Top best Estate Lawyers in Fort Lauderdale | 458 available

Mr. Saavedra was born in Havana, Cuba and is fluent in English and Spanish. He received his B.A. in 1979 from the University of Connecticut and his J.D. in 1986 from the George Washington University School of Law, while working as Staff Assistant for Congressman William Lehman in Washington, D.C.Mr. Saavedra is the founding member of our firm, established in 1989. Admitted to the Bars of Florida, Connecticut and Washington D.C., Mr. Saavedra has been granted the distinction of an AV rating by the Martindale Hubbell Association. Mr. Saavedra specializes in corporate and commercial transactions, including general aviation related transactions, mergers and acquisitions, complex commercial transactions, land development, property and casualty claims, and business transactions as well as derivative litigation, including transactions associated with the Bahamas and Costa Rica. Most notably, during his career Mr. Saavedra has represented sellers, purchasers and lenders in approximately $3.2 billion ($3,200,000,) dollars in cumulative corporate acquisitions and real estate transactions in a variety of asset purchases, land development transactions, complex commercial refinancings, long-term leasehold and subleasehold financings, and distressed debt acquisitions. In 2008, 2009 and 2011, Mr. Saavedra served as corporate counsel for a corporate client in handling a $168 million bond and conventional related financing with SunTrust Bank, N.A., TD Bank, Bank United. In 2013, Mr. Saavedra served as corporate borrower counsel for a $200 million senior credit facility/syndication, providing leadership and coordination among his corporate client and 7 national lenders involved for all aspects of the negotiation and documentation involved in the transaction.From fixed base operators to international & domestic institutional clients and former international political figures, Mr. Saavedra is pleased to represent diverse clientele in corporate and strategic matters.

Mr. Cohen is an experienced attorney focusing on surety, construction, and commercial matters. He handles all phases of a dispute from pre-litigation to post-judgment collection activities in state court, federal court and in arbitration. Mr. Cohen has successfully settled lawsuits on behalf of sureties in disputes over contract balances and obligee misconduct detrimental to the surety. He has also secured judgments on behalf of sureties against defaulted principals for indemnification and negotiated chapter 11 plans with debtor-principals on terms favorable to the surety.. Mr. Cohen also represents general contractors, subcontractors, and owners on a variety of construction-related disputes including construction defects, contractor negligence, and contractual interpretation. Other types of matters Mr. Cohen has handled include those involving fidelity bonds, wage and benefits bonds, employment disputes, and first party insurance disputes. Mr. Cohen has advised business clients on implementing “best practices” to reduce liability exposure relating to administrative and regulatory matters. He has also negotiated and drafted a variety of employment contracts.. Before graduating law school, Mr. Cohen was licensed as a series 7, 63, and 53 investment officer in a large financial institution where he advised business and retail clients with respect to investing in fixed-income securities.. Mr. Cohen graduated from the University of Florida in 1994 with a Bachelor of Science degree in finance.  He received his Juris Doctor from Widener University School of Law in 2002. Mr. Cohen is a member of the National Bond Claims Association, Philadelphia Surety Claims Association, American Bar Association, and Broward Bar Association as well as an officer and active member of “DiveBar.” DiveBar is an Underwater Bar Association composed of lawyers and judges dedicated to raising public awareness about the coral reefs and marine environment through scuba diving, charitable activities and education. He currently serves as the Vice-President of Membership in this very unique South Florida bar association.. Mr. Cohen is admitted to practice law in Florida and Pennsylvania, the United States District Courts and the United States Bankruptcy Courts for the Southern, Middle and Northern Districts of Florida, and the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, both the district and bankruptcy courts.

Mr. Bronstein, an attorney and Founding Partner of Mansfield, Bronstein & Stone, LLP, oversees the Firm’s real estate and corporate transactional departments. Mr. Bronstein graduated with a Bachelor’s degree from Tufts University in 1996; and, received his Juris Doctor degree from St. John’s University School of Law in Queens, New York in 2000, where he was an editor of the St. John’s Law Review. Mr. Bronstein is a member in good standing of the Bar of the State of New York

Mike Colodny, the founder of Colodny, Fass, Talenfeld, Karlinsky & Abate, PA, has nearly 40 years of legal experience representing national corporations, banking institutions and insurance companies in corporate matters, insurance regulatory work and lobbying before government agencies and quasi-judicial public boards and commissions.. Mr. Colodny served as General Counsel for the Florida Residential Property and Casualty Joint Underwriting Association and its successor, Citizens Property Insurance Corporation, for which he was instrumental in negotiating several billion dollars in catastrophe claims funding, thereby assuring the Association’s ability to serve policyholders in the wake of a major hurricane.. His experience and renown in the insurance industry was a key factor in his being named in September 2010 to Florida Underwriter Magazine's new Statewide Editorial Advisory Board on the Florida insurance market.. Throughout his career, Mr. Colodny has been active in the community and has held many public offices. He served as City Councilman and four-term Mayor of the City of North Miami, attorney for the President of the Florida Senate, City Attorney for the Town of Golden Beach and Special Counsel for the City of South Miami. His dedication to civic matters has earned him numerous awards and recognitions from community and civic organizations, including the Carrie Meek Award for his efforts to promote community education in Miami-Dade County by the Miami-Dade County Coalition for Community Education of Miami-Dade County Public Schools.. He has been involved in numerous civic and service organizations, including Broward Days, the North Miami Chamber of Commerce, which he led as President; the United States Conference of Mayors; the Mayor’s Economic Task Force; the Miami-Dade County Mayor’s Task Force on Community Affairs; Villa Maria Convalescent Home and Visions for Victory.  In 2008, he was elected Chairman of the Joseph Meyerhoff Senior Center.. Mr. Colodny is licensed to practice law in state and federal trial and appellate courts, as well as the Supreme Court of the State of Florida.  He is a member of the Florida Bar, the Broward County Bar Association, the Dade County Bar Association and the Florida Association of Professional Lobbyists. Mr. Colodny, who has attained the highest rating of “AV” by Martindale Hubbell, was named as a "Key Partner" by South Florida Business Journal in 2006 and as a Super Lawyer in 2007 and 2008.. He received his bachelor’s degree and Juris Doctor from the University of Florida in Gainesville, where he was recognized by election to Florida Blue Key, the University of Florida Hall of Fame and Who’s Who in American Colleges and Universities.

Michael H. Merino, the Firm’s principal, is a Florida Bar Board Certified in Real Estate Law. Mr. Merino received his Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Florida Atlantic University. After graduating from Florida Atlantic University in 1992, Mr. Merino attended Mercer University School of Law near Atlanta, Georgia where he received his Juris Doctorate Degree in Law. Mr. Merino also studied International Law and International Finance and Transactions in Madrid, Spain through the international law program sponsored by the College of William and Mary.. Mr. Merino is one of the approximately 400 lawyers in the State of Florida who is recognized by the Florida Bar as an expert in the area of real estate law. Mr. Merino has been practicing law in Florida since 1995. He is a member in good standing with the Florida Bar and is a member of the Florida Bar Real Property, Trust and Probate Section. He is a member of the United States District Court for the Southern District.. He is fluent in Spanish. He is a member of various associations such as the American Bar Association, American Land Title Association, Title Insurance through Lawyers and is a title insurance agent for Old Republic National Title, Fidelity National Title Group, Chicago Title and Commonwealth Title. He is also a member of the Florida Attorneys Saving Homes Program (FLASH) which assists distressed property owners who cannot afford to hire an attorney.. Mr. Merino is a frequent lecturer who has spoken to diverse groups on various topics ranging from foreclosure litigation and loan restructuring to asset protection, entity structuring and tax and estate planing for non-resident aliens.  He is also lectured extensilvely on investor topics, commercial real estate topics, Florida land trusts, FACTA, Common Reporting Standard, international estate and tax planning, offshore entities and trusts and many other real estate and consumer law related topics.

Melissa O'Connor is dedicated to helping people protect their assets and plan for their future.  Each matter is approached with the upmost care and goals are based upon the needs of our clients.. Personalized Services include: Wills and Trusts Preparation Probate Administration Trust Administration Durable Power of Attorney Power of Attorney for Healthcare Guardianship. After years of private practice at large firms, Melissa went out on her own to use her legal knowledge and skills to assist individuals and families as they plan for their future and address the concerns of aging.  Estate Planning and Elder Law is especially important to Melissa she has faced issues, as many families, do while planning and addressing urgent issues related to aging and disability in her own family.. Prior to practicing law Melissa worked professionally as an environmental scientist.  She is passionate about assisting people and their businesses comply with environmental regulations.  She has also assisted her community in holding the government accountable to their regulatory duties.  While not helping families with their estate and elder law issues, Melissa works in the environmental arena.. Melissa is the mother of two and is actively involved in her community.  She has served as a Volunteer Guardian ad Litem advocating for the rights of children in the foster care system since 2002.  She also serves as the Secretary of the Florida Brownfields 501©(3) which is dedicated to assisting members of the community engage in the Brownfields process.

Melissa Groisman, Esq. is an AV-Rated Florida Real Estate Attorney at Greenspoon Marder LLP based in Fort Lauderdale. She is known for her approachability, responsiveness, proactive approach to deal making, and ability to mediate difficult situations.. Through the years, Melissa has handled many residential and complex commercial real estate transactions, the development of condominium projects, and commercial leasing matters. She has experience in general contract disputes, real estate purchase and sale disputes, construction defect claims on behalf of residential and commercial owners and contractors, corporate dissolutions, probate and trust administration and litigation, and residential and commercial evictions.. Melissa’s clients range from first-time home buyers, to international real estate investors, to local developers, realtors, and business people, but no matter the size of the deal or the experience level of the client, she treats each transaction and case with extreme care, diligence, and attention.. Melissa is a native Spanish speaker and conversationally fluent in Hebrew and French. She received her Bachelor of Arts from Duke University, her Masters in Information Systems Management from Carnegie Mellon University and her Juris Doctor from the University of Miami School of Law, where she was a Dean’s Scholar.. Ms. Groisman is rated “AV Preeminent” by Martindale-Hubbell Law Directory, a significant peer-review rating accomplishment signifying the highest level of professional excellence.

Massimo Reboa is a real estate attorney admitted to the Florida Bar since 2016 and to the Italian Bar since 2019.. After his Juris Doctor degree in Italy, Massimo Reboa won a full scholarship from Nova Southeastern University for a second JD.. Massimo Reboa currently focuses his practice on international closings, lease, eviction, and title insurance, corporate and business transactions both in the United States and Italy.

Martyn S. Elberg graduated from California Western School of Law in 2006. After graduation, Marty moved back to his hometown of Eagle Grove, Iowa to be closer to his and his wife’s family where they could raise their boys with the same Midwestern values they learned.  Soon after he was admitted to the Iowa bar, he opened his own practice to serve the small town.  After several years of being a general practitioner and transitioning their boys into responsible young men, Marty and his wife, Susie, moved to Florida. He now resides in Fort Lauderdale with Susie. Their children live in Iowa and Virginia. One is in the Army National Guard and the other served 5 years active duty in the US Navy and is now in the Navy Reserve.Marty has focused on Estate Planning since being admitted to the Florida bar in 2012. His experience goes back to when he prepared a simple will for one of his first clients in Iowa in 2007.  His practice has evolved where he creates full plans for a family’s well-being. Marty understands the fear of sitting down and planning for the inevitable, and he prides himself on his ability to truly listen to his clients while translating their vision into estate plans that meet their desires and expectations.  He appreciates the unique composition of each family and knows firsthand that thoughtful, creative customized planning can maximize both financial security and harmony therein.

Mara Alyson received her Juris Doctor from Shepard Broad Law Center at Nova South Eastern University in 1999, and was admitted to the to the Florida Bar that same year. In 2004, she was subsequently admitted into the United States District Court for the Southern District and in 2010, Ms. Alyson became a Circuit Civil Certified Mediator, with an additional certification in Mortgage Mediation. Ms. Alyson’s experience focuses in residential and commercial real estate, with an emphasis on condominium and cooperative associations, mortgage foreclosure (borrower and lender), real estate closings and title insurance, as well on the related civil litigation related to these areas.. With her knowledge in residential and commercial real estate and her extensive relationships within the community, Ms. Alyson concentrates her practice on representation of homeowners’ associations, cooperative associations and condominium associations throughout the State of Florida.  Ms. Alyson assists associations with a variety of matters including by way of example-assessment collections, declaration amendments, vendor contract negotiations, tenant demands, and enforcement of covenants insurance loses and related litigation.. Ms. Alyson’s practice offers strategic solutions for the most common problems faced by community and condominium associations. Whether it is a complex matter regarding contract litigation, an insurance loss, officer and director liability, or a lien foreclosure for delinquent assessments, she helps protect the association as a whole, its Board and by extension its members. She understands that Board Members are involved volunteers and dedicate valuable personal time. With this in mind, Ms. Alyson is dedicated to providing practical efficient solutions to legal problems with a focus on customer care and service.. Ms. Alyson was recently featured on a national news program for her pro bono representation of a Holocaust survivor’s faulty foreclosure by a national lending institution.  She has joined Saavedra | Goodwin as a new senior counsel and brings her broad-based knowledge of transactional and litigation experience to the firm.. Mara Alyson was born in New York and relocated with her family to South Florida in the early 1970s.  Mara has strong ties to the South Florida Community and has served as President of a PTA and continues to volunteer for numerous civic causes.

Law Offices of Jarrett R. Williams, P.A. is a full-service real estate law firm that concentrates on the real estate title and litigation needs of its clients throughout the State of Florida. Our firm provides title insurance, real estate closings, and effective legal representation in litigation matters involving landlord/tenant disputes, foreclosure defense, escrow deposit disputes, code enforcement defense, quiet title and partition actions to name a few.. We are proud to represent people from all walks of life. Whether you’re buying your first home or selling a million-dollar beach front property, our firm guides buyers and sellers of real estate through each step of the process, explaining everything so that you are confident your objectives will be achieved. We also offer sound advice and counsel to real estate brokers and their agents to ensure their residential and commercial closings are smooth and successful.. When there’s money involved, there are bound to be points of contention and the same applies to real estate transactions. When favorable negotiated resolutions can’t be reached and litigation arises, we aggressively advocate for our clients to help them receive efficient and effective results.. Our firm’s attention to detail and real estate transactional and litigation experience provide you with the insight to achieve solutions to your most complex real estate matters.. “Detail. Insight. Solutions.”. CONTACT US. We are happy to answer any of your questions. The sooner you consult with our firm, the better your chances of achieving your objectives. Contact our office today to speak with an experienced attorney.. Law Offices of Jarrett R. Williams, P.A.. Office Hours: Monday – Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.. Available by appointment at:. Bank of America Plaza. 401 E Las Olas Blvd – Suite 1400. Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33301

Kurt Zimmerman has practiced law for over 30 years in the areas of real property, probate and trust law, beginning at the national law firm of McDermott, Will & Emery in its Chicago office. A graduate of the American College of Trust and Estate Council (ACTEC) Florida Fellows Institute, Mr. Zimmerman has been recognized as one of Florida Trend's “Legal Elite.”. Education:. Mr. Zimmerman is a graduate of the University of Michigan (B.A. 1986) where he was a walk-on student-athlete (baseball), earning 4 varsity letters and being individually honored as First Team Academic All-Big Ten, First Team All-Big Ten, Most Outstanding Player - Big Ten Tournament, and recipient of the Wolverine Award, which goes to the team’s “most inspirational player.” He and his Michigan teammates — including Hall of Famer Barry Larkin and Olympic Gold Medalist and Sullivan Award Winner (“most outstanding amateur athlete in the United States”) Jim Abbott — won three Big Ten Conference championships and competed twice in the NCAA Division I National Championship Tournament (College World Series).. Mr. Zimmerman received his law degree from Vanderbilt University Law School (J.D. 1990) where his peers elected him President of the Vanderbilt Bar Association and where he was selected by vote of the entire law faculty as recipient of the Bennett Douglas Bell Memorial Prize, which goes to the graduate “who is not only well versed in the law, but who embodies the highest conception of the ethics of the profession.” Mr. Zimmerman continues to serve Vanderbilt Law School by conducting admissions interviews for South Florida applicants.. Community Service:. Mr. Zimmerman is active in the community and serves on the governing boards of several local organizations, including:. Professional Memberships:. His professional memberships include the American Bar Association, The Florida Bar, the Broward County Bar Association, the Estate Planning Council of Broward County, and the Planned Giving Council of Broward County.. Personal:. Mr. Zimmerman and his wife of 30 years (Patricia Hooley) reside in Fort Lauderdale. Mr. Zimmerman’s three children attended Pine Crest School and the Ross School of Business at the University of Michigan where they were the 5th consecutive generation of the Zimmerman family to attend Michigan.

Kara L. Stachel, Managing Partner for Stachel Law Planning, PLLC, is admitted to the Florida Bar, New Jersey Bar, Pennsylvania Bar and District of Columbia Bar, and is a member of the Florida Bar Journal's Editorial Board and Real Property, Probate and Trust Law Section of the Florida Bar.  Throughout her education, Ms. Stachel poised herself to enter the professional legal community as her clients’ biggest advocate. After graduating from Duquesne University, McAnulty College and Graduate School of Liberal Arts in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania with a major in Political Science and minor in Business Administration, Ms. Stachel worked as a paralegal and focused on debt collection and estate planning.

Joshua R. Kon is an assertive litigator with extensive experience in the practice areas of commercial and real estate litigation, lender liability, partnership disputes, professional malpractice, and appellate law. Mr. Kon has a reputation for coming up with unique solutions to his clients’ complicated problems. His professional accomplishments include recovering substantial judgments and settlements for his clients, as well handling as numerous transactional matters to completion.Mr. Kon is deeply committed to serving clients of all backgrounds in his community. He represents not-for-profit organizations on a pro bono basis and assists charities in raising much-needed funds so that they can continue their good works in the community.Mr. Kon was inspired to become an attorney following his studies of Talmudic law. Before graduating summa cum laude from Nova Southeastern University Shepard Broad Law Center, Mr. Kon owned and managed a successful small business with locations in Miami and New York. Now, Mr. Kon is conscientiously charged at every stage of his clients’ lawsuits, from drafting complaints, taking depositions, prosecuting trials, enforcing judgments and appeals.

John ("Jack") Phillips, graduated from Seton Hall School of Law in New Jersey, in 1981, and has been practicing in Florida (1982), N.Y.,  and N.J., since 1982. His practice has involved the civil litigation, including foreclosure and creditor rights litigation, personal injury, corporate, healthcare related matters, business, real estate, construction litigation, probate, guardianship, and divorce, malpractice matters.

Jay Shehadeh focuses his practice on the areas he knows best, Business, Real Estate and Criminal Defense.Having grown up in a family of entreprenaurs, and becoming an entreprenaur himself, Jay Shehadeh built a strong understanding of a Small Business' legal needs. Jay coincided his real world business experience with formal business classess at Florida Atlantic University, where he recieved a Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration. Following his Bachelor's Degree, Jay went on to attend law school at Florida International University College of Law. In Law School, Jay excelled amongst his peers. For his third year, Jay was selected to become a Gubernatorial Fellow with Governor Charlie Crist, where he worked to further the Governor's legislative priorities in the Governor's Office of Policy and Budget in the Capital Building in Tallahassee. Jay eventually graduated cum laude from his law school.After law school, Jay began his legal career as a Prosecutor with the State Attorney's Office. There, Jay built an intimate comfort for the court room and a strong familiarity with the inner court workings. He started in the Misdemeanor division, building an expertise in DUI law. Jay then went on to prosecute a miriad of serious felonies, especially in the areas of White Collar Crime, Drug Possessions and Homicides. Jay concluded his time with the State Attorney's Office as part of an elite prosecution unit, the Crimes Against Children Unit, where Jay prosecuted physical and sexual abuse crimes that were committed against minors.Having built a deep understanding of Business, Criminal Law and the inner workings of Government, Jay now uses all that he has learned to protect his clients.

I have worked at Medalie & Medalie, PA for over 20 years.  Until 2022, I worked with my father, Don Medalie, who shared the wisdom he gained from his 62 years in the practice.  He also taught me fundamentals of a law practice:  act in the clients' long-term best interests, timely respond to client inquiries, focus on specific practice areas to develop deep expertise.  This philosophy has enabled us to represent families and businesses for multiple decades and multiple generations.

I have practiced law in the area of estate planning for over thirty years, first in MN and currently in FL. As an experienced estate planning attorney, I work with clients to develop plans that fit their individual needs. No client is too small. Whether the plan involves a simple will or a more complex trust, I believe everyone should have a plan in place. I also offer suggestions for ways my clients can avoid the unnecessary delay and expense of probate. I merge the principles of Biblical stewardship and the interpersonal relationships involved in estate planning with the ever changing tax and legal landscape to help individuals and families achieve their goals for the distribution of the estates that have been entrusted to them.As the world faces unprecedented challenges at this time, please know that I am here to serve you. For many, the current crisis is serving as a wake-up call to get their estate plans in order.. Do you have a Will or Trust in place? Do you have a Power of Attorney where you have appointed someone to make financial decisions for you if you are not able? Do you have a Health Care Surrogate where you have appointed someone to make medical decisions for you if you are not able? Have you reviewed and updated beneficiaries on all life insurance policies and retirement plans?Leaving these questions unanswered means leaving many more unanswered questions and financial stress for your loved ones in the event of your death or incapacity. I can help you answer these questions and guide you through the process.

I have been practicing tax law and tax resolution since I received my Masters In Law in Tax in 1971. I have handled many difficult tax matters over the last 47 years. I have been certifed as a Board Certified Tax Lawyer for the past 33 years and I am also a Florida Superlawyer in Tax. Please see my website at for all of my qualificaitons. There is no substitute for experience when dealing with tax matters.

I have been in the practice of law for over 33 years in Broward County and have extensive experience in estate planning, wills, trusts, probate, real estate, corporate matters and certain areas of taxation.  I am rated "AV-Preeminent" in Martindale Hubbell (an attorney rating service).  This means that my peers rate me as having attained the highest level of professional excellence in my practice areas.. In addition to being qualified to handle many legal matters, I would like you to know that I devote personal attention to my clients, genuinely striving to achieve their goals. This type of commitment to my clients has created long lasting relationships with many of them, both professional and personal.. Please give me a call in order to discuss your legal needs.

I have been an attorney engaged in Commercial Litigation for 45 recently, when I decided to retire from active practice, my practice consisted of complex litigation all types of business disputes, in real estate, construction defects, breach of contacts, fraud cases, bank disputes and have also spend many years practicing family law and representing creditors in the Bankruptcy Court. I am a Supreme Court Certified Mediator in the Circuit Court in Florida and have mediated complex cases in different disciplines. After retiring and devoting myself to Mediation only, my hourly rate was reduced to $350 per hour from $650 per hour for my commercial litigation practice. My background is very diverse and includes,  business disputes, commercial landlord, matters, construction defect cases, all kinds of commercial litigation including breach of contract claims, business separation litigation, eminent domain cases, intra and inter corporate disputes regarding ownership and unlawful competition claims, bad faith in personal injuiry claims, property disputes and much more. I'm using Zoom during the pandemic and then will return to face-to-face mediation or, if the parties agree, I'll serve as an arbitrator.. Very diverse background with a lot of jury and non-jury trials.

I focus my practice on business transactions and represent companies, owners, and employees in myriad industries.

I appreciate the unique set of facts and circumstances that each of my clients bring to the table. I thrive on working with each one to identify the issues and potential impacts that aid in making the best legal decisions.

I am an attorney practicing in South Florida and based out of Fort Lauderdale. I practice primarily Real Estate Law as well as perform title and closing services throughout the state of Florida.

I am a shareholder with Berman, Kean & Riguera, P.A.  I earned my J.D. at the University Of Miami School Of Law (JD, Magna Cum Laude, 1990), where I was a member of the University of Miami Law Review.  I was admitted to the Florida Bar in 1990 and have been practicing continuously in South Florida ever since.  I am also a Florida Supreme Court Certified Circuit Civil Mediator.    I am rated “AV” by the Martindale-Hubbell Law Directory, the highest rating awarded by that organization.  In addition, I have been selected numerous times for inclusion in Florida Trend Legal Elite magazine, Super Lawyers (Top Attorneys in Florida), and the South Florida Legal Guide - Top Lawyers.. In my 20+ year career, I have successfully handled a wide variety of complex commercial and civil litigation matters for both corporate and individual clients before state and federal courts, as well as arbitration panels.  I have also handled numerous appeals at both the state and federal court level.  I particularly concentrate my practice on litigation matters involving contract disputes, business torts, creditors’ rights, real estate litigation, partner and shareholder disputes, employment litigation defense, commercial landlord/tenant disputes and condominium association litigation.. Other interests: golf, astronomy, history