Gunster is thrilled to share the addition of four new associates to the firm: Samuel N. Bazylenko, Benjamin S. Kennedy III, Karina N. Leon, and Thomas Pudas. The addition of these individuals expands Gunster's Private Wealth Services and Real Property practices across our Miami, West Palm Beach, and Boca offices.
Samuel N. Bazylenko is a member of the Private Wealth Services practice in Miami. He advises domestic and international individuals, families, and closely held businesses on a broad range of U.S. federal income, gift, and estate tax matters arising from cross-border investments, business operations, and wealth planning objectives.
Samuel earned his LL.M. from Georgetown University Law Center, his J.D. from St. Thomas University College of Law, and his B.A. from Florida International University.
Benjamin S. Kennedy III is an associate in our Miami office and a member of the firm's Real Property practice. He represents clients in a wide range of real estate transactions, including the acquisition, financing, construction, development, leasing, and disposition of commercial and residential properties. Benjamin began his legal career at Gunster in 2021 before relocating to New York City to work for 3650 Capital, a commercial real estate lending and investment firm.
Benjamin earned his J.D., magna cum laude, from the University of Miami and his Master of Science in Real Estate and Bachelor of Science in Finance from the University of Florida.
Karina N. Leon is a member of the Private Wealth Services practice in West Palm Beach. She counsels high-net-worth individuals and families on sophisticated estate planning matters, with an emphasis on tax-efficient wealth transfer strategies and lifetime gifting techniques. Karina develops customized estate plans tailored to each client’s personal, family, and financial objectives while helping preserve wealth across generations.
Karina earned her J.D., cum laude, from Florida State University College of Law and her B.S., magna cum laude, from Florida State University.
Thomas Pudas is an associate in Gunster’s Private Wealth Services practice group in the firm’s West Palm Beach office. He advises individuals and families on estate planning, wealth transfer strategies, trusts, and complex tax matters. Drawing on his background in tax law and prior experience with KPMG, Thomas helps clients navigate sophisticated planning opportunities designed to preserve and transfer wealth efficiently.
Thomas earned both his J.D. and LL.M. in Taxation from the University of Miami School of Law. He also earned a Master of Accounting from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and a B.A. from the University of South Florida.
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Gunster. Florida's Law Firm for Leaders.
As a full-service law firm, Gunster provides legal counsel to leading organizations and individuals from its 13 offices statewide. Established in 1925, the firm has expanded, diversified and evolved, but always with a singular focus: Florida and its clients’ stake in it. A magnet for business-savvy attorneys who embrace collaboration for the greatest advantage of clients, Gunster’s growth has not been at the expense of personalized service but because of it. The firm serves clients from its offices in Boca Raton, Coral Gables, Fort Lauderdale, Jacksonville, Miami, Naples, Orlando, Palm Beach, Stuart, Tallahassee, Tampa, Vero Beach, and its headquarters in West Palm Beach. With more than 330 attorneys and consultants, and 300 committed support staff, Gunster is ranked among the top 200 largest law firms by the National Law Journal. More information about its practices, industries, offices and news is available at www.gunster.com.
