Leadership Roles
Minority Leader (2006-2008)
Biographical Information
City of Residence: Miami Beach
Occupation: Partner, Akerman Senterfitt Law Firm, Miami
Spouse: Joan Silverstein of Miami
Child(ren): Sophie, Hannah, Max
Education: Tufts University, B.A., magna cum laude, 1982; University of Florida College of Law, J.D., 1985; Truman Scholar
Born: November 26, 1960, Miami Beach, FL
History: wife, Joan Silverstein, Federal Prosecutor; brother-in-law, John Barker, United States I.C.E. Prosecutor; father, Seymour Gelber, Mayor of Miami Beach, Circuit Judge, Miami-Dade 1974, Chief Assistant State Attorney, Legislative Aide to State Senator Joe Eaton; mother, Edith and Sister, Judy, Public School Teachers
Religious Affiliation: Jewish
Recreational Interest: basketball, football
Legislative Service
Elected to the House in 2000, reelected subsequently
Democratic Message Coordinator 2004-2006
Democratic Leader 2006-2008
Other Public Services
Chief Counsel to former United States Senator Sam Nunn 1994-1996
Staff Director of the U.S. Senate's Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations 1994-1996
Assistant United States Attorney Southern District of Florida 1986-1994 (Public Corruption and Civil Rights Units)
Affiliations
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Miami, volunteer Big Brother 1985-present, past President
Camp Fiesta Summer Oncology Camp, Co-Founder and volunteer counselor 1985-present
Do the Write Thing, Chairman 1998-2000
United Way Board of Trustees 1997-present
Highlights
South Florida Legal Guide, "Top Lawyer" 2005
Best Lawyers in America 2004
Florida Trend, Legal Elite 2004
Legal Aide, Legislative Champion 2004
The Florida Bar, President's Legislative Award 2004
Communications Workers of America, "Most Effective Representative" 2002-2003
Florida Association of Counties, County Champion Award 2003
United HomeCare Services, Claude Pepper Memorial Award 2003
Florida Police Chiefs Association, Legislative Award 2002
State of Israel Bonds City of Peace Award 2002
The Trust for Public Land, Legislative Leadership Award 2001
Florida Prosecuting Attorneys Association, House Leadership Award