About the Panelists for the 2013 Real Estate Speaker Series Program on Wednesday, February 13

Joseph L. Falk, CMC, CRMS

Joseph L. Falk is a Public Policy Advisor and a Licensed Mortgage Originator with the law firm of Akerman Senterfitt, based in the firm’s Miami office. He has extensive experience in the mortgage banking industry, having served as the Legislative Chairman and Past President of the National Association of Mortgage Brokers (NAMB) where he directed the legislative and regulatory affairs efforts. NAMB represents the interests of mortgage brokers in educational, regulatory, governmental and industry affairs. A former member of the Federal Reserve Board’s Consumer Advisory Council, he also is a member and Past President of the Florida Association of Mortgage Brokers.

Falk is knowledgeable in public affairs, has made numerous presentations on mortgage regulation throughout the United States and has been invited to testify before Congress on a variety of mortgage regulatory and financial reform issues.

A graduate of Franklin and Marshall College, Falk received a Master of Business Administration degree from the Harvard Business School. He is a Vice Chair of the Patricia and Phillip Frost Museum of Art, a Vice Chair of the Miami Science Museum and Past President of The Center for Jewish Life Beth David. A Miami resident, he also serves on the boards of Bakehouse Art Complex and the Gay and Lesbian Victory Fund.

Jerry J. Sokol

Jerry J. Sokol is a partner in the law firm of McDermott Will & Emery, LLP, based in the firm's Miami office. He has a national practice concentrated on the business aspect of health care law with an emphasis on mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures and various contractual arrangements in the health care industry. As Co-Chair of the firm's national Health Transactions group, Sokol has an active health care private equity practice with a focus on leveraged buyout transactions.

Sokol is a Board Certified Health Care Attorney. He is ranked in Chambers USA and The Best Lawyers in America. Sokol also is listed in the Nightingale's Healthcare News' Outstanding Healthcare Transaction Lawyers list. He has authored numerous articles on a variety of health care topics and lectures extensively around the country on health care transactional and regulatory topics.

A resident of Miami Beach, Sokol serves as President of the new Galbut Family Miami Beach Jewish Community Center on the Simkins Family Campus and spearheaded its successful capital campaign. He also serves on the Board of Directors of the Greater Miami Jewish Federation, has been actively involved in Israel Bonds, AIPAC. and has been a member or Chair ofthe Alexander Muss High School in Israel and numerous Jewish educational, advocacy and leadership entities.

Howard S. Wolofsky

Howard S. Wolofsky is a Luxury Relocation Specialist at EWM Realty in Miami. With 25 years of success in residential real estate development, general contracting, consulting and sales, he brings his extensive knowledge and experience to assist clients in buying and selling residential and commercial properties.

As President of HSW Corporation, Wolofsky has directed the development of numerous residential real estate projects totaling $500 million in luxury sales throughout South Florida. He developed L’Ambiance Beach and L’Hermitage, producing nearly 600 beachfront condominium units in Ft. Lauderdale. Today he continues to look for his next development opportunity.

Previously, he headed Reflections Development Communities, a South Florida residential development company that boasted a diverse collection of single-family and multi-family residential communities.

A graduate of Tulane University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Finance, Wolofsky received a Master of Business Administration degree in Finance from the University of Miami. He resides in Coral Gables, is a Past President and Executive Committee Member of Temple Beth Am and co-chaired the temple’s seven-phase $25 million redevelopment project. He also serves on the Board of Directors and Finance Committee of the Greater Miami Jewish Federation. Currently, he is co-chairing Hillel's complete building renovation project at the University of Miami.