in the South Florida market who wish to invest in the US or who select the US as their hub for wealth management and family succession planning. Over the years, Peter has solidified strong working relationships with local advisors in numerous jurisdictions around the globe. Janine brings extensive knowledge on domestic estate planning issues and will also focus on international clients who are considering relocating to the US.
“It’s no secret that we can expect to see changes in the tax code coming from the current administration in Washington,” said Timothy Ferges, chair of the firm’s Tax, Employee Benefits, Trusts, Estates & Private Clients Practice. “Adding Peter and Janine to our practice now with their sterling reputations and contacts in the South Florida community and abroad will greatly benefit our clients.”
A native Spanish speaker and a true Miami local, Lagonowicz is well positioned to serve not only the firm’s LatAm clients but also those from other parts of the world. Focusing the majority of his 20-year career on tax-efficient structuring for cross-border transactions and planning for generational transfers of wealth, Lagonowicz has developed an extensive high-end practice, including a significant client base and network in Latin America.
“McCarter’s people-first approach is what initially drew me to the firm. The lawyers really provide the personal touch I value in fostering my own strong client relationships,” said Lagonowicz. “Additionally, the firm has an outstanding Tax and Trusts & Estates practice in a number of key markets and a stellar industry reputation in other substantive areas, of which my clients will be able to take advantage.”
Kucaba brings over two decades of legal experience and is a highly skilled practitioner in domestic trusts and estates law with extensive knowledge in advising US-based clients on estate planning, wealth preservation, and fiduciary matters. As a Colombian-American, Spanish speaker, and Miami native, Kucaba works closely with foreign counsel to meet the diverse requirements of her clients and brings a keen understanding of the Miami legal market and her clients’ needs.
“Increasingly, high-net-worth individuals in Latin America and other regions of the world are calling Miami home and bringing their businesses and wealth to the United States, where they will continue investing and growing,” Kucaba said. “This ‘onshoring’ trend into the United States is going to continue and I am excited that my clients will now be able to take advantage of the full services that McCarter has to offer.”
“Peter and Janine exhibit the same strong commitment to delivering personalized, client-centered legal advice that is the hallmark of McCarter,” said Ira Gonzalez, co-managing partner of the firm’s Miami office. “With their impeccable reputations in the Miami market and beyond, they will be assets to our firm and our clients and we are glad they have joined us.”
Lagonowicz received his LLM, in Taxation from the University of Miami, and his JD, from Florida State University. He received his BA, in Philosophy from Boston College.
Kucaba received her LLM, in Estate Planning from the University of Miami, and her JD, from Levin College of Law, University of Florida, her MS, in Business Management from the Warrington College of Business, University of Florida, and her BS, in Psychology from the University of Florida.
Multiple publications have reported on Peter and Janine’s joining McCarter, they can be viewed on International Tax Review, Law360 Tax Authority (subscription required), Breaking News Today, Global Legal Chronicle, Bloomberg Law, and a second article on Bloomberg Law.