Attorney Elizabeth Schwartz has been practicing law in Miami Beach and advocating for the legal rights of the LGBT community for almost two decades—long before it was a trending topic. Now, when the Miami Herald or NBC need to talk to an expert on the forefront, Schwartz is their go-to expert. That’s because Schwartz served as counsel on cases challenging Florida’s marriage ban and Florida’s ban forbidding gays and lesbians from adopting children and her Miami-based firm has been working to help many straight and gay clients build families by way of adoption and surrogacy. She’s also the one they call when things need to be…undone.
So, she’s poured her experience into a handy new book titled Before I Do: A Legal Guide to Marriage, Gay & Otherwise (The New Press, 2016). The book helps everyone, especially those with sizable assets, get their house (and prenups) in order before matrimony. When she isn’t getting Lifetime Achievement awards from the ACLU, this lefty and scorpio lives with her wife, writer Lydia Martín and their rescued Havanese, Gracie Kenisha de la Caridad, in Miami’s urban core.
Where were you born? Mount Sinai Hospital in Miami Beach.
How long have you lived in Miami? South Floridian since birth.
What is your neighborhood? Edgewater.
Occupation? Attorney, activist and author.
Favorite restaurant? Plant Food + Wine.
Best brunch? The Vagabond Hotel’s restaurant has a great brunch Sunday AND Saturday.
Best Place for a Power business meeting? For a high power business meeting? My conference room. For a power lunch? Milos.
All-Around Favorite place in Miami? Being out on Biscayne Bay, on someone else’s boat
Which hotel do you recommend for out of town guests? I tell clients who fly in for a court date to check out the Langford downtown. For fun in the sun, and for its vibe as a cultural salon, The Betsy Hotel South Beach.
Favorite place to shop? My wife buys all my clothes, but I seem to have a lot of Theory, Kit & Ace and Hugo Boss in my closet.
Favorite place to buy jewelry? See above about wife. She favors jewelry direct from the artist or from museum stores.
Favorite watch brand? Mondaine. Or Cartier.
Favorite spa? I love the Palms Spa. It’s got yummy Aveda products and nice locals’ discounts.
Favorite Steakhouse? The views and veggies at Smith & Wollensky are delish.
Favorite gym? SoulCycle SoBe!
Best massage? The Hamam Rub & Scrub at the Standard (hi, Crispy!)
What is the best neighborhood in Miami? I think everything happening on the Biscayne corridor, from downtown to the Upper East Side is exciting.
Best Salon? Salon Vaso
