Ira is a seasoned litigator with experience representing clients in both civil and commercial matters. His experience is wide-reaching and includes advising clients on matters involving product liability, toxic torts, construction, real estate, local government, land use, transportation, and sports/entertainment and media.
In his sports and entertainment practice, Ira has represented an Olympic gold medalist and world champion athlete in a defamation suit against a major international publication. He regularly represents institutional and individual clients on licensing and sponsorship issues, compliance with league or governing body rules (including collegiate name, image, and likeness (NIL) policies), and right of publicity issues.
In his product liability practice, Ira defends manufacturers of commercial and consumer products in both single-plaintiff and mass tort matters. He has served as both national coordinating counsel and local counsel overseeing large nationwide litigations. Ira’s clients include wine producers and manufacturers of pet and garden products, sporting goods, and motor vehicles. He also regularly defends clients in high-value personal injury and wrongful death claims, as well as environmental matters.
Additionally, Ira advises international companies headquartered in Latin America and Europe on the full lifecycle of business needs, from establishing entry into the US market, drafting governance documents, and negotiating contracts, to helping navigate government regulations and resolving disputes.
Before entering into private practice, Ira served as the Chief of Operations for Code Enforcement in Miami and as an Assistant Policy Coordinator for the Mayor. During his tenure, he directed zoning and city enforcement activities and represented city interests at special master and code enforcement hearings. Ira also served as a law clerk for the Office of the City Attorney where he analyzed zoning laws, local code applicability, lien foreclosure, and federal and state preemption issues. He draws on this experience to help clients navigate complex land use matters such as eminent domain and issues involving FEMA regulations.
Ira is a former NCAA student athlete and a four-year letterman at Barry University where he was a .303 career hitter with 52 doubles, 33 home runs and 180 RBIs. He still holds school records for career home runs, extra base hits (86), putouts (1685) and double plays turned (161). He also ranks in the top 10 of 17 categories recorded, including second in total bases, intentional walks, at-bats and RBIs. His 1685 putouts are second all-time in NCAA history and a Sunshine State Conference record. Ira was named Freshman Player of the Year in the SSC his rookie year and led the baseball program to its first ever NCAA regional berth, where they advanced to the regional final. Before earning a full NCAA scholarship, Ira earned 1st team All Miami-Dade, and 2nd team All Florida State honors while leading his high school baseball team to the State Championship played at Legends Field in Tampa, Florida. In 2004, Gonzalez was inducted into his high school’s athletic hall of fame, and in 2018 was honored with the Distinguished Alumni Award by Barry, the highest and most prestigious honor bestowed upon its graduates.
