Elizabeth Somerstein

Partner

Elizabeth Somerstein is a partner in the Land Use & Zoning practice group at Greenspoon Marder LLP, concentrating her practice on representing real estate developers, property owners, and national corporations in all aspects of the regulatory process involving complex land use and zoning matters.

Ms. Somerstein’s legal experience involves the processing of approvals required for the development of land, including amendments to comprehensive plans, zoning changes, platting, site planning, variances, vacation of easements and roadway rights-of-way, and municipal annexations of land. Additionally, Ms. Somerstein’s work involves drafting local ordinances, along with handling a wide range of code compliance issues. She is active with hearings for all stages of development, including planning and zoning boards, as well as city and county commissions. Ms. Somerstein represents clients in drafting easements and various declarations of restrictive covenants, including affordable housing declarations. Further, Ms. Somerstein assists clients with extending deadlines within developmental approvals based on applicable executive orders issued by the State of Florida.

Ms. Somerstein is credentialed by the U.S. Green Building Council as a LEED AP BD+C, an advanced professional credential obtained by only those professionals with significant expertise in the design and construction phases of green buildings, serving the commercial, residential, education, and healthcare sectors.

Elizabeth is very active in the community and serves on various boards and committees, including currently serving as a member of the Broward County Cultural Council and Gold Coast Builder Association Government Affairs Committee. Ms. Somerstein previously served as Chair of the City of Fort Lauderdale’s Sustainability Advisory Board.

Ms. Somerstein earned a bachelor’s degree in art history from Emory University and subsequently earned her Juris Doctor degree at the University of Miami School of Law, graduating Magna Cum Laude.

Experience

Current and Prior Professional and Community Involvement

Greater Fort Lauderdale Alliance, Infrastructure & Growth Leadership Pillar, Co-Chair
Gold Coast Builder Association Government Affairs Committee, Member
Leadership Broward, Class XLI
Broward County Cultural Council, Member
- Officer of the Board, 2024-2025
Leadership Broward Engagement Committee, Member
Nova Southeastern University, Levan Ambassadors Board, Member
City of Fort Lauderdale, Sustainability Advisory Board, Chair of the Board
Ghost Light Society, Steering Committee
Broward County Bar Association, Member
Order of the Coif, Member
Silver Knight Alumni Association, Member
South Florida Emory Alumni Association, Member

Awards

Recognitions

Florida Trend, “Legal Elite – Notable Real Estate/Land Use Lawyers,” 2025
Best Lawyers®, “The Best Lawyers in America,” Commercial Litigation, 2026
Best Lawyers®, “The Best Lawyers in America: Ones to Watch,” Commercial Litigation, 2021-2025
City of Fort Lauderdale, “Green Your Routine Award” 2023
South Florida Legal Guide, “Top Up & Comer Lawyer Under 40,” 2021
Super Lawyers magazine, “Florida Rising Stars,” Land Use & Zoning, 2019
Daily Business Review, Honoree, “On the Rise” Professional Excellence Awards, 2019
South Florida Business & Wealth magazine, Nominee, “Up & Comers,” 2018

Publications

Author, “Copyright Abolition and Attribution,” Review of Law & Economics: Vol. 5: Iss. 3, Article 5, 2009
Author, “Provenance: Issues in Museum Administration” ALI-ABA Course of Study, Legal Issues in Museum Administration, April 2009
Author, “Who is really protecting Barbie: Goliath or the Silver Knight? A defense of Mattel’s aggressive international attempts to protect its Barbie copyright and trademark,” 39 University of Miami Inter-American Law Review, 559, 2008