Catching up with Ira M. Elegant: One of the Top Civil Litigators and Family Law Lawyers in the Nation

Professional Overview

Ira M. Elegant: One of the Top Civil Litigators and Family Law Lawyers in the Nation" vspace="5" width="300" /> Ira M. Elegant is a civil litigator/family law attorney and principal of Buchbinder & Elegant, P.A., his Miami, FL based law firm. We've profiled him in the past on LawCrossing, and are glad we had a chance to catch up with him and his firm. For the past forty-seven years, Mr. Elegant has built a national reputation as a litigator who handles commercial litigation, family law, and municipal law. His prominent clients have included businessman Victor Posner, NBA stars Shaquille O'Neal and Gilbert Arenas, MLB star Alex Rodriguez, and several other sports personalities. He has also served as special counsel for the city of Miami Beach, Florida. Mr. Elegant is the author of "Jurisdiction, Venue and Service of Process," Florida Family Law, Second Edition, 1972; "Jurisdiction, Venue and Service of Process," Dissolution of Marriage Manual Florida Bar, Continuing Legal Education, 1976, 1979, 1985, Supplement. He was an Assistant City Attorney of Miami Beach from 1967 to 1970. Mr. Elegant was a member of the Miami Beach Zoning Ordinance Review Committee. He has also served on the Florida Bar Appellate Court Rules Subcommittee.

Over the years, Mr. Elegant has been awarded with several distinctions. He has received various awards from bar associations. Mr. Elegant is the first non-MD to serve as a Board Member of Conquer Cancer Foundation, the fundraising arm of ASCO. He is one of 32,000 members worldwide.

Mr. Elegant was born in New York, NY. He graduated with a B.B.A. in economics from the University of Miami in 1963 and earned his J.D. from the University of Miami School of Law in 1966. Mr. Elegant is married and has two sons and five grandchildren ranging from 2 to 13.

When the fearless attorney isn't working, he enjoys tennis and boating. Mr. Elegant also enjoys the University of Miami Hurricanes football team.

Mr. Elegant Memories and Motivations

Does Mr. Elegant have a most memorable law school experience? "Clerking days, nights and weekends in a law office as well as graduation."

He was asked if he received any awards or participated in any internship that influenced his decision to go into the law. Mr. Elegant explained that he made the Dean's List during undergrad and law school. He became a law clerk to a former circuit judge who left the bench to return to private practice after finishing his first year of law school.

Why did Mr. Elegant decide to become an attorney? "When I decided not to be an electrical engineer."

So what is the best part of his job? "The best part is the satisfaction I get from practicing law."

What is the attorney known for professionally? "Complex civil litigation and family law."

What does Mr. Elegant have a knack for? He jokingly said, "Turning lemons into lemonade."

In regards to his strength and one weakness, he asserted, "Being prepared." As for his weakness, Mr. Elegant claimed, "Working too hard."

What does he think about the legal field today? What would he change about it? "I would raise the standards."

If he weren't a lawyer, what would Mr. Elegant probably be doing? "I would be a securities analyst."

Where does he see himself in five years' time? "Hopefully alive."

Non-profit organizations, Mr. Elegant's Mentors and Mentoring Others

Is Mr. Elegant involved with any non-profit organizations? "I am a Board Member of Conquer Cancer Foundation, the fundraising arm of ASCO as well as the Dean's Circle of the University of Miami Law School." He is also a member of the President's Circle of Indiana University, a member of the Eliot Society of Washington University (St. Louis), and a supporter of Everglades Golden Retriever Rescue, Inc.

Does he have a mentor? Is Mr. Elegant a mentor? "I have two mentors, one of whom is deceased. I mentor many."

Motivation, How Mr. Elegant Wants to Be Remembered and Final Thoughts

What motivates Mr. Elegant to be an attorney everyday? "The complexities of law and human frailty motivates me."

How does the New Yorker want to be remembered? "As I am today and what I have done over the years."

When asked is there anything else you'd like to tell people about yourself, Mr. Elegant replied, "You get out what you put into life."

Please see this article to find out if litigation is right for you: Why Most Attorneys Have No Business Being Litigators: Fifteen Reasons Why You Should Not Be a Litigator